May Sector and Stock Returns

As shown below, Technology was the best performing sector in May with gains of 5.5%.  Materials came in 2nd at 4.6%, followed by Telecom, Energy and Utilities.  Financials stunk up the joint again with a decline of 6.4% in May.  Every other sector was up, so banks and brokers definitely held the index back.

 

Below we list the 20 best and worst performing stocks in the Russell 1,000 for the month of May.  Patriot Coal (PCX) was the best performer at 63.7%, followed by Continental Resources (CLR), W&T Offshore (WTI) and Compuware (CPWR).  On the downside, LCC, LNG, UAUA and IMB led the declines in May.