A pivotal turn of events: Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla collectively dubbed the “Seven Samurai” by financial expert Aswath Damodaran, orchestrated a remarkable market rebound in 2023. The “Magnificent Seven” played a crucial role in rescuing investors from the challenges of 2022, contributing to an impressive $5.1 trillion surge in their collective market capitalization.
These stocks, led by notable performers Nvidia and Meta, emerged as the driving force behind a 23.25% overall price appreciation in the US equity market. Microsoft and Apple, each adding a trillion dollars to their market caps, solidified their positions as major players in the market resurgence. Damodaran’s analysis reveals that these companies accounted for over 50% of the total increase in the US equity market capitalization.
The cumulative market cap of the Seven Samurai has witnessed a remarkable ascent over the last decade, soaring from $1.1 trillion in 2012 to an astounding $12 trillion in 2023. This represents 24.51% of the overall US market cap, signaling a substantial impact on the market landscape.
Damodaran delved into the factors propelling the success of these stocks. Despite a rebound from losses incurred in 2022, the stellar 2023 performance goes beyond mere correction, indicating robust profitability and operating performance. The Seven Samurai demonstrated pricing power, economic resilience, and acted as lucrative money machines, showcasing strong earnings.
The valuation guru emphasized the “winner-take-all economics” as a crucial factor, reflecting a shift from manufacturing to a technology-driven global economy. While acknowledging their past glory, Damodaran cautioned investors about the current premium pricing scenario, urging prudent investment strategies as the future remains uncertain. Even though the Mag Seven have reshaped the market landscape, their present valuation demands careful consideration.
