What to make of the ongoing equity rotation

Published 19/08/2025, 16:50
© Reuters

Investing.com -- Analysts at Capital Economics assessed what they described as the “relatively unusual rotations” in the U.S. stock market in a note to clients on Tuesday, stating that they are not a “sign of the relentless march of U.S. equities.”

The firm noted that last week was fairly uneventful at face value, but said some of the relative performances within the market were “rather more eye-catching.”

They highlighted small-caps outperforming large-caps and value outperforming growth, alongside cyclicals outperforming defensives. 

“Those three happening together is not all that unusual,” stated Capital Economics. “But it is more unusual to happen in a week where the overall stock market still rises.” 

It is just the second time it has happened this year, according to the firm.

Capital Economics explains that one of the reasons this has grabbed attention is due to the parallel with the late stages of the dotcom bubble. 

“Ignoring the distortion, the story is simply one of value and small caps outperforming,” explained the firm. “And the relative performance of both are increasingly dependent on big tech.”

Despite the parallels with the dotcom bubble, Capital Economics believes the bigger picture is that there wasn’t anything alarming or too surprising in last week’s market action.

“We are yet to see a compelling reason to think a market rotation - or worse, a major downturn - lies in store,” the analysts concluded.

 

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