Content and data provided by various third parties and Fidelity − Terms of Use | Help/Glossary
Research > ETFs > ETF / ETP Commentary > 

EQL Draws $19M as Energy, Staples Stocks Lift Its Index

BY | ETF Database
8:56 am ET 11/03/26 | 12 VIEWS
  • Related Symbols
  • EQL
The ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF EQL drew $19.21 million in net inflows over the past month, according to ETF Database. Energy and consumer staples stocks led a broad October gain in the fund’s underlying index.Key Takeaways: Energy stocks led October gains, with ExxonMobil adding more to the index than any other single company. Strong quarterly results from Exxon and Eli Lilly arrived alongside double-digit monthly gains for both stocks. Losses in Alphabet and other communications stocks weighed on the index but did not erase its monthly gain. The index gained 3.7% from September 30 to October 30, VettaFi data showed. Nine of its 11 sectors rose during that period. EQL tracks the VettaFi Modelist Equal Weight Sector 500 Index, which splits large U.S. stocks into 11 equally weighted sectors, according to ALPS. Within each sector, bigger companies still carry larger weights. See more: SS&C ALPS Advisors Rings NYSE Opening Bell Energy, consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare each returned more than 9% in October, according to VettaFi. Because each sector holds roughly 9% of the index, those four groups together added 3.90 percentage points — more than the index’s full gain. VettaFi data showed that energy stocks added the most, returning 14.2% and contributing 1.25 points. ExxonMobil Holdings Corp. (XOM) rose nearly 15.1% and added 0.38 point — more than any other single stock. ConocoPhillips (COP) jumped 23.1%. Exxon reported adjusted third-quarter earnings of $4.23 per share on October 30, beating the $4.08 that analysts expected, according to Reuters. Earnings from its fuel-refining business rose 120% from the prior quarter to $9 billion. That jump came after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries pushed fuel prices higher. Consumer staples returned 10.3% and added 0.91 point, according to VettaFi. Walmart Inc. (WMT) climbed 18.9%, while Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) gained 11.4%.Lilly Earnings Lift Healthcare Stocks in EQL IndexHealthcare stocks returned 9.6% and contributed 0.88 point, per VettaFi data. Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) led the group with a 22.5% gain during the month. Lilly posted third-quarter revenue of $24.4 billion on October 29, topping analyst estimates of $22.61 billion, according to Reuters. The drugmaker also raised its 2026 revenue forecast by $5 billion, to between $91 billion and $92 billion. Demand for its injectable drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound drove the higher outlook. Utilities stocks also returned 10.2%, VettaFi data showed. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) added the most to the sector’s gain, rising 10.5%. The index’s largest single-stock gain came from outside its top sectors. Accenture (ACN) jumped nearly 42% in October, though the index places it in industrials, a sector that finished the month nearly flat at 0.02%, according to VettaFi. Not every sector gained. Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) held a 5.12% weight in the index and fell 18.7% in October, cutting 0.96 percentage point from the return, according to VettaFi. Communications stocks lost 14.8% as a group, while technology fell 7.2%. EQL holds $788.34 million in net assets and charges a 0.19% expense ratio, or annual fee, according to ALPS. The fund has returned 13.2% so far this year as of November 2. For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Thematic Investing Content Hub. VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for EQL, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, EQL is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of EQL.

More Commentary

Ultra-Short Bonds May Be Better Bets Than Cash
BY | ETF Database
5:01 am ET 11/03/26 | 10 VIEWS
AI Could Drive Upside for This SpaceX ETF
BY | ETF Database
6:07 am ET 11/03/26 | 16 VIEWS
Its Not Tech: Energy Leads the S&P 500
BY | ETF Database
7:20 am ET 11/03/26 | 8 VIEWS
View more Commentary

Search Commentary

Enter Keyword(s)
Filter Results

Performance data shown is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. Yield and return will vary, therefore you have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. For standard quarterly performance, go to the fund's Snapshot page by clicking on the ETF/ETP's symbol.

ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

For iShares ETFs, Fidelity receives compensation from the ETF sponsor and/or its affiliates in connection with an exclusive long-term marketing program that includes promotion of iShares ETFs and inclusion of iShares funds in certain FBS platforms and investment programs. Please note, this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation can be found in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Fidelity may add or waive commissions on ETFs without prior notice. BlackRock and iShares are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

FBS receives compensation from the fund's advisor or its affiliates in connection with a marketing program that includes the promotion of this security and other ETFs to customers ("Marketing Program"). The Marketing Program creates incentives for FBS to encourage the purchase of certain ETFs. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation is in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Please note that this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral.

News, commentary (including "Related Symbols") and events are from third-party sources unaffiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt their content. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use.

Any data, charts and other information provided on this page are intended to help self-directed investors evaluate exchange traded products (ETPs), including, but limited to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). Criteria and inputs entered, including the choice to make ETP comparisons, are at the sole discretion of the user and are solely for the convenience of the user. Analyst opinions, ratings and reports are provided by third-parties unaffiliated with Fidelity. All information supplied or obtained from this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or guidance, an offer of or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell a particular security, or a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity of any security or investment strategy. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating ETPs. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use. Determine which securities are right for you based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and other individual factors and re-evaluate them on a periodic basis.

Before investing in any exchange traded product, you should consider its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus, offering circular or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.