Analysis: Tech's reign over U.S. stock market to be tested in 2021

A U.S flag is seen on the New York Stock Exchange in the Manhattan borough of New York City, following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, New York, U.S., November 6, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Files

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors are weighing how big to go on U.S. technology stocks in the coming year, as pricier valuations, regulatory risks and a revival of the market’s beaten-down names threaten to dim their allure.

A surge in technology and internet-related shares helped lift U.S. indexes to record highs this year. Gains in Apple, Amazon and Microsoft alone accounted for more than half of the S&P 500’s 16.6% total return as of Dec. 16, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.