Adam Khoo
AI-assisted summary of Stock Market Insights. The Last 4 Months of 2026 — original source. Check the original for full context.
Source published:
Key ideas
- The S&P 500 forward P/E compressed from 22.0x in January to 19.6x by late August, making the index fundamentally cheaper despite climbing over 13% YTD due to rapid corporate earnings growth. (9:19)
- Second-quarter corporate earnings delivered blowout growth of 52% year-over-year, more than doubling Wall Street's initial 23% forecast, with 9 of 11 sectors recording double-digit gains. (11:19)
- Technical moving averages remain aligned to the upside across short-, medium-, and long-term daily timeframes, keeping the path of least resistance tilted higher through year-end. (0:11)
- The 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.78%, steepening the yield curve to the benefit of financials and private credit while prompting the U.S. Treasury to double monthly bond buybacks to $4 billion. (15:38)
Detailed notes
## Background Published on YouTube by professional investor and author Adam Khoo on September 3, 2026, this video provides a preview of his monthly Stock Market Analysis update for subscribers of his Ultimate Investors Playbook. According to the page description, Khoo shares deep-dive research into the top 1% of stocks, portfolio reviews, and trading strategies to help investors navigate market opportunities.
## TL;DR Adam Khoo evaluates the technical and fundamental health of the S&P 500 heading into the final four months of the year, finding that all key moving averages remain firmly in an intact uptrend. He dispels bubble narratives by demonstrating that multiple expansion has actually cooled to a fair 19.6x forward P/E, carried by an exceptional 52% surge in Q2 corporate earnings. While addressing macro headlines, rising 10-year Treasury yields, and historical September seasonality, Khoo treats macroeconomic commentary as secondary to fundamentals. He concludes that investors should avoid timing the market or panicking over seasonal pullbacks, instead maintaining disciplined adherence to technical supports and core investment rules.
## Atmosphere & style The presentation is energetic, unapologetically pragmatic, and instructional, delivered with Khoo's trademark self-assured and conversational style. He balances quantitative charting with candid humor—joking about being 'tired of winning' and colorfully advising traders not to 'chase the girl' when stocks become overextended. The overall feel is stabilizing and grounded, designed to cut through mainstream media hysteria and instill disciplined confidence in everyday investors.
## Bulletin - [09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=559s) The S&P 500 forward P/E compressed from 22.0x in January to 19.6x by late August, making the index fundamentally cheaper despite climbing over 13% YTD due to rapid corporate earnings growth. - [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=679s) Second-quarter corporate earnings delivered blowout growth of 52% year-over-year, more than doubling Wall Street's initial 23% forecast, with 9 of 11 sectors recording double-digit gains. - [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=11s) Technical moving averages remain aligned to the upside across short-, medium-, and long-term daily timeframes, keeping the path of least resistance tilted higher through year-end. - [15:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=938s) The 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.78%, steepening the yield curve to the benefit of financials and private credit while prompting the U.S. Treasury to double monthly bond buybacks to $4 billion.
