LONDON (Reuters) – European companies will report a smaller growth in earnings in the fourth quarter than previously expected, but are likely to end a nine month long corporate recession, according to data released on Tuesday.

Companies listed on the pan-European STOXX 600 index are expected to report a 2.5% rise in earnings per share, which would be the best quarterly performance for the region since Q3 2018, according to the latest data from I/B/E/S Refinitiv.

The anticipated growth rate has however come down in recent weeks, shrinking from a high of 5.5% in early November.

This still constitutes a welcomed improvement for a region that has suffered three straight quarters of declining profits. (Graphic: Europe earnings click, here)

Source: Read Full Article