Research.LeutholdGroup

Superficial Strength?

The stock market remains “externally” strong, with the S&P 500 and DJIA at new all-time highs on February 2nd.  However, the YTD performance gap between the S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 is already 8%—the worst five-week start ever for Small Caps on a relative basis. And, on a trailing 12-month basis, the percentage of S&P 500 stocks outperforming the index, itself, is the lowest on record at just 25.6%. That’s made it a challenging time for active managers and dart-throwers alike.