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Nearly 80 S&P 500 firms will report earnings next week; 87% of the 40 already reported beat forecasts, and many have a history of >75% beat rates and
As earnings season ramps up, 80 S&P 500 companies are slated to report next week, and the 40 that have already reported posted an 87% beat rate versus analyst expectations [2]. That track record fuels expectations that names such as Morgan Stanley, Intuitive Surgical and ServiceNow could again outpace forecasts and lift their stocks by at least 1% after release.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Companies reporting next week | ~80 S&P 500 firms |
| Beat rate of already‑reported firms | 87% exceeded estimates |
| Historical beat threshold | ≥75% beat rate linked to ≥1% post‑earnings gain |
| Top historical performer | Deckers Outdoors – 94% beat rate, 1.54% avg gain |
CNBC’s screening of Bespoke Investment Group data identified firms that have beaten analysts’ earnings estimates at least 75% of the time and saw their shares rise ≥1% after results [2]. Deckers Outdoors leads the list with a 94% beat frequency and an average 1.54% price jump on earnings days. ServiceNow, another screen‑hit, has posted a 2.7% average gain following its releases [2]. Intuitive Surgical tops the table with an 89% beat rate and a 2.58% post‑earnings rise [4]. Morgan Stanley, with an 80% beat record, typically adds about 1.07% after earnings [4].
The strong beat rate so far (87%) suggests earnings momentum could buoy equity indices, especially if the highlighted beaters confirm the pattern. Analysts have already upgraded several of these stocks—Jefferies lifted Deckers Outdoors to “buy” with a $130 price target, implying ~22% upside [2]; Goldman Sachs reiterated a buy on ServiceNow, citing its AI relevance [2]; and Bank of America raised Morgan Stanley’s EPS estimate to $2.81 and its price target to $250, indicating >12% upside [4]. Such upgrades often translate into short‑term buying pressure, which can lift sector‑specific ETFs and support broader market sentiment.
If the next wave of reports continues the 87% beat trend, equity markets may see a modest lift, reinforcing the view that earnings quality remains a key driver of short‑term price action. Conversely, a slowdown in beat frequency could temper the rally and prompt a reassessment of the earnings‑beat premium.
Coverage is mostly measured — 116 of 138 reports stay neutral.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 5 outlets · Jul 17, 2026 · How we report
FactSet data shows that 87% of the roughly 40 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far have exceeded analyst expectations.
Alphabet, Tesla, and Intel are among the headline names slated to release earnings in the upcoming week.
S&P 500 futures rose after June consumer price data showed the biggest decline in over six years, indicating a temporary relief from persistent inflation.
Analysts have upgraded Deckers Outdoors to buy, raised Intel’s price target to $155, and increased UnitedHealth’s target to $475, reflecting confidence in their earnings prospects.
Morgan Stanley suggests a diversified income model that includes international assets, master limited partnerships, REITs, commodities, and a focus on quality dividend earners, AI beneficiaries, and fiscal policy winners.