Yahoo Finance·2026-01-30 13:05Group 1 - The fourth quarter earnings season is underway, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, and Apple leading the earnings calendar [1] - An optimistic consensus is forming, with 13% of S&P 500 companies having reported fourth quarter results, and analysts estimating an 8.2% increase in earnings per share for the quarter, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth if this rate holds [2] - Analysts had initially expected an 8.3% jump in earnings per share heading into the reporting period, a decrease from the third quarter's 13.6% growth rate, but expectations have been raised for tech companies recently [3] Group 2 - The earnings season will test the improved stock market breadth observed at the start of 2026, with ongoing themes from 2025 such as artificial intelligence and economic policies continuing to influence investor sentiment [4] - In addition to the major tech stocks, earnings updates have been received from a diverse range of companies including UnitedHealth, Boeing, General Motors, IBM, Starbucks, and others, indicating a broad economic impact [5]