28.05.2025

The Paradox of the Markets: Why Rising Stock Prices Can Be Deceptive

Analysis of the Current Market Situation

The current market development is characterized by a paradoxical situation: Despite weak leading indicators and increasing recession risks, stock prices continue to rise. This discrepancy between fundamental data and market performance is assessed as particularly dangerous by capital market strategist Stefan Riße.

1. Weak Leading Indicators and Recession Risks

  • Leading Indicators: Many economic data point to a weakening of growth. The economic sentiment is somewhat better after easing at the tariff front but remains overall subdued.
  • Recession Risks: Uncertainty about further developments remains high, particularly due to political risks such as tariffs or geopolitical tensions.

2. Rising Stock Prices Despite Negative Revisions

  • Stock Markets: The DAX has reached new all-time highs; the EURO STOXX 50 and S&P 500 are also close to record levels.
  • Corporate Earnings: Negative revisions dominate the earnings estimates, which would normally suggest falling prices.
  • Technical Overheating: Many indices appear technically overheated; simple decision rules like “buy when the cannons roar” seem to dominate currently.

3. Contradictory Developments in Asset Classes

  • US Dollar and Government Bonds: The US dollar is losing credibility; despite rising yields on 10-year US government bonds, the dollar is depreciating – a break from previous patterns.
  • Gold Price: Gold benefits from uncertainties and continues to rise, while stocks also gain – an unusual coexistence.

Evaluation from the Perspective of a Capital Market Strategist

Stefan Riße sees a special danger in this development: “The market has rarely been so dangerous before!” His assessment is based on the fact that markets are moving further and further away from the fundamental data:

  • Overvalued Markets: Indices such as DAX or S&P 500 have left the fair range and are considered expensive by analysts.
  • Investor Behavior: In uncertain times, many investors rely on simple heuristics rather than sound analyses – this can lead to bubble formation.
  • Risk Assessment Difficult: The discrepancy between weak fundamental data and high price levels makes it difficult to properly assess the actual risk.

Conclusion

The current market development is characterized by a rare combination of weak fundamental data, technical overheating of many indices, and contradictory signals in other asset classes. This leads experts like Stefan Riße to assess the situation as particularly risky – not only because of possible corrections in the stock market itself but also due to the increased potential for abrupt trend reversals with further negative news or shocks in the financial market.