S&P 500 Q4 Earnings Off To A Rough Start

As we continue along through fourth quarter earnings season, the results thus far have not been as positive as previously hoped.  Since October 2014, however, we have seen a steady decline in earnings per share consensus for the S&P 500.  Overall earnings per share has fallen from around $31 to its current level of $28.33, from $29.31.  After 25% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported, we have seen earnings per share come in 3% less than what was expected at the start of the quarter.  A majority of the negative results have been caused by special charges, and Goldman Sachs sees this trend to continue throughout the rest of the fourth quarter earnings season.  Additionally, companies are...