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XLB - ETF AI Analysis

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XLB

Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:―
XLB, the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund, earns a solid overall rating driven by strong, diversified holdings in leading materials companies like Newmont Mining, Vulcan Materials, and Martin Marietta, which show robust financial performance, positive earnings outlooks, and supportive technical trends. However, weaker names such as Air Products, which faces profitability and cash flow challenges, and holdings with bearish momentum or valuation concerns, slightly weigh on the fund’s appeal. The main risk factor is its concentrated exposure to the materials sector, which can make the ETF more sensitive to economic cycles and commodity-related market swings.
Positive Factors
Strong Year-to-Date Performance
The ETF has delivered solid gains so far this year, showing that its holdings have generally been working well for investors.
Leading Holdings with Strong Momentum
Several of the largest positions, such as Linde, Corteva, Freeport-McMoRan, and Air Products, have shown strong performance, helping drive the fund’s overall results.
Low Expense Ratio
The fund’s relatively low annual fee means more of the investment’s return can stay in investors’ pockets over time.
Negative Factors
Sector Concentration Risk
The ETF is heavily focused on the materials sector, so it can be more sensitive to downturns in that specific part of the market.
High Dependence on a Few Stocks
A small number of companies make up a large share of the portfolio, which increases the impact if any of those holdings run into trouble.
Several Top Holdings Are Underperforming
Some major positions, including Newmont, Sherwin-Williams, Vulcan Materials, Martin Marietta Materials, and CRH, have shown weak recent performance, which can weigh on the fund’s returns.

XLB vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

XLB Summary

The Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) is an ETF that tracks the S&P Materials Select Sector Index, focusing on U.S. companies that make and process raw materials used in construction, manufacturing, and everyday products. It holds well-known names like Linde and Sherwin-Williams, giving investors a simple way to invest in chemicals, metals, and building materials all at once. Someone might choose XLB to diversify their portfolio and potentially benefit when the economy and infrastructure spending grow. A key risk is that materials stocks can be very cyclical, so the fund’s value can rise and fall sharply with the broader economy.
How much will it cost me?The Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) has an expense ratio of 0.08%, which means you’ll pay $0.80 per year for every $1,000 invested. This is lower than average because it is passively managed, tracking the S&P Materials Select Sector Index rather than requiring active stock picking.
What would affect this ETF?The Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) could benefit from increased infrastructure spending and economic growth, which drive demand for raw materials and construction products. However, it may face challenges from rising interest rates, which can increase borrowing costs for companies in the sector, and potential regulatory changes affecting mining or chemical industries. Its heavy focus on U.S.-based materials companies makes it sensitive to domestic economic conditions and policy shifts.

XLB Top 10 Holdings

XLB is leaning heavily into U.S. materials leaders, with industrial gas giant Linde setting the tone; its recent softness has taken a bit of shine off the fund’s core. On the brighter side, metals names like Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and Freeport-McMoRan have been rising, giving the ETF a strong backbone in steel and copper. Newmont adds a steadier gold tilt, while paint maker Sherwin-Williams and chemicals player Air Products have been more mixed, occasionally dragging. Overall, it’s a U.S.-centric bet on the building blocks of industry.
Name
Company Name
Weight %
Market Value
Market Cap
Yearly Gain
Overall Rating
Linde11.87%$941.40M$216.61B-0.93%
66
Neutral
Newmont Mining7.01%$556.08M$127.95B37.27%
81
Outperform
Freeport-McMoRan5.69%$451.29M$103.84B93.86%
67
Neutral
Ecolab4.74%$375.86M$78.35B2.68%
66
Neutral
Sherwin-Williams Company4.74%$375.73M$79.89B-2.95%
66
Neutral
Vulcan Materials4.53%$358.90M$31.75B-18.77%
77
Outperform
Steel Dynamics4.48%$355.39M$33.49B65.89%
76
Outperform
Nucor4.43%$350.93M$56.10B79.67%
74
Outperform
Martin Marietta Materials4.41%$349.43M$34.40B-21.00%
73
Outperform
Air Products and Chemicals4.41%$349.35M$62.74B3.06%
46
Neutral

XLB Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price―
Price Trends
50DMA
51.45
Negative
100DMA
51.09
Negative
200DMA
50.17
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.65
Positive
RSI
34.46
Neutral
STOCH
18.26
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For XLB, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of undefined is equal to the 20-day moving average (MA) of 50.65, equal to the 50-day MA of 51.45, and equal to the 200-day MA of 50.17, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.65 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 34.46 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 18.26 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for XLB.

XLB Peer Comparison

Comparison Results
Name
Price
Price Target
AUM
Expense Ratio
Overall Rating
――$7.90B0.08%
68
Neutral
――$9.00B0.69%
66
Neutral
――$8.05B0.09%
70
Outperform
――$4.24B0.35%
64
Neutral
――$3.04B0.09%
67
Neutral
――$1.23B0.37%
68
Neutral
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
XLB
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
49.10
5.09
11.57%
AIRR
First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF
―
―
―
VIS
Vanguard Industrials ETF
―
―
―
XME
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF
―
―
―
VAW
Vanguard Materials ETF
―
―
―
IYM
iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF
―
―
―
Glossary
BuyAn ETF rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldAn ETF rated as a "Hold" s expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the ETF is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellAn ETF rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF may deliver lower returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
DisclaimerThis AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: ―
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