End of Corporate America’s Profit Recession Comes With Concerns

  • S&P 500 companies seen returning to growth late this year
  • Focus is on consumers, high rates, weight-loss drugs, China
Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg
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Investors are growing more confident that a year-long slump in profits for Corporate America is about to end. Yet a fragile economic outlook, wary consumers and the highest interest rates in 16 years mean any relief for stocks could be short-lived.

Analysts predict the companies in the S&P 500 will report a 1.2% drop in third-quarter earnings — the fourth straight decline — before a 6.5% rebound in the final three months of the year, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence.