Sectors explained
Basic Materials
Companies that manufacture chemicals, building materials, and paper products. This sector also includes companies engaged in commodities exploration and processing.
Financial Services
Companies that provide financial services, including banks, savings and loans, asset management companies, credit services, investment brokerage firms, and insurance companies.
Real Estate
This sector includes mortgage companies, property management companies, and REITs
Consumer Cyclical
This sector includes retail stores, auto and auto parts manufacturers, companies engaged in residential construction, lodging facilities, restaurants, and entertainment companies.
Consumer Defensive
Companies engaged in the manufacturing of food, beverages, household and personal products, packaging, or tobacco. Also includes companies that provide services such as education & training services.
Health Care
This sector includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research services, home health care, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical equipment and supplies.
Utilities
Electric, gas, and water utilities.
Communication Services
Companies that provide communication services using fixed-line networks or those that provide wireless access and services. This sector also includes companies that provide Internet services such as access, navigation and Internet related software and services.
Energy
Companies that produce or refine oil and gas, oil field services and equipment companies, and pipeline operators. This sector also includes companies engaged in the mining of coal.
Industrials
Companies that manufacture machinery, handheld tools, and industrial products. This sector also includes aerospace and defense firms as well as companies engaged in transportation and logistic services.
Technology
Companies engaged in the design, development, and support of computer operating systems and applications. This sector also includes companies that provide computer technology consulting services. Also includes companies engaged in the manufacturing of computer equipment, data storage products, networking products, semiconductors, and components. Companies in this sector include Apple, Google, and Microsoft