Finance and economics | Hunting for value

As markets soar, should investors look beyond America?

The country’s stocks are extremely expensive

Illustration of a bull with stars and stripes bursting off it
Illustration: Ryan Chapman

EVERY WEEK, a new high. Little wonder a sense of unease is settling over markets. Some 40% of global fund managers think that artificial-intelligence (AI) stocks—a crucial driver of the rally—are already in a bubble, according to Bank of America’s latest monthly survey. Even Wall Street’s most starry-eyed pundits reckon America’s S&P 500 index of leading shares can eke out only minor gains in the remaining nine months of the year. For some, such nervousness portends a crash. But for everyone, it prompts a question: with stock prices having already risen so much, are there any left that offer good value?

Chart: The Economist

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This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline "A red flag"

The AI doctor will see you…eventually

From the March 30th 2024 edition

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