Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV experienced slight increases, with the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) declining by 0.1%. On Wednesday afternoon, US equity indexes rose, led by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, as investor sentiment suggests greater clarity on the Federal Reserve’s policy easing program is on the horizon.
In the energy sector, the iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) fell by 0.1%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) decreased by 0.3%. In contrast, technology stocks showed positive movement, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gaining 0.5%. iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) also recorded gains.
The SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rose by 1.4%, and the iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) added 1.1%. Financials saw the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) increase by 0.2%. The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) achieved a 0.7% rise, while its bearish counterpart, the Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), fell by 0.4%.
In commodity markets, crude oil prices rose by 1.1%, leading the United States Oil Fund (USO) to increase by 0.6%. Natural gas prices rose by 2.2%, with the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) gaining 0.2%. On the other hand, gold prices fell by 0.3% on Comex, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) also down by 0.2%.
Silver prices dropped by 0.7%, while the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) saw a decrease of 1%. Consumer staples faced slight declines, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) down 0.3%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) also lost 0.3%, while iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell by 0.1%.
The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) was down by 0.3%, although the retail-focused VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) gained ground. The health care sector saw a modest increase, with the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) adding 0.4%. iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) also rose, while the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB) recorded a setback, losing 0.4%.
In industrials, the Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) fell slightly by less than 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) edged higher..