The S&P 500 is comprised of 11 Sectors (GICS Level-1). An investor that buys an S&P 500
Index ETF (ex. SPY) or an S&P index fund is essentially gaining exposure to all 11 sectors according to each
sector’s respective weighting in the index. We've included here the ability to drill down and view each
Sector, Industry and Stock that makes up the S&P 500 index.
The energy sector consists of all companies that play a part in the oil, gas, and consumable fuels business. This includes companies that find, drill, and extract the commodity. It also includes the companies that refine the material and companies that provide or manufacturer the equipment used in the refinement process. Companies such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron extract and refine gas, while companies like Kinder Morgan transport fuel to gas stations.
Energy Sub-Industries
Energy
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Manufacturers of equipment, including drilling rigs and equipment, and providers of supplies and services to companies involved in the drilling, evaluation and completion of oil and gas wells.
Integrated oil companies engaged in the exploration & production of oil and gas, as well as at least one other significant activity in either refining, marketing and transportation, or chemicals.
Companies engaged in the refining and marketing of oil, gas and/or refined products not classified in the Integrated Oil & Gas or Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders SubIndustries.
Companies engaged in the storage and/or transportation of oil, gas and/or refined products. Includes diversified midstream natural gas companies, oil and refined product pipelines, coal slurry pipelines and oil & gas shipping companies.
Companies within the materials sector provide the raw material needed for other sectors to function. This includes the mining companies that provide gold, zinc, and copper, and forestry companies that provide wood. Companies that are not typically associated with materials but are in the sector include container and packaging companies such as the Intertape Polymer Group, a company that produces tape.
Materials Sub-Industries
Materials
Commodity Chemicals
Companies that primarily produce industrial chemicals and basic chemicals. Including but not limited to plastics, synthetic fibers, films, commodity-based paints & pigments, explosives and petrochemicals. Excludes chemical companies classified in the Diversified Chemicals, Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals, Industrial Gases, or Specialty Chemicals Sub-Industries.
Manufacturers of a diversified range of chemical products not classified in the Industrial Gases, Commodity Chemicals, Specialty Chemicals or Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals SubIndustries.
Companies that primarily produce high value-added chemicals used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including but not limited to fine chemicals, additives, advanced polymers, adhesives, sealants and specialty paints, pigments and coatings.
Manufacturers of construction materials including sand, clay, gypsum, lime, aggregates, cement, concrete and bricks. Other finished or semi-finished building materials are classified in the Building Products Sub-Industry.
Producers of gold and related products, including companies that mine or process gold and the South African finance houses which primarily invest in, but do not operate, gold mines
Industrials include a wide range of companies, from airlines and railroad companies to military weapons manufacturers. Since the range of companies is so large, the sector has 14 different industries. Two of the largest industries are Aerospace & Defense and Construction & Engineering. The best known names within this sector are Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, FedEx Corporation, and Boeing Company.
Industrials Sub-Industries
Industrials
Aerospace & Defense
Manufacturers of civil or military aerospace and defense equipment, parts or products. Includes defense electronics and space equipment.
Manufacturers of building components and home improvement products and equipment. Excludes lumber and plywood classified under Forest Products and cement and other materials classified in the Construction Materials Sub-Industry.
Companies engaged in primarily non-residential construction. Includes civil engineering companies and large-scale contractors. Excludes companies classified in the Homebuilding Sub-Industry.
Diversified industrial companies with business activities in three or more Sectors, none of which contributes a majority of revenues. Stakes held are predominantly of a controlling nature and stake holders maintain an operational interest in the running of the subsidiaries.
Manufacturers of heavy duty trucks, rolling machinery, earthmoving and construction equipment, and manufacturers of related parts. Includes non-military shipbuilding.
Companies manufacturing agricultural machinery, farm machinery, and their related parts. Includes machinery used for the production of crops and agricultural livestock, agricultural tractors, planting and fertilizing machinery, fertilizer and chemical application equipment, and grain dryers and blowers.
