4Q23 EPS: 4 reasons EPS results are better than appears on surface, including potential China bottom.

VIDEO: We discuss 4 factors that suggest 4Q23 EPS season stronger than many realize.

Please click below to view our Macro Minute (duration: 3:56).

This week will be the midpoint of 4Q23 EPS season (105 cos reporting). There have been several high profile EPS beats leading to massive stock moves such as META 0.27%  and PLTR 3.59% . In our view, overall, this is proving to be a very strong EPS season. And we see 4 reasons it is probably stronger than appears on the surface:

• At this midpoint, S&P 500 4Q23 EPS is tracking towards $54.00, up +0.70% from the start of the year. It is good that it is up, but this rise in estimates is somewhat modest compared to the last 15 years. On average, EPS estimates tends to rise +3% vs start of results season. It was higher during the past few years but the past 3 years are the exception.
• But the +0.70% figure is understated. Financials have seen EPS estimates fall since the start of the quarter by -14%. This is a result of the FDIC insurance fund assessing a $23 billion fee to cover the bailouts of regional banks. 
• Excluding this assessment, EPS is tracking +3.6% above start of quarter. This is above the 3.2% long-term average. And we are only at the midpoint, so this means the EPS estimates could ultimately be +6% above start of quarter (ex-Financials).
• Second, the market reaction to earnings has been improving and the best since 4Q22. Based on data compiled by our data science team, led by tireless Ken:
  – companies beating are seeing 1D stock gains of +1.1%
  – this is above +0.8% 3Q23 and best since 4Q22
  – the only sector with negative reaction to beats is Technology
  – that is not a negative sign to us, but is good news priced in there?
• Third, the percentage of companies reporting >10% EPS growth continues to gain. At the midpoint, this is tracking at 43% and sort of solidifies that 1Q23 was the end of the EPS recession. In 1Q23, this figure bottomed at 36% and has been gaining since. Given the earnings surprise level of +6.5%, we expect this figure to keep rising into the second half of EPS season.
• Fourth, there are possible signs China’s stock market and hence, China’s economy might be bottoming. While there has been much talk about the collapse of China lenders in the headlines, it seems like China equities might have made an interim low.
• Mark Newton, Head of Technical Strategy at Fundstrat, two weeks ago suggested this current week is the window for China equities to bottom. For FXI 1.49% , he cited a potential low around $21 and ASHR 1.57%  and KWEB 2.57%  and others would be similarly bottoming. 
• Indeed, there has been a sharp rally Monday, driven in part by explicit policy support cited by China government officials. While this is only the stock market bottom, equities are often leading indicators for the economy. And moreover, an improving China would strengthen the case that US and global PMIs have bottomed. And in turn, that supports improving EPS throughout 2024.

Bottom line: 4Q23 EPS season results solid = supports case for stocks in 2024

The cyclical arguments for EPS to improve in 2024 are strengthened by 4Q23 results season. To me, the stock market is getting stronger, in the sense the fundamental case is improving. Earnings visibility is one factor. The pivot to a dovish Fed is another.

• while many might believe we are in a late cycle economy
• consumer leverage remains low, whether measured by debt service ratios or debt/income
• thus, the recovery in PMIs, upturn in EPS, falling mortgage rates and a pivot by Fed feel more like early cycle
• thus, we still favor a cyclical tilt, IWM 1.04%  XLI 0.16%  XLF -0.15%  and FANG/Technology QQQ 1.55%
• that said, as highlighted recently, we are 14 weeks into a rally.
• and the last two extended rallies of 2022-2023 were 16 and 19 weeks

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Key incoming data February:

• 2/01 8:30am ET 4QP 2023 Nonfarm ProductivityMixed
• 2/01 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI January FinalTame
• 2/01 10am ET January ISM ManufacturingMixed
• 2/02 8:30am ET January Jobs Report Hot
• 2/02 10am ET: U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation January FinalTame
• 2/05 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI January FinalTame
• 2/05 10am ET January ISM ServicesTame
• 2/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index January Final
• 2/09 CPI Revisions
• 2/13 8:30am ET January CPI 
• 2/14 PPI Revisions
• 2/15 8:30am ET February Empire Manufacturing Survey 
• 2/15 8:30am ET February Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey
• 2/15 8:30am ET January Retail Sales Data
• 2/15 10am EST February NAHB Housing Market Index 
• 2/16 8:30am ET January PPI
• 2/16 8:30am ET February New York Fed Business Activity Survey
• 2/16 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation February Prelim
• 2/19 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index February Mid-Month
• 2/21 2pm ET January FOMC Meeting Minutes
• 2/22 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI February Prelim 
• 2/26 9:30am ET February Dallas Fed Manufacturing Activity Survey
• 2/27 9am ET February S&P CoreLogic CS home price 
• 2/27 10am ET February Conference Board Consumer Confidence
• 2/28 8:30am ET 4QS 2023 GDP
• 2/29 8:30am ET January PCE

