In afternoon trading on Thursday, Utilities stocks are the best performing sector, higher by 0.6%. Within the sector, PG&E Corp (Symbol: PCG) and PPL Corp (Symbol: PPL) are two large stocks leading the way, showing a gain of 1.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Among utilities ETFs , one ETF following the sector is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (Symbol: XLU), which is up 0.6% on the day, and down 6.61% year-to-date. PG&E Corp , meanwhile, is down 7.09% year-to-date, and PPL Corp, is down 10.90% year-to-date. Combined, PCG and PPL make up approximately 6.5% of the underlying holdings of XLU.
The next best performing sector is the Healthcare sector, up 0.4%. Among large Healthcare stocks, Express Scripts Holding Co (Symbol: ESRX) and Becton, Dickinson & Co (Symbol: BDX) are the most notable, showing a gain of 8.6% and 1.9%, respectively. One ETF closely tracking Healthcare stocks is the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF ( XLV ), which is up 0.2% in midday trading, and up 2.65% on a year-to-date basis. Express Scripts Holding Co, meanwhile, is up 6.81% year-to-date, and Becton, Dickinson & Co is up 3.94% year-to-date. Combined, ESRX and BDX make up approximately 3.4% of the underlying holdings of XLV.
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 Thursday. As you can see, three sectors are up on the day, while six sectors are down.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
