Recent developments in the financial landscape are raising eyebrows and suggesting that the current stock market might be reaching its peak, with potential signs of an impending downturn.
One noteworthy event is Jeff Bezos’ substantial sell-off of Amazon shares, cashing out a staggering $8.5 billion. Bezos, who founded Amazon, had planned to sell up to 50 million shares until January next year, as disclosed in Amazon’s annual report.
Market analysts are pointing to several indicators that could signal a shift in the stock market. Notably, Cathie Wood’s ETFs sold over $150 million worth of Coinbase stock in just three days, indicating a strategic move away from specific assets. Additionally, sentiment scoring is on a sell-off trend, suggesting a cautious outlook among investors.
Investors are closely watching the bond market, where a divergence between the back end of the bond market and equity valuations has been noted. The bond market is reacting to a potentially slower pace of rate cuts, while equity valuations remain elevated. This disconnection could be reconciled through either lower rates or lower multiples, according to market experts.
Further concerns arise from the state of the bond market, where the number of B-rated bonds is rising, displacing BB-rated bonds and contributing to the perception that “junk is getting junkier.”
Moreover, several economic warning signals are flashing, including a rise in net call volume for mega-cap growth and tech stocks to pandemic boom levels. Cash is becoming more attractive than stocks, as real gross domestic income enters contraction territory—a phenomenon observed around recessions in the past.
Commercial real estate (CRE) valuations have experienced a significant decline, with an average drop of 42% in 2023. This decline is particularly noteworthy as CRE often serves as an economic barometer.
Additionally, the concentration of the top 10 companies in the S&P 500 making up 32% of the total index—an all-time high—raises concerns reminiscent of the Dot Com Bubble.
As these signals accumulate, investors and market participants are closely monitoring developments, preparing for potential shifts in the stock market and broader economic landscape.
Sources:
❖ Bezos Cashes Out $8.5 Billion From Amazon Share Sale
Jeff Bezos sold 50 million shares in Amazon this month, cashing out some $8.5 billion.
Amazon, which Bezos founded, said in its annual report that Bezos planned to sell up to 50 million shares until January next…— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 21, 2024
"While the back end of the bond market has reacted to this potentially slower pace of cuts, equity valuations have not, creating a divergence that could be reconciled either via lower rates or lower multiples."
– MS Mike Wilson pic.twitter.com/K1zwkwBwD2
— Daily Chartbook (@dailychartbook) February 21, 2024
Cathie Wood’s ETFs sold Coinbase’s, $COIN, stock — worth more than $150 million — in 3 days, per MW.
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) February 21, 2024
Sentiment scoring is on Sell pic.twitter.com/yM6G4Tvkpu
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 21, 2024
Junk is getting junkier with the number of B-rated bonds rising and displacing BB-rated bonds. pic.twitter.com/LEnW7dHIAX
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 21, 2024
'Net call volume for mega-cap growth and Tech stocks has risen to pandemic boom levels' pic.twitter.com/EfLP1LaUpK
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 21, 2024
Cash is now more attractive than stocks
Let that sink in pic.twitter.com/Si1AIudlXH
— Game of Trades (@GameofTrades_) February 21, 2024
Real gross domestic income has JUST entered contraction territory This has only happened 12 prior times since 1948 Every single one of them occurred around a recession
ht g.o.t. pic.twitter.com/YbeEdYibTX
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 20, 2024
On average (since 1969), recessions have occurred 12 months after an inversion But ONLY 5 months after a steepening
ht g.o.t. pic.twitter.com/O9KU3GiVxY
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 20, 2024
commercialobserver.com/2024/02/cre-valuations-dropped-42-percent-average-2023/
Top 10 companies in the S&P 500 make up 32% of the total index, an all-time high and about 6 percentage points higher than the peak of the Dot Com Bubble. pic.twitter.com/pseZAGXXAK
— Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) February 21, 2024
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