Memorial Television (MEM TV) started the week with a flat performance on Nasdaq, and overall market outlooks remain a bit tentative. However, a few specific areas have managed to significantly outperform the index overall in terms of gains and share prices.
Industrial commodities, natural gas, and aerospace and defense stocks all have managed to outstrip performance of the Nasdaq Composite Index for the week, with many individual stocks providing double-digit gains for individual investors. Particular hotspots in the industrial commodity sector included oil and gas related stocks, such as Chevron Corporation (CVX) and Schlumberger Ltd (SLB).
In the natural gas sector, a number of players provided impressive overall gains for the week. Among them was Southwestern Energy (SWN) which was up 12.3% and EQT Corp (EQT), up 11.7%. Other major players in the sector such as Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (COG) and Antero Resources Corporation (AR) were up 9.4% and 7.1% respectively.
Although aerospace and defense stocks have been a perennial favorite for investors in past weeks, this week provided particularly impressive gains in the sector. Illumina Inc (ILMN) continued its upsurge, finishing the week up 9%. Not far behind was Raytheon Technologies Corporation (RTX) with an 8.6% increase, and precision component manufacturing firm Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings (AJRD) up an impressive 15%.
While MEM TV mostly traded flat this week, it appears that as far as stock market performance is concerned, investors still have a number of options to play a winning game. Industrial commodities and defense stocks are proving especially attractive to investors, with some stocks in the sector providing double-digit gains. This could be a great opportunity for the savvy investor to increase their portfolio while the overall market remains uncertain.