The top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 have grown so large that they now represent 35% of the total index because of this concentration investors in the popular index will sink or swim largely based on the performance of those companies. For the first half of 2024 investors benefitted because the top 3 stocks Nvidia, Alphabet and Microsoft collectively were up 49% which accounted for 49% of the index's return. The index as a whole was up 14.5%.
Global equities rose in April despite banking stress and worsening leading economic indicators.
Quick Take Despite the stress in the banking system, including the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, global equity markets held up remarkably well in March and posted solid returns for the quarter. Underneath the calm market surface there was wide dispersion in returns across sectors, market caps and styles. Fixed-income markets had a strong quarter as longer-term bond yields fell, generating price gains.
* Silicon Valley Bank experienced a classic run on deposits from their start-up tech company client base. * Consensus is this not another 2008-type financial crisis. * Fear will likely remain elevated in the short-run especially for other regional banks. * We are going to continue to monitor to manage risk and look for opportunities.
Rising rates have investors jumping around as bond yields compete with stocks for investor money.