Small-Cap Q1 Earnings Dull: 5 Better-Performing Sector ETFs

Though small-cap fund iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM has outperformed the S&P 500 year to date and in the last one-month frame (as of May 21, 2019), the smaller counterpart of the S&P, i.e. SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap (NYSE:SLY) ETF SLY has underperformed the bigger index S&P 500 ETF (AX:SPY) . SLY is down 1.8% in the past month versus 1.3% losses in SPY.

The past month was busy with earnings and corporate results probably have a lot to do with this performance.

Q1 Outperformance: S&P 600 Vs. 500

The Q1 earnings season is almost at its end with 89.2% of the S&P 600 Index having reported so far. Earnings are down 18.3% year over year on 3.1% revenue growth, with 57.1% beating EPS estimates and 56.3% surpassing top-line expectations, per the Earnings Trends issued on May 15.

As many as 12 sectors out of the total 16 produced negative earnings growth, out of which nine witnessed a double-digit slump. Overall, results of the pint-sized stocks have been pretty downbeat compared with the S&P 500.

About 90.8% of the large-cap index has already reported with earnings growth of 0.5% on 5% higher revenues. The S&P 500 Index has so far produced a blended beat ratio of 51.1%.

Better-Performing Small-Cap Sector ETFs

Against this lackluster backdrop, below we highlight a few small-cap sector ETFs that have produced positive or (less negative) earnings or revenue growth.

Consumer Discretionary – Invesco S&P SmallCap Consumer Discretionary ETF (PSCD)

About 67.9% of the companies have reported results, recording Q1 earnings growth of 20.3% and revenue expansion of 7%. The blended beat ratio is 68.4%.

Finance– Invesco S&P SmallCap Financials ETF ( (SIX:PSCF) )

About 99.3%% of the companies have reported results, with growth of 4% earnings growth and 6.2% revenue growth. The blended beat ratio is 30.8% (see all financial ETFs here).

Transportation – SPDR S&P Transportation (NYSE:XTN) ETF (XTN)

All companies of the S&P 600 Index have released numbers so far. Total earnings for the transportation sector are down only 4.3% on 0.9% lower revenues. Though blended beat ratio is 28.6%, earnings beat ratio of 78.6% is stronger. Notably, the fund XTN is heavy on smaller-cap transportation stocks (read: A Look at Transport ETFs After Q1 Earnings).

Construction – Invesco Dynamic Building & Construction ETF (PKB)

Around 90.9% of the companies have reported earrings as of now. Earnings and revenues for the construction sector are down 7.6% and up 9.9%, respectively. Earnings beat ratio is 50% while revenue beat ratio is 80%.

The fund has about 45% exposure to mid-cap construction stocks, followed by 40% small-caps and 15% large caps (read: Solid US Labor Market Puts Focus on 3 Sector ETFs & Stocks).

Industrial Production – Invesco S&P SmallCap Industrials ETF (PSCI)

A solid 93.2% of the companies have posted earrings. Earnings and revenues for the construction sector are down 7.5% and up 2.0%, respectively, while the respective beat ratios are 56.1% and 48.8%.

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