## Key takeaways - [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=11s) Multi-timeframe technical indicators confirm the S&P 500 uptrend is intact, with the 20 EMA above the 40 EMA and the upward-sloping 200-day moving average guiding the index higher. - [02:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=155s) Key support levels for potential autumn pullbacks sit at 743, 672, 604, and 548, with the 20 EMA level of 743 serving as the primary realistic dynamic floor. - [02:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=155s) For international investors dollar-cost averaging into the S&P 500, the London-listed CSPX ETF provides significant advantages over SPY and VOO by eliminating U.S. estate tax exposure and reducing dividend withholding taxes. - [05:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=329s) Year-to-date market gains remain broad-based, led by small caps up 18.64% and the NASDAQ 100 up 16.86%, while the S&P 500 has gained 11.75%. - [05:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=329s) Capital allocation emphasizes secular compounders with elevated ROE and ROIC over cyclical sectors like basic materials and energy, with selective exceptions like Linde. - [09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=559s) At 19.6x forward earnings, the S&P 500 is trading below its 5-year average of 19.9x, debunking bubble narratives and demonstrating that price appreciation is supported by underlying profits. - [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=679s) Corporate earnings for Q2 surged 52% year-over-year, beating analyst consensus of 23% and insulating equity markets against softer macro indicators. - [11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=679s) Valuation distribution across the S&P 500 shows significant dispersion, with nearly 300 companies categorized as fair value or undervalued, leaving ample room for bottom-up stock picking. - [13:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=819s) Weakening macroeconomic readings—including contracting July payrolls and GDP slowing to 1.5%—ironically buoyed equities by reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve cannot over-tighten. - [15:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=938s) A 10-year Treasury yield near 5% represents a normal historical borrowing environment, and the resulting steepening yield curve bolsters net interest margins for banks, insurers, and private credit lenders. - [15:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=938s) To manage debt service costs and support bond prices, the U.S. Treasury has actively intervened in the debt market by expanding bond buybacks to $4 billion monthly. - [20:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1243s) Investors are advised against timing seasonal September weakness or liquidating holdings, as five of the top ten Septembers since 1950 occurred during midterm election cycles. - [22:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1339s) Long-term investment success depends on systematic execution, resisting FOMO, and refusing to chase extended rallies rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market swings.
## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=11s) S&P 500 Technical Trend and Moving Averages
Adam Khoo opens his monthly market update on the 1st of September, looking ahead at the remaining four months of the year. Examining the S&P 500 using the SPY ETF proxy, the technical charts indicate an unambiguous, intact uptrend. On the daily time frame, the moving averages tell a straightforward story: the short-term trend is up because the 20 EMA (red dotted line) sits comfortably above the 40 EMA (blue dotted line). Meanwhile, the medium-term trend is upward with the 50-day moving average (blue line) above the 150-day moving average (green line), and the long-term trend remains positive because the 200-day moving average (red line) is sloping upward.
Because the short, medium, and long-term indicators align in the same direction, "the path of least resistance is up." Unless a structural trend change manifests, probabilities favor prices pushing higher toward year-end. Adam emphasizes that uptrends never move in straight lines; rather, they unfold in alternating waves of impulses and pullbacks. Earlier in March, the market experienced a short-term correction where the 20 EMA crossed below the 40 EMA, yet the medium- and long-term moving averages held their upward trajectory. A genuine bear market scenario would require the 50 moving average to cross below the 150, accompanied by downward slopes across both the 150 and the 200-day lines—a technical state far removed from current price behavior.
```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Multi-Timeframe Trend Confirmation accDescr: Flowchart illustrating moving average criteria confirming an overall uptrend for the S&P 500.
subgraph MovingAverages["Moving Average Trend Signals"] ST["20 EMA > 40 EMA<br/>(Short-Term Trend Up)"] MT["50 MA > 150 MA<br/>(Medium-Term Trend Up)"] LT["200 MA Sloping Up<br/>(Long-Term Trend Up)"] end
subgraph Outcome["Market Outlook"] Direction["Path of Least Resistance: UP<br/>Prices expected to grind higher toward year-end"] end
ST --> Direction MT --> Direction LT --> Direction ```
[02:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=155s) Weekly Structures, DCA Instruments, and Key Support Levels
Switching to the weekly candles provides a cleaner perspective on the wave cycle, showing how the market recovered from historical sharp drops, such as the tariff shock under Donald Trump that previously brought the index close to a bear market. For investors who dollar-cost average (DCA) into the broader market, Adam mentions several ETF options depending on jurisdiction. While US investors commonly use SPY or VOO (favored for its lower expense ratio), non-US investors frequently opt for CSPX on the London Stock Exchange, as it eliminates US estate tax liabilities and carries a reduced withholding tax on dividends.
```mermaid flowchart LR accTitle: S&P 500 ETF Choices accDescr: Breakdown of S&P 500 ETF alternatives based on investor residency and fee preferences.
