Here's What To Expect When Companies Report Their Q4 Earnings

• The estimated earnings growth rate for Q4 2013 is 6.3%. The Financials sector is projected to have the highest earnings growth rate for the quarter, while the Energy sector is projected to have the lowest earnings growth rate for the quarter.
• On September 30, the earnings growth rate for Q4 2013 was 9.6%. Nine of the ten sectors have recorded decreases in earnings growth rates over this time frame, led by the Energy sector.
• For Q4 2013, 94 companies have issued negative EPS guidance and 13 companies have issued positive EPS guidance.
• Of the 19 companies that have reported earnings to date for Q4 2013, 63% have reported earnings above the mean estimate and 58% have reported sales above the mean estimate.

Butters also identified some global concerns to watch based on comments from companies that have already announced earnings:

• Less Favorable F/X Rates: The U.S. dollar has strengthened relative to the Japanese yen and other foreign currencies over the past year.
• Europe: A number of companies stated that economic conditions were still weak in Europe in the third quarter. However, some companies stated that conditions may have reached a bottom or improved slightly.
• Emerging Markets: Comments on business conditions in China and emerging markets continued to be mixed during Q3. Some companies (such as Yum! Brands and NIKE) reported weak conditions, while others (such as General Mills) saw strength.
  

Earnings really kicks off Thursday afternoon with aluminum giant Alcoa, a company often hailed as a bellwether for the economy at large.