Utility Etfs: Months and P Industries

utility etfs: The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund XLU, -0.58% is up 11.1% thus far in 2016, more than double the 4.5% gain of the S&P 500 index SPX, -0.01% However, it is down 7.6% over the past three months, according to Market Watch. Similar trends were seen in other major utility ETFs. While the defensive sector — so-called because it tends to outperform in times of economic weakness or uncertainty — remains one of the biggest gainers of the year among S&P 500 industries, sentiment has turned against it in recent months. The First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund FXU, -0.70% has slumped 5.8% over the past three months, though it remains up 14.5% year-to-date. Not only do analysts see the 2016 rally as overdone, but also prospects for the group look dimmer with the Federal Reserve widely expected to raise interest rates at its December meeting. The iShares U.S. Utilities ETF IDU, -0.58% is up 11.4% for the year but down 7.4% over the past three months. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.