Sector
Returns the sector classification for a company. Sectors are broad categories that group similar businesses together.
Common Sectors
| Sector | Examples |
|---|---|
| Technology | AAPL, MSFT, GOOGL |
| Healthcare | JNJ, UNH, PFE |
| Financial Services | JPM, BAC, V |
| Consumer Cyclical | AMZN, TSLA, HD |
| Consumer Defensive | PG, KO, WMT |
| Communication Services | META, NFLX, DIS |
| Industrials | CAT, UPS, HON |
| Energy | XOM, CVX, COP |
| Utilities | NEE, DUK, SO |
| Real Estate | AMT, PLD, SPG |
| Basic Materials | LIN, APD, NEM |
Sector vs Industry
- Sector: Broad classification (e.g., Technology)
- Industry: More specific (e.g., Consumer Electronics)
Examples
When to Use
- Categorizing stocks by sector
- Building sector-weighted portfolios
- Sector rotation strategies
- Comparing companies in the same sector
- Portfolio diversification analysis
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need specific industry | Industry() |
| Need sub-industry | sub_industry() |
| Need SIC classification | SIC_code() |
| Need full company profile | CompanyProfile() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Why might Sector return "NA"? A: This can happen for:
- ETFs (use ETF-specific functions)
- ADRs and foreign stocks
- Very new listings
- Invalid symbols
Q: What classification system is used? A: MarketXLS uses GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) sectors, which is the most widely used system by institutional investors.
Q: Can I get all stocks in a sector? A: Use the MarketXLS Screener to filter by sector. Example: Screen for all Technology stocks.
