Meanwhile, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLY), Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLE) and Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK) rounded out the bottom of the S&P 500 index.
Jim Cramer, the Mad Money host, though, is concerned that the shift into defensive stocks could signal a slowdown down the road, Lee Brodie reports for CNBC.
“There’s a grudging understanding that confidence in our country’s been shot by the brouhaha in Washington,” Cramer said. “Lots of investors believe history is about to repeat itself early next year.”
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Max Chen contributed to this article.