For the previous decade, the S&P 500 has been the undisputed king of worldwide inventory markets. Fuelled by the meteoric rise of US tech giants akin to Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia, the index has delivered breathtaking returns. However is its reign coming to an finish? 

The US market is dear, disruptive threats are rising and now we’ve got a possible commerce battle on our arms.

The S&P 500 trades at a cyclically adjusted Shiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of simply over 38. That’s greater than double its long-term common of about 16. It’s solely been increased as soon as earlier than – through the dotcom increase in 1999.

Can the US inventory market actually flop?

Excessive valuations aren’t all the time an issue. Buyers are completely satisfied to pay a premium for corporations with robust progress prospects. 

But it surely does depart much less room for error. If company earnings disappoint or progress slows, we might see a pointy correction.

Then there’s the AI story, which has lifted the US rally to the subsequent degree. ChatGPT and different generative AI instruments cemented the view that the US would dominate this transformative know-how.

Then China’s DeepSeek rocked up. It seems in a position to an identical job for a fraction of the price.

DeepSeek will both undercut US mega-caps like Nvidia, or increase demand and energy them even increased. As but we don’t know. 

Then there’s politics (isn’t there all the time). President Donald Trump’s tariffs might probably set off a worldwide commerce battle.

Most of the S&P 500’s largest corporations rely closely on worldwide gross sales. If Trump’s targets retaliate, their earnings might take a success.

One risk is that traders begin trying past the S&P 500 for alternatives. Enter the FTSE 100.

The UK’s flagship index has been overshadowed by its US counterpart, however does have distinct benefits. First, it’s low cost, buying and selling at round 15 occasions earnings. That gives some danger safety if markets flip bitter, though there’s no assure it received’t fall as effectively.

The FTSE 100 might now be a winner

Second, the FTSE 100 is full of high-quality dividend shares. Firms like AstraZeneca, Shell and Unilever have an extended historical past of rewarding shareholders with regular, dependable payouts.

International asset supervisor Schroders (LSE: SDR) usually flies below the radar however is price contemplating, I really feel. Its shares have struggled these days, falling 13% over 12 months and 35% over 5 years. But they’ve now jumped 10% within the final month.

Schroders has a stellar trailing yield of simply over 6%. Its dividends will look much more enticing as UK rates of interest fall and yields on money and bonds slide. And it nonetheless appears to be like good worth with a P/E of round 14 occasions earnings.

It does face one huge menace. With a hefty £777bn of web property below administration, it has good motive to concern a commerce battle. These property might take a beating if issues flip nasty.

The UK is dealing with its personal challenges, from sluggish progress to persistent inflation. However because the S&P 500 wobbles, extra traders might think about diversifying into defensive, income-paying UK shares.

The US market isn’t doomed, however traders might tread extra rigorously. Has the S&P 500 had its day? Perhaps not, however its glory days might be over for now.

The publish Has the overhyped S&P 500 had its day? appeared first on The Motley Idiot UK.

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Harvey Jones has positions in Nvidia and Unilever. The Motley Idiot UK has advisable Apple, AstraZeneca Plc, Microsoft, Nvidia, Schroders Plc, and Unilever. Views expressed on the businesses talked about on this article are these of the author and due to this fact might differ from the official suggestions we make in our subscription providers akin to Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Professional. Right here at The Motley Idiot we consider that contemplating a various vary of insights makes us higher traders.