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Semiconductors and Apple Just Led the S&P 500 to its Best Year Since 2013

Semiconductors and Apple Just Led the S&P 500 to its Best Year Since 2013

Last year was dominated by technology trades as investors returned to their favorite corner of the stock market. Let's review some of the biggest movers. First of all, semiconductors ripped higher as orders rebounded. The industry may also remain in focus this year as...

Market Leading Housing Sector Has Important News This Week

Market Leading Housing Sector Has Important News This Week

Will housing stocks continue their epic run? The next few sessions may answer that question. Statisticians at the Commerce Department release the industry's most important numbers at 8:30 a.m. ET today: housing starts and building permits. Both have been pushing their...

What Recession? Chip Stocks Had Another Strong Quarter

What Recession? Chip Stocks Had Another Strong Quarter

Two strange things happened last quarter: Chip makers went up and health-care stocks went down. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ($SOX) rose almost 7 percent between June 28 and September 30. Meanwhile the SPDR Health Care ETF (XLV) slid about 3 percent. This is...

Housing Rallies as Lower Rates Make Investors View the Glass as Half Full

Housing Rallies as Lower Rates Make Investors View the Glass as Half Full

Last week, low interest rates freaked out investors. Now they're helping boost an important part of the U.S. economy: housing. The iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) has climbed 4 percent so far this week -- more than triple the gain of the broader S&P 500....

Is Real Estate ETF a Stealth Technology Trade?

Is Real Estate ETF a Stealth Technology Trade?

Believe it or not, real-estate investment trusts (REITs) are leading the market this month. The SPDR Real Estate ETF (XLRE) is up 1.8 percent so far in May. That contrasts with a 2.4 percent drop for the broader S&P 500 over the same period. Even more surprising,...

Does U.S. Have the Upper Hand in Trade War? A Consensus Is Emerging

Does U.S. Have the Upper Hand in Trade War? A Consensus Is Emerging

Did President Trump pick a good time for the U.S. to engage in a trade war with China? There seems to be a growing consensus in his favor -- politically and economically. First, prominent members of the opposing Democratic party are voicing support. That includes both...

Construction Reclaiming Role in U.S. Economy, Years After Subprime Crash

Construction Reclaiming Role in U.S. Economy, Years After Subprime Crash

Construction, left for dead after the subprime crash, may be reclaiming its importance for the U.S. economy. Today's private-sector payrolls report from ADP showed the industry adding 49,000 jobs in April. That translated into a 0.66 percent increase overall -- triple...

Homebuilders Gaining as Market Looks for Brighter Future

Homebuilders Gaining as Market Looks for Brighter Future

Housing stocks are on the move as Wall Street looks for a rebound in the industry. The iShares US Home Construction ETF (ITB) is up more than 2 percent in the last week. That makes it one of the best-performing major industry exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over that...

Surprise: Housing Led Tuesday’s Strong Rally

Surprise: Housing Led Tuesday’s Strong Rally

Markets had their biggest rally since the start of the year today, led by an unexpected sector. Housing stocks ripped over 4 percent, more than triple the gain of the broader S&P 500. That landed the iShares US Home Construction ETF (ITB) at its highest level...