Publicly Traded Companies by Sector: Major Industry Breakdown

Publicly traded companies can be found across various sectors, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. The technology sector is one of the largest and most prominent, with companies like Apple and Microsoft leading the way.

The technology sector is comprised of companies that develop and sell software, hardware, and services related to computing and communication. These companies often have a strong focus on innovation and research and development.

Technology companies tend to be highly competitive, with a focus on staying ahead of the curve in terms of product development and customer experience. This can lead to rapid growth and high valuations, but also increased scrutiny from investors and regulators.

The energy sector is another significant player in the publicly traded company landscape, with companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron operating in the oil and gas industry.

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Investing in publicly traded companies can be a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the different sectors they operate in. There are 11 GICS stock market sectors, including Energy, Materials, Industrials, Utilities, Healthcare, Financials, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Information Technology, Communication Services, and Real Estate.

If you're interested in a certain sector but not ready to invest in a specific company, you can participate in sector investing through lower-risk investments like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that are specifically tied to a sector.

GICS classification can help investors by breaking down thousands of global stocks into their primary business categories and then further dividing them into one of the 11 sectors listed above. Certain sectors are self-explanatory, such as Health Care, which includes hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.

For example, there are two consumer categories: Consumer Staples, which includes companies like food retailers and pharmacies, and Consumer Discretionary, which covers businesses like hotels, restaurants, and media companies. Automotive stocks, including electric vehicle makers, are also included in the Consumer Discretionary sector.

To keep up with changing company dynamics, MSCI and S&P conduct annual reviews of the GICS structure, leading to reclassifications and the introduction of new subsectors.

Here are the 11 GICS stock market sectors:

Your prospectus or annual report will show the sectors that your mutual fund or ETF is invested in and how much is allocated toward each sector.

The energy and materials sectors are two of the most significant industries in the publicly traded company landscape. Large U.S. stocks in the energy sector are ExxonMobil (XOM 1.39%) and Chevron (CVX 1.01%).

The energy sector includes companies engaged in exploration and production of oil and other hydrocarbons, refining, the transportation of oil and gas, and production of oil and gas equipment. Some of the best-known companies in this sector are Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Halliburton.

The materials sector includes companies that produce chemicals, glass, paper, forestry products, metals, packaging, construction materials, and steel. Well-known materials stocks include paint maker Sherwin-Williams (SHW 1.12%) and chemicals manufacturer DuPont (DD -0.91%).

The energy sector is a significant part of the market, covering companies that operate in the oil and natural gas industry. Large U.S. stocks in this sector include ExxonMobil and Chevron.

These companies are involved in exploration and production of oil and other hydrocarbons, refining, and the transportation of oil and gas. Some of the best-known companies in the sector are Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Halliburton.

The Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is a popular sector ETF.

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The materials sector is a vast and diverse group of companies that provide essential goods for various industries. You'll find makers of chemicals, construction materials, containers and packaging, and even mining stocks within this sector.

One notable aspect of the materials sector is its mature industry status, which generally means modest growth potential.

Some of the best-known companies in the materials sector include Dow, DuPont, and Sherwin-Williams. These companies are well-established players in their respective fields.

The iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is a popular sector ETF that tracks the performance of the materials sector.

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The industrials and utilities sectors are two of the most diverse and interesting groups of publicly traded companies. The industrials sector includes companies that manufacture a wide range of products, from aerospace and defense equipment to electrical and construction equipment.

Some of the best-known companies in the industrials sector are 3M, Caterpillar, and Delta Air Lines. These companies are often associated with strong growth during economic booms.

The utilities sector, on the other hand, is generally a slow and steady performer, but offers promise with "green" energy. Companies like Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, and NextEra Energy are some of the best-known players in this sector.

Here are some of the popular sector ETFs for each sector:

The industrials sector is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of businesses, including companies that manufacture aerospace and defense products.

These companies often use heavy equipment, and transportation stocks like airlines, railroads, and logistics companies are also part of this sector. UPS and RTX are the largest U.S. industrials stocks.

The industrials sector includes companies providing security services, employment services, professional services, and transportation services. This sector may show strong growth during economic booms.

Some of the best-known companies in the industrials sector are 3M, Caterpillar, and Delta Air Lines.

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The utilities sector is a fascinating area that encompasses a wide range of companies, including those that specialize in making electrical power available to residential and commercial customers, natural gas transmission and distribution, and water delivery.

Duke Energy, for example, is a well-known utility company that operates in the Southeast U.S., while Consolidated Edison serves the Northeast and American Electric Power covers much of the Ohio Valley and Southern Plains states.

Utilities tend to be regional in scope, so you might not be familiar with companies like these unless you live in their service areas. But they play a crucial role in providing essential services to their customers.

