Howard Marks Warns of Overvalued Stocks as Indices Near All-Time Highs
Major stock indices continue their ascent despite early-year volatility, with the S&P 500 up 33% from April lows and the Nasdaq Composite surging 44%. The "Magnificent Seven" tech giants—led by Apple’s milestone as the first $4 trillion company—have driven much of this rally, outpacing broader market returns.
Valuations now appear stretched. The S&P 500 trades at a forward P/E of 22.5, well above its 30-year average, while the Magnificent Seven command a collective 29.8 multiple. Oaktree Capital’s Howard Marks cautions that equities are overpriced, though he attributes this to factors beyond conventional metrics.