ETF Returns {Market Sectors}

Below, and again using the performance return capabilities from Stockcharts.com, are various sector ETFs that are in our investment universe for sector investment strategies. At the right on each chart is the S&P 500 ETF for comparison.  You can double-click on each chart to make it larger for easier viewing.  Cyclical names performed better in general than non-cyclical.  The exception to that was the energy sector.  Of note perhaps is that energy is one of the best performing sectors so far in 2018.  Homebuilders and biotechnology led the non-cyclical sectors.  Surprisingly perhaps to some was that consumer discretionary stocks did much better than the headlines from the national retail implosion would suggest.  Utilities lagged being under many of the same constraints we discussed yesterday regarding dividend paying ETFs.  

The more cyclical sectors of the market were the areas that really shined last year.  With the exception of energy and the transportation sector all the rest of these sectors outperformed the S&P 500 in 2017.

*Performance data comes from the performance chart utility developed by Stockcharts.com.  While we assume their data is correct, we make no claims and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of these results.

**Long various indices shown above in both client and personal accounts.  Please note these positions can change at any time without notice on this blog or on any other form of communication including written and electronic.