Key incoming data January:

• 1/02 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI December FinalMixed
• 1/03 10am ET December ISM ManufacturingTame
• 1/03 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings NovemberTame
• 1/03 2pm ET December FOMC Meeting MinutesTame
• 1/04 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI December FinalTame
• 1/05 8:30am ET December Jobs ReportMixed
• 1/05 10am ET December ISM ServicesTame
• 1/08 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index December FinalTame
• 1/11 8:30am ET December CPIDetails Suggest Tame
• 1/12 8:30am ET December PPITame
• 1/16 8:30am ET January Empire Manufacturing SurveyTame
• 1/17 8:30am ET January New York Fed Business Activity SurveyTame
• 1/17 8:30am ET December Retail Sales DataStrong
• 1/17 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index January Mid-MonthTame
• 1/17 10am EST January NAHB Housing Market IndexMixed
• 1/18 8:30am ET January Philly Fed Business Outlook SurveyTame
• 1/19 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation January PrelimTame
• 1/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI January PrelimMixed
• 1/25 8:30am ET 4QA 2023 GDPMixed
• 1/26 8:30am ET December PCETame
• 1/29 9:30am ET Dallas Fed January Manufacturing Activity SurveyTame
• 1/30 9am ET January S&P CoreLogic CS home priceTame
• 1/30 10am ET January Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 1/30 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings DecemberMixed
• 1/31 2pm ET FOMC Rate DecisionTame

Key incoming data December

• 12/01 9:45am ET S&P Global Manufacturing PMI November FinalTame 
• 12/01 10am ET November ISM ManufacturingStrong 
• 12/05 9:45am ET S&P Global Services & Composite PMI November FinalStrong 
• 12/05 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings OctoberTame 
• 12/05 10am ET November ISM ServicesStrong 
• 12/06 8:30am ET 3QF 2023 Nonfarm ProductivityStrong 
• 12/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index November FinalTame 
• 12/08 8:30am ET November Jobs ReportTame 
• 12/08 10am ET U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation December PrelimTame 
• 12/12 8:30am ET November CPITame 
• 12/13 8:30am ET November PPITame
• 12/13 2pm ET FOMC Rate DecisionDovish
• 12/14 8:30am ET November Retail Sales DataTame
• 12/15 8:30am ET December Empire Manufacturing SurveyTame
• 12/15 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI December PrelimTame
• 12/18 8:30am ET December New York Fed Business Activity SurveyTame
• 12/18 10am ET December NAHB Housing Market IndexTame
• 12/19 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index December Mid-MonthTame
• 12/20 10am ET December Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 12/21 8:30am ET 3QT 2023 GDPMixed
• 12/21 8:30am ET December Philly Fed Business Outlook SurveyMixed
• 12/22 8:30am ET November PCE Tame
• 12/22 10am ET: U. Mich. Sentiment and Inflation Expectation December FinalTame
• 12/26 9am ET December S&P CoreLogic CS home priceTame
• 12/26 10:30am ET Dallas Fed December Manufacturing Activity Survey Tame
• 12/29 9:45am ET December Chicago PMI

