Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV experienced declines in their trading positions. The actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) also saw a downturn of 0.4%. US equity indexes slipped in volatile trading conditions after midday Thursday, triggered by a stronger-than-anticipated report on wholesale prices and an unexpected rise in jobless claims.
In the Energy sector, the iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) fell by 0.3%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) declined 0.5%. The Technology sector faced a similar fate, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) dropping 0.5%. The iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) also traded in the red.
In the semiconductor space, the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) recorded a loss of 1.1%, and the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) dropped 1.5%. Within Financials, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) fell by 0.2%. The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) demonstrated a decline of 0.8%, contrasting with its bearish counterpart, the Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), which rose by 0.8%.
Regarding commodities, crude oil prices increased slightly by 0.1%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) mirrored this change with a 0.1% increase. Natural gas saw a notable rise of 3.6%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) climbed 4%. In precious metals, gold experienced a dip of 1.7% on Comex, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) fell by 1.3%.
Silver also faced a decline of 3.7%, while the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) dropped 2.5%. Consumer stocks showed some resilience; the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) gained 0.6%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and the iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) both rose by 0.5%. Conversely, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) fell by 0.3%, and retail-focused funds like the VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) showed declines.
In the Health Care sector, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) was down 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) also exhibited downturns. The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB) saw a significant loss of 1.1%. The Industrial sector experienced declines as well, with the Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) falling by 0.3%.
Both the Vanguard Industrials (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials (IYJ) reflected similar downward trends..