by Tim Murray – Capital Markets Analyst
Key Insights
- Although technology stocks have sold off steeply year‑to‑date, they are still not cheap when compared to the broader market.
- Our Asset Allocation Committee recently added to growth stocks but remains underweight relative to value.
Since the beginning of 2022, stock markets have sold off sharply, with many major indexes recently reaching bear market territory. Notably, technology stocks, in particular, have borne the brunt of the sell-off (Figure 1, left chart).
Tech Rout Has Been at the Core of the Sell-Off
(Fig. 1) Pandemic‑era returns for the tech sector still exceed the broader market
![Tech Rout Has Been at the Core of the Sell-Off](https://www.troweprice.com/financial-intermediary/au/en/thinking/articles/2022/q3/tech-stock-valuations-have-become-reasonable/_jcr_content/root/main-content/article-main/default-content-fragment/par2/trp_image.coreimg.png/1657696662481/tech-stock-f1.png)
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Source: MSCI. T. Rowe Price analysis using data from FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. See Additional Disclosure.
The earnings for many technology companies surged during the pandemic due to the accelerated adoption of many important technology trends—such as cloud computing, online shopping, and streaming video. While tech stocks gained significantly during this period, their outperformance was partially driven by higher earnings rather than entirely by increases in valuations.
Have Technology Stocks Become Attractive Again?
(Fig. 2) Sector premium has largely reversed to pre‑pandemic levels but remains elevated
![Have Technology Stocks Become Attractive Again?](https://www.troweprice.com/financial-intermediary/au/en/thinking/articles/2022/q3/tech-stock-valuations-have-become-reasonable/_jcr_content/root/main-content/article-main/default-content-fragment/par4/trp_image.coreimg.png/1657696662535/tech-stock-f2.png)
January 2012 to June 2022.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Source: MSCI. T. Rowe Price analysis using data from FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. See Additional Disclosure.
Overall, the rout in technology stocks has helped to remove much of the froth, and valuations have become more reasonable since their peak in November 2021. However, these stocks are still not cheap relative to the broader market. Given our continued caution toward this heavily growth‑oriented sector, our Asset Allocation Committee recently added to growth stocks but remains underweight relative to value.
Additional Disclosure
MSCI and its affiliates and third party sources and providers (collectively, “MSCI”) makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. Historical MSCI data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. None of the MSCI data is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such.
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