Top-Performing S&P 500 Index Subsectors in 2019
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 
View from the Observation Deck  
  1. Today's blog post is for those investors who want to drill down below the sector level to see what is performing well in the stock market.
  2. The S&P 500 Index is currently comprised of 11 sectors and 128 subsectors, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
  3. Of the 15 subsectors featured in the chart, nine are classified as either Consumer Discretionary or Information Technology. 
  4. As of 11/29/19, the most heavily weighted sector in the S&P 500 Index was Information Technology at 22.8%, followed by Health Care at 14.1%, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Consumer Discretionary ranked fifth at 9.8%.  
  5. The 15 top-performing subsectors in the chart posted total returns ranging from 44.6% (Auto Parts & Equipment) to 87.5% (Semiconductor Equipment).
  6. For comparative purposes, from 12/31/18-11/29/19, the top-performing S&P 500 sector indices were Information Technology and Communication Services, up 43.8% and 30.1%, respectively, on a total return basis, according to Bloomberg. Consumer Discretionary was up 24.5%. The S&P 500 Index posted a total return of 27.6% for the period. 
  7. There are a growing number of packaged products, such as exchange-traded funds, that feature index subsectors.

This chart is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any actual investment. The illustration excludes the effects of taxes and brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred when investing. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks used to measure large-cap U.S. stock market performance, while the S&P sector and subsector indices are capitalization-weighted and comprised of S&P 500 constituents representing a specific sector or industry.

Download a PDF of this post, please click here.
Posted on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 @ 1:39 PM

These posts were prepared by First Trust Advisors L.P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.