Is a lost decade in store for US stocks? Goldman Sachs expects the bull market to continue next year, but that’s where the good news ends.
A lost decade may be in store, with the S&P500 projected to return annualised returns of just 3 per cent over the next 10 years.
[ Global markets dip as investors eye US electionOpens in new window ]
Why? First, valuation. The index has enjoyed annual returns of 13 per cent over the last decade, resulting in a very steep valuation. Second, the US is dominated by a few megacap technology companies like Apple and Nvidia, resulting in a stock market more concentrated than any over the last century.
When a few big companies dominate the market, stock prices should reflect the higher risk and volatility with a lesser valuation, says Goldman.
Wills without residuary clauses can see people inherit even if you didn’t want them to
An Irish businessman in Singapore: ‘You’ll get a year in jail if you are in a drunken brawl, so people don’t step out of line’
Balmoral shows ‘small’ investors the door
A helping hand with the cost of caring: what supports are available?
[ Markets sluggish as Boeing posts $6 billion lossOpens in new window ]
Some analysts see Goldman’s forecast as unnecessarily pessimistic. Still, US stocks have outperformed for more than 16 years, the longest period of outperformance in history. A more challenging decade may await investors accustomed to stellar gains.
- Sign up for the Business Today newsletter and get the latest business news and commentary in your inbox every weekday morning
- Opt in to Business push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our Inside Business podcast is published weekly – Find the latest episode here