The Grim Reality: The Stock Market Is Still Historically Pricey, Even With the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Falling Into Correction
A valuation tool with 154 years of historical data in its sails sets the record straight.
Every so often, Wall Street offers a stern reminder to investors that stocks don't rise in a straight line. Following a greater than two-year rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC), stock market skeptics are making their presence known.
Since Feb. 19, the benchmark S&P 500 entered correction territory with a loss of 12.2% (as of April 3), while the Nasdaq Composite has shed 18% of its value since notching its record-closing high on Dec. 16.
Double-digit percentage declines in two of Wall Street's three primary stock indexes -- the Dow is just few points away from joining them -- are primarily being fueled by uncertainty related to President Donald Trump's tariff policy. On April 2, which Trump affably labeled as "Liberation Day," he introduced sweeping global tariffs, as well as reciprocal tariffs on countries that have historically run trade imbalances with the U.S.
