Early third-quarter earnings show a 'resilient' U.S. consumer, with signs of strain

One word keeps appearing in third-quarter earnings reports: "resilient."

That's the early read on U.S. consumers from various companies that released their results this week. Many businesses say Americans are still spending despite inflationary pressures, though not every company has enjoyed the same success.

The commentary comes amid fears that diesel fuel prices, which hit an all-time high of $6.52 per gallon in September, would drive up prices on consumer products . Economists also worried that more expensive regular gas, combined with high borrowing costs and continued tension between the U.S. and Iran, would spur a pullback in consumer spending.

Retail sales rose 0.8% in September, following a jump of 1.3% in August. Sales in September were boosted by rising gas station spending. Despite all those challenges, some corporate executives say the headwinds aren't yet affecting sales.

While retail sales rose 0.8% in September, following a jump of 1.3% in August, the September came as gas station spending jumped. Despite all those challenges, some corporate executives say the headwinds aren't yet affecting sales.

"There's been a lot of noise in the market this year. There's a lot of geopolitical stuff," Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty said on the company's earnings call on Tuesday. "But I look at our business [and our results], and I think that really talks to the resilience of the business, the resilience of the consumer."

Royal Caribbean reported an increase in bookings during its third quarter, while Sherwin-Williams's CEO said the quarter was evidence of the company's strength.

Here's how companies are reading the consumer in the most recent three-month period:

The food and beverage company beat analysts' expectations for third-quarter earnings and revenue despite what CEO Henrique Braun called an "uneven environment."

Coca-Cola reported that North America unit case volume was flat, indicating demand was steady in the face of higher prices. The company's overall unit case volume was helped by higher demand outside of North America.

"The underlying momentum remains quite strong," CFO John Murphy told CNBC. "Consumer sentiment is largely unchanged in the sense that, wherever you are on the income scale, you're looking for value, and I think our system here has done a good job interpreting that."

The company increased its full-year forecast and now expects its comparable earnings per share to grow at least 11%, up from a prior forecast of growth between 9% and 10%.

The cruise company beat Wall Street's expectations for earnings per share and narrowly missed on revenue.