Markets fall as positive fundamentals offset by stretched valuations

Markets mostly fell on Friday.

The MSCI World Index fell 0.4 percent, the S&P 500 fell 0.2 percent and the Nikkei 225 fell 0.8 percent.

However, the STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.2 percent.

Despite the dip on Friday, the S&P 500 ended the week up 0.8 percent. It was flat for March but up 5.5 percent for the first quarter.

“The reflation trade certainly lost some steam this month, but overall fundamentals are still positive, especially considering that earnings outlook for the first quarter is great,” said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.

Some analysts are not so sure about the outlook, however.

“Valuations are as stretched as they ever get,” said Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Robert W. Baird & Co. “Certainly that's cause for concern if earnings don't grow the way they are anticipated to grow.”