The month of August was solid for Wall Street driven by the dual tailwinds of solid corporate earnings and a booming economy. The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 notched their best performances for the month since 2014, climbing 2.1% and 3%, respectively, while the Nasdaq Composite logged its best August since 2000, with gains of 5.7%. Notably, the S&P 500 topped a new milestone of 2,900.
The impressive gains came despite the emerging market meltdown due to troubles in Turkey and Argentina. Also, trade war fears between the United States and China remained an overhang as both implemented the second round of tariffs on $16 billion of each other’s goods, effective Aug 23.
The rounds of upbeat data bolstered confidence in the economy leading to risk-on trade.This is especially true as America is witnessing the fastest pace of growth in nearly four years, with a nearly two-decade low unemployment rate of 3.9% and 18-year high consumer confidence. Historic tax cuts, higher government spending and deregulation are fueling growth.
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Additionally, the Fed is on track for gradual rate hikes this year, citing that the economy is strong and can handle a tighter monetary policy. The central bank, which began to tighten monetary policy in 2015, has raised rates twice this year and is widely expected to do so again next month and in December. A rising rate scenario also signals a strengthening economy, which is spurring growth in the stock market. Further, optimism over trade negotiations as well as a solid rebound in broad-based technology and Internet stocks buoyed up sentiments.
That said, a few sectors easily crushed the market in August. Below we have highlighted four sector ETFs that witnessed handsome gains last month and could be better plays in the months ahead should the trends prevail.
