Stats › Valuation › Analyst accuracy

Estimates are cut 1.9% before the quarter, then 86% beat

20 year: -1.9%-1.9%20 year15 year: -1.7%-1.7%15 year10 year: -1.3%-1.3%10 year5 year: -1%-1%5 yearJul 2026: 0.3%+0.3%Jul 2026

Estimates are cut before the quarter is reported, which is what makes the beat rate high. The pattern has weakened recently and reversed in July 2026. Source: FactSet Earnings Insight.

Sell side analysts set the earnings estimates US companies are measured against. On a twenty year average those estimates fall nearly two percent in the first month of a quarter. In the second quarter of 2026, 86% of companies beat what was left.

1.9%Estimate cut, 20 year avg
86%Companies beating, Q2 2026
5.9%Target price overestimate
4.9%Sell ratings

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