The Industrial Select Sector (XLI) rose +3.73% for the week ending Dec. 15, while the SPDR S&P 500 Trust ETF (SPY) climbed +1.98%, in a week which saw the Federal Reserve keeping its key policy rate unchanged for the third straight meeting.
XLI was among the 10 of the 11 S&P 500 sectors which ended the week in green. Year-to-date, XLI has gained +15.08%, while SPY has soared +22.72%. Mexican airport operators were among the gainers this week, while some consulting companies were among the decliners.
The top five gainers in the industrial sector (stocks with a market cap of over $2B) all gained more than +17% each this week. YTD, 4 out of these 5 stocks are in the green.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (NYSE:ASR), also known as ASUR, +27.16%. The Mexican airport operator’s stock soared +26.06% on Thursday after the it announced on Wednesday (post market) that it received approval from the Mexican Department of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation for the Master Development Programs for each of its Mexican concessions for the years 2024 through 2028. The 2024-2028 investment plan total Ps.28.5B, according to the company.
ASR has a SA Quant Rating — which takes into account factors such as Momentum, Profitability, and Valuation among others — of Hold. The stock has a factor grade of A+ for both Profitability and Growth. The average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating agrees and has Hold rating of its own, wherein 3 out of 7 analysts tag the stock as Strong Buy. YTD, the stock has surged +29.70%, the most among this week’s top five gainers for this period.
Enovix (ENVX) +23.81%. The lithium-ion battery maker’s stock also climbed the most on Thursday (+9.96%). The stock was also among the top five gainers two weeks ago.
The SA Quant Rating on ENVX is Hold with score of C for Momentum and C+ for Valuation. The average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating has a more positive view with a Strong Buy rating, wherein 9 out of 12 analysts see the stock as such. YTD, +17.04%.
The chart below shows YTD price-return performance of the top five gainers and SPY:
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (PAC) +16.67%. PAC was another Mexican airport operator which saw its stock soar on Thursday (+16.67%). YTD, +23.70%.
The SA Quant Rating on PAC is Hold with score of B for Growth and C- for Momentum. The average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating differs and and has a Buy rating, wherein 3 out of 8 analysts view the stock Strong Buy.
Regal Rexnord (RRX) +18.34%. Shares of the Milwaukee, Wis.-based industrial powertrain solutions’ maker rose the most on Thursday (+9.37%) after it landed among the top industrial picks at Goldman Sachs for 2024. Earlier in the week, the company’s stock was upgraded to Outperform at Wolfe Research. YTD, +22.07%. The SA Quant Rating on RRX is Hold, which is in contrast to the average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating of Strong Buy.
Plug Power (PLUG) +17.46%. The hydrogen fuel cell solutions’ maker’s stock soared amid the COP28 climate summit wherein about 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, in a first of its kind deal which would likely usher in the end of the fossil fuel era. Plug Power was the top industrial gainer two weeks ago.
The SA Quant Rating on PLUG is Strong Sell, which is in stark contrast to the average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating of Buy. YTD, the stock has slumped -61.92%, the most among this week’s top five gainers for this period.
This week’s top five decliners among industrial stocks (market cap of over $2B) all lost more than -4% each. YTD, 2 out of these 5 stocks are in the red.
FTI Consulting (NYSE:FCN) -10.09%. The Washington, D.C.-based company’s shares fell throughout the week, with the most on Thursday (-6.69%). However, YTD, the stock has risen +25.76%.
The SA Quant Rating on FCN is Hold with a factor grade of C for Profitability and D for Valuation. The rating differs with average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating of Buy, wherein 2 out of 3 analysts view the stock as Strong Buy.
ZTO Express (ZTO) -6.95%. The Chinese logistics services provider’s stock was in the red most of the week. YTD, the shares have fallen -25.24%, the most among this week’s top five decliners for this period.
The SA Quant Rating on ZTO is Hold with score of A- for Growth and D for Momentum. The average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating disagrees and has a Strong Buy rating, wherein 14 out of 20 analysts tag the stock as such.
The chart below shows YTD price-return performance of the worst five decliners and XLI:
Johnson Controls International (JCI) -6.49%. The Irish company’s shares fell -5.97% on Tuesday after fourth quarter results missed estimates. YTD, -18.06%.
The SA Quant Rating on JCI is Hold with a factor grade of A- for Profitability and C+ for Growth. The rating is in contrast to the average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating of Buy rating, wherein 12 out of 23 analysts view the stock as Strong Buy.
ICF International (ICFI) -5.15%. The Reston, Va.-based consulting company’s stock dipped the most on Thursday -4.07%. However, YTD, the stock has soared +34%, the most among this week’s top five decliners for this period. The SA Quant Rating on ICFI is Hold, while the average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating is Buy.
Maximus (MMS) -4.24%. The government services provider’s stock fell this week but, YTD, the shares have risen +11.10%. The SA Quant Rating and the average Wall Street Analysts’ Rating, both, are Buy for MMS.