IMGELD (Date: Aug 12, 2026 )
Strength is concentrated in semiconductors, metals & mining, aerospace & defence, and select industrials and health care, while capital‑light growth stories in software and media show more mixed momentum. Defensive yield sectors such as utilities and tobacco remain under pressure, and structurally disrupted segments in wireless and media sit at the back of the pack.
Top 5 Strongest Industries
(Long bias)
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Final Score: 88.40
Before: #3 → Now: #1
Why they are strong: Robust US semiconductor leadership and expanding commercial reach, particularly versus China in advanced technologies, continue to underpin the sector’s strategic and earnings appeal.
Key Players: NVIDIA, Intel, Applied MaterialsMetals & Mining
Final Score: 87.65
Before: #4 → Now: #2
Why they are strong: Tight global supply conditions and strong positioning of US and allied producers in high‑quality metals are supporting sector sentiment despite volatility in underlying commodities.
Key Players: Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, Cleveland-CliffsAerospace & Defense
Final Score: 84.89
Before: #5 → Now: #3
Why they are strong: Growing aerospace demand, including rising international sourcing of titanium components for aircraft programs, is reinforcing the long‑cycle order book for major US defense and commercial suppliers.
Key Players: Lockheed Martin, RTX, BoeingCapital Markets
Final Score: 84.24
Before: #1 → Now: #4
Why they are strong: Elevated market volatility around oil prices, geopolitics, and policy uncertainty is driving trading activity and fee opportunities for capital markets firms.
Key Players: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Charles SchwabHealth Care Equipment & Supplies
Final Score: 77.28
Before: #7 → Now: #5
Why they are strong: Rising hedge fund positioning in US healthcare, highlighted by strong flows into medical devices and equipment, is supporting valuations and momentum across the group.
Key Players: Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Boston Scientific
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Bottom 5 Weakest Industries
(Short bias)
Media
Final Score: 34.96
Before: #47 → Now: #52
Why they are weak: Continued heavy losses at high‑profile digital media platforms, including sharply widening deficits at Trump Media, underscore ongoing profitability and monetization challenges across the media space.
Key Players: Paramount Global, Fox, The New York Times CompanyElectric Utilities
Final Score: 28.55
Before: #51 → Now: #53
Why they are weak: US power utilities face mounting capital and supply‑chain pressures as they scramble to secure equipment for data‑center‑driven load growth, weighing on perceived defensive safety.
Key Players: NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, Southern CompanyWireless Telecommunication Services
Final Score: 27.09
Before: #52 → Now: #54
Why they are weak: Investor concerns are rising that SpaceX’s emerging satellite‑to‑mobile offerings could disrupt traditional US wireless revenue models and intensify competitive pressure.
Key Players: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile USTobacco
Final Score: 38.60
Before: #50 → Now: #55
Why they are weak: Announced plans by Imperial Brands to cut thousands of jobs in the US and Europe highlight structural volume and regulatory headwinds facing global tobacco operators.
Key Players: Altria Group, Philip Morris International, British American TobaccoSoftware
Final Score: 65.17
Before: #45 → Now: #56
Why they are weak: Recent earnings commentary, including from Salesforce, has reinforced investor doubts that traditional software business models can sustain growth and margins in an AI‑driven spending cycle.
Key Players: Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe
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Additional Readings
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: US retains lead in biotech and advanced technologies, underscoring strategic edge versus China (Reuters, 2026-06-22)
Article LinkMetals & Mining: Surging demand for high‑grade metals supports miners amid shifting global supply chains (Reuters, 2026-07-09)
Article LinkAerospace & Defense: Chinese titanium firms seek larger aerospace role, highlighting expanding global aircraft supply chains (Reuters, 2026-07-23)
Article LinkCapital Markets: Oil price gains and risk‑off moves pressure equities but support trading volumes (Reuters, 2026-08-11)
Article LinkHealth Care Equipment & Supplies: Hedge fund positioning in US healthcare hits near five‑year highs, with strong interest in equipment names (Reuters, 2026-07-27)
Article LinkMedia: Trump Media’s quarterly loss widens sharply, underscoring profitability challenges in digital media (Reuters, 2026-08-11)
Article LinkElectric Utilities: US power companies scramble to secure transformers and other gear as data centers boost demand (Reuters, 2026-07-09)
Article LinkWireless Telecommunication Services: SpaceX’s satellite‑to‑phone ambitions spark debate over competitive threat to US telecoms (Reuters, 2026-08-05)
Article LinkTobacco: Imperial Brands to cut thousands of jobs in the US and Europe amid pressure on the business (Reuters, 2026-08-10)
Article LinkSoftware: Salesforce results highlight market skepticism that legacy software can thrive amid AI disruption (CNBC, 2026-05-27)
Article LinkHotels, Restaurants & Leisure: Rising travel costs split US consumers and create a more polarized demand backdrop for leisure spending (Reuters, 2026-05-29)
Article LinkFinancial Services: Upcoming Fed decisions and a heavy earnings calendar pose key tests for US financial stocks (Reuters, 2026-07-26)
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