Sectors In Review: April 2019

February was another strong month for sector ETFs, with only two funds landing in negative territory. The SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was up more than any other fund, at 9.83%, followed by the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV), which rose 7.77%, and the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA), which was up 7.27%. The worst performers were led by the iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF), which fell 3.17%, and the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP), which was down 2.52%. The third-worst performer actually had positive performance: The Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) was up 0.37%. In terms of flows, the real estate sector funds pulled in $2.8 billion, with the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) gaining $1.7 billion and the iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR) gaining $1.1 billion. The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was a distant third place, with a gain of $532.8 million. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) saw the most outflows, losing $856.3 million, followed by the Heath Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) and the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB), which lost $436.5 million and $151 million, respectively.

Source: Bloomberg. Data from 01/31/2019 to 02/28/2019. ETFs chosen to represent each sector based on the most liquid ETF in each segment of the ETF.com ETF Classification System.