Corporate earnings season begins in earnest today when Alcoa, the largest United States aluminium producer, reports results.
The company, which has traditionally kicked off each new earnings season, is expected to report earnings per share of 4 cent on
$5.2 billion (€4.8 billion) in revenue, which would compare with 33 cent in earnings per share (EPS) on $6.4 billion in revenue in the same quarter last year.
JP Morgan will report Q4 results before the market’s open on Thursday, with the bank forecast to earn $1.30 in EPS on $23.1 billion in revenue. This compares with EPS of $1.19 on $22.5 billion in revenue in the 2014 quarter.
Intel also reports on Thursday, albeit after the market's close. The technology company is expected to earn EPS of $0.63 on $14.8 billion in revenue.
This compares with EPS of $0.66 on $14.7 billion in revenues in the December 2014 quarter.
Wearable technology
Intel last reported quarterly earnings on October 13th. The chip maker reported
EPS of $0.64 for the quarter. Analysts predict Intel, which has encountered increased competition in the chip industry as mobile devices and wearable technology have become more popular, will post $2.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Intel last week teamed up with big names such as Lady Gaga for its CES address in Las Vegas, but the real star of the technology giant’s show was an Irish-designed computer the size of button.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo will be reporting before the markets open on Friday.
It last issued its quarterly earnings results on October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter.
The company’s revenue was up 3.1 per cent compared with the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year the company posted $1.02 in EPS.
