The best performing sector as of midday Monday is the Utilities sector, higher by 1.6%. Within that group, Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC) and NRG Energy Inc (NYSE: NRG) are two large stocks leading the way, showing a gain of 3.9% and 3.7%, respectively. Among utilities ETFs, one ETF following the sector is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (AMEX: XLU), which is up 1.5% on the day, and down 4.90% year-to-date. Exelon Corp., meanwhile, is down 8.29% year-to-date, and NRG Energy Inc, is down 6.33% year-to-date. Combined, EXC and NRG make up approximately 6.7% of the underlying holdings of XLU.
The next best performing sector is the Financial sector, up 1.5%. Among large Financial stocks, HCP, Inc. (NYSE: HCP) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) are the most notable, showing a gain of 3.8% and 3.0%, respectively. One ETF closely tracking Financial stocks is the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF), which is up 1.7% in midday trading, and down 1.62% on a year-to-date basis. HCP, Inc., meanwhile, is up 0.62% year-to-date, and JPMorgan Chase & Co, is down 1.30% year-to-date. Combined, HCP and JPM make up approximately 8.4% of the underlying holdings of XLF.
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Comparing these stocks and ETFs on a trailing twelve month basis, below is a relative stock price performance chart, with each of the symbols shown in a different color as labeled in the legend at the bottom:
Here's a snapshot of how the S&P 500 components within the various sectors are faring in afternoon trading on Monday. As you can see, nine sectors are up on the day, while none of the sectors are down.
| Sector | % Change |
|---|---|
| Utilities | +1.6% |
| Financial | +1.5% |
| Industrial | +1.5% |
| Materials | +1.5% |
| Energy | +1.2% |
| Consumer Products | +1.1% |
| Services | +1.1% |
| Healthcare | +0.9% |
| Technology & Communications | +0.9% |