Key incoming data November

• 11/01 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI October FinalTame 
• 11/01 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings SeptemberMixed
• 11/01 10am ET October ISM ManufacturingTame
• 11/01 10am ET Treasury 4Q23 Quarterly Refunding Press ConferenceTame
• 11/01 2pm ET FOMC Rate DecisionDovish
• 11/02 8:30am ET: 3Q23 Nonfarm ProductivityTame
• 11/03 8:30am ET October Jobs Report Tame
• 11/03 10am ET October ISM ServicesMixed
• 11/07 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index October FinalTame
• 11/10 10am ET U. Mich. November prelim Sentiment and Inflation Expectation Hot
• 11/14 8:30am ET October CPI Tame
• 11/15 8:30am ET October PPI Tame
• 11/15 8:30am ET November Empire Manufacturing Survey Resilient
• 11/15 8:30am ET October Retail Sales DataResilient
• 11/16 8:30am ET November New York Fed Business Activity SurveyTame
• 11/16 8:30am ET November Philly Fed Business Outlook Survey Tame
• 11/16 10am ET November NAHB Housing Market Index Tame
• 11/17 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index November Mid-MonthTame
• 11/21 2pm ET Nov FOMC Meeting MinutesTame
• 11/22 10am ET: U. Mich. November final Sentiment and Inflation ExpectationTame
• 11/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI November Prelim Mixed
• 11/27 10:30am ET Dallas Fed November Manufacturing Activity SurveyTame
• 11/28 9am ET November S&P CoreLogic CS home price Tame
• 11/28 10am ET November Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 11/29 8:30am ET 3QS 2023 GDPStrong
• 11/29 2pm ET Fed Releases Beige BookTame
• 11/30 8:30am ET October PCETame

Key incoming data October

•  10/2 10am ET September ISM ManufacturingTame
•  10/3 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings AugustHot
•  10/4 10am ET September ISM ServicesTame
•  10/6 8:30am ET September Jobs ReportMixed
•  10/6 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index September FinalTame
• 10/10 11am NY Fed Inflation ExpectationsMixed
•  10/11 8:30am ET September PPIMixed
•  10/11 2pm ET Sep FOMC Meeting MinutesTame
•  10/12 8:30am ET September CPIMixed
•  10/13 10am ET U. Mich. September prelim 1-yr inflationMixed
•  10/16 8:30am ET October Empire Manufacturing SurveyTame
•  10/17 8:30am ET October New York Fed Business Activity SurveyTame
• 10/17 8:30am ET September Retail Sales DataHot
•  10/17 9am ET Manheim October Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value IndexTame
•  10/17 10am ET October NAHB Housing Market IndexTame
• 10/18 8:30am ET September Housing StartsTame
• 10/18 2pm ET Fed releases Beige BookTame
•  10/19 8:30am ET October Philly Fed Business Outlook SurveyTame
• 10/19 10am ET Existing Home SalesTame
• 10/19 12pm ET Fed (including Powell) at Economic Club of New York
•  10/24 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI October PrelimTame
•  10/26 8:30am ET 3Q 2023 GDP AdvanceStrong
•  10/27 8:30am ET September PCETame
•  10/27 10am ET Oct F UMich Sentiment and Inflation expectationTame
•  10/30 10:30am ET Dallas Fed September Manufacturing Activity SurveyTame
• 10/31 8:30am ET 3Q23 Employment Cost IndexMixed
•  10/31 9am ET August S&P CoreLogic CS home priceMixed
•  10/31 10am ET October Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame

Key incoming data September

•  9/1 8:30am ET August Jobs ReportTame
•  9/1 10am ET August ISM ManufacturingTame
•  9/6 10am ET August ISM ServicesMixed
•  9/6 2pm ET Fed releases Beige BookTame
•  9/8 9am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index August FinalTame
•  9/8 2Q23 Fed Flow of Funds ReportTame
•   9/13 8:30am ET August CPIMixed
•  9/14 8:30am ET August PPITame
•  9/15 8:30am ET September Empire Manufacturing SurveyTame
•  9/15 10am ET U. Mich. September prelim 1-yr inflationTame
•  9/18 8:30am ET September New York Fed Business Activity SurveyTame
•  9/18 10am ET September NAHB Housing Market IndexTame
•  9/19 9am ET Manheim September Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value IndexMixed
•  9/20 2pm ET September FOMC rates decisionMarket saw Hawkish
•  9/21 8:30am ET September Philly Fed Business Outlook SurveyMixed
•  9/22 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI September Prelim
•  9/25 10:30am ET Dallas Fed September Manufacturing Activity Survey
•  9/26 9am ET July S&P CoreLogic CS home price
•  9/26 10am ET September Conference Board Consumer Confidence