Some of the best-known companies in the utilities sector include Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, and NextEra Energy. These companies are often slow and steady performers, but "green" energy offers the promise of higher returns, although with higher risk.

The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) is a popular sector ETF that tracks the utilities sector.

The healthcare and financial sectors are two of the most crucial parts of the economy. The financial sector, in particular, has shown robust growth and profitability, but can be affected significantly by the trend of interest rates, causing cyclicality.

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Some of the best-known companies in the financial sector include Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase. These companies are involved in banking, including mortgage and consumer finance, as well as investment banks, brokerage firms, and insurance companies.

If you're considering investing in the financial sector, you may want to take a look at the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), a popular sector ETF. Keep in mind that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation.

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The healthcare sector is a massive industry with two primary components. One part focuses on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, while the other encompasses healthcare equipment and services.

UnitedHealth Group and Johnson & Johnson are the top two stocks in the healthcare sector, with a combined market cap of almost $1 trillion.

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The financial sector is a crucial part of the economy, and it's essential to understand what it entails. The financial sector includes businesses that handle money, such as banks, insurance companies, and fintech companies.

Some of the best-known companies in the financial sector are Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase. These companies play a significant role in the sector's growth and profitability.

The financial sector is affected by interest rates, which can cause cyclicality. This means that the sector's performance can fluctuate significantly over time.

Here are some key companies in the financial sector:

The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) is a popular sector ETF that allows investors to track the financial sector's performance.

The consumer goods sector is a vital part of the economy, providing essential products to consumers. This sector includes companies that produce goods and services that people need, regardless of the economy's condition.

Some of the most valuable companies in this sector are Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, which are known for their stable products like food, beverages, and household items. These companies tend to perform well even during economic downturns.

The consumer goods sector can be further divided into two main categories: consumer staples and consumer discretionary. Consumer staples include companies that produce food, drinks, and tobacco, while consumer discretionary includes companies that produce cars, durable goods, clothing, and leisure equipment. Here's a brief overview of some of the best-known companies in each category:

The consumer discretionary sector is made up of companies that sell goods and services that are sensitive to consumer financial status. This means that if you make a lot of money, you're more likely to buy a luxury item than someone who doesn't.

Amazon and McDonald's are two big stocks in this sector, and they're both household names. Amazon sells everything from electronics to clothing, while McDonald's is a well-known fast food chain.

Companies in this sector produce cars, durable goods, clothing, and leisure equipment, among other things. They're often affected by economic cycles, so when the economy is growing, these companies tend to do well, but when it slows down, they suffer.

Some of the best-known companies in this sector include Amazon, Ford Motor Company, and Home Depot.

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The consumer staples sector is a group of companies that produce goods and services people need, regardless of the economy. This includes food, beverages, and tobacco, as well as household and personal care products.

Companies like Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble are two of the most valuable stocks in this sector. They're household names that have been around for a long time.

The consumer staples sector tends to be mature with modest growth, which means it's not as exciting as some other sectors, but it's also relatively stable. This stability can be a good thing for investors who want consistent returns.

Some of the best-known companies in this sector include Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Walmart. These companies have a wide reach and are well-established in their markets.

Here are some key statistics about the consumer staples sector:

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) is a popular ETF that tracks this sector. It's a good option for investors who want to diversify their portfolios with a mix of consumer staples stocks.

The technology and communication sectors are where you'll find some of the most innovative and influential companies in the world. These sectors are constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging all the time.

The information technology sector includes companies that produce software and other IT products and services. Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are some of the best-known companies in this sector.

The communication services sector, on the other hand, includes telecommunication and media companies, entertainment companies, and those producing content and interactive games. Disney, Meta Platforms, and Verizon are some of the biggest names in this sector.

Here are some popular sector ETFs for each sector:

The information technology sector is a rapidly growing field that encompasses a wide range of companies. It includes companies that produce software and other IT products and services.

Some of the best-known companies in this sector are Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. These companies have been at the forefront of technological innovation and have played a significant role in shaping the industry.

The information technology sector includes companies that manufacture hardware such as communications equipment, mobile phones, computers, and semiconductor equipment. This equipment is used to produce semiconductor chips, which are a crucial component in many modern technologies.

Here are some of the key companies in the information technology sector:

The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is a popular sector ETF that tracks the performance of the information technology sector.

The communication services sector is a rapidly growing field that encompasses a wide range of companies.

Telecommunication services providers, media and entertainment companies, and interactive media companies make up this sector.

Meta, the social media giant, and Alphabet, the search engine pioneer, are among the biggest stocks in communication services.

Disney, Meta Platforms, and Verizon are some of the best-known companies in this sector.

The Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) is a popular sector ETF that investors can use to track the performance of the communication services sector.

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