Published first at State of the stock market October 2024. US stock markets have been on a record run recently with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Index continuing to hit new all-time highs. This is happening despite turmoil in the middle east, extreme weather events and an upcoming Presidential election. Fundamentally, the economy looks strong. US GDP growth was 3% last quarter and inflation continues to drift lower, which gives the Federal Reserve more room to cut interest rates. US unemployment did tick up in July but seems to have settled back around 4.1%. In other words, the US economy looks in good shape with room for improvement. Expectations of a recession have become increasingly unlikely. However, the run in stock prices also creates some problems for investors with several indicators flashing up warning signs. CNN’s fear index has moved into extreme greed territory, the Shiller PE ratio is 41% above its 20-year average and Warren Buffett’s favorite indicator, market cap to GDP is significantly overvalued at 202%. Both of these two indicators are now at similar levels to those reached during the 2021 boom. #stocks #investing #stockmarket