October flows to sector ETFs generally viewed as riskier than staples and utilities tell different stories. However, the consumer discretionary ETFs look mixed. While seasonal trends indicate this is an ideal time to be considering discretionary stocks, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLY) has lost $116.1 million in assets this month, a number only partially offset by $60.4 million in inflows to the Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSEArca: VCR). [Time to Warm to Discretionary ETFs]
However, TrimTabs is spot-on its assessment of industrials and technology ETFs. The Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK) and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLI) have raked in $496.5 million and $317.1 million, respectively, this month, according to Index Universe data.
U.S. Equity Sector ETF Flows (click to enlarge)
Chart Courtesy: TrimTabs Asset Management