Displaying items by tag: S&P 500

(New York)

With tech falling so strongly in recent days, a sense of panic is spreading across the media and markets, and it is all centered around one question—will the trouble in tech bring down the whole market? Tech accounts for a major part of the total capitalization of the market, and thus its ability to bring down stocks as a whole is strong. This seemed to be evidenced yesterday, as big falls in Netflix and Twitter conspired to bring all major indexes down significantly, though the Nasdaq fell the most. Now all eyes will turn to Apple, the only FAANG stock in the Dow, as it releases earnings.

FINSUM: Tech has accounted for so much of the price expansion and earnings growth of the market that it has an importance that extends even beyond these. Thus, we think a lot of investor sentiment about the whole market hinges on the performance of tech.

(New York)

The S&P 500 and most major indexes have been fairing poorly very recently. However, that presents a major opportunity, says Morgan Stanley strategist Michael Wilson. Morgan Stanley says that as the market declines, now is a great time to shift out of growth stocks and into value. Growth stocks’ forward earnings multiples versus value stocks do not merit further outperformance, so its seems likely that value stocks may start to shine. Energy, industrials, and financials value stocks seem a smart choice, says MS.

FINSUM: This makes sense to us. As economic growth starts to taper, the big valuation gap between growth and value stocks seems likely to fade, meaning the latter should outperform. But then again, that would go against a decade of momentum, so it is a dicey bet at best.

(New York)

The S&P 500 just recently emerged from its longest correction period in over 30 years. The big question is what will it do next. Well, there are a number of key issues/events that could either send it tumbling again, or push it higher. Three are easy to see on a timeline: this Friday’s jobs report, a Fed policy meeting, and another week of corporate earnings (140 companies in the S&P 500). There is also the looming trade war/tariff issue that could threaten the market, or support it, at any time.

FINSUM: Look out for the jobs report this Friday. There is going to be very high expectations, and if things don’t go as planned, the market could have a seriously adverse reaction.

(New York)

The S&P 500 experienced a correction earlier this year, and since February, has been stuck in a rut. While the declines were not terribly deep, the doldrums were very long lasting. In fact, this was the longest correction (without a rebound or a fall into a bear market) since 1984. That meant the market was in correction for 115 straight sessions.

FINSUM: The market has finally regained some momentum, but it feels odd that stocks have been gaining in the face of largely negative trade war news. Then again, stocks love to climb a wall of worry.

(New York)

Despite a generally weak year in equities, the market is still very expensive. That said, not every sector is and there are still some bargains to be had. Interestingly, more than half the S&P 500’s sectors currently trade at a discount to their historical relative value (relative to the S&P 500’s P/E ratio). These include: Tech, Materials, Real Estate, Industrials, Health Care and Telecom. Telecom is 60% below its average relative valuation, for instance.

FINSUM: Interesting to see how many sectors are at discounts. That said, the problem with this view is that there are no catalysts to prompt a return to the mean.