Bar chart of October 2026 price changes for 8 of the 11 sector ETFs. Energy rose 13.8% and staples 10.9%, while tech fell 8.2% and communication services 9.9%, the only declines.

Tech and communication services were the only 2 of the 11 S&P 500 sector ETFs to fall in October, while energy jumped 13.8%.

The Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) fell 8.2%.

The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC) fell 9.9%, the worst of the group.

The other 9 sector ETFs rose, led by energy.

Here is how all 11 sectors did in October.

  • Energy +13.8%

  • Consumer staples +10.9%

  • Utilities +10.1%

  • Health care +9.7%

  • Materials +8.2%

  • Consumer discretionary +6.0%

  • Financials +5.8%

  • Real estate +5.5%

  • Industrials +0.2%

  • Technology -8.2%

  • Communication services -9.9%

Staples, utilities and health care all gained more than 9%.

When utilities and staples beat tech by double digits in a month, the market is playing defense.

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Phil Rosen
Phil Rosen

Phil Rosen is co-founder and CEO of Opening Bell Media and chief market strategist for Silvia Inc. (NASDAQ: SVIA). He hosts Full Signal and writes Opening Bell Daily — the markets briefing read by over 200,000 investors and published on Bloomberg Terminals — and has also published two books and won a Fulbright award for his reporting. Contact him at [email protected].

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