Here comes third-quarter earnings season. Booming profits could propel the S&P 500 to new heights

Third-quarter earnings season commenced this week with market participants anticipating robust results across the S&P 500. Consensus estimates compiled by FactSet projected nearly 30% year-over-year earnings growth for the index, representing an increase from 26.7% as of June 30. The technology sector, which comprises 40% of the S&P 500, was expected to deliver particularly strong performance, with estimated earnings per share growth rising to 65% from 57% on June 30, bolstered partly b