In the fourth quarter, 73% of S&P 500 companies surpassed their earnings per share (EPS) estimates, according to FactSet posted on X. This figure falls below the five-year average of 78% and the ten-year average of 76%, indicating a weaker performance compared to historical standards. The data highlights a trend where fewer companies are exceeding expectations, which may reflect broader economic challenges or shifts within the market. Analysts and investors are closely monitoring these results to gauge the overall health and future outlook of the market.