S&P 500 earnings are way cleaner today than they were during the financial crisis

When a company announces quarterly earnings, analysts and investors often focus on the non-GAAP or adjusted earnings number.

These adjusted numbers exclude items that management deems not reflective of ongoing operations.

For example, if a company has to write-off equipment or the value of certain financial securities, earnings will take a hit. But the adjusted number will add back this negative impact.

Critics argue that adjusted earnings obscure the true nature of corporate profitability

In a new report examining corporate profits, UBS strategist Julian Emanuel once-again observes that earnings quality has improved significantly since the financial crisis.

He included this chart of S&P 500 company write-offs, which are down sharply.

Emanuel previously noted to Business Insider that the spike in write-offs around 2009 was primarily due to distress in the financial sector.

There’s always something being written off in corporate America.

But like Emanuel said, earnings are cleaner.

UBS