SP500["S&P 500 Exposure"]
SP500 --> SPY["SPY ETF<br/>(High liquidity benchmark)"] SP500 --> VOO["VOO ETF<br/>(Lower management fees)"] SP500 --> CSPX["CSPX ETF<br/>(Non-US Residents: No estate tax risk & lower dividend withholding tax)"] ```
Because September is historically the weakest calendar month of the year, Adam details four distinct horizontal and dynamic support zones to watch in the event of a pullback: - **Support 1 (743):** Concurs with the 20 EMA on the daily/weekly charts, acting as the primary dynamic floor during mild wave pullbacks. - **Support 2 (672):** Aligns with the 20 EMA on the monthly timeframe, presenting a very strong historical bouncing level. - **Support 3 (604):** Concurs with the 40 EMA on the monthly chart. - **Support 4 (548):** Sits directly at the 50 moving average on the monthly candles.
Should the market encounter seasonal selling pressure throughout September, Adam views level 743 as the most realistic landing zone, explicitly doubting that prices would drop all the way down to 672.
[05:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=329s) Year-to-Date Performance and Sector Breakdown
Reviewing year-to-date (YTD) performance figures across major indices reveals strong gains across the board: - **S&P 500:** Up 11.75% - **Dow Jones Industrial Average:** Up 9.94% - **NASDAQ 100:** Up 16.86% - **Small-Cap Index:** Outperforming strongly at 18.64%
Adam shares that his personal investment portfolio is up roughly 20% on a time-weighted basis and up 25% on a market-weighted basis, outperforming the benchmark indices again. Jokingly remarking, "Oh, I'm tired of winning," he transitions into monthly and YTD sector dynamics.
The top-performing sector of the previous month was basic materials, a sector Adam systematically avoids due to cyclical swings, low pricing power, thin margins, and weak economic moats. His lone exception is Linde plc (LIN), which produces industrial gases on site under long-term contracts rather than relying on volatile natural gas commodities.
Technology delivered robust gains as well, driven not only by semiconductor manufacturers and AI capex spending, but also by a clear rebound in software stocks. Healthcare followed as the third best monthly performer, another sector Adam likes. Energy posted solid numbers due to geopolitical unrest—specifically the war in Iran driving crude oil prices higher—though Adam avoids energy stocks because secular compounders with elevated returns on equity (ROE) and return on invested capital (ROIC) generate superior long-term results.
On the weaker end of the monthly spectrum, consumer cyclicals, communication services, consumer defensive, real estate, and utilities lagged behind. Adam maintains zero direct interest in real estate and utility equities (holding REITs strictly inside a separate dividend-focused portfolio). Looking at overall YTD sector leaders, energy and technology lead, while communication services (weighed down by YTD drops in Meta and Netflix) and consumer discretionary (including holdings like AutoZone, MercadoLibre, and Amazon) trade negative. Adam notes he is actively accumulating beaten-down quality names across those sectors.
[09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=559s) S&P 500 Valuations: The Earnings-Driven Reality
Addressing recurring headlines in the financial press proclaiming the market is in a dangerous bubble, Adam checks the quantitative valuation metrics against historical baselines. As of August 31, the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of the S&P 500 stood at 19.6x. When placed into context, this is below its 5-year average of 19.9x and roughly in line with its 10-year average of 19.0x, indicating that the index is fairly valued rather than dangerously stretched.
| Metric / Time Horizon | S&P 500 Forward P/E Ratio | Valuation Context | |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **Current (as of August 31)** | 19.6x | Fairly priced | | **5-Year Average** | 19.9x | Current valuation is slightly lower | | **10-Year Average** | 19.0x | Current valuation is essentially on par | | **January Start of Year** | 22.0x | Market was notably more expensive |
The most notable anomaly is that in January of the current year, the forward P/E ratio was 22.0x. Despite the market climbing over 13% since then, the forward P/E multiple has compressed down to 19.6x. This means the broader stock market is mathematically cheaper today than it was at the beginning of the year. This dynamic has occurred because corporate earnings have outperformed expectations, growing faster than price appreciation. Adam concludes that the market's ongoing advance is fundamentally sound: it is "an earnings driven market," rather than an unsustainable rally powered by multiple expansion or central bank money printing.
