Stocktake: Momentum is still with stock market bulls

Stocks continuing to go up so investors could see growth as unsustainable

History suggests any trouble will be fleeting. Photograph: iStock
History suggests any trouble will be fleeting. Photograph: iStock

Stocks keep going up. It can't continue – or can it? Investors could be forgiven for seeing recent strength as unsustainable. Being up by more than 10 per cent by April means the S&P 500 is in "rare air", says LPL Research's Ryan Detrick, who notes the index managed to hit 21 new highs in less than 70 trading days this year.

Indeed, it gained 54 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March – one of the largest-ever yearly gains.

Technically overbought conditions can sometimes spell short-term trouble. Looking at previous 12-month periods where stocks gained at least 35 per cent, Detrick found returns were mixed over the following one-, three- and six-month periods.

However, history suggests any trouble will be fleeting. One year later, the S&P 500 was higher more than 90 per cent of the time, enjoying median returns of 14.9 per cent.

Detrick’s take: “We wouldn’t bet on this bull market ending anytime soon”.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Find managing your money a struggle? The Better with Money podcast will guide you on how to control your finances

  • Get the On the Money newsletter for insights on saving money and smart spending decisions

Proinsias O'Mahony

Proinsias O'Mahony

Proinsias O’Mahony, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes the weekly Stocktake column