Warren Buffett Indicator - Indicating an Extremely Over-Valued Market

The Buffett Indicator has gained prominence as a long-term valuation indicator for stocks, largely due to Warren Buffett's endorsement.

Market Cap to GDP ratio

  • The Buffett Indicator has gained prominence as a long-term valuation indicator for stocks, largely due to Warren Buffett's endorsement. 

  • In a Fortune Magazine interview back in 2001, Buffett referred to it as "probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment”.

  • The Wilshire 5000 is widely regarded as the definitive benchmark for the US equity market, aiming to measure the total market capitalization of all US equity securities with readily available price data.

  • By dividing this market index by the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), we can obtain a snapshot of the market's valuation in relation to the country's economic performance.

Use as an Indicator

  • Today the indicator is 2 standard deviations above the long term trend. 

  • When the indicator reaches 2 standard deviations it has struggled to maintain that level.

  • The overall stock market has typically peaked at this level.

  • In 2000 and 2020 the U.S. stock markets peaked and fell precipitously.

  • Many strategists would consider current stock market levels as being over-valued.

Source: https://currentmarketvaluation.com/models/buffett-indicator.php

LPL 579422-1

DEFINITIONS

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - The total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period. As a broad measure of overall domestic production, it functions as a comprehensive scorecard of a given country’s economic health. Though GDP is typically calculated on an annual basis, it is sometimes calculated on a quarterly basis as well.

Wilshire 5000 Composite Index - The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, or more simply the Wilshire 5000, is a market-capitalization-weighted index of the market value of all US-stocks actively traded in the United States. As of December 31, 2019, the index contained only 3,473 components.[1] The index is intended to measure the performance of most publicly traded companies headquartered in the United States.

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Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Any investment or investment strategy outlined herein are not suitable for all investors, readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Wherever there is the potential for profit there is also the possibility of loss. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments. International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. The fast price swings in commodities and currencies can result in significant volatility within an investor's holdings.

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Certain information contained herein concerning economic trends, fundamentals, and/or technical analysis, and performance is based on or derived from information provided by independent third-party sources. The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted.

Technical analysis is generally based on the study of price movement, volume, sentiment, and trading flows in an attempt to identify and project price trends. Technical analysis does not consider the fundamentals of the underlying corporate issuer.

The sources from which information has been obtained is assumed to be reliable; the accuracy of such information is not guaranteed and the accuracy and completeness of such information has not been independently verified.

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