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Have Stocks Become Too Expensive?

Timothy C. Murray, Capital Markets Strategist

Key Insights

  • After the sharp rally in equity markets amid dire economic data, investors may be questioning whether stocks have become too expensive.
  • While caution is warranted, we believe that equity valuations remain reasonable relative to bonds.

Stocks have rebounded sharply from March lows despite the alarming backdrop of plummeting earnings expectations and staggering unemployment numbers. This apparent contradiction is prompting many investors to question whether stocks have become too expensive, given dire economic forecasts.

Relative to the alternative, which for most investors is bonds, we do not think that equities are too expensive. To compare the valuations of stocks and bonds, equity valuations can be converted into earnings yields by inverting price/earnings (P/E) ratios.

A comparison of the S&P 500 forward earnings yield to BBB rated corporate bond yields from December 2016 to May 2020 shows that, while the yield on stocks has become less attractive on an absolute basis, it remains well above the bond yield—even though earnings projections have fallen considerably over recent months. This signifies that investors still appear to be compensated for the additional risk of owning stocks instead of bonds. Further, an analysis of the equity yield premium since 1997 shows that, relative to history, stocks are priced quite reasonably versus bonds.

Comparing Stocks vs. Bonds
Investors still appear to be compensated for owning stocks.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Source: T. Rowe Price analysis using data from FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
BBB Corporate Bond Yield is based on the BofAML U.S. corporate bond universe. S&P 500 forward earnings yield is IBES earnings estimates over the next 12 months. Earnings Yield= Earnings/Current Price. 3-Month U.S. Treasury yield is based on the benchmark 3-month U.S. Treasury Bill.
Equity yield premium compares the forward earnings yields for stocks on the S&P 500 versus the  yields to maturity of U.S. Treasuries and BBB bonds.

We have recently moderated our equity position in our asset allocation portfolios as valuations have become less attractive after the recent market rebound. In our view, caution is also warranted given the heightened level of uncertainty and the depth of the near-term economic shock we are facing.

However, we continue to believe that, despite the bleak economic outlook, equity valuations appear attractive relative to bonds. As a result, our asset allocation portfolios remain overweight to stocks.


Additional Disclosures

Copyright © 2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence (and its affiliates, as applicable). Reproduction of any information, data or material, including ratings (“Content”) in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of the relevant party. Such party, its affiliates and suppliers (“Content Providers”) do not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, timeliness or availability of any Content and are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of such Content. In no event shall Content Providers be liable for any damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including lost income or lost profit and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of the Content. A reference to a particular investment or security, a rating or any observation concerning an investment that is part of the Content is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold such investment or security, does not address the suitability of an investment or security and should not be relied on as investment advice. Credit ratings are statements of opinions and are not statements of fact.

I/B/E/S © 2020 Refinitiv. All rights reserved.


Important Information

This material is being furnished for general informational and/or marketing purposes only. The material does not constitute or undertake to give advice of any nature, including fiduciary investment advice, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for an investment decision. Prospective investors are recommended to seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any investment decision. T. Rowe Price group of companies including T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and/or its affiliates receive revenue from T. Rowe Price investment products and services. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested.

The material does not constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, a personal or general recommendation or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction or to conduct any particular investment activity. The material has not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.

Information and opinions presented have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable and current; however, we cannot guarantee the sources’ accuracy or completeness. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. The views contained herein are as of the date written and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price group companies and/or associates. Under no circumstances should the material, in whole or in part, be copied or redistributed without consent from T. Rowe Price.

The material is not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the material and in certain countries the material is provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction.

EEA ex-UK—Unless indicated otherwise this material is issued and approved by T. Rowe Price (Luxembourg) Management S.à r.l. 35 Boulevard du Prince Henri L-1724 Luxembourg which is authorised and regulated by the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. For Professional Clients only.

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202006‑1201339

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T. Rowe Price ("TRP") claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®) and has prepared and presented this report in compliance with the GIPS standards. T. Rowe Price has been independently verified for the twenty four-year period ended June 30, 2020, by KPMG LLP. The verification report is available upon request. A firm that claims compliance with the GIPS standards must establish policies and procedures for complying with all the applicable requirements of the GIPS standards. Verification provides assurance on whether the firm’s policies and procedures related to composite and pooled fund maintenance, as well as the calculation, presentation, and distribution of performance, have been designed in compliance with the GIPS standards and have been implemented on a firm-wide basis. Verification does not provide assurance on the accuracy of any specific performance report.

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