Sector ETF Performance Snapshot: Quarterly Insights
The period from October to May (next year) has been the best period for US stocks since at least 1960. Practically all the gains have come during these seven months. But if we look at the different sectors of the market, can we spot the same pattern? What is the sector ETF performance per quarter?
This article looks at the historical sector performance per quarter for a selection of the most traded sectors of the US markets. We use a basket of ETFs as a proxy.
Sector ETF performance per quarter
The table below contains the most important sectors and their average performance per quarter. We measured performance from the close of one quarter until the close of the next.
The data are from the year 2000 or from the ETF’s inception (if later) and numbers are in percent.
| Ticker | Sector | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | |
| DBC | Commodities | 0.54 | 3.71 | -1.51 | -0.33 | |
| GDX | Gold miners | 1.28 | 5.82 | -1.85 | -1.26 | |
| IYR | Real estate | 2.37 | 4.16 | 2.92 | 2.04 | |
| RTH | Retail | 2.63 | 2.01 | 1.76 | 3.99 | |
| SIL | Silver miners | 0.79 | 5.61 | 0.1 | 1.1 | |
| XHB | Homebuilders | 3.86 | 0 | 2.15 | 2.95 | |
| XLB | Materials | 1.59 | 2.66 | -0.73 | 6.94 | |
| XLE | Energy (oil) | 2.04 | 4.99 | -1.76 | 3.8 | |
| XLF | Financials | -0.83 | 2.56 | 1.59 | 4.51 | |
| XLI | Industrial | 0.66 | 2.4 | 1.01 | 5.46 | |
| XLK | Technology | 0.44 | 3.1 | 0.56 | 4.32 | |
| XLP | Consumer staples | 0.7 | 2.17 | 2 | 3.67 | |
| XLU | Utilities | 1.19 | 3.15 | 1.45 | 2.83 | |
| XLV | Health care | 1.68 | 3.34 | 0.41 | 3.64 | |
| XME | Metals and mining | 1.75 | 5.67 | -4.71 | 6.27 |
As you can see, the sector ETF performance per quarter varies much among the different sectors. Whether or not this is tradeable you need to backtest and evaluate yourself.
FAQ:
Which sectors are included in the sector ETF performance analysis?
The analysis covers a selection of the most traded sectors in the US markets. Some of the sectors include Commodities, Gold Miners, Real Estate, Retail, Silver Miners, Homebuilders, Materials, Energy (Oil), Financials, Industrial, Technology, Consumer Staples, Utilities, Health Care, and Metals and Mining.
What is the time frame for the sector ETF performance data?
The data presented in the table cover the period from the year 2000 or from the inception of the ETF (if later). It provides a historical perspective on sector performance over the quarters.
Why is understanding sector performance per quarter important?
Understanding sector performance per quarter can be crucial for investors and traders. It provides insights into seasonal trends and patterns within specific sectors, allowing individuals to make more informed investment decisions based on historical sector behavior.