Rathbones flags higher equity volatility risk as earnings growth concentrates in AI, energy sectors

• Rathbones flagged strong corporate profits as a key support for equities entering the third-quarter reporting season.
• S&P 500 third-quarter earnings growth forecast at 27% year-on-year, highest since 2021; growth concentrated in AI-linked stocks.
• Hyperscaler AI infrastructure capex expected to more than double year-on-year; top 10 stocks seen driving over two-thirds of EPS growth.
• Stoxx 600 third-quarter earnings growth forecast at 25%, led by energy; median growth projected at 10%.
• Options pricing implies average 5.4% post-results moves for S&P 500 stocks, signaling higher volatility through earnings season.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Rathbones Group plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.