Sector Strength
The eleven GICS sector ETFs plus two industry funds, ranked on medium-term relative strength and trend confirmation.
| Rank | Fund | 3M | 1Y | Vol | Max DD | vs 200d | ER | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ||||||||
| #2 | ||||||||
| #3 | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 9.0% | 88.0% | 39.9% | -24.6% | 26.6% | 0.35% | 1.036 |
| #4 | XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR | 16.8% | 47.6% | 21.9% | -15.0% | 13.3% | 0.09% | 0.552 |
| #5 | XLV Health Care Select Sector SPDR | 2.2% | 18.9% | 15.7% | -10.5% | 7.6% | 0.09% | 0.209 |
| #6 | XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR | -3.5% | 2.6% | 14.8% | -14.8% | 1.0% | 0.09% | -0.162 |
| #7 | XLC Communication Services SPDR | 0.9% | -3.0% | 16.0% | -11.7% | -1.3% | 0.09% | -0.214 |
| #8 | XLP Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR | -3.9% | 6.9% | 14.5% | -9.7% | -2.0% | 0.09% | -0.356 |
| #9 ▲3 | XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR | -3.5% | 12.4% | 17.9% | -12.4% | -1.5% | 0.09% | -0.385 |
| #10 ▼1 | XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR | -6.5% | 11.6% | 17.3% | -12.2% | -0.8% | 0.09% | -0.390 |
What the screen did this week
The Sector Strength screen ranked 14 eligible funds as of 2026-10-05. The eleven GICS sector ETFs plus two industry funds, ranked on medium-term relative strength and trend confirmation.
The composite is a weighted blend of cross-sectional z-scores: 6-month return (35%, higher better); 3-month return (25%, higher better); distance above 200-day average (25%, higher better); 1-year volatility (15%, lower better). Every fund is scored against the others in its universe on the same date, so a score is a statement about relative standing that week, not a forecast.
The visible ranking
#3 SMH, VanEck Semiconductor ETF. 3-month 9.0%, 1-year 88.0%, volatility 39.9%, worst drawdown -24.6%, expense ratio 0.35%. Composite 1.036.
#4 XLE, Energy Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 16.8%, 1-year 47.6%, volatility 21.9%, worst drawdown -15.0%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.552.
#5 XLV, Health Care Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 2.2%, 1-year 18.9%, volatility 15.7%, worst drawdown -10.5%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.209.
#6 XLF, Financial Select Sector SPDR. 3-month -3.5%, 1-year 2.6%, volatility 14.8%, worst drawdown -14.8%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.162.
#7 XLC, Communication Services SPDR. 3-month 0.9%, 1-year -3.0%, volatility 16.0%, worst drawdown -11.7%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.214.
#8 XLP, Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR. 3-month -3.9%, 1-year 6.9%, volatility 14.5%, worst drawdown -9.7%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.356.
#9 XLB, Materials Select Sector SPDR. 3-month -3.5%, 1-year 12.4%, volatility 17.9%, worst drawdown -12.4%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.385.
#10 XLI, Industrial Select Sector SPDR. 3-month -6.5%, 1-year 11.6%, volatility 17.3%, worst drawdown -12.2%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.390.
What changed since 2026-10-02
Biggest moves in the top 15: XLB 12 → 9 (up 3), XLRE 11 → 13 (down 2). New to the top ten: XLB at #9. The screen re-ranks from scratch every week, so a move reflects a change in relative standing, not a decision by anyone.
What moved the numbers
At rank 3, SMH scored 1.036. Its largest single contribution came from 6-month return, and its biggest drag from 1-year volatility. At the other end, XLU finished last of 14 with a composite of -0.891.
Every fund in the universe cleared the gates this week.
How to read this
This is a rules-based screen published on a fixed schedule. It is the same for every reader, it is not tailored to anyone’s circumstances, and it is not a recommendation to buy or sell. Rankings are computed from price history alone. Past performance does not predict future results.
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