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 | XLK Technology Select Sector SPDR | 6.1% | 38.7% | 26.1% | -15.9% | 16.4% | 0.09% | 0.589 |
| #4 | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3.1% | 89.5% | 39.0% | -24.6% | 20.6% | 0.35% | 0.513 |
| #5 | XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR | 4.5% | 54.2% | 21.7% | -15.0% | 19.5% | 0.09% | 0.384 |
| #6 | XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR | 12.9% | 11.2% | 14.5% | -14.8% | 8.7% | 0.09% | 0.354 |
| #7 | XLI Industrial Select Sector SPDR | 8.1% | 22.0% | 17.1% | -12.2% | 7.9% | 0.09% | -0.050 |
| #8 | VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 4.4% | 15.2% | 13.9% | -8.3% | 6.8% | 0.13% | -0.147 |
| #9 | XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR | 7.5% | 19.5% | 17.7% | -12.4% | 6.8% | 0.09% | -0.225 |
| #10 | XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR | 3.7% | 12.6% | 14.2% | -8.3% | 6.3% | 0.09% | -0.254 |
What the screen did this week
The Sector Strength screen ranked 14 eligible funds as of 2026-08-19. 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 XLK — Technology Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 6.1%, 1-year 38.7%, volatility 26.1%, worst drawdown -15.9%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.589.
#4 SMH — VanEck Semiconductor ETF. 3-month 3.1%, 1-year 89.5%, volatility 39.0%, worst drawdown -24.6%, expense ratio 0.35%. Composite 0.513.
#5 XLE — Energy Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 4.5%, 1-year 54.2%, volatility 21.7%, worst drawdown -15.0%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.384.
#6 XLF — Financial Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 12.9%, 1-year 11.2%, volatility 14.5%, worst drawdown -14.8%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.354.
#7 XLI — Industrial Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 8.1%, 1-year 22.0%, volatility 17.1%, worst drawdown -12.2%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.050.
#8 VNQ — Vanguard Real Estate ETF. 3-month 4.4%, 1-year 15.2%, volatility 13.9%, worst drawdown -8.3%, expense ratio 0.13%. Composite -0.147.
#9 XLB — Materials Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 7.5%, 1-year 19.5%, volatility 17.7%, worst drawdown -12.4%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.225.
#10 XLRE — Real Estate Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 3.7%, 1-year 12.6%, volatility 14.2%, worst drawdown -8.3%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite -0.254.
What changed since last week
This is the first published run of this screen, so there is nothing to compare against yet. Movement commentary starts next week.
What moved the numbers
At rank 3, XLK scored 0.589. Its largest single contribution came from 6-month return, and its biggest drag from 1-year volatility. At the other end, XLC finished last of 14 with a composite of -1.022.
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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