Year-to-date, XLE and XLF have fallen modestly, putting the pair among just three sector SPDRs that are down this year. Only the interest rate-sensitive Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLU) has performed worse than XLE and XLF this year. [Rate-Sensitive ETFs Get Jammed Up]
Perhaps just as interesting as which sector SPDRs typically thrive in March are the ones that lag in the year’s third month.
Since 1999, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLV), the second-best SPDR on a year-to-date basis, is usually the second-worst of the nine SPDRs in March, according to CXO data. Only the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLP) performs worse than XLV in March.
The good news is investors need not worry too much about XLV and XLP this month because they usually post an average March gain of more than 1%, according to CXO.
Financial Select Sector SPDR
