On Monday, broad-market exchange-traded funds exhibited mixed results, with IWM rising while IVV saw a decline. The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), one of the most actively traded ETFs, recorded a slight drop of 0.1%. US equity indexes experienced downward movements as government bond yields fell, and the dollar weakened following a significant poll that raised doubts about the expectations surrounding former President Donald Trump's potential return to the White House. In the energy sector, the iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) increased by 1.6%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) added 1.4%, highlighting a positive trend in energy investments.
The technology sector saw the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rising by 0.2%. Additionally, both the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) made fractional gains. SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) experienced a rise of 0.4%, contrasting with the minor decline of 0.01% in the iShares Semiconductor (SOXX). In financial markets, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) dropped by 0.8%, while the Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down by 2%.
Conversely, its bearish counterpart, the Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), saw a rise of 2%. Commodity markets were notably volatile; crude oil prices increased by 3%, with the United States Oil Fund (USO) rising by 2.9%. Natural gas experienced a healthy rise of 3.9%, aided by a 3.5% increase in the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG).
On the precious metals front, gold prices fell by 0.2% on Comex, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) recorded a modest rise of 0.1%. Silver prices saw a decline of 0.3%, whereas the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) managed a slight 0.2% gain. Within the consumer sector, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) rose by 0.4%, with both the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) showing increased performance. Consumer discretionary items saw a slight dip of 0.2% in the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY), with the retail-focused VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) falling by 0.1%, though SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) added 1.1%. In health care, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) decreased by 0.6%, with both iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) trending lower.
The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB), however, managed a gain of 0.3%. Lastly, the industrial sector reflected a mixed performance; the Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) fell by 0.2%, while both Vanguard Industrials (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) noted declines as well. Overall, the market remains cautious amid fluctuating trends influenced by economic indicators and market sentiment..