Sector Performance Via Market Capitalization (Year-to-Date)
Supporting Image for Blog Post

 
View from the Observation Deck  
  1. The S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 Indices hit their respective all-time closing highs on 1/26/18. 
  2. From 1/26/18 through 4/9/18, the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 Indices endured price declines of 8.64%, 6.73% and 4.58% (not shown in table), respectively, according to Bloomberg.
  3. These three indices together comprise the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which represented 90.6% of total U.S. equity market capitalization (cap) on 3/29/18, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices and Bloomberg. 
  4. Total U.S. equity market cap declined by $2.6 trillion from the close on 1/26/18 through 3/29/18, according to Bloomberg. 
  5. Year-to-date through 4/9/18 (table), the top-performing benchmark index by market cap was the S&P SmallCap 600, with a total return of -0.14%. On the sector level, it was the S&P SmallCap 600 Health Care Index, with a total return of 13.09%. 
  6. Sector performance can vary widely by market cap. Some of the sectors reflect a fairly significant disparity in performance. 
  7. Year-to-date through 4/9/18 (table), Health Care performed the best of the 11 major sectors when you factor in all three market cap indices, followed by Information Technology.   
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 a capitalization-weighted index comprised of 500 stocks used to measure large-cap U.S. stock market performance. The S&P MidCap 400 Index is a capitalization-weighted index that tracks the mid-range sector of the U.S. stock market. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index is a capitalization-weighted index that tracks U.S. stocks with a small market capitalization. The 11 major S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 Sector Indices are capitalization-weighted and comprised of S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600 constituents, respectively, representing a specific sector. The S&P Composite 1500 Index is comprised of the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 Indices. 

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Posted on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 @ 2:00 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.