Growth spurt sends Nasdaq 100 near record versus the Dow

“The dominant theme in recent months has been growth, not quality” in U.S. stocks, according to Ari Wald, Oppenheimer & Co.’s chief technical analyst. He drew the conclusion in a weekend report that compared the Nasdaq 100 Index with the Dow Jones Industrial Average. 

The ratio between the two U.S. equity benchmarks closed a week ago at its highest level since March 2000, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The milestone followed a 16% rally from this year’s low, set May 10. Faster-growing companies are poised to sustain their strength, Wald wrote, as the dollar rises and inflation slows.