Top-Performing S&P 500 Index Subsectors In 2020
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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 124 subsectors, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
  3. Of the 15 subsectors featured in the chart, four are classified as either Consumer Discretionary or Information Technology. 
  4. As of 9/30/20, the most heavily weighted sector in the S&P 500 Index was Information Technology at 28.2%, followed by Health Care at 14.2%, Consumer Discretionary at 11.6% and Communication Services at 10.8%, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. 
  5. The 15 top-performing subsectors in the chart posted total returns ranging from 27.11% (Semiconductors) to 59.72% (Internet & Direct Marketing Retail). 
  6. With respect to the 11 sectors, six posted positive total returns for the period captured in the chart. 
  7. From 12/31/19-9/29/20, the top-performing S&P 500 sector indices were Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services and Materials, up 27.54%, 22.56%, 8.48% and 4.46%, respectively, on a total return basis, according to Bloomberg. The S&P 500 Index posted a total return of 4.70% for the period. 
  8. There are a growing number of packaged products, such as exchange-traded funds, that feature S&P 500 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. 

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Posted on Thursday, October 1, 2020 @ 2:05 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.