SP500 Valuation
SP500 Valuation
SP500 Valuation
We believe that the chief determinant of future total returns is the relative valuation of the index at the time of purchase. We measure
valuation using the Price/Peak Earnings multiple as advocated by Dr. John Hussman. We believe the main benefit of using peak
earnings is the inherent conservatism it affords: not subject to analyst estimates, not subject to the short-term ebbs and flows of
business, and not subject to short-term accounting distortions. Annualized total returns can be calculated over a horizon period for
given scenarios of multiple expansion or contraction.
Our analysis highlights expansion/contraction to the minimum, mean, average, and maximum multiples (our data-set begins in January
1900) . The baseline assumptions for nominal growth and horizon period are 6% and 10 years, respectively. We also provide graphical
analysis of how predicted returns compare to actual returns historically.
We provide sensitivity analysis to our baseline assumptions. The first sensitivity table, ceterus paribus, shows how future returns are
impacted by changing the horizon period. The second sensitivity table, ceterus paribus, shows how future returns are impacted by
changing the growth assumption.
We also include the following information: duration, over(under)-valuation, inflation adjusted price/10-year real earnings, dividend
yield, option-implied volatility, skew, realized volatility, historical relationships between inflation and p/e multiples, and historical
relationship between p/e multiples and realized returns.
Our analysis is not intended to forecast the short-term direction of the SP500 Index. The purpose of our analysis is to identify the
relative valuation and inherent risk offered by the index currently.
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Predicted 10-Y Annual Return (Maximum Price/Peak Earnings) Predicted 10-Y Annual Return (Average Price/Peak Earnings)
Predicted 10-Y Annual Return (Median Price/Peak Earnings) Predicted 10-Y Annual Return (Minimum Price/Peak Earnings)
Actual Annual Return (RHS)
Maximum Price/Peak Earnings of 33.5, Predicted Return = 11.32%, Capital Gain 9.77% Dividend 1.55%
Minimum Price/Peak Earnings of 3.0, Predicted Return = -5.71%, Capital Gain -13.87% Dividend 8.16%
Average Price/Peak Earnings of 12.6 Predicted Return = 2.19%, Capital Gain -0.42% Dividend 2.61%
Median Price/Peak Earnings of 12.1, Predicted Return = 1.87%, Capital Gain -0.81% Dividend 2.68%
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11/21/2008, 69.34
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10/4/2011, 40.28
10/10/2002, 39.17
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9/2/2015, 26.83
25.00
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VIX measures 30-day expected volatility of the S&P 500 Index. The components of VIX are near- and next-term put and call
options, usually in the first and second SPX contract months. Near-term options must have at least one week to expiration; a
requirement intended to minimize pricing anomalies that might occur close to expiration.
1/15/2016, 140.07
135.00
130.00
125.00
120.00
115.00
11/30/2017, 129.94
110.00
105.00
100.00
The CBOE SKEW Index ("SKEW") is an index derived from the price of S&P 500 tail risk. The price of S&P 500 tail risk is calculated
from the prices of S&P 500 out-of-the-money options. SKEW typically ranges from 100 to 150. A SKEW value of 100 means that
the perceived distribution of S&P 500 log-returns is normal, and the probability of outlier returns is therefore negligible. As SKEW
rises above 100, the left tail of the S&P 500 distribution acquires more weight, and the probabilities of outlier returns become
more significant.
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As of 11/30/2017: 5.04%
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Price to Peak Earnings