The energy sector reported its first loss since records started being kept in 1999. The 500 largest companies in the U.S. reported an average earnings-per-share growth reduction of nearly 6 percent. Excluding energy stocks the average growth rate was still in negative territory, at about -1.2 percent. Seven out of the ten S&P sectors saw slower growth, compared to two sectors last year.
SECTOR | Q1-16 | Q1-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consumer Discretionary | 20.0%20 | 8.5%8.5 |
| 2 | Consumer Staples | -0.5%-0.5 | 4.3%4.3 |
| 3 | Energy | -106.6%-106.6 | -54.6%-54.6 |
| 4 | Financials | -8.6%-8.6 | 18.3%18.3 |
| 5 | Healthcare | 8.0%8 | 21.4%21.4 |
| 6 | Industrials | -3.4%-3.4 | 8.7%8.7 |
| 7 | Information Technology | -5.7%-5.7 | 9.1%9.1 |
| 8 | Materials | -11.4%-11.4 | -0.7%-0.7 |
| 9 | Telecommunications | 9.1%9.1 | 2.1%2.1 |
| 10 | Utilties | -1.5%-1.5 | 0.4%0.4 |
