The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLK), the largest tech-related exchange traded fund, is up 12.40% year-to-date. That after technology was the best-performing sector in the S&P 500 last year.
Even with those superlatives, investors appear comfortable betting on more upside for the S&P 500’s largest sector weight. XLK includes companies from technology hardware, storage, and peripherals; software; diversified telecommunication services; communications equipment; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; internet software and services; IT services; electronic equipment, instruments and components; and wireless telecommunication services.
“It’s a close race this year between Wall Street’s best-performing sectors: technology and consumer discretionary. Craig Johnson, chief market technician at Piper Jaffray, says one sector takes the lead,” reports CNBC.
Some Value
XLK and the PowerShares QQQ (NasdaqGM: QQQ), which tracks the tech heavy Nasdaq-100 Index, are usually viewed as growth plays.
That also implies that the technology sector, the largest sector weight in the S&P 500, can trade at valuations that are expensive relative to the broader market. However, tech’s valuations are not as stretched as some investors may think and the sector’s earnings are growing.
Related: Schwab CEO Walt Bettinger: Tech Solutions Remain ‘All About the Client’