Companies are hopeful about the economy again — even if they’re nervous
CNN
Earnings season is in full swing, and that means investors get a chance to hear from multinational companies about the state of the global economy.
A version of this story first appeared in CNN Business’ Before the Bell newsletter. Not a subscriber? You can sign up right here. You can listen to an audio version of the newsletter by clicking the same link. Earnings season is in full swing, and that means investors get a chance to hear from multinational companies about the state of the global economy. So far, executives are cautiously optimistic. While the benchmark S&P 500 index has reached several record highs in recent weeks, investors are monitoring the unknowns that could throw a wrench into the market’s ascent, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions to geopolitical strife to a potential recession. Some of the United States’ biggest companies are in the hot seat to answer questions about the economy, and where it could be headed. Here’s what they have to say. Consumers remain resilient, for now. Consumers have flexed their spending power throughout the Federal Reserve’s battle against inflation. US gross domestic product rose at a seasonally and inflation-adjusted annualized rate of 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Consumer spending makes up about two-thirds of the US economy.