The unofficial kickoff to the Q1 2017 earnings season is set for Apr. 13, 2017, when several of the Financials sector’s banks are expected to report results for the quarter. Heading into the quarter, year over year (Y/Y) growth is expected to be strong for both earnings and revenue. As a result, the S&P 500 will likely post the highest growth in over 5 years.   Exhibit 1. S&P 500 Banks Industry 17Q1 Key Performance Indicators Sources: I/B/E/S data, Eikon Banks in Focus With the S&P 500 Banks Industry Index (.52P40101010) down 1.69% YTD, as of the Apr. 12 close, focus

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