Amazon.com IncCloud-computing sales accelerated, driving shares up 15% in one session.
About 86% of the more than 440 S&P 500 companies that have reported second-quarter results beat analysts' estimates, pushing stock indexes to fresh highs and easing concerns that the record rally relies too heavily on a small group of artificial intelligence companies. The index is on course for its seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth, with blended earnings up roughly 50%, the strongest growth since the stimulus-driven recovery in 2021. Energy-sector earnings rose more than 147%, driven by higher oil prices linked to the Iran war, while communication services gained around 117%, consumer discretionary 92%, and technology 70%. Upbeat results from Palantir Technologies, Caterpillar, and Walt Disney helped major indexes post their strongest weekly gains since April, and AI spending continued to drive results across sectors, with Amazon shares jumping 15% in one session after cloud-computing sales accelerated and Microsoft adding a record $450 billion in market value. Still, earnings growth remains concentrated, as Alphabet and Amazon accounted for about 71% of the increase in blended S&P 500 earnings since July, and excluding them would reduce growth from about 50% to 32%. Valuations also remain elevated, with the S&P 500 trading at around 28 times trailing earnings, above its 10-year average of 22.5.
Amazon.com IncCloud-computing sales accelerated, driving shares up 15% in one session.
Palantir Technologies Inc.Palantir's upbeat Q2 results contributed to market gains, reflecting strong earnings performance.
Alphabet Inc Class CAlphabet accounted for about 71% of the increase in blended S&P 500 earnings since July.
Microsoft CorporationMicrosoft added a record $450 billion in market value on AI spending.
Caterpillar IncUpbeat results from Caterpillar helped major indexes post strongest weekly gains since April.
Exxon Mobil Corp
Walt Disney CompanyUpbeat results from Walt Disney helped major indexes post strongest weekly gains since April.
Chevron Corp