Consumer Staples Post Third-Best 16-Session Start to a Month Since 1990

U.S. consumer staples gained 11.1% during October’s first 16 trading sessions, giving the sector its third-strongest opening stretch of any month in a historical comparison dating to 1990.

Among comparable 16-session periods, the largest gains came in October 1998, at 14.61%, and February 1991, at 11.16%. Because the measure stops after 16 sessions, it is not October’s full-month result.

Staples and health care led S&P 500 sectors during Thursday’s technology selloff, when AI-linked shares weakened and defensive groups attracted funds.