Stock market indices like the S 500 and Nasdaq Composite are excellent benchmarks for tracking how the broader market is doing. But so are stock market sectors.

Each component of the S 500 is assigned to one of 11 sectors. For example, Apple is in the technology sector, ExxonMobil is in energy, JPMorgan Chase is in financials, etc. Tracking how a sector is doing relative to the market is a good way to gauge investor sentiment.

The utilities sector and the consumer staples sector both hit 52-week highs on Friday. That may come as a surprise given the growth-fueled narrative of today's market.

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Source Fool.com