So, even if earnings continue to decline in the second quarter, comparisons might not be so bad. That's the good news and, as you can see, it's largely perceptual. In April's Rally Earnings are down, but stocks are up as investors bet all bad news is out. But next quarter could be worse. By Mark Lewis Rocky Earnings Comparisons Things were good last year, making for dismal first-quarter reports, chiefly in the tech sector.
All eyes are on second-quarter guidance.
By Tara Murphy Regulation FD Not Carved In Stone As the Bush Administration reshapes the SEC, the controversial fair disclosure rule championed by former SEC chairman Arthur Levitt may be rewritten. Though quarterly comparisons will get tougher later this year, some oil stocks have room to rise. By Julie Watson Chemical Stocks Toxic Mix High energy costs and low sales hit industry. Earnings outlook cloudy, despite expected manufacturing pickup. And Losers Lockheed earnings shine as Northrop disappoints.