When markets shift unexpectedly, portfolios focused on a single sector can take a hard hit. That’s why diversifying across all sectors, from technology and health care to energy and financials—helps smooth performance and reduce risk over time.
Annual Rankings of Equity Sector Returns 2015–2024
Sectors Move in Waves
- From 2015 to 2024, no sector was a consistent outperformer.
- Energy, the best performer in 2016, 2021, and 2022, delivered the worst annual returns five times. Tech, the leader in 2023, finished ninth out of 11 in 2022. Health care finished first in 2015, last in 2016, and first again in 2018.
- The absence of a reliable pattern in sector performance supports an “own them all” approach.
Balancing Acts for Your Portfolio
Holding stocks across all sectors puts investors in a position to capture higher returns where and when they appear.
- Risk reduction: If one sector crashes, others may cushion the blow
- Unpredictable leadership: Historical data shows no reliable pattern; by investing across sectors, you capture potential upside wherever it emerges
- Leverage long-term trends: Diverse exposure positions you for growth driven by macroeconomic, demographic, or industry cycles
Sources & Disclosures:
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio.
In USD. The annual returns are Russell 3000 Index Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sector returns. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are shown as a separate category to illustrate their exclusion from certain funds. REITs are classified according to the GICS. Real Estate is excluded from the chart because it did not exist as a GICS sector category prior to September 2016.
S&P/MSCI changed the GICS methodology after market close in September 2018 to rename “Telecommunication Services” to “Communication Services” and to reclassify a number of companies to that sector. Dimensional reports these changes in company membership to Communication Services starting in October 2018, but changes the name historically to Communication Services to maintain consistency.
Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes.
The GICS was developed by and is the exclusive property of MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global.
Sector Definitions:
Communication Services: Companies that provide telecommunication services, such as wire line, wireless, and internet access.
Consumer Discretionary: Companies that produce nonessential goods and services, such as automobiles, apparel, and leisure activities.
Consumer Staples: Companies that produce basic necessities like food, beverages, and household goods.
Energy: Companies involved in the exploration, production, refining, transportation, and marketing of oil, natural gas, and other energy sources.
Financials: Companies that provide financial services, including banks, insurance companies, and investment firms.
Health Care: Companies that provide health-care products and services, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, hospitals, and health insurance.
Industrials: Companies that manufacture industrial goods, such as machinery, aerospace, construction materials, and chemicals.
Information Technology: Companies that design, develop, and sell computer hardware, software, and services.
Materials: Companies that produce basic materials, such as metals, chemicals, and forest products.
REITs: Companies known as real estate investment trusts, which own, operate, or finance income-producing properties.
Utilities: Companies that provide essential utilities, such as electricity, water, and natural gas.
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