The chemicals and mining/metals subsectors are overvalued by over 30% versus 11-year averages, though mining/metals has a good quality score. iShares Global Materials ETF provides diversified global exposure to materials, with a 47% weighting in mining/metals and 39% in chemicals. MXI offers better value than the U.S. benchmark XLB but has historically underperformed it since 2006.
MXI hits a new 52-week high, up 37% from its low, as strength in commodities and chemicals fuels momentum in materials stocks.
The materials sector appears overvalued by 22% versus 11-year averages, with construction materials the least overvalued and chemicals showing the weakest fundamentals. The iShares Global Materials ETF offers global diversification in the materials sector, with lower company risk and recent overperformance compared to XLB, but it lags long-term. Seven stocks were cheaper than their peers in November.
The materials sector is overvalued by about 10% relative to a historical baseline, but the construction materials industry is still attractive. MXI offers global exposure in the materials sector with a diversified portfolio but has underperformed XLB in historical performance and risk metrics. Four stocks cheaper than their peers in January.
The materials sector as a whole is significantly overvalued, but the construction materials industry has good value and quality scores. Fast facts on MXI, a global alternative to XLB. Five stocks cheaper than their peers in November.
iShares Global Materials ETF has lagged behind S&P 500 and top peers in performance. MXI offers global exposure to industrial and natural resources sectors. MXI has decent dividend yield, but lacks significant attraction points for investment.