Investors aren’t buying the earnings story this summer, in contrast to the spring rally that powered stocks to a record high in early June, suggesting a tough climb for markets over the back half of the year. Nearly 85% of companies are beating estimates, compared with the recent average of around 80% and the historic reading of around 68%, and LSEG figures suggest overall second-quarter profit growth of 27%. Earnings growth forecasts for the year remain robust, with analysts penciling in a 29.6% advance from 2025 levels, next year’s pace tailing off to around 17%.