Earnings Season Has Not Been Kind to Energy ETFs
This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.
After ranking as one of 2018's worst-performing sectors, the energy sector is rallying to start 2019. The Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) , the largest equity-based energy exchange traded fund entered Wednesday with a year-to-date gain of almost 9%, but energy stocks have faced myriad challenges this earnings season.
Some market observers believe the energy sector’s declines could make the sector more attractive on valuation. Last month, the energy sector experienced a short-lived rally after lengthy Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) discussions finally came to a conclusion, resulting in a larger-than-expected production cut that sent oil prices higher.
“To date, 11% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported actual results for Q4 2018. In terms of earnings, more companies are reporting actual EPS above estimates (76%) compared to the five-year average. In aggregate, companies are reporting earnings that are 3.2% above the estimates, which is below the five-year average,” according to FactSet.
The numbers are worse in the energy patch. Just 50% of energy companies that have reported have delivered numbers inline with estimates while 50% have missed earnings estimates, meaning there have been no positive surprises from the group, notes FactSet.
Earnings Growth
On the upside for energy stocks and ETFs is some solid earnings growth for the sector.
“Six sectors are reporting (or are expected to report) double-digit earnings growth, led by the Energy, Industrials, and Communication Services sectors,” according to FactSet.
A slew of earnings tests loom for the energy sector. Next week, more than 55% of the components in XLE's underlying index report fourth-quarter results. Energy stocks could be supported by decreased supply in the global oil markets.
OPEC issued a list of oil production cuts by its members and other major producers for the next six months starting January 1 to bolster confidence in the global crude oil markets as the cartel and its allies move to cut supply to combat the global glut, Reuters reports.
Rivals to XLE include the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE), iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) and the Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF (FENY).
For more information on the oil market, visit our energy category.
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