AI, chips and metals at the top, while software, leisure and wireless lag in today’s US industry landscape

Semiconductors, metals and industrials lead the pack as rate‑sensitive, consumer and communication segments fall behind

IMGELD Date:Feb 01, 2026

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment, Metals & Mining and Electronic Equipment dominate the leadership board, reflecting investor focus on AI infrastructure, critical minerals and high‑end hardware. At the same time, pockets of strength appear in capital‑markets‑linked financials, aerospace and select real asset industries. On the downside, US software names are under pressure from AI disruption concerns, and consumer‑facing areas such as leisure products and parts of hotels and media continue to screen weak. Wireless and diversified telecoms also lag, weighed by structurally challenged growth and intense competition. Overall, the market is rewarding asset‑heavy, supply‑constrained and geopolitically strategic industries, while de‑rating sectors seen as vulnerable to regulation, rate sensitivity or technological displacement.

Top 10 Strongest Industries
(Long bias)

1. Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
   Final Score: 94.79
   Before: #2 → Now: #1
   Why they are strong: Chipmakers benefit from surging AI and data‑center demand, with several high‑end semiconductor names near record production and pricing levels according to recent market coverage.
   Key Players: Nvidia, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices

2. Metals & Mining
   Final Score: 94.79
   Before: #1 → Now: #2
   Why they are strong: US policy toward critical mineral price floors is evolving but supply security remains a priority, supporting valuations across key mining and metals producers (Reuters, 2026-01-29).
   Key Players: Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, Southern Copper

3. Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components
   Final Score: 94.79
   Before: #3 → Now: #3
   Why they are strong: Demand for precision components and electronic systems remains firm as AI hardware build‑outs and industrial automation projects accelerate globally, according to recent sector reports.
   Key Players: TE Connectivity, Keysight Technologies, Amphenol

4. Capital Markets
   Final Score: 92.39
   Before: #4 → Now: #4
   Why they are strong: Despite recent volatility tied to speculative trades, major US equity benchmarks remain positive for the month, underpinning trading and fee income for capital‑markets firms (CNBC, 2026-01-30).
   Key Players: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab

5. Machinery
   Final Score: 96.38
   Before: #5 → Now: #5
   Why they are strong: Robust capital spending on infrastructure, energy and manufacturing capacity is supporting demand for heavy machinery and industrial equipment in the US.
   Key Players: Caterpillar, Deere, Cummins

6. Passenger Airlines
   Final Score: 81.69
   Before: #6 → Now: #6
   Why they are strong: Airlines continue to benefit from resilient passenger volumes and pricing power on key routes, even as capacity constraints and regulatory oversight remain in focus.
   Key Players: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines Group

7. Air Freight & Logistics
   Final Score: 63.06
   Before: #10 → Now: #7
   Why they are strong: Tight air‑cargo capacity during peak shipping season has supported yields for freight and logistics operators, even as flight cuts and scheduling changes weigh on the broader sector (CNBC, 2025-11-06).
   Key Players: FedEx, United Parcel Service, Atlas Air Worldwide

8. Industrial Conglomerates
   Final Score: 85.28
   Before: #9 → Now: #8
   Why they are strong: Global industrial groups are refocusing portfolios on faster‑growth, higher‑margin businesses as multi‑segment conglomerate models fall out of favor in developed markets (Financial Times, 2025-12-30).
   Key Players: General Electric, Honeywell, 3M

9. Banks
   Final Score: 82.82
   Before: #8 → Now: #9
   Why they are strong: The sector is being supported by expectations that central bank policy will remain restrictive for longer, preserving relatively attractive net interest margins for major lenders (Financial Times, 2026-02-01).
   Key Players: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo

10. Health Care Equipment & Supplies
    Final Score: 74.01
    Before: #14 → Now: #10
    Why they are strong: Investor interest in medical devices and supplies has been buoyed by successful listings such as Medline’s IPO, which saw a sharp first‑day gain on Nasdaq (Reuters, 2025-12-17).
    Key Players: Medtronic, Becton Dickinson, Stryker

Bottom 10 Weakest Industries
(Short bias)

47. Professional Services
    Final Score: 27.82
    Before: #40 → Now: #47
    Why they are weak: New research from MIT highlights that AI could already automate a meaningful share of US jobs, increasing pressure on traditional professional‑services business models (CNBC, 2025-11-26).
    Key Players: Accenture, Korn Ferry, ManpowerGroup

48. Diversified Telecommunication Services
    Final Score: 16.45
    Before: #48 → Now: #48
    Why they are weak: Diversified telecom operators continue to face stagnant growth and heavy capital needs, leaving the group structurally challenged versus faster‑growing digital and cloud‑based communications alternatives.
    Key Players: AT&T, Verizon Communications, Lumen Technologies

