Waiting For Earnings

 | Apr 12, 2016 01:27AM ET

Four weeks of corporate earnings are about to hit the market like an Arctic wind. As you brace yourself for the data, you will note that while stock prices have lifted into earnings season, expectations are still on ice. The strong U.S. dollar versus a year ago, combined with weak bank earnings and very weak energy earnings, have done their job to lift negative preannouncements to recent highs and keep optimism in check. With investors not overweight risk, and the pain trade looking higher, a few well-placed earnings beats or signs of optimism could cause a stampede into stocks. We are always a bit anxious going into earnings season, but it feels a bit more on edge this quarter with the Fed now looking determined to delay on interest rate increases. The other cross winds to keep an eye on right now are the weakening U.S. dollar (which will help future earnings comparisons) and the rising interest in Emerging Market currencies, debt and equities (after 6 years of underperformance). Good luck with your earnings season.

The spike in negative preannouncements keeping expectations in check…

@FactSet: 94 S&P 500 cos. have issued negative EPS guidance for Q1, second highest total in 10 yrs.