In “Consumer Discretionary Stocks To Watch For Year-End Window Dressing,” I mention several consumer-related stocks to keep an eye on as we head into year-end window dressing. The follow up article, “12 Stocks To Watch For Year-End Window Dressing,” reviewed the year-to-date performance of three other sectors, Consumer Staples, Energy and Financials, and listed stocks with year-end window dressing potential. Next, let’s take a look at three more S&P 500 (SPY) sectors: Materials, Healthcare and Utilities.
The data that follow comes from Standard & Poor’s S&P 500 GICS Sector Scorecard, which includes data through November 30, 2011. S&P’s sector scorecard shows ten sectors and numerous subgroups within those sectors, along with a myriad of other data.
Materials’ year-to-date return is negative 9.5%. This sector has twelve subgroups, five of which are up on the year, and seven of which are down. The three best performers are Gold (12.1%), Paper Products (6.9%), and Specialty Chemicals (4.7%). Together, these three subgroups comprise 20.91% of the sector’s total weighting. The three worst performers are Aluminum (-34.9%), Diversified Metals & Mining (-32.8%), and Construction Materials (-26.9%). Together, these three subgroups comprise 13.24% of the sector’s total weighting.
Healthcare’s year-to-date return is 7.2%. This sector has ten subgroups, six of which are up on the year, and four of which are down. The two best performers are Managed Healthcare (33.4%) and Healthcare Technology (28.7%). Together, these two subgroups comprise 10.19% of the sector’s total weighting. The two worst performers are Healthcare Facilities (-30.5%) and Life Sciences Tools & Services (-14.5%). Together, these two subgroups comprise just 3.75% of the sector’s total weighting.
Utilities’ year-to-date return is 11.5%. This sector has four subgroups and all four are up on the year. The best performer is Gas Utilities (39.4%) which comprises just 2.63% of the sector’s total weighting. The next best performer is Electric Utilities (11.6%) with a 54.21% sector weighting.
Below, you will find 18 examples of some of the best performing and worst performing equities year-to-date within each sector. Please note that not all these equities are in the S&P 500. However, they do fall within the sectors mentioned above. All companies listed have market capitalizations greater than $4.0 billion. Please do your own due diligence on these companies before buying or selling the stocks. All year-to-date (YTD) data through December 5.
Materials
Valhi (VHI) is up 185.21% YTD and has a market cap. of $7.17 billion.
Randgold Resources (GOLD) is up 26.78% YTD and has a market cap. of $9.56 billion.
Yamana Gold (AUY) is up 25.23% YTD and has a market cap. of $11.95 billion.
United States Steel (X) is down 51.20% YTD and has a market cap. of $4.11 billion.
Arcelor Mittal (MT) is down 48.47% YTD and has a market cap. of $30.44 billion.
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (SID) is down 47.69% YTD and has a market cap. of $12.71 billion.
Healthcare
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is up 69.32% YTD and has a market cap. of $17.02 billion.
Biogen Idec (BIIB) is up 66.73% YTD and has a market cap. of $27.16 billion.
Humana (HUM) is up 58.70% YTD and has a market cap. of $14.20 billion.
Hospira (HSP) is down 49.87% YTD and has a market cap. of $4.60 billion.
Boston Scientific (BSX) is down 26.02% YTD and has a market cap. of $8.30 billion.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA) is down 23.65% YTD and has a market cap. of $35.22 billion.
Utilities
NiSource (NI) is up 28.49% YTD and has a market cap. of $6.36 billion.
FirstEnergy (FE) is up 20.56% YTD and has a market cap. of $18.66 billion.
Ameren (AEE) is up 12.84% YTD and has a market cap. of $7.71 billion.
Enersis S.A. (ENI) is down 22.44% YTD and has a market cap. of $11.76 billion.
PG&E (PCG) is down 19.31% YTD and has a market cap. of $15.56 billion.
National Fuel Gas (NFG) is down 9.89% YTD and has a market cap. of $4.90 billion.
Disclosure: I am long FE.
