S&P 500 Hits Record High as Buffett Warns of Market Speculation
The latest move is backed by strong corporate performance. S&P 500 companies are on track for 28% year-over-year earnings growth in Q1, the strongest since 2021. Chip stocks are leading the move. The PHLX semiconductor index is up 55% in 2026, with Intel rising 13% on reports of Apple using its chip services, while AMD is gaining ahead of earnings on expectations of 33% revenue growth. All 11 sectors in the S&P 500 moved higher, with materials and technology leading gains. The index also recorded 43 new highs in the latest session. Buffett Signals Valuation Risk Buffett pointed to near-record levels in the S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio, placing current valuations close to levels seen during the dot-com bubble. He warned that speculation is spreading across markets, from one-day options to prediction markets and sports betting. US sports betting reached $167 billion in 2025, up 11% year-over-year, while prediction markets processed $25.7 billion in March 2026 alone, nearly 13 times higher than a year earlier. This environment reflects rising risk appetite across asset classes, not just equities. Berkshire Builds Record Cash Position Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway is not chasing the rally. The company held nearly $400 billion in cash and short-term Treasurys at the end of Q1 2026. Both Buffett