We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Finally, the first half of 2020 passed by with an extremely downbeat Q1 (Wall Street’s worst quarter since fourth-quarter 2008) and an equally upbeat Q2 (best quarter since 1998). While the outbreak of coronavirus caused the massacre in markets in Q1, the unprecedented stimulus measures by global central banks and governments pulled the ailing global markets in Q2.
At the onset of 2H, the operating and investing backdrop looks mixed as the second wave of virus contagion has already hit while several economic datapoints are coming in upbeat thanks to the unlocking of economies. So, investors have to focus on reopening trade keeping the virus-led volatility in mind.
In this light, below we highlight a few sectors and their related ETFs that could be lucrative bets for the month of July.
Construction
The sector has been in great shape. Low mortgage rates have been aiding the housing sector. Despite coronavirus-led lockdowns, prices for existing homes rose 4.7% compared with April 2019, up from 4.6% in the previous month, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. A potential post-pandemic “suburban revival” would boost home buying.
Moreover, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure proposal as part of its efforts to bolster the American economy.Invesco Dynamic Building & Construction ETF (PKB - Free Report) is a way to tap the boom (read: A New $1T US Infrastructure Bill On The Way? ETF & Stock Picks).
Utilities
The sector is non-cyclical in nature. Coronavirus-led slowdown is here to stay with us, at least in the near term. The second wave of the contagion is palpable in states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and California. Some states re-issued social distancing restrictions, raising questions about the momentum of recovery. Against this backdrop, utilities stocks, which are deemed as recession-proof, is likely to excel. Moreover, rock-bottom interest rates and a QE policy is another positive for this capital-intensive sector. Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU - Free Report) is a greatly liquid form to tap the sector.
Medical
As the novel coronavirus is not showing any sign of slowdown, the race for vaccine development has heated up to bring the world back to normal. Currently, “there are at least a hundred horses in the race, and we've got some leaders up front,” per Marc Poznansky, the director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The World Health Organization has recognised some 10 prime candidates for potential vaccines as these have entered clinical trials. Plus, 114 candidate vaccines are in preclinical evaluation stage. Apart from vaccines, serious efforts are being made to launch effective treatments and testing kits. WhileHealth Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV - Free Report) is a popular way to tap the sector, the newly launched fund ETFMG Bio ETF (GERM - Free Report) gives excellent coronavirus exposure.
Retail
The retail sector was battered during lockdown. But as the economy started unlocking, sales began to soar. Retail sales in the United States surged 17.7% sequentially in May, breezing past the forecast of an 8% jump and after a record 14.7% slump in April. This was the biggest monthly gain ever. This indicates solid pent-up demand from consumers.
Image: Bigstock
4 Sector ETFs for July
Finally, the first half of 2020 passed by with an extremely downbeat Q1 (Wall Street’s worst quarter since fourth-quarter 2008) and an equally upbeat Q2 (best quarter since 1998). While the outbreak of coronavirus caused the massacre in markets in Q1, the unprecedented stimulus measures by global central banks and governments pulled the ailing global markets in Q2.
At the onset of 2H, the operating and investing backdrop looks mixed as the second wave of virus contagion has already hit while several economic datapoints are coming in upbeat thanks to the unlocking of economies. So, investors have to focus on reopening trade keeping the virus-led volatility in mind.
In this light, below we highlight a few sectors and their related ETFs that could be lucrative bets for the month of July.
Construction
The sector has been in great shape. Low mortgage rates have been aiding the housing sector. Despite coronavirus-led lockdowns, prices for existing homes rose 4.7% compared with April 2019, up from 4.6% in the previous month, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. A potential post-pandemic “suburban revival” would boost home buying.
Moreover, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure proposal as part of its efforts to bolster the American economy.Invesco Dynamic Building & Construction ETF (PKB - Free Report) is a way to tap the boom (read: A New $1T US Infrastructure Bill On The Way? ETF & Stock Picks).
Utilities
The sector is non-cyclical in nature. Coronavirus-led slowdown is here to stay with us, at least in the near term. The second wave of the contagion is palpable in states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and California. Some states re-issued social distancing restrictions, raising questions about the momentum of recovery. Against this backdrop, utilities stocks, which are deemed as recession-proof, is likely to excel. Moreover, rock-bottom interest rates and a QE policy is another positive for this capital-intensive sector. Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU - Free Report) is a greatly liquid form to tap the sector.
Medical
As the novel coronavirus is not showing any sign of slowdown, the race for vaccine development has heated up to bring the world back to normal. Currently, “there are at least a hundred horses in the race, and we've got some leaders up front,” per Marc Poznansky, the director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The World Health Organization has recognised some 10 prime candidates for potential vaccines as these have entered clinical trials. Plus, 114 candidate vaccines are in preclinical evaluation stage. Apart from vaccines, serious efforts are being made to launch effective treatments and testing kits. WhileHealth Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV - Free Report) is a popular way to tap the sector, the newly launched fund ETFMG Bio ETF (GERM - Free Report) gives excellent coronavirus exposure.
Retail
The retail sector was battered during lockdown. But as the economy started unlocking, sales began to soar. Retail sales in the United States surged 17.7% sequentially in May, breezing past the forecast of an 8% jump and after a record 14.7% slump in April. This was the biggest monthly gain ever. This indicates solid pent-up demand from consumers.
Moreover, U.S. consumer confidence jumped more than expected thanks to “relative improvement in unemployment claims” and solid government and Fed stimulus. SPDR SP Retail ETF (XRT - Free Report) is a good play in this regard (read: Best Retail Sales Growth In May: Sector ETF & Stocks To Win).
Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>