These Five Charts Explain The Current State Of Stock Market

by Umar Farooq
 
Both S&P 500 and DJIA are having a longest streak in over 20 years. Both the indices haven’t seen a 1% decline since October 2016. Also, in February, the DJIA recorded its longest “winning streak” since 1987. It closed 2,000 points above its 200-day moving average for the first time ever.
 
Below are the five charts that paint the whole picture of the stock market best.
 
Chart #1: S&P 500 Price/EBITDA
 
Today, the S&P 500 price/EBITDA sits at an all-time high while the earnings growth has been anemic. From 2012–2016, annual earnings growth was just 0.49%. In comparison, from 1995–1999, growth was 9.5%.
 
The Credit Strategist
Source: forbes
 
Chart #2: Cyclically Adjusted, Price-To-Earnings Ratio (CAPE)
 
Currently, the CAPE is 73% above its mean. Besides its reading before the 1929 crash and dot-com bubble, the ratio is at its highest level on record.
Robert Shiller
Source: forbes
Chart #3: Total Market Cap/GDP
 
Total market cap relative to GDP, currently stands at 130%—a 129% increase since 2009. This rise also brings the ratio to its highest level since 2000.
 
Gurufocus
 
Source: forbes
Chart #4: NYSE Margin Debt
 
High levels of margin debt lead to increased volatility as more people are forced to sell due to margin calls. In January, margin debt hit another record high. The two previous tops were one month and three months prior to the respective 2000 and 2008 market crashes.
 
Advisor Perspectives
Source: forbes
Chart #5: The Complacency Index
 
Margin debt making another “all-time high” signals the cycle is in late stages when complacency takes hold. And surprisingly that too is at all-time highs. In the past, when the complacency index was high, stocks invariably saw big corrections shortly thereafter.
Bloomberg
Source: forbes
 
Bottom line is that high valuation metrics aren’t indicative of an imminent market crash. What they do tell us is that we must lower our expectations of future returns. While the correlation isn’t perfect, this chart shows a higher CAPE ratio usually means lower future returns.
 
Bloomberg
Source: forbes
 
With the splendid run-up in markets since 2009, investors can’t expect returns to continue at double the long-term average. At a time of bullish trend taking over, it’s important to remember that markets are cyclical.
 
Smart investors can still find value in today’s frothy markets by taking a contrarian approach to investing. In short, investors can limit their downside risk by searching for out-of-favor sectors and companies that have lagged the market—like healthcare.

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