Manufacturers of industrial machinery and industrial components. Includes companies that manufacture presses, machine tools, compressors, pollution control equipment, elevators, escalators, insulators, pumps, roller bearings and other metal fabrications.
Companies providing environmental and facilities maintenance services. Includes waste management, facilities management and pollution control services. Excludes large-scale water treatment systems classified in the Water Utilities Sub-Industry.
Companies providing business support services relating to human capital management. Includes employment agencies, employee training, payroll & benefit support services, retirement support services and temporary agencies.
Companies primarily providing research and consulting services to businesses and governments not classified elsewhere. Includes companies involved in management consulting services, architectural design, business information or scientific research, marketing, and testing & certification services. Excludes companies providing information technology consulting services classified in the IT Consulting & Other Services Sub-Industry.
Companies providing air freight transportation, courier and logistics services, including package and mail delivery and customs agents. Excludes those companies classified in the Airlines, Marine or Trucking Sub-Industries.
Discretionary consumer products are luxury items or services that are not necessary for survival. The demand for these items depends on economic conditions and the wealth of individuals. Products include cars, jewelry, sporting goods, and electronic devices. Luxury experiences include trips, stays at hotels, or dining in a posh restaurant. Most companies in this sector are easily recognized. Some examples include Starbucks, Best Buy, and Amazon.
Consumer Discretionary Sub-Industries
Consumer Discretionary
Auto Parts & Equipment
Manufacturers of parts and accessories for automobiles and motorcycles. Excludes companies classified in the Tires & Rubber Sub-Industry.
Companies that produce mainly passenger automobiles and light trucks. Excludes companies producing mainly motorcycles and three-wheelers classified in the Motorcycle Manufacturers Sub-Industry and heavy duty trucks classified in the Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks Sub-Industry.
Manufacturers of consumer electronics products including TVs, home audio equipment, game consoles, digital cameras, and related products. Excludes personal home computer manufacturers classified in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Sub-Industry, and electric household appliances classified in the Household Appliances Sub-Industry.
Manufacturers of electric household appliances and related products. Includes manufacturers of power and hand tools, including garden improvement tools. Excludes TVs and other audio and video products classified in the Consumer Electronics Sub-Industry and personal computers classified in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Sub-Industry.
Manufacturers of durable household products, including cutlery, cookware, glassware, crystal, silverware, utensils, kitchenware and consumer specialties not classified elsewhere.
Manufacturers of apparel, accessories & luxury goods. Includes companies primarily producing designer handbags, wallets, luggage, jewelry and watches. Excludes shoes classified in the Footwear Sub-Industry.
Owners and operators of hotels, resorts and cruise-ships. Includes travel agencies, tour operators and related services not classified elsewhere. Excludes casino-hotels classified in the Casinos & Gaming Sub-Industry.
Companies providing retail services primarily on the Internet, through mail order, and TV home shopping retailers. Also includes companies providing online marketplaces for consumer products and services.
Owners and operators of stores offering diversified general merchandise. Excludes hypermarkets and large-scale super centers classified in the Hypermarkets & Super Centers Sub-Industry.
Owners and operators of specialty retail stores not classified elsewhere. Includes jewelry stores, toy stores, office supply stores, health & vision care stores, and book & entertainment stores.
Owners and operators of stores specializing in automotive retail. Includes auto dealers, gas stations, and retailers of auto accessories, motorcycles & parts, automotive glass, and automotive equipment & parts.
Consumer staples companies provide all the necessities of life. This includes food and beverage companies, household product providers, and personal product providers. Consumer staple companies are well known, since people see their products in stores regularly. For example, Procter & Gamble is a famous company within this sector, which produces bleach and laundry detergent under brand names such as Dawn and Tide. Another example is Kroger, which is the largest supermarket chain in the U.S.
Consumer Staples Sub-Industries
Consumer Staples
Drug Retail
Owners and operators of primarily drug retail stores and pharmacies.
