With 112 S&P 500 companies having reported results, fourth quarter earnings growth for the S&P 500 Index is tracking to a 14.3% year-over-year increase. S&P 500 earnings estimates for the next 12 months have been reduced by 2.1% year to date and may fall further amid slower economic growth, trade tensions, and the government shutdown (LPL)

According to PWC 30% of CEOs now think the economy will slow in 2019. That is up from 5% in 2018. 35% of CEOs are “very confident” about growth prospects in 2019.

Vancouver-based exercise equipment maker Nautilus 
Lowered its guidance to investors, saying it expects $395-$397 million in revenue for the year and operating income between $20-$21 million. The profit number is 50% lower than what was anticipated. (PBJ)

According to the National Association for Business Economics, a rising number of US businesses saw falling sales and lower profit margins as 2018 came too close.  47% of firms in the survey reported rising sales at the end of 2018 down from 61% the previous quarter. The number of businesses reporting following sales jumped from 6% to 17%.

With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor I am Troy Reinhart.