US Stock Turbulence Puts Big Tech Valuations in the Spotlight
US stock market turbulence highlights tech companies' valuations. S&P 500 tech sector trading at 29.5 times earnings estimates. Market remains historically high, with the S&P 500 index at 20.7 times forward estimates.
Despite a recent dip, the S&P 500 tech sector is currently trading at 29.5 times 12-month earnings estimates, nearing a two-decade high seen earlier this month. Overall, the market is historically high, with the S&P 500 index trading at 20.7 times future expectations, up from its long-term average of 15.7, according to LSEG Datastream.
Philip Straehl, Morningstar Wealth's Chief Investment Officer for the Americas, commented on the pricey market conditions, adding that high expectations could lead to disappointment. Investors have been willing to pay a premium for tech and growth stocks, fuelled by the euphoria surrounding artificial intelligence, which has supported businesses such as Nvidia, whose shares have risen by about 130% this year.
However, recent market movements imply that investors are becoming more cautious about highly priced stocks. Tesla and Alphabet earnings announcements sparked substantial market volatility earlier this week, leading in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite's worst daily losses since 2022 on Wednesday. Despite these setbacks, both indexes have made significant gains in 2024, rising 14.5% and 15.6%, respectively, despite recent falls since mid-July.
Upcoming earnings reports from tech behemoths such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms are keenly anticipated, increasing the focus on huge tech and tech-related businesses. The current high valuations may drive investors to sell equities if the market experiences turbulence from a variety of reasons, including changes in Federal Reserve interest rate forecasts and political uncertainty surrounding the presidential race.
US stock market turbulence highlights tech companies' valuations.
S&P 500 tech sector trading at 29.5 times earnings estimates.
Market remains historically high, with the S&P 500 index at 20.7 times forward estimates.
Source: REUTERS