Ben Carlson: Global equity markets reach all-time highs as profit margins improve

Ben Carlson: Global equity markets reach all-time highs as profit margins improve
Global indexes hit record highs

Ben Carlson, director of institutional asset management at Ritholtz Wealth Management, highlights a surge in major equity indexes reaching all-time highs over the past week.

He points to record levels for the S&P 500, equal weight indexes, small and mid-cap stocks, and European markets, with emerging markets also nearing all-time highs. Carlson also observes that valuations are declining while profit margins are increasing, raising the question of whether these trends represent the conditions of an all-time bull market.

Previously, Carlson examined the appeal and risks of high-margin investing, emphasizing self-awareness and survival as key factors for investors in a separate analysis. He also noted how a larger wealthy population and nearly nine years of sub-5 percent unemployment have contributed to economic resilience, according to a recent report. These earlier observations add context to his current views on market strength and valuation trends.

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