Technology stocks and sector-related exchange traded funds have been the best performing area of the S&P 500 so far this year, drawing comparisons to the infamous dot-com era bubble. However, the current tech bull market has more going for it and may not succumb to a disastrous end like the dot-com bust.
The tech-heavy PowerShares QQQ (NasdaqGM:QQQ), which tries to reflect the performance of the Nasdaq 100, has increased 22.1% year-to-date, compared to the 11.7% gain in the S&P 500.
John Q. Frank, QQQ Equity Product Strategist for PowerShares by Invesco, though, argued that investors concerned about the sudden outperformance in tech names should not be too concerned as fundamentals still support the sector.
“While technology has delivered the best sector performance within the S&P 500 Index over the past three years (July 29, 2014, through June 29, 2017), we are still nowhere near the bubble status of 17 years ago,” Frank said in a research note.
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Frank pointed to three factor that may continue to support the ongoing technology sector outlook, including valuations, cash and marketable securities and trailing returns.