We are in the initial stages of the fourth-quarter 2024 earnings season. So far, results have come in line with expectations. As of Jan. 29, 112 companies of the broad-market index — the S&P 500 — reported their quarterly financial numbers. Total earnings of these companies are up 10.8% year over year on 5.5% higher revenues, with 80.4% beating earnings per share (EPS) estimates and 68.8% beating revenue estimates.Looking at the fourth quarter as a whole, total earnings for the S&P 500 Index are expected to ...