Valuation concerns as investors clamour for short-term certainty

Over-valuation in tech, software and consumer staples

clock • 4 min read

Investor appetite for certainty on near-term profits and strong balance sheets could be forcing some stocks to outperform “irrespective of their underlying intrinsic valuations”, portfolio managers have warned.

Technology and software firms are among the companies which are able to have a greater degree of certainty despite lockdown conditions, and investors have favoured them in the equity market recovery since mid-March. This is evident in the strong returns of the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index, which is up 12.8% year-to-date, according to FE fundinfo. By comparison, the S&P 100 has returned just 3.9% over the same period while the MSCI World is down by 1.6%. Managing director of strategic public equity at Gresham House Richard Staveley explained that during a typical market crisis investors...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

PA360: Framing of information to investors 'extremely pervasive'

PA360: Framing of information to investors 'extremely pervasive'

Consumer Duty states consumer biases must not be exploited

Jenna Brown
clock 25 April 2024 • 1 min read
Schroders chief executive Peter Harrison to retire in 2025

Schroders chief executive Peter Harrison to retire in 2025

Harrison began his career at Schroders as a graduate in 1988

Cristian Angeloni
clock 24 April 2024 • 2 min read
Future of Investment Festival: Our specialist sessions for advisers

Future of Investment Festival: Our specialist sessions for advisers

Future-proofing advice, building sustainable portfolios, all things SDR

Professional Adviser
clock 19 April 2024 • 2 min read