[11:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=679s) Q2 Earnings Blowout and S&P 500 Valuations
The sustainability of the current rally comes down entirely to fundamentals and corporate earnings. Having just concluded the second-quarter earnings season—capped off by NVIDIA reporting blowout results that caused its share price to gap up—the underlying numbers across corporate America are remarkably strong. Out of the 11 sectors in the market, nine posted double-digit earnings growth for Q2.
Earlier in the year, analysts had projected S&P 500 Q2 earnings to grow at 23% year-over-year. Instead, the final figures revealed actual earnings growth came in at an astounding 52%—more than double initial consensus. This blowout growth explains why the market has marched upward despite headwinds like war, soft employment reports, and rising Treasury yields: corporate earnings are simply carrying the weight.
Examining valuation distribution across the S&P 500 using Stock Oracle highlights a nuanced environment rather than widespread euphoria:
- **Very Cheap:** 46 stocks (9% of the S&P 500) - **Undervalued:** 104 stocks (20% of the S&P 500) - **Fairly Priced:** 134 stocks (26% of the S&P 500) - **Overvalued:** 113 stocks - **Very Overvalued:** 105 stocks
Stock Oracle organizes these holdings by economic moat (green for wide moat, yellow for narrow moat, and red for no moat), demonstrating that while high-flying pockets exist, ample opportunities remain fairly priced or cheap.
---
[13:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=819s) Macro Developments: Fed Policy, Rates, and Market Irony
Macroeconomic news and central bank updates should be consumed "purely for entertainment purposes." They hold zero weight in core investing and stock-selection decisions because trying to trade macroeconomic headlines is a recipe for pulling one's hair out. Throughout August, markets fixated on the Federal Reserve's dilemma: inflation remains sticky, yet the labor market shows signs of weakness, leaving the Fed's hands tied. At the July meeting (concluded on August 19), policymakers held the federal funds rate steady in the 3.5% to 3.75% range. Later, at the August 28 Jackson Hole economic symposium, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivered a speech that signaled hawkishness—warning that persistent inflation could force rate hikes—yet the market largely dismissed the posturing. Still, market-implied odds of a September rate hike climbed from 40% to 57%.
On the economic front, macroeconomic data pointed toward slowing conditions: - **July Nonfarm Payrolls:** Contracted by 23,000 jobs (reported in August). - **Payroll Revisions:** May and June figures were revised downward by 66,000 and 37,000 jobs respectively. - **Unemployment Rate:** Held relatively steady primarily because workers left the labor force. - **Inflation Metrics:** Headline PCE landed at 3.7% year-over-year (slightly above consensus), while Core PCE came in at 3.3%. - **Economic Growth:** Real GDP registered at 1.5%, cooling from the Q1 reading of 2.1%.
In typical market irony, stocks rose on weak data because participants calculated that sluggish growth and softening employment would prevent the Fed from tightening further.
---
[15:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=938s) The 10-Year Treasury Yield and the Steepening Curve
The 10-year Treasury yield climbed from roughly 4.19% at the start of the year to 4.78%, hitting new annual highs. While retail traders panic at the prospect of a 5% yield, a 5% long-term rate is historically normal for the United States. The 15-year period post-2008 and during the pandemic—where yields sank to 2% or 3% due to zero-interest-rate policy—was the historical anomaly. Long-term yields are primarily driven by economic growth and inflation expectations: when both are present, investors sell low-yielding long-term bonds to chase growth assets, pushing bond yields higher.
To combat mounting interest costs on the national debt, the U.S. Treasury has intervened directly in the market by buying back long-term government bonds to bolster bond prices and pull yields downward, doubling buyback operations to $4 billion per month.
