US equities: Is the glass half-full or half-empty?

Advance from 2009 lows

The advance from the lows in US equities in early 2009 has been relentless with the S&P 500 effectively trebling in this time, writes John Goodall, research analyst at WH Ireland.

This has left many investors pausing to catch their breath. Do US equities still represent good value, or is it now time to take profits? Taking a glass half-full approach, one could point to the gradual normalisation of interest rates.   Following the rate hike last December, the first since 2006, the Fed expects two further increases this year. This will be positive for the financial sector as it will result in higher margins for the banks and the improving sentiment may spill out to the rest of the market. Additionally, the US is at the forefront of innovation, particularly in t...