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| SOURCE: BBC |
Nasdaq 100 Prepares for ‘Special Rebalance’ to Tackle Overconcentration in Mega-Cap Tech Stocks
In a move to address the growing dominance of mega-cap tech stocks, the Nasdaq 100 index is set to undergo a “special rebalance.” With the top seven stocks accounting for over 50% of the index, this initiative aims to restore balance and reduce overconcentration.
The surge in mega-cap tech stocks throughout this year has propelled the concentration of the Nasdaq 100 index to unprecedented levels, necessitating a shake-up. Among the key players, Apple and Microsoft alone hold a staggering 25% share, with each company’s valuation hovering around $3 trillion.
Wells Fargo has identified potential winners and losers in the upcoming Nasdaq 100 rebalance. The rebalance, scheduled for later this month, follows the methodology of the index, which allows for a special rebalance to maintain its integrity when required by weighting restrictions.
The rally of Apple, Microsoft, and other mega-cap tech stocks has been instrumental in driving the Nasdaq 100 up by nearly 40% in the first half of 2023. This remarkable performance reflects the market’s recovery from the 2022 bear market, with investors turning their attention to the potential of artificial intelligence.
Nasdaq 100’s “Special Rebalance” Strategy
To address the issue of overconcentration, Nasdaq has devised a strategy to implement a “special rebalance” prior to the market opening on Monday, July 24. This rebalance aims to restore equilibrium without removing or adding any stocks to the index.
Following the announcement of the index shake-up on Friday after the market closed, investors reacted by selling off mega-cap tech stocks, causing a temporary decline of up to 2%. Conversely, some stocks experienced gains as investors anticipated benefiting from the readjustment.
According to Chris Harvey, an equity analyst at Wells Fargo, the Nasdaq 100 shake-up presents opportunities for increased allocation to certain stocks. Potential winners of the rebalance include Starbucks, Mondelez, Booking Holdings, Gilead Sciences, Intuitive Surgical, Analog Devices, and Automatic Data Processing.
Harvey attributes the rebalance to Tesla’s recent rally, which pushed the weight of constituents exceeding 4.5% to over 48% of the index. To restore balance, their collective weight will be downsized to 40%. As a result, Apple and Microsoft are expected to be the biggest losers, with their weights decreasing by approximately 2% each.
Nasdaq 100 Shake-up and the Future of Tech Stocks
Despite the impending shake-up, market analysts, including Harvey, believe that the ongoing rally in technology stocks will not be curtailed. Harvey suggests that while the rebalance will have an impact, it will not break the long-term trend in uber-cap stocks. He emphasizes the importance of the economy remaining stable to sustain optimistic valuations and growth estimates.
In conclusion, the Nasdaq 100 index’s “special rebalance” signifies the market’s response to the overwhelming dominance of mega-cap tech stocks. By readjusting the weights of the index constituents, the rebalance aims to restore equilibrium and mitigate overconcentration. While the shakeup may cause temporary fluctuations, market experts remain optimistic about the future of technology stocks and their potential for growth.
H2: Rebalancing for Equilibrium and Long-Term Growth
The Nasdaq 100, faced with a concentration of mega-cap tech stocks, has decided to undertake a “special rebalance” to restore balance and ensure the index’s long-term growth. As Apple and Microsoft dominate with a combined 25% share, the rebalance aims to address overconcentration and create a more diversified index. By downsizing the collective weight of stocks exceeding 4.5% to 40%, the Nasdaq 100 hopes to foster equilibrium and sustain the ongoing technology stock rally.
