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However, in 2003, the ratio was around 130%, which was still overvalued, but the market went on to produce all-time highs over the next few years. Here’s a breakdown of what this indicator is, why India’s market is raising eyebrows, and why Buffett wouldn’t likely pour money into it anytime soon. Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships).

1. The indicator was popularised by the likes of Warren Buffet, who cited it as a key metric he watches.
2. Also, the market may be fair valued if the ratio falls between 75% and 90%, and modestly overvalued if it falls within the range of 90% and 115%.
3. In 2000, according to statistics at The World Bank, the market cap to GDP ratio for the U.S. was 153%, again a sign of an overvalued market.
4. Market value of above ground world gold stocks to world GDP ratio hits 16.9% in September 2024, four times more than 2000.
5. However, not everyone believes that the indicator is relevant to India.

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For the full year, the government’s statistical office has estimated growth at 6.5 percent. Indian equity markets have mostly ignored signs of economic sluggishness and surged due to strong inflows of domestic and overseas capital. Also, the market may be fair valued if the ratio falls between 75% and 90%, and modestly overvalued if it falls within the range of 90% and 115%.

As a stock analyst, it will be interesting to see the difference in values between the P/E and CAPE ratios.

Market capitalization of listed domestic companies as share of gross domestic product in India from 2005 to 2022

The stock market capitalization-to-GDP ratio is a ratio used to determine whether an overall market is undervalued or overvalued compared to a historical average. The ratio can be used to focus on specific markets, such as the U.S. market, or it can be applied to the global market, depending on what values are used in the calculation. It is calculated by dividing the stock market cap by gross domestic product (GDP). The stock market capitalization-to-GDP ratio is also known as the Buffett Indicator—after investor Warren Buffett, who popularized its use. It is a measure of the total value of all publicly traded stocks in a market divided by that economy’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The use of the stock market capitalization-to-GDP ratio increased in prominence after Warren Buffett once commented that it was « probably the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment. » This indicates that the Indian stock market has outpaced economic growth. A high Buffett Indicator may mean that stocks are overpriced compared to the GDP they rest on, potentially setting investors up for losses if the economy can’t support these inflated values. GDP growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 rose to 6.3 percent from 5.7 percent in the first quarter.

Some argue that listed enterprises in India may represent a smaller subset of industries where growth is higher than in the broader economy. To calculate the total value of all publicly traded stocks in the U.S., most analysts use The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, which is an index that represents the value of all stocks in the U.S. markets. The quarterly GDP is used as the denominator in the ratio calculation. This simple ratio gauges whether a market is overvalued or undervalued by comparing the total value of all publicly traded stocks in a country to the country’s GDP.

Still, data from Bloomberg shows that the market cap to GDP ratio is above 100 percent for the first time since 2007. The indicator is not strictly comparable over time since the set of listed companies continues to change as new firms enter the market and some exit. As benchmark equity indices move from one record high to the next, indicators that reflect the value of listed firms vis-a-vis fundamental of the economy are flashing red.

In recent years, however, determining what percentage level is accurate in showing undervaluation and overvaluation has been hotly debated, given that the ratio has been trending higher over a long period of time. Typically, a result that is greater than 100% is said to show that the market is overvalued, while a value of around 50%, which is near the historical average for the U.S. market, is said to show undervaluation. If the market cap to gdp ratio india valuation ratio falls between 50% and 75%, the market can be said to be modestly undervalued.

Statistics

1. As benchmark equity indices move from one record high to the next, indicators that reflect the value of listed firms vis-a-vis fundamental of the economy are flashing red.
2. The indicator is not strictly comparable over time since the set of listed companies continues to change as new firms enter the market and some exit.
3. A reading above 100% suggests an overvalued market, while a lower reading indicates potential undervaluation.
4. As a stock analyst, it will be interesting to see the difference in values between the P/E and CAPE ratios.
5. In theory, equity valuations should be linked to earnings expectations, which in turn are linked to the underlying economy.
6. With the U.S. market falling sharply after the dotcom bubble burst, this ratio may have some predictive value in signaling peaks in the market.

A reading above 100% suggests an overvalued market, while a lower reading indicates potential undervaluation. The market cap to the global GDP ratio can also be calculated instead of the ratio for a specific market. The World Bank releases data on the Stock Market Capitalization to GDP for World which was 92% in 2018. For a conservative, value-focused investor like Buffett, the Indian market’s inflated indicators are a turnoff. These signals don’t align with his investment philosophy, which focuses on intrinsic value and steady growth.

The CAPE ratio provides a more stable measure of market valuation by using a 10-year average rather than one year, offering insights into long-term trends and potential over- or undervaluation. This market cap to GDP ratio is impacted by trends in the initial public offering (IPO) market and the percentage of companies that are publicly traded compared to those that are private. It indicates that investors are willing to pay 20 times the average earnings over the past decade, adjusted for inflation.

Until these indicators point to a more balanced market, Buffett is likely to remain on the sidelines. In 2000, according to statistics at The World Bank, the market cap to GDP ratio for the U.S. was 153%, again a sign of an overvalued market. With the U.S. market falling sharply after the dotcom bubble burst, this ratio may have some predictive value in signaling peaks in the market.

In this case, 151.7% of GDP represents the overall stock market value and indicates it is overvalued. India has potential, but its current valuations suggest risk outweighs reward. Market value of above ground world gold stocks to world GDP ratio hits 16.9% in September 2024, four times more than 2000.