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The worst performing sector as of midday Thursday is the Materials sector, showing a 1.7% loss. Within the sector, Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold (Symbol: FCX) and Nucor Corp. (Symbol: NUE) are two large stocks that are lagging, showing a loss of 4.6% and 4.4%, respectively. Among the high volume ETFs , one ETF closely following materials stocks is the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (Symbol: XLB), which is down 1.6% on the day, and down 3.87% year-to-date. Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, meanwhile, is down 3.51% year-to-date, and Nucor Corp., is down 1.76% year-to-date. Combined, FCX and NUE make up approximately 7.3% of the underlying holdings of XLB.
The next worst performing sector is the Technology & Communications sector, showing a 1.4% loss. Among large Technology & Communications stocks, KLA-Tencor Corp (Symbol: KLAC) and Micron Technology Inc. (Symbol: MU) are the most notable, showing a loss of 3.2% and 3.0%, respectively. One ETF closely tracking Technology & Communications stocks is the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF ( XLK ), which is down 1.3% in midday trading, and up 4.94% on a year-to-date basis. KLA-Tencor Corp, meanwhile, is up 9.35% year-to-date, and Micron Technology Inc. is up 44.14% year-to-date. Combined, KLAC and MU make up approximately 1.4% of the underlying holdings of XLK.
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, one sector is up on the day, while eight 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.
