(Bloomberg) -- Multiple large companies are highlighting the impact of the ever-stronger dollar on profits. That may undercut the optimism generated so far by a string of better-than-expected earnings which has been supporting equities prices.
Take results from Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) Co. The company said FX (along with higher material and commodity costs) would likely add an extra hit of $3.9 billion after tax this year, a jump from prior guidance. Other firms flagging FX pressure in recent days include Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX)., Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) Inc. and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).
Even so, Netflix surged in Wednesday trading after returning to growth and adding customers, and P&G climbed after other metrics beat. P&G’s organic revenue growth -- which excludes FX -- topped estimates as the company was able to push price hikes of 9%. Expensive premium products (like single-dose laundry pods) were driving gains in the US, as affluent consumers are generally healthy and willing to spend. That reinforces the push-and-pull of an economy that still features positive signals emanating from big banks and a tight labor market, while hot inflation looms front-and-center.
Plus, concern about the impact of a stronger dollar isn’t new. The last earnings season was also beset by caution about the ever-rising currency, with notable warnings coming from across industries. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT). in particular had set off alarm bells; earnings from that firm and fellow tech titans Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Inc. and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). are due next week.
Earlier this week, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) strategists led by Dubravko Lakos-Bujas said they were keeping their consensus-topping positive outlook for 2022 S&P 500 earnings per share, of $225, a forecast they said was “very healthy” considering second-half dollar headwinds, with every ~2% increase in the trade-weighted dollar subtracting about 1% from EPS.
NOTE: Felice Maranz writes for Bloomberg’s Markets Live blog. The observations she makes are her own and not intended as investment advice. For more markets commentary, see the MLIV blog
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