U.S. corporate profits strengthened in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth rising to 5.7% quarter-over-quarter, up from 4.7% in the previous quarter. The latest figures, updated on 09 April 2026, indicate an acceleration in earnings momentum at the close of 2025.
The previous reading, recorded in the third quarter of 2025, showed a 4.7% quarter-over-quarter increase, measured against the second quarter of 2025. The current 5.7% figure reflects a comparison of the fourth quarter’s profit performance with the third quarter, underscoring a pickup in corporate profitability as the year ended.
The quarter-over-quarter comparison framework means the “actual” reading captures how much corporate profits changed in Q4 2025 versus Q3 2025, while the “previous” reading reflects how profits in Q3 2025 changed relative to Q2 2025. The step-up from 4.7% to 5.7% suggests that U.S. companies entered 2026 with improving earnings dynamics.
