Earnings for Q1.

Only 6% remains of S&P500 companies to post Q1 earnings. Actually earnings fell by -17,5% against estimated growth +5,7% (data provided by Thomson on 1st Jan 08). Huge "contribution" had financials sector. Compared to Q1 2007 financials posted $142 bln less and finished quarter in loss of $28 bln.

Q1 started badly by General Electric (GE) which didn't provide bright outlook for other earnings. Nevertheless it wasn't so bad quarter. If two sectors (the best - energy; the worst - financials) are taken out earnings actually grew by 2,9%. That's not so far from optimistic January estimates.

Estimation for Q2 2008 are currently set negative -5,4%.