NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The earnings reporting period has reached the mid point, and the results so far have been strong, if not spectacular.

But for a stock market worried about rising oil prices, an economy that recently hit a soft patch and a tight presidential election, strong may not be good enough.

Around 51 percent of the S&P 500 has reported earnings so far. Approximately, 62 percent of the companies have beat estimates, 18 percent have met estimates and 20 percent have missed, according to Thomson/First Call.

That's good but not quite as good as the same time a year ago, when 82 percent of companies were beating earnings. Granted, comparisons in the third quarter of 2003 were easier because 2002 earnings had not been as strong.

However, the sustained period of higher oil prices experienced over this past summer has given the energy sector a boost, lifting the broader S&P 500's average earnings. Energy sector earnings could boost overall S&P earnings by as much as 3 percent in the quarter, according to Citigroup chief economist Steven Wieting.

What's more, fourth-quarter earnings are expected to show smaller year-over-year growth than the third, as the comparisons get even more difficult.

Nevertheless, earnings growth is still forecast to be steady, just not as robust as over the past year, when S&P 500 earnings grew by at least 20 percent for four quarters running.

Based on the companies that have already reported, 3Q earnings are currently up 10.6 percent from a year ago. When you combine earnings already out with expectations for the rest, the year-over-year number moves up to 15.2 percent.

The writers at CNN/Money look at the 8 earnings reports likely to most influence the stock market next week.  

-- Compiled by CNN/Money Staff Writers Katie Benner, Krysten Crawford, Chris Isidore, Paul La Monica and Alexandra Twin.