As stock markets continue to hit record highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average setting 11 records along its upward trajectory, and the S&P 500 surging by 5.4% and crossing the milestone of 5000 for the first time, investors find themselves in a debate: Are stocks becoming too expensive?
Assessing whether stocks are reasonably priced involves considering various metrics alongside broader economic conditions and industry-specific factors. One of the key tools in this evaluation is the price/earnings ratio (P/E ratio), which compares a company’s stock price to its per-share earnings. High P/E ratios may indicate overvaluation, particularly when compared to historical averages. Currently, the S&P 500’s P/E ratio stands at 24.18, above its 10-year average of 20.36, suggesting potential overvaluation.
However, there are different aspects to consider. Some investors prefer using forward earnings projections, especially for fast-growing tech companies, which often command higher valuations due to their anticipated future earnings. For instance, Nvidia, a leading chip maker, trades at 33.48 times its projected earnings for the next 12 months, reflecting bullish expectations for its growth potential.
Another metric, the price-to-book ratio, compares a company’s stock price to its book value, indicating how the market values its tangible assets. While this ratio is useful for evaluating financial stocks and companies with tangible assets, it may be less relevant for tech firms, where growth prospects are not fully captured on balance sheets. For instance, the S&P 500’s forward price-to-book ratio is 4.15, higher than its historical averages, signaling potential overvaluation.
Additionally, investors assess the equity risk premium, which measures the additional return expected from stocks compared to safer investments like government bonds. A low equity risk premium suggests that stocks may be overvalued relative to bonds. Currently, the S&P 500’s equity risk premium is at a historically low level, indicating elevated stock valuations.
The cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio (CAPE ratio), popularized by Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, provides a long-term perspective by averaging earnings over ten years, adjusted for inflation. While the S&P 500’s CAPE ratio is higher than historical norms, it remains below previous peaks, suggesting that stocks may not be as overvalued as during past market bubbles.
Ultimately, while stocks are reaching new highs, whether they are too expensive depends on a bunch of factors as it is not just one thing that tells us if stocks are pricey or not. Therefore, it is worth considering the metrics we have just discusses, as each one of them provides a different perspective on stock valuation.
