Top-Performing S&P 500 Index Subsectors in 2019
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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 126 subsectors, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
  3. Of the 15 subsectors featured in the chart, 9 are classified as either Consumer Discretionary or Information Technology. 
  4. As of today, the most heavily weighted sector in the S&P 500 Index is Information Technology at 21.57%, followed by Health Care at 13.85%, according to Bloomberg. Consumer Discretionary ranks fifth at 10.34%. 
  5. The 15 top-performing subsectors in the chart posted total returns ranging from 30.60% (Metal & Glass Containers) to 42.56% (Semiconductor Equipment).
  6. For comparative purposes, from 12/31/18-4/30/19, the top-performing S&P 500 sector indices were Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary, up 27.57% and 22.33%, respectively, on a total return basis, according to Bloomberg. All 11 sectors were in positive territory. The S&P 500 Index posted a total return of 18.25% 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 is a capitalization-weighted index comprised of 500 stocks (currently 505) 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.

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Posted on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 @ 2:28 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.