Sector Detector: InfoTech Holds Lock on Top Ranking
by ilene - June 15th, 2010 9:29 pm
Sector Detector: InfoTech Holds Lock on Top Ranking
By Scott Martindale, Senior Managing Director, Sabrient
The stock market is searching for direction, testing support and resistance levels each week. After threatening a waterfall decline last week, it instead found support and has rallied strongly. Today, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials joined the Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 by rising above the important 200-day moving average. However, they all remain below their 50-day moving averages.
I like to define trends in simple terms. So, when a stock or index is above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, I consider it to be in a bullish trend. Likewise, when below both its 50 and 200-day, I consider it to be in a bearish trend. When it is between the two, the market is searching for direction. Recapturing the 200-day was important for fighting off what appeared to be the start of a new bear trend. It shows that there is some buyer support for this market.
Market volatility represented by the VIX has settled back to around 25, which is right at its 50-day moving average and still well above its 200-day moving average. Keep in mind that the VIX tends to move opposite the market, so finding support is typically bearish for the market. We should know soon how this is going to play out.
The SectorCast-ETF model employs a fundamentals-based multi-factor approach including forward valuation, earnings growth prospects, recent analyst consensus sentiment, and various return ratios. Like the technical picture, current quant rankings reflect an uncertain outlook.
Latest rankings: Information Technology (IYW) continues its lock on the top ranking with a score of 71, but this Financials (XLF) has taken back the second spot after falling into a tie last week with Healthcare (XLV). Overall, sector scores are quite similar to last week despite the big market rally from the edge of the abyss.
Notably, Consumer Discretionary (XLY) and Materials (XLB) have both weakened somewhat this week. Also worth mentioning is that Energy (XLE) and Materials (XLB) were the only sectors to get hit with more analysts reducing earnings estimates rather than increasing.
IYW fares the best in the percentage of analysts increasing earnings estimates, and it ranks high in return on…