SUPERNEWS

Macro

Top 10 S&P 500 Stocks Overvalued: AI and Eli Lilly Lead

Market correction exposes overvalued S&P 500 stocks, with tech and healthcare sectors facing significant valuation pressures.

By Barry Stearns

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4/18, 15:19 EDT
S&P 500
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
Broadcom Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company
Microchip Technology Incorporated
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Key Takeaway

  • Super Micro Computer, Broadcom, and Microchip Technology lead as the most overvalued stocks in the S&P 500, with premiums of 173%, 58%, and 73% above their five-year average P/E ratios.
  • Eli Lilly trades at a 71% premium to its five-year average, buoyed by investor enthusiasm for its weight loss and diabetes drugs.
  • The S&P 500's struggle this month is marked by a more than 4% drop amid inflation concerns and the Fed's monetary policy.

Market Downturn Highlights Overvalued Stocks

The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow have all experienced declines this month, with losses exceeding 4% for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, and about 5% for the Dow. This downturn reflects Wall Street's ongoing concerns about inflation and the Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy. A FactSet data analysis has identified several S&P 500 stocks trading at significant premiums to their historical forward price-earnings ratios, signaling potential overvaluation. Notably, companies like Super Micro Computer, Broadcom, and Microchip Technology, which have benefited from the generative AI boom, are now seen as overpriced as the sector's growth cools.

AI and Tech Stocks Face Valuation Pressure

Super Micro Computer stands out with a forward P/E ratio of 32.9, a staggering 173% above its five-year average, despite a recent 10.6% rally influenced by Loop Capital's optimistic price target adjustment. This rally contrasts with its quarter-to-date loss of over 6%, although the stock has surged 230% year to date. Similarly, Microchip Technology and Broadcom are trading well above their historical valuations, reflecting the high growth expectations tied to generative AI and semiconductor advancements. However, the recent market correction suggests investors are reassessing these expectations.

Healthcare Sector Shows Strength Amid Overvaluation

Eli Lilly is another example of a stock trading at a premium, with a 71% increase over its five-year average P/E ratio. The company's significant year-to-date gain of 28% is driven by strong investor interest in its weight loss and diabetes treatments, Zepbound and Mounjaro. Recent studies highlighting Zepbound's potential in treating sleep apnea have further fueled optimism about Eli Lilly's growth prospects, despite its high valuation.