As uncertainty in the U.S. markets prevails with mounting concerns over rising inflation, a weakening dollar, oil at record levels, and distress over the ongoing credit crunch, stock investors might want to take a look at the 2nd quarter performance of the winning sectors for companies that have weathered the market turmoil.  Within the S&P 500 Index, four out of the ten major sectors finished in positive territory.  The Energy sector led the way with a percentage gain of 16.92% in the past three months, followed by the Utilities sector with a gain of 7.10% during the same period.

The top ten percentage gainers within the Energy sector posted gains of over 40% in the past three months.  As fears over the role of speculators in the futures market intensify, along with supply concerns and increasing geopolitical tensions, crude oil prices jumped by 37.92% during the second quarter of 2008, and now are up by 50.79% year-to-date.  During yesterday’s trading session, August crude oil future contracts at the NYMEX hit a fresh intraday record high of $143.67 per barrel.

The following chart depicts the top ten percentage gainers in the Energy sector during the second quarter:


Within the Energy sector there were only three companies that ended in negative territory.  The Oil & Gas Refining group within the S&P Energy sector was down 19.23% during the second quarter as the jump in crude oil prices added pressure to profit margins. 

The following are the top ten percentage winners and losers within the S&P 500 Index:
**Massey Energy

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[MEE  Loading...      ()   ], a coal producer, was the top performer in the first-half of 2008, boosted by the 70% gain in coal.

No big surprise, the S&P 500 losers were dominated by financial companies.

  **As of June 30, 2008

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