XLU and XLP are indeed coming off strong August showings with gains of 4.5% and 3.8%, respectively. Last month, XLP hauled in over $815 million in new assets, but XLU lost $730.3 million.
Including September, XLP, the largest consumer staples ETF, ranks as one of the top-two SPDRs in three months of the year. The same is true of XLU, though it is worth noting that ETF moves to the bottom two SPDRs in October, according to CXO data.
Speaking of bottom dwellers, on a historical basis, the two worst SPDRs in September are the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLB) and the Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK), both of which have a penchant for falling in the ninth month of the year.
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR
