The fourth quarter of 2016’s earnings season kicked off as several of the S&P 500’s Financials sector reported earnings on Jan. 13, 2017. S&P 500 2016 Q4 earnings are expected to increase 6.2% from the prior year. If this holds, it will be the highest since the 7.0% posted in 2014 Q4. This will be the second quarter of positive year-over-year earnings growth, solidifying that the earnings recession that started in the third quarter of 2015 is over. Exhibit 1. S&P 500 % Change in 16Q4 Blended Earnings Nov. 1, 2016 to Jan. 13, 2017 by Industry Group Source: I/B/E/S