For what it's worth, Powell isn't alone in cautioning Wall Street, investors, and everyday Americans about potentially inflated asset values. In December 1996, famed Fed Chair Alan Greenspan delivered a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, where he introduced the now well-known phrase "irrational exuberance" to describe a rapid increase in asset valuations during the advent and proliferation of the internet.The emphasis is these six words: "equity prices are fairly highly valued." When the head of t ...

Group 1: Market Overview - The S&P 500 has experienced significant volatility in early 2025, including its fifth-steepest two-day percentage decline since 1950 and its largest single-session point increase since inception [1] - The recent recovery of major indices like the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average has led to elevated stock valuations [2] - Historical data suggests that a high Shiller P/E ratio, currently at nearly 39, indicates potential trouble for the market, as it has previously preceded significant declines [10][11] Group 2: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity due to its high yield and low fees, offering a yield of 3.87% compared to the S&P 500's 1.2% [17][18] - The ETF consists of 103 public companies known for their competitive advantages and stable cash flows, including top holdings like Chevron, Altria Group, and PepsiCo [15][19] - The TTM P/E ratio for the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is approximately 17, making it relatively inexpensive compared to the broader market [16] Group 3: Performance of Dividend Stocks - Historical analysis shows that dividend stocks have outperformed non-payers over a 51-year period, with annualized returns of 9.2% for dividend stocks versus 4.31% for non-payers [14] - Dividend stocks tend to be less volatile, providing a more stable investment option during market fluctuations [14]