Definitive Sector Measures

Our sector indices are always evolving and serve as precise measures of the market segments that drive and respond to market dynamics around the world. As industries grow and shift, the way we classify companies changes too.

Since partnering with MSCI to introduce the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) in 1999, our sector indices, including those based on the iconic S&P 500®, have tracked the sector ups and downs of economies around the world. From Consumer Staples to Health Care, each sector index offers a unique set of characteristics that are distinct from the broad-market index while also providing diversification that guards against the risk associated with single-stock investing. Indices tracking GICS sectors can be used both strategically and tactically.

Innovating Sector Strategies

What happens to index performance and diversification when sectors and sustainability are combined?

Read on
Watch now

Implementing Sector Strategies

Our research helps investors make more informed decisions on sector allocations and our indices are designed to provide sector solutions that align with a range of objectives.

Bringing rules-based access to sector rotation
The role of sectors in risk, pricing, and active returns
The importance of the U.S. market in accessing global sectors
Using sector strategies to express economic views

What Does Your Sector Exposure Say About Your Factor Exposure?

Our U.S. Sector and Industry Dashboards can help investors monitor sector performance while mapping exposure to factors.

Sector Dashboard
Equal-Weight Sector Dashboard
S&P Select Industry Dashboard

Sector Definitions

  • Communication Services

    Includes companies that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various mediums. It includes telecom and media & entertainment companies including producers of interactive gaming products and companies engaged in content and information creation or distribution through proprietary platforms.

  • Consumer Discretionary

    Encompasses those businesses that tend to be the most sensitive to economic cycles. Its manufacturing segment includes automobiles & components, household durable goods, leisure products and textiles & apparel. The services segment includes hotels, restaurants, and other leisure facilities. It also includes distributors and retailers of consumer discretionary products.

  • Consumer Staples

    Comprises companies whose businesses are less sensitive to economic cycles. It includes manufacturers and distributors of food, beverages and tobacco and producers of non-durable household goods and personal products. It also includes distributors and retailers of consumer staples products including food & drug retailing companies.

  • Energy

    Comprises companies engaged in exploration & production, refining & marketing, and storage & transportation of oil & gas and coal & consumable fuels. It also includes companies that offer oil & gas equipment and services.

  • Financials

    Contains companies engaged in banking, financial services, consumer finance, capital markets and insurance activities. It also includes Financial Exchanges & Data and Mortgage REITs.

  • Health Care

    Includes health care providers & services, companies that manufacture and distribute health care equipment & supplies, and health care technology companies. It also includes companies involved in the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.

  • Industrials

    Includes manufacturers and distributors of capital goods such as aerospace & defense, building products, electrical equipment and machinery and companies that offer construction & engineering services. It also includes providers of commercial & professional services including printing, environmental and facilities services, office services & supplies, security & alarm services, human resource & employment services, research & consulting services. It also includes companies that provide transportation services.

  • Information Technology

    Comprises companies that offer software and information technology services, manufacturers and distributors of technology hardware & equipment such as communications equipment, cellular phones, computers & peripherals, electronic equipment and related instruments, and semiconductors and related equipment & materials.

  • Materials

    Includes companies that manufacture chemicals, construction materials, forest products, glass, paper and related packaging products, and metals, minerals and mining companies, including producers of steel.

  • Real Estate

    Contains companies engaged in real estate development and operation. It also includes companies offering real estate related services and Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

  • Utilities

    Comprises utility companies such as electric, gas and water utilities. It also includes independent power producers & energy traders and companies that engage in generation and distribution of electricity using renewable sources.

Indices

GRAPH VIEW LIST VIEW

More Resources

  • Sector Research & Commentary

    Our latest papers, videos, data reports, and more.

    Access new insights
  • From Our Blog

    Industry thought leaders offer insights on trending topics in sectors.

    Read the latest
  • S&P 500 Sector Indices

    Detailed information including factsheets and methodologies.

    Explore the indices
  • Putting GICS Together

    Explore the industries and sub-industries of the 11 GICS sectors, including historical structures.

    Learn more
  • ETFs and Other Investment Products

    What products are linked to our U.S. sector indices?

    Find out

Sign up to receive updates via email

Sign Up