Corporate earnings for the first quarter have exceeded initial expectations, with earnings per share (EPS) growth tracking at approximately 12% to 12.9% year-over-year, roughly double the early forecast of 6%. About 78% of companies that reported earnings last week delivered EPS beats. The S&P 500 earnings growth is estimated at 12.5% for the quarter, driven primarily by positive margin surprises, according to data from Goldman Sachs and market analysts.