Do you remember that Christmas, a few years back, where the weather was so bad you did not know if Santa would be able to make it through to leave presents for all the kids? He focused and found Rudolph to light the way so he could see clear through the fog.
Heading into year end the same can be done to peer into the market and see what areas are ripe for some upside. Oh, not by using a flying red nosed reindeer. But by the most bass technical analysis. Here are two sectors that not only holding up well in the face of a tough market, be set up do move higher.
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (N:XLP)
Consumer staples include stocks like Procter & Gamble Company (N:PG), Coca-Cola Company (N:KO), Philip Morris International Inc (N:PM) and CVS Health Corp (N:CVS). This sector has moved in broad consolidation all year like the rest of the market. And had a strong pullback in August, like the rest of the market. But unlike the rest of the market it continues to make higher highs. Some will talk of the defensive nature of the sector and what that might mean in the business or economic cycle. But what is really important is that these stocks are strong and that means this is a sector to focus on for your portfolio.
Health Care Select Sector SPDR (N:XLV)
Healthcare stocks are also showing strength. This group includes stocks like Johnson & Johnson (N:JNJ), Pfizer Inc (N:PFE), Gilead Sciences Inc (O:GILD) and Merck (N:MRK). They have had a strong trend higher for a few years but rest many indicators with the pullback in August that for many names, ended up even worse in September. But now there are testing resistance as they rise along the Median Line of the Andrews Pitchfork.
The information in this blog post represents my own opinions and does not contain a recommendation for any particular security or investment. I or my affiliates may hold positions or other interests in securities mentioned in the Blog, please see my Disclaimer page for my full disclaimer.