In the latest trading session, broad-market exchange-traded funds such as IWM and IVV faced a downturn, while the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) decreased by 0.3%. The US equity indexes experienced a decline during midday trading on Friday, mirroring the expectations set by the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure.
In the energy sector, the iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) inched up by 0.1%, along with a similar rise for the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE), which also advanced by 0.1%. Meanwhile, the technology sector witnessed a slight dip, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) decreasing by 0.5%. The iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) both showed lower performance as well.
On a more positive note, the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained 0.8%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) climbed by 0.3%, indicating a mixed performance within technology holdings. The financial sector also reflected minor gains, with the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) rising 0.3%.
The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) enjoyed a gain of 0.3%, while the contrasting Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) saw a slight loss of 0.4%. Turning to commodities, crude oil prices dipped by 0.5%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) followed suit with a 0.2% decrease.
Natural gas registered an even steeper decline, falling by 1.7%, identical to the performance of the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG). Gold prices dropped by 1.3% on the Comex, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) also experiencing a decline of 0.9%. Silver, too, faced a downturn, with prices falling 1.5%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) slipping by 0.6%.
In the consumer sector, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) rose by 0.3%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) also registered gains. However, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) dipped by 0.3%, although the retail-focused VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) managed to add 0.2%, while the SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) saw a decline of 0.4%.
For the health care industry, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) decreased by 0.3%, with both iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) reflecting similar trends of decline. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) reported a slight decrease of 0.1%. Lastly, in the industrial sector, the Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) faced a drop of 0.2%, while Vanguard Industrials (VIS) also decreased.
In contrast, the iShares US Industrials (IYJ) exhibited positive movement, securing gains in the otherwise mixed industrial landscape..