Key incoming data August

• 8/1 10am ET July ISM ManufacturingTame
• 8/1 10am ET JOLTS Job Openings JunTame
• 8/2 8:15am ADP National Employment ReportHot
• 8/3 10am ET July ISM ServicesTame
• 8/4 8:30am ET July Jobs reportTame
• 8/7 11am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index July FinalTame
• 8/10 8:30am ET July CPITame
• 8/11 8:30am ET July PPITame
• 8/11 10am ET U. Mich. July prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
• 8/11 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker JulyTame
• 8/15 8:30am ET Aug Empire Manufacturing SurveyMixed 
• 8/15 10am ET Aug NAHB Housing Market IndexTame
• 8/16 8:30am ET Aug New York Fed Business Activity SurveyNeutral
• 8/16 2pm ET FOMC MinutesMixed 
• 8/17 8:30am ET Aug Philly Fed Business Outlook SurveyPositive
• 8/17 Manheim Aug Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value IndexTame
• 8/23 9:45am ET S&P Global PMI Aug PrelimWeak
• 8/25 10am ET Aug Final U Mich 1-yr inflationMixed
• 8/28 10:30am ET Dallas Fed Aug Manufacturing Activity SurveyTame
• 8/29 9am ET June S&P CoreLogic CS home priceTame
• 8/29 10am ET Aug Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 8/29 10 am ET Jul JOLTSTame
• 8/31 8:30am ET July PCETame

Key incoming data July

• 7/3 10am ET June ISM ManufacturingTame
• 7/6 8:15am ADP National Employment Report Hot
• 7/6 10am ET June ISM ServicesTame
• 7/6 10 am ET May JOLTSTame
• 7/7 8:30am ET June Jobs reportMixed
• 7/10 11am ET Manheim Used Vehicle Index June FinalTame
• 7/12 8:30am ET June CPITame
• 7/13 8:30am ET June PPITame
• 7/13 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker JuneTame
• 7/14 10am ET U. Mich. June prelim 1-yr inflationMixed
• 7/17 8:30am July Empire Manufacturing Survey
• 7/18 8:30am July New York Fed Business Activity Survey
• 7/18 10am July NAHB Housing Market Indexin-line
• 7/18 Manheim July Mid-Month Used Vehicle Value IndexTame
• 7/25 9am ET May S&P CoreLogic CS home priceTame
• 7/25 10am ET July Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 7/26 2pm ET July FOMC rates decisionTame
• 7/28 8:30am ET June PCE Tame
• 7/28 8:30am ET 2Q ECI Employment Cost Index Tame
• 7/28 10am ET July Final U Mich 1-yr inflation Tame

Key data from June

• 6/1 10am ET May ISM ManufacturingTame
• 6/2 8:30am ET May Jobs reportTame
• 6/5 10am ET May ISM ServicesTame
• 6/7 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index MayTame
• 6/9 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker AprilTame
• 6/13 8:30am ET May CPITame
• 6/14 8:30am ET May PPITame
• 6/14 2pm ET April FOMC rates decisionTame
• 6/16 10am ET U. Mich. May prelim 1-yr inflationTame
• 6/27 9am ET April S&P CoreLogic CS home priceTame
• 6/27 10am ET June Conference Board Consumer ConfidenceTame
• 6/30 8:30am ET May PCETame
• 6/30 10am ET June Final U Mich 1-yr inflationTame

Key data from May

• 5/1 10am ET April ISM Manufacturing (PMIs turn up)Positive inflection
• 5/2 10am ET Mar JOLTSSofter than consensus
• 5/3 10am ET April ISM ServicesTame
• 5/3 2pm Fed May FOMC rates decisionDovish
• 5/5 8:30am ET April Jobs reportTame
• 5/5 Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index AprilTame
• 5/8 2pm ET April 2023 Senior Loan Officer Opinion SurveyBetter than feared
• 5/10 8:30am ET April CPITame
• 5/11 8:30am ET April PPITame
• 5/12 10am ET U. Mich. April prelim 1-yr inflation Tame
• 5/12 Atlanta Fed Wage Tracker April Tame
• 5/24 2pm ET May FOMC minutesDovish
• 5/26 8:30am ET PCE April Tame
• 5/26 10am ET U. Mich. April final 1-yr inflation Tame
• 5/31 10am ET JOLTS April job openings