Corporate profits in the United States jumped 8.2% in the second quarter of 2026, a sharp acceleration from the modest 0.5% increase recorded in the first quarter of the year. The latest data, updated on 26 August 2026, highlight a strong quarter‑over‑quarter rebound in corporate earnings momentum.
The comparison is made on a quarter‑over‑quarter basis, with the current figure reflecting the change from the first to the second quarter of 2026, while the previous reading captured the change from the fourth quarter of the prior period to the first quarter of 2026. The move from 0.5% to 8.2% suggests a significant strengthening in profitability across U.S. corporations over the spring period.
This acceleration in profits may signal improving business conditions and potentially stronger corporate balance sheets heading into the second half of 2026, following a relatively subdued start to the year.
