Recent stock market turbulence has left two equity sectors outperforming this year: communications services and utilities, based on set of ETFs through Monday’s close (Aug. 19). The remaining sectors are trailing the broad market, albeit with positive results.

The top performer in 2024: Communication Services ETF (XLC), which is up 20.7%, moderately ahead of the 18.5% rise for US shares overall via SPDR S&P 500 (SPY).

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* Canadian rail strike could have economic ripple effects for US
* AI hype is fading as investors worry about profits for the technology
* China leaves key lending benchmark interest rates unchanged
* US consumer inflation expectations fall sharply at medium-term horizon, but…
*  NY Fed survey also finds workers increasingly worried about losing their jobs
* US Leading Economic Index continues to slide in July:

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