Healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples sectors gain stability

The S&P 500 has seen a decline of 5.9% year-to-date, while the Nasdaq Composite is in correction, down over 10%. Despite this, the healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples sectors have posted gains, attracting investors seeking stability. The Vanguard Health Care ETF has gained 4.5% this year, despite previous losses from major companies like Eli Lilly and UnitedHealth Group. The healthcare sector is traditionally seen as safe, but rising drug prices may increase its risk. The Vanguard Utilities ETF offers a yield of 2.9% and is primarily invested in regulated electric utilities, providing steady earnings. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF, which includes major retailers, has shown resilience against inflation, with a yield of 2.1%.