```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Rising 10-Year Yield Dynamics and Yield Curve Steepening accDescr: Diagram illustrating how inflation and growth lift the 10-year yield, steepen the yield curve, and benefit financials while triggering Treasury buybacks.
subgraph MacroDrivers["Macro Drivers"] G["Strong Growth Expectations"] I["Persistent Inflation"] end
subgraph BondMarket["Bond Market Impact"] SB["Investors Sell Long-Term Bonds"] Y10["10-Year Yield Rises to ~4.78%"] YC["Yield Curve Steepens"] end
subgraph Beneficiaries["Market Effects"] BK["Banks & Insurers: Cheap Borrowing vs. Higher Loan Rates"] PC["Private Credit: Floating-Rate Loans Benefit"] TB["Treasury Buys Back Debt ($4B/mo) to Cap Yields"] end
G --> SB I --> SB SB --> Y10 Y10 --> YC YC --> BK YC --> PC Y10 --> TB ```
A rising long-term rate steepens the yield curve. A steeper curve benefits banks and insurance companies, allowing them to borrow at cheaper short rates and lend at higher long rates to widen net interest margins. It likewise aids private credit funds holding floating-rate debt instruments.
---
[20:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1243s) Seasonality Realities and the September Playbook
Heading into the final stretch of the year, corporate earnings remain strong and the broader market trend remains firmly upward, pointing toward a higher year-end finish. However, seasonality patterns often provoke anxiety: September is historically the weakest month of the calendar year, even during midterm election years.
Because practically everyone anticipates a September pullback, the contrarian outcome is just as likely:
- Investors should never attempt to short the index or liquidate their entire portfolio in September with plans to buy back in October. - Pullbacks are normal and "part of the grand plan." - Historical data since 1950 reveals multiple stellar Septembers with gains of 6% to 8%. - Out of the 10 best Septembers on record since 1950, five occurred during midterm election cycles.
Since nobody owns a crystal ball, trying to time market swings is futile. Investors should remain anchored in quality businesses rather than panicking over seasonal tendencies.
[22:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1339s) Closing Mantras: Following the Rules and Avoiding FOMO
Adam Khoo concludes his market outlook by wishing viewers a profitable and successful September, signing off with his core operational philosophy on discipline and psychology. Rather than letting market swings dictate actions, he urges investors to remain grounded in their systematic approach, reiterating his cardinal rules: "Don't FOMO, don't panic."
He brings back one of his trademark, colorful analogies—reminding traders, "Don't chase the girl. Just follow the rules." In Khoo's framework, desperately chasing a stock that has already skyrocketed is no different from chasing someone who is running away from you; it leads to poor risk-reward entries and emotional regret. The key to long-term survival and profitability in the market is patience, waiting for high-probability setups to come to you, and adhering strictly to tested trade management guidelines.
- **Emotional control over impulsiveness**: Investors are reminded to eliminate both FOMO (fear of missing out) on extended rallies and panic selling during volatility. - **The "don't chase" rule**: Chasing overextended stocks breaks discipline; high-probability investing requires waiting for proper support levels and entry triggers. - **Systematic execution**: The ultimate takeaway is unwavering adherence to established trading rules and risk management protocols above all else.
## Notable quotes > [00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=11s) the path of least resistance is up. — Adam Khoo
> [05:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=329s) Oh, I'm tired of winning, — Adam Khoo
> [09:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=559s) an earnings driven market, — Adam Khoo
> [13:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=819s) purely for entertainment purposes. — Adam Khoo
> [20:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1243s) part of the grand plan. — Adam Khoo
> [22:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1339s) Don't FOMO, don't panic. — Adam Khoo
> [22:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q&t=1339s) Don't chase the girl. Just follow the rules. — Adam Khoo
> MAY THE MARKETS BE WITH YOU! — Adam Khoo
## Mentioned Adam Khoo, Donald Trump, Kevin Warsh, S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, SPY, VOO, CSPX, London Stock Exchange, Linde plc, NVIDIA, Meta, Netflix, AutoZone, MercadoLibre, Amazon, Stock Oracle, Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, Piranha Profits, Ultimate Investors Playbook, Winning the Game of Stocks, Profit from the Panic, Wealth Academy, Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group
## Video description Here is a sneak peek into my Stock Market Analysis September update for subscribers of my Ultimate Investors Playbook!
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[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWG11RH570Q)