The S&P 500 has seen its earnings growth rate rise to 12.1% in the fourth quarter, driven by positive EPS surprises. FactSet posted on X that this marks the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth for the index. John Butters, FactSet VP Senior Earnings Analyst, highlighted the performance across various sectors, the contrast between domestic and international exposure, and net profit margins. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in discussions about artificial intelligence during Q4 earnings calls. Analysts are also projecting earnings growth for 2026.