Earnings Better than Expected So Far (MON, BAC, BBT, FCX, GS, COF)

Of the 76 companies included in the S&P 500 index that have reported earnings through last week, 55% have beat expectations according to S&P Capital IQ consensus estimates. The largest year-over-year growth are Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) at 1050%, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) at 275% and BB&T Corp. (NYSE: BBT) at 90%.

Companies with the least year-over-year growth (losses actually) include Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) down nearly -56%; Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) down nearly -52%; and Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE: COF) down more than -41%.

S&P Capital IQ also expects fourth-quarter growth for the entire S&P 500 to reach 5.7% year-over-year. Among the leading sectors are energy, up nearly 14.5%; financials, up nearly 9%; and industrials up more than 7%.