Market Pulse: Consensus Forecasts at a Glance

Friday 4th of April 2025 20:11:00

April Sell-Side and Buy-Side Consensus: A Glance

The sell-side and buy-side consensus for April is out, and it's a mixed bag. According to Zacks, the consensus estimates for the month are as follows:

Earnings Per Share (EPS):

  • Sell-side consensus: $1.39
  • Buy-side consensus: $1.43
  • Actual: $1.41

Revenue:

  • Sell-side consensus: $544.4 billion
  • Buy-side consensus: $555.8 billion
  • Actual: $544.1 billion

The sell-side consensus, which is the average estimate of analysts who follow the stock, is generally more conservative than the buy-side consensus, which is the average estimate of institutional investors and hedge funds. In April, the sell-side consensus for EPS was $1.39, while the buy-side consensus was $1.43. The actual EPS came in at $1.41, which was slightly higher than the sell-side consensus but lower than the buy-side consensus.

The same pattern held true for revenue. The sell-side consensus was $544.4 billion, while the buy-side consensus was $555.8 billion. The actual revenue came in at $544.1 billion, which was slightly lower than the sell-side consensus but higher than the buy-side consensus.

It's worth noting that the consensus estimates can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the overall market trend, economic conditions, and company-specific news. As a result, the actual performance of a company can sometimes differ significantly from the consensus estimates.

In April, the market was generally upbeat, with the S&P 500 index rising 2.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 2.3%. The Nasdaq Composite index also rose 2.2% during the month. The strong market performance was driven by a combination of factors, including a strong jobs report, a decline in the unemployment rate, and a rise in consumer confidence. The Federal Reserve also kept interest rates unchanged in April, which helped to boost investor confidence.

Overall, the consensus estimates for April were generally positive, with the sell-side and buy-side consensus both pointing to higher earnings and revenue than the actual results. However, the actual performance of companies can sometimes differ significantly from the consensus estimates, and investors should always do their own research and due diligence before making any investment decisions.