49. Insurance
    Final Score: 34.16
    Before: #42 → Now: #49
    Why they are weak: The sector is contending with heightened competitive pressure and shifting capital‑markets conditions even as new listings like Ethos Technologies draw investor scrutiny to growth versus profitability (Reuters, 2026-01-29).
    Key Players: MetLife, Prudential Financial, Travelers

50. Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
    Final Score: 37.67
    Before: #49 → Now: #50
    Why they are weak: Consumer‑facing leisure and dining businesses remain sensitive to real‑income pressure and shifting discretionary spending, which is leaving parts of the travel and hospitality complex on weaker footing.
    Key Players: Marriott International, McDonald’s, Caesars Entertainment

51. Media
    Final Score: 20.35
    Before: #51 → Now: #51
    Why they are weak: Legacy and ad‑dependent media firms continue to struggle with audience fragmentation and the shift of marketing budgets toward digital platforms.
    Key Players: Walt Disney, Paramount Global, Fox

52. Health Care Providers & Services
    Final Score: 31.27
    Before: #45 → Now: #52
    Why they are weak: Health‑care service providers face reimbursement uncertainty and rising labor and technology costs as AI and digital tools reshape care‑delivery models.
    Key Players: UnitedHealth Group, HCA Healthcare, CVS Health

53. Software
    Final Score: 32.41
    Before: #46 → Now: #53
    Why they are weak: US software stocks have sold off as investors worry that AI tools could disrupt established product lines and compress long‑term growth expectations (Reuters, 2026-01-29).
    Key Players: Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe

54. Wireless Telecommunication Services
    Final Score: 11.55
    Before: #53 → Now: #54
    Why they are weak: Wireless carriers are weighed down by intense price competition, high spectrum and network costs, and limited near‑term revenue growth catalysts.
    Key Players: T-Mobile US, Verizon Communications, AT&T

55. Consumer Finance
    Final Score: 29.63
    Before: #52 → Now: #55
    Why they are weak: Financials exposed to consumer credit have come under pressure after policy proposals to cap credit‑card interest rates rattled investors (Reuters, 2026-01-12).
    Key Players: Capital One Financial, Discover Financial Services, Synchrony Financial

56. Leisure Products
    Final Score: 7.84
    Before: #56 → Now: #56
    Why they are weak: Discretionary goods such as leisure and sporting products are vulnerable as households reprioritize spending in response to higher borrowing costs and lingering inflation pressures.
    Key Players: Hasbro, Mattel, Brunswick

Additional Readings

1. Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: AI and data‑center build‑out keeps advanced chips in focus for investors (Reuters, 2026-01-29)
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2. Metals & Mining: US shifts stance on critical mineral price floors, keeping supply security in focus (Reuters, 2026-01-29)
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3. Capital Markets: S&P 500 falls for third straight day as speculative silver trade unwinds, but ends month positive (CNBC, 2026-01-30)
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4. Industrial Conglomerates: FTSE 100 loses the last of its industrial conglomerates (Financial Times, 2025-12-30)
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5. Banks: Will the Bank of England give any clues to the path of interest rates? (Financial Times, 2026-02-01)
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6. Air Freight & Logistics: FAA flight cuts squeeze freight capacity in peak shipping season (CNBC, 2025-11-06)
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7. Electric Utilities: Trump wants tech companies to foot the bill for new power plants because of AI (CNBC, 2026-01-16)
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8. Multi-Utilities: Six US states to watch as rising gas prices drive a coal comeback (Reuters, 2025-11-13)
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9. Software: US software stocks slump as AI disruption fears take over (Reuters, 2026-01-29)
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10. Consumer Finance: Financial stocks fall as Trump’s credit card rate cap plan rattles investors (Reuters, 2026-01-12)
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11. Food Products: Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods as inflation concerns mount (Reuters, 2025-11-15)
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12. Automobile Components: Tesla requires suppliers to avoid China-made parts for US cars, WSJ reports (Reuters, 2025-11-15)
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13. Insurance: Insurance platform Ethos Technologies valued at $1.2 billion in Nasdaq debut (Reuters, 2026-01-29)
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14. Professional Services: MIT study finds AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce (CNBC, 2025-11-26)
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15. Health Care Technology: MIT study finds AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce (CNBC, 2025-11-26)
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16. Automobiles: EU edges out U.S. in getting India to slash auto tariffs, but can European carmakers win big? (CNBC, 2026-01-29)
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17. Aerospace & Defense: Trump threatens Canada with aircraft tariffs, decertification over Gulfstream approvals (Reuters, 2026-01-30)
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18. Biotechnology: AstraZeneca is listing in New York, as Big Pharma balances the huge U.S. market with China’s tempting innovation (CNBC, 2026-02-01)
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19. Pharmaceuticals: AstraZeneca is listing in New York, as Big Pharma balances the huge U.S. market with China’s tempting innovation (CNBC, 2026-02-01)
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20. Automobiles: CNBC’s Inside India newsletter: EU edges out U.S. in getting India to slash auto tariffs, but can European carmakers win big? (CNBC, 2026-01-29)
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