Value Stocks Are Beating Growth in 2026 — Why This Shift Could Last
Growth stocks slipped nearly 7% year-to-date while value held its ground. Analysts say this is not a short-term rotation — it is a structural shift. Here is what is driving it and how to make sure your portfolio is positioned for both scenarios.
Why Value Is Winning in 2026
For nearly six years after the COVID-19 low, growth stocks dominated. The S&P 500 Growth index rallied more than 200%, leaving value investors with considerably thinner gains of roughly 130%. The narrative was simple: pile into high-momentum tech names, ignore traditional valuation metrics, and watch your portfolio compound.
2026 has broken that narrative. Since January, growth equities have slipped roughly 7% while the value index has held its ground near all-time highs. Tyler Richey, a chartered market technician at Sevens Report, notes that value remains “near all-time highs while a downtrend has emerged” in growth — a divergence few predicted at the start of the year.
What is driving the shift? Three forces appear to be working in unison. First, valuation concerns: after years of expansion, growth stock multiples are stretched against historical benchmarks. JPMorgan’s market outlook explicitly notes that “with overall valuations at multi-decade highs, select value sectors should play a bigger role” in portfolio construction going forward.
Second, the AI revolution — while transformative in specific areas — has not delivered the broad-based earnings acceleration that many anticipated. This has cooled enthusiasm for the high-multiple names that depend on future growth assumptions.
Third, the broader economy is showing resilience. Strong May jobs data reinforced confidence in the U.S. economy, benefiting value sectors like financials, energy, and industrials that thrive when economic growth broadens beyond the technology stack.
What This Means for Your Portfolio
The gap between growth and value performance creates a practical challenge: you need to know exactly where your portfolio stands today — not where it stood in January. If your growth holdings have drifted down 7% while your value positions held steady, your overall allocation has shifted whether you have rebalanced or not.
The problem is that most investors hold accounts across multiple brokerages. A 401(k) at Fidelity, a taxable account at Schwab, an IRA at Vanguard — each with different exposure to value and growth styles. To see your true allocation, you would need to log into each one, export holdings, and manually calculate the split.
That is where automation changes the game. With a brokerage-synced spreadsheet, a single formula like =IVS_BROKERAGE("value")returns your total portfolio value across every connected account. Break it down by style using Google Sheets’ built-in filtering or sector tags: value vs growth exposure becomes a live dashboard, not a manual calculation.
Check Your Allocation in Minutes
Start by pulling all your holdings into one view: =IVS_BROKERAGE("holdings") lists every position with quantity, price, and market value. Then categorize by style — or use sector-level =IVS_BROKERAGE("value", "", "Fidelity") to drill into specific accounts. Within minutes, you can see whether your portfolio is tilted 70/30 growth or 50/50 balanced — and whether that still matches your strategy.
Structural Shift or Temporary Rotation?
The key question every investor is asking: is this the beginning of a multi-year value cycle, or a tactical blip before growth resumes its dominance?
The analysts arguing for structural change make a compelling case. The S&P 500 excluding the Magnificent Seven is seeing double-digit earnings growth for 2026 estimates according to JPMorgan. Cyclical, structural, and secular forces are aligning for value stocks in a way they have not since before the pandemic.
But risk has not disappeared. Lingering inflation, an uncertain rate path, and global geopolitical tensions could reverse sentiment quickly. The prudent approach is not to pick a winner — it is to track both styles with enough precision to make informed decisions as conditions evolve.
History offers some perspective. In 2022, value stocks also outperformed growth during a period of rising rates and inflation concerns. That proved temporary when the AI narrative reignited growth in 2023. The difference this time, according to analysts, is that earnings growth is broadening across sectors rather than concentrating in technology.
How to Track Value vs. Exposure Across All Accounts
Whether you want to tilt toward value or stay balanced, the first step is always the same: get a complete, current view of what you own.
1. Centralize Every Account
If your holdings span Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, or any of 35+ supported brokerages, a synced spreadsheet eliminates the login-loop. One-time OAuth setup, and your data updates automatically.
2. Calculate Style Exposure
Once your holdings are in one sheet, use formulas to group by style. Compare value vs growth allocation percentages against your target. The =IVS_BROKERAGE("value") formula gives you your total — filter by account or sector to see the detail.
3. Monitor the Drift
Market rotations happen fast. In 2026 alone, growth has slipped 7% while value held steady. If you are only checking quarterly, you could miss significant allocation drift. Automated syncing means your spreadsheet reflects the market close every day without manual work.
4. Decide with Data
Whether you rebalance or hold is a strategy decision. But that decision should be based on complete data, not partial views. When you can see your full portfolio in one place, you can act — or choose not to act — with confidence.
How do I know which of my holdings count as value vs growth?
Most brokerages tag holdings by style, but the data is siloed inside each platform. Once synced into Google Sheets via InvestSheet, you can add sector or style columns to your portfolio dashboard and use built-in sorting and filtering to group by category. This gives you a live breakdown of value vs growth exposure across all accounts in seconds.
Is it too late to move money into value stocks?
Value indexes are near all-time highs, so buying after the move carries some risk. But analysts at JPMorgan and elsewhere argue the structural case remains intact due to broadening earnings growth and elevated growth valuations. The better approach is to assess your current allocation first, then decide if a rebalance aligns with your risk tolerance and time horizon.
How often should I check my value vs growth allocation?
During periods of market rotation like the current one, checking weekly is reasonable. With automated brokerage syncing, your spreadsheet updates automatically — so checking takes 30 seconds. Open your sheet, look at the allocation summary, and decide if action is needed. No manual data entry required.
See Your Full Portfolio in One Sheet
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