Understand what drives the S&P 500

Every quarter, the biggest companies in the market tell you what's really happening — in their earnings calls. We read them so you don't have to. Below: a sector-by-sector synthesis of the latest S&P 500 earnings calls — who beat, who missed, and the themes moving each sector.

Last updated August 10, 2026 · rolling 90-day window · 11 GICS sectors

Communication Services

24companies
88%beat
4%in-line
8%miss

The Communication Services sector exhibited robust performance this quarter, with 88% of companies reporting earnings beats. A dominant theme was the strong demand for digital and

Strong Demand for ConnectivityContent and Streaming FocusStrategic Investments in AIOperational Execution Challenges
Read the Communication Services recap →

Consumer Discretionary

33companies
76%beat
15%in-line
9%miss

The Consumer Discretionary sector exhibited a mixed performance in the latest quarter, driven by divergent demand trends, pricing pressures, and cautious guidance from several key

demand resiliencepricing pressurescautious guidancedivergent performance
Read the Consumer Discretionary recap →

Consumer Staples

41companies
76%beat
17%in-line
7%miss

The Consumer Staples sector demonstrated resilience in the latest quarter, driven by strong demand trends and strategic pricing initiatives. Notably, companies such as PepsiCo and

demand trendspricing strategiesinflationary pressuresguidance outlook
Read the Consumer Staples recap →

Energy

12companies
92%beat
0%in-line
8%miss

The energy sector exhibited robust performance this quarter, with an impressive 92% of companies beating earnings expectations. A key theme driving this success was the favorable p…

favorable pricingoperational efficiencystrategic partnershipsmarket volatility
Read the Energy recap →

Financials

103companies
83%beat
15%in-line
2%miss

The Financials sector exhibited robust performance in Q2 2026, with an impressive 83% of companies beating earnings expectations. Key themes driving this momentum included strong l…

Loan GrowthFee IncomeTechnology InvestmentsOperational Efficiency
Read the Financials recap →

Health Care

103companies
72%beat
19%in-line
9%miss

The Health Care sector exhibited robust performance in the second quarter of 2026, with 72% of companies beating earnings expectations. Key themes driving this quarter included str…

strong demandstrategic acquisitionscost managementpipeline innovation
Read the Health Care recap →

Industrials

86companies
77%beat
18%in-line
5%miss

The industrials sector showcased robust performance this quarter, with 77% of companies beating earnings expectations, reflecting strong demand trends and effective operational str…

strong demandcost managementstrategic investmentsguidance optimism
Read the Industrials recap →

Information Technology

138companies
85%beat
14%in-line
1%miss

The Information Technology sector exhibited remarkable resilience in the last quarter, driven primarily by robust demand for AI-related products and services, alongside strategic s…

AI DemandGuidance IncreasesOperational EfficiencySupply Chain Challenges
Read the Information Technology recap →

Materials

9companies
44%beat
45%in-line
11%miss

The materials sector exhibited a mixed performance this quarter, driven primarily by demand dynamics, pricing pressures, and strategic positioning among key players. A notable them…

demand dynamicspricing powercost pressuresstrategic positioning
Read the Materials recap →

Real Estate

20companies
85%beat
10%in-line
5%miss

The real estate sector exhibited robust performance this quarter, with an impressive 85% of companies beating earnings expectations. Key themes driving this success include strong

strong demand trendsstrategic capital allocationoperational momentummacroeconomic uncertainties
Read the Real Estate recap →

Utilities

19companies
84%beat
5%in-line
11%miss

The utilities sector exhibited robust performance in the last quarter, with an impressive 84% of companies beating earnings expectations. Key themes driving this success include st…

strong demandcapital investmentsclean energy focusregulatory challenges
Read the Utilities recap →