We group the companies on this site into Sectors and Industry Groups using the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).
In the context of the hierarchy, the GICS sectors represent a hierarchical categorisation of companies based on their primary business activities. The GICS classifies companies into sectors, industry groups, industries, and sub-industries facilitating industry analysis and comparison.
The Sector Hierarchy
The GICS hierarchy starts with the highest level, which is the sector. There are 11 GICS sectors, each representing a broad area of economic activity. These sectors are:
- Energy: Companies involved in the exploration, production, or distribution of energy resources, including oil, gas, and coal.
- Materials: Companies engaged in the extraction, processing, and distribution of raw materials such as chemicals, construction materials, metals, and mining.
- Industrials: Companies involved in the production and distribution of goods and services used in construction, manufacturing, and transportation. This sector includes aerospace, defense, machinery, and transportation services.
- Consumer Discretionary: Companies that produce goods and services considered non-essential, typically related to consumer spending. This sector includes industries like automobiles, hotels, restaurants, apparel, and leisure.
- Consumer Staples: Companies involved in the production and distribution of essential consumer products such as food, beverages, tobacco, and household goods.
- Health Care: Companies engaged in the production, development, and distribution of medical goods, pharmaceuticals, and health care services.
- Financials: Companies providing financial services such as banking, insurance, investment management, and real estate.
- Information Technology: Companies involved in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of technology products and services, including software, hardware, and IT consulting.
- Communication Services: Companies that provide communication and content delivery services such as telecommunications, cable TV, internet services, and media.
- Utilities: Companies engaged in the provision of essential services such as electricity, gas, and water supply.
- Real Estate: Companies involved in the development, management, and leasing of real estate properties.
Each of the above GICS sectors are further divided into industry groups, industries, sub-industries, and individual companies. The GICS hierarchy provides a standardized framework that helps investors, analysts, and researchers classify and compare companies within and across sectors.