Aggregate earnings growth for companies in Europe’s STOXX 600 index is now forecast at 24.1%, up from 23.4% last week, marking a ninth consecutive weekly increase, LSEG I/B/E/S data showed on Wednesday. Of the 282 companies that had reported, 59.9% exceeded analyst estimates. Energy companies are still expected to lead with a 138.6% profit increase as the Iran war disrupts international crude markets, but the recovery has broadened into cyclical sectors including basic materials and industrials. Industrial earnings are projected to rise 18.1% after forecast-beating results from manufacturers such as FLSmidth and Geberit. Excluding energy, STOXX 600 profits are expected to grow 13.1%, while revenue growth is forecast at 11.2%, down from 11.4% last week. Geopolitical uncertainty, rising bond yields and inflation fears pushed the index to a two-week low on Tuesday. KBRA macro strategist Gordon Kerr said gas storage levels and costs ahead of winter remain a key uncertainty for European markets.