XML Financial Group Blog

XML Wealth Insights: Stock Market Today vs. One Year Ago

Written by XML Financial Group | Oct 23, 2026, 4:39:17 PM

In this week’s video, Curtis Congdon, President of XML Financial Group, discusses why it’s important to put today’s market concerns into historical perspective. While it’s easy to focus on the challenges we face today, we often forget the uncertainty and concerns of years past.

We compare current S&P 500 valuations to those from one year ago, examining price-to-earnings, price-to-book, price-to-sales, price-to-cash-flow ratios, and dividend yield. Interestingly, the data shows that the market is less expensive by these measures today than it was a year ago, despite its appreciation, and dividend yields are higher. 

While these figures don't necessarily mean stocks are cheap by historical standards, they demonstrate that the market can become less expensive even as stock prices rise. It's an important reminder to look beyond today's headlines and consider market conditions in a broader historical context.

Have questions about how these insights and ideas could impact your personalized wealth management strategy? Let’s talk.

This communication is for information and educational purposes only. This is not a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product or strategy or to be perceived as individual advice. Information presented has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and does not represent all available data necessary for making investment decisions. Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect a series of assumptions and judgments as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts do not consider the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of an individual. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. The opinion expressed by this individual is based on facts and circumstances known at this time, is subject to change and does not reflect the opinions of all financial professionals of XML