Tech hardware and chips stay firmly on top of the US industry heatmap, while consumer food, airlines and some REIT niches remain clear laggards.
Resilient strength is concentrated in technology, select cyclicals and resources, while the weakest profiles cluster in food products, passenger airlines, mortgage REITs and lower‑quality consumer and
IMGELD (Date: May 10, 2026 )
Technology Hardware, Semiconductors and Electronic Equipment remain the clear leaders in our framework, with Building Products and Metals & Mining also screening strong. At the other end, Food Products, Passenger Airlines, Diversified Consumer Services, Mortgage REITs and Household Durables cluster at the bottom, reflecting weaker sentiment and/or more direct exposure to macro and geopolitical headwinds. The gap between top and bottom industries is wide, underscoring a highly selective market in which sector and industry allocation matter more than broad beta.
Top 5 Strongest Industries
(Long bias)
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Final Score: 93.90
Before: #2 → Now: #1
Why they are strong: Apple’s expansion of its American manufacturing program with four new partners underscores sustained strategic investment and policy support for leading US hardware and device makers.
Key Players: Apple, Dell Technologies, HPSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Final Score: 93.53
Before: #1 → Now: #2
Why they are strong: Tight global chip supply and continued demand for advanced processors keep leading US semiconductor companies central to both technology and defense supply chains.
Key Players: NVIDIA, Intel, Advanced Micro DevicesElectronic Equipment, Instruments & Components
Final Score: 92.16
Before: #3 → Now: #3
Why they are strong: Apple’s decision to add more American manufacturing partners highlights ongoing growth opportunities for US component, test and instrumentation suppliers tied into premium electronics supply chains.
Key Players: Texas Instruments, TE Connectivity, Keysight TechnologiesBuilding Products
Final Score: 75.32
Before: #5 → Now: #4
Why they are strong: QXO’s $17 billion deal to acquire TopBuild signals ongoing consolidation and strategic interest in US building products distribution and installation, supporting valuations across the space.
Key Players: Masco, A.O. Smith, TopBuildMetals & Mining
Final Score: 75.28
Before: #4 → Now: #5
Why they are strong: Despite recent pressure in silver miners as the metal pulled back, broad mining exposure to industrial and energy transition metals keeps the group strategically important.
Key Players: Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont, Southern Copper
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Bottom 5 Weakest Industries
(Short bias)
Household Durables
Final Score: 13.02
Before: #51 → Now: #52
Why they are weak: Interest‑rate sensitivity and slower big‑ticket consumer spending leave many US household durables names lagging more resilient software and hardware groups.
Key Players: Whirlpool, Stanley Black & Decker, Newell BrandsFood Products
Final Score: 15.31
Before: #52 → Now: #51
Why they are weak: Food product manufacturers have underperformed higher‑growth tech and services sectors as investors focus on areas benefiting more directly from digital and geopolitical spending trends.
Key Players: Kraft Heinz, General Mills, KelloggMortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Final Score: 32.68
Before: #49 → Now: #50
Why they are weak: In contrast to strong interest in senior‑housing and diversified REITs, more levered mortgage REITs remain pressured by rate volatility and funding risk.
Key Players: Annaly Capital Management, AGNC Investment, Starwood Property TrustDiversified Consumer Services
Final Score: 38.05
Before: #48 → Now: #49
Why they are weak: Compared with higher‑growth interactive media and software companies, many diversified consumer services operators face softer discretionary demand and rising cost pressures.
Key Players: Service Corporation International, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, H&R BlockPassenger Airlines
Final Score: 38.39
Before: #47 → Now: #48
Why they are weak: Travel stocks, including major US airlines, have sold off as the US‑Iran conflict caused the worst disruption to global travel since the pandemic.
Key Players: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines Group, United Airlines Holdings
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Additional Readings
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: Apple expands US manufacturing partnerships to deepen domestic supply chain (CNBC, 2026-03-26)
Article LinkMarine Transportation: Tankers stranded and damaged as Iran conflict disrupts global shipping lanes (Reuters, 2026-03-02)
Article LinkHotels, Restaurants & Leisure: Restaurant stocks stumble to start 2