The S&P 500, a much-watched financial barometer of the US economy, has recently exhibited a tendency that’s garnering attention: A disproportionate weightage towards mega-cap stocks. Names such as Tesla and Nvidia might come to mind, but the ripple runs deeper than that.
Marc Rowan, the top brass at Apollo Global Management, highlighted this peculiarity with an arresting observation. “Consider this – 10 big-hitter stocks now make up a whopping 35% of the S&P 500, with 80% of trading volume focusing squarely on this index,” Rowan mentioned in a chat.
In his words, this trend has edged us away from genuine investing towards a more speculative arena.
The S&P 500’s Weightage Play
Diving into the mechanics of it, the S&P 500 allocates weightage based on market capitalization. This formula places trillion-dollar titans like Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft in positions of tremendous sway, especially considering they’re amidst a pool of about 500 stocks.
Rowan also offers a perspective shift for investors – be it from Australia or the US. With interest rates on the rise after prolonged lows and governmental spending patterns shifting, the investment landscape is undeniably evolving. He succinctly puts it as “The strategies that ushered in growth previously might not cut it anymore.”
Echoes from the Oracle of Omaha
Interestingly, Warren Buffett, during the Berkshire Hathaway annual gathering in May, voiced a tune not too dissimilar. He indicated a pivotal shift in the US economy and described the present financial climate as starkly different from just half a year ago.
The overlaps in Rowan’s and Buffett’s perspectives are intriguing, especially considering Apollo’s inspiration from the Berkshire model. Buffett’s empire frequently capitalizes on the “float” from its insurance ventures to fuel investments.
Apollo, too, dipped its toes into a similar strategy. Early 2022 saw Apollo’s acquisition of Athene, a retirement-services venture. This gave Apollo a fresh stream of capital from Athene’s life insurance and annuity collections, which it channels into investments.
But while Rowan sounds the alarm on the S&P 500’s tight focus on mega-cap tech companies, Buffett’s stance remains more reserved. A possible reason? Berkshire’s hefty stake in Apple. With nearly 6% ownership of the tech giant, Apple’s performance significantly impacts Berkshire’s portfolio. As of June, Apple alone accounted for half the value of its stock assets and 17% of its trillion-dollar asset pool.
Closing Thoughts
For entrepreneurs and investors tuned into market dynamics, this evolving landscape of the S&P 500 is food for thought. It underscores the importance of broad vision, diverse portfolios, and an ear to the ground in this ever-shifting world of finance.