Morningstar's "Perspectives" series features investment insights from selected third-party contributors. Here, Nick Dixon, Investment Director at Aegon UK, comments on the FTSE 100 closing above 7,000 points for the first time in its 31-year history.
A measured Fed announcement, rising global optimism and a well received 2015 Budget from the Chancellor, have helped drive the FTSE 100 above 7,000 for the first time. Some may question the market’s sustainability at this level, but we see plenty of room for investors to make further gains.
Yields on FTSE 100 stocks and UK government gilts have reversed their historic relationship since 1999-2000. Quantitative easing has been among the factors depressing gilt yields from 5.48% in December 1999 to around 1.52% now, while the dividend yield from FTSE 100 stocks has risen from 2.35% in December 1999 to above 3.5% today.
A gilts price/earnings ratio of 65.9, versus 15.5 for the FTSE 100 suggests the FTSE 100 offers good relative value.
Inflation is also key: dividend payments from equities typically rise in line with GDP growth and inflation over the long term, providing implicit inflation protection. Of course, individual stocks are risky, but dividend payments from a diversified portfolio of stocks can mitigate individual stock risk.
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