The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed in 1999 by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI. The GICS methodology aims to enhance the investment research and asset management process for financial professionals worldwide. It is the result of numerous discussions with asset owners, portfolio managers, and investment analysts around the world. It was designed in response to the global financial community’s need for accurate, complete, and standard industry definitions.

The GICS methodology has been widely accepted as an industry analysis framework for investment research, portfolio management and asset allocation. Its universal approach to industries worldwide has contributed to transparency and efficiency in the investment process, and the GICS methodology supports the trend towards sector-based investing.

The GICS structure is

Universal
The structure applies to companies globally
Reliable
The structure reflects the current state of industries in the equity investment universe
Flexible
The structure offers four levels of analysis, ranging from the most general (sector) to the most specialized (sub-industry)
Evolving
Annual reviews are conducted by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI to ensure that the structure remains fully representative of today's global markets

The GICS structure consists of
11 sectors,
25 industry groups,
74 industries, and
163 sub-industries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Financials

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

10 Energy
15 Materials
20 Industrials
25 Consumer Discretionary
30 Consumer Staples
35 Health Care
40 Financials
45 Information Technology
50 Communication Services
55 Utilities
60 Real Estate

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