Musings on Markets: Data Update 2 for 2022 — US Stock Valuation and Equity Risk Premium Analysis
This article analyzes US stock market performance in 2021, computes implied equity risk premiums, and provides a forward-looking valuation of the S&P 500 as of January 2022. The author concludes that while stocks appear fairly valued at current implied equity risk premiums of 4.24%, expected returns have fallen to near 60-year lows, warranting reassessment of retirement savings assumptions and pension fund strategies.
Metrics in this report
77.36%percent
S&P 500 dividends and buybacks as percent of earnings, last 12 months
206.38dollars
Analyst consensus estimate for 2021
5.75%percent
implied
S&P 500 at January 1, 2022 pricing
4.24%percent
current
S&P 500 as of January 1, 2022
4.21%percent
average
S&P 500, 1960-2021 historical period
4-5%percent
average
S&P 500 since 2008
2.5%percent
target
Projected 10-year Treasury rate in 5 years (stable growth assumption)
1.51%percent
current
10-year US Treasury bond rate on January 1, 2022
16.10%percent
average
S&P 500 companies over the last decade
84.47%percent
S&P 500 stable growth payout ratio (based on 16.10% ROE and 2.5% growth)
190.34dollars
October 2020 - September 2021