Forecasts slip for 3rd-qrtr earnings growth: poll

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Forecasts for third-quarter earnings growth among Standard & Poor's 500 .SPX companies fell slightly in the latest week, according to a weekly poll by Reuters Estimates.

Wall Street analysts and strategists expect third-quarter earnings to rise 3.4 percent, compared with 3.7 percent in the previous week, and 2.5 percent when the third quarter began.

Healthcare and technology are expected to show the biggest gains on a sector basis. Cyclical consumer goods and services, and basic materials are expected to show the least-favorable earnings comparisons.