MarketWatch Premium: More companies than usual are beating earnings estimates — and sales numbers are just as bullish for the stock market

United States

Every earnings season, a majority of U.S. companies report earnings per share that are higher than the consensus estimates among Wall Street analysts.

So the positive “surprises” may not be so … surprising.

Turning your focus to positive sales surprises and sales growth might be more rewarding — the market often rewards sales growth more…