CPAs either employed by, or working in, energy, financial and technology companies will want to take note: analysts predict earnings in these three industries are expected to hit a four and one-half year high at the end of 3rd quarter 1999.

Overall, companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 will grow earnings by 22 percent. Although it may seem that analysts sometimes use crystal balls to foretell earnings potential, there are definitive reasons for the increases. For example, the rise in earnings for energy companies is attributed to a sharp increase in oil prices in recent months. In general, earnings for these companies are much higher than average at 47 percent.

Companies suffering during the 3rd quarter include those involved in commercial insurance because of the natural disasters-especially hurricanes-that occurred over the last few months.