Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV showed mixed performance with IVV demonstrating an increase. The actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) recorded a notable rise of 0.7%. As Thursday's trading progressed into the afternoon, US equity indexes experienced upward momentum, primarily supported by robust retail sales data from September and substantial gains made by leading semiconductor companies.
In the energy sector, the iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) posted a slight increase of 0.2%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) saw a marginal decline. In technology, there was a 1.1% rise in the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK), alongside advancements in iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM).
The SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) experienced significant growth, gaining 2%, complemented by an impressive 2.4% jump in iShares Semiconductor (SOXX). Turning to the financial sector, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) posted a modest increase of 0.5%. The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) also rose by 1.7%, in contrast to its bearish counterpart, the Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), which saw a decline of 1.5%.
In commodities, crude oil faced a minor dip of 0.1%, with the United States Oil Fund (USO) decreasing by 0.8%. Natural gas witnessed a decrease of 0.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) fell by 0.9%. In precious metals, gold prices increased by 0.6% on the Comex market, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) also reflecting the same upward trend.
Conversely, silver saw a decline of 0.6%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) reported a slight loss of 0.2%. Looking at consumer stocks, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) dropped by 0.5%, following similar trends in the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK).
However, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) recorded a minor increase of 0.1%, despite notable declines in the retail fund VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT). In the health care sector, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) experienced a slight downturn of 0.3%, along with decreases in the iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT).
The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB) experienced a marginal decline of less than 0.1%. In industrials, the Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) edged down by 0.2%. The Vanguard Industrials (VIS) recorded a slight decrease of less than 0.1%, though the iShares US Industrials (IYJ) managed to post a modest gain of 0.1%.
Investors will be closely monitoring these developments as the market continues to react to external economic indicators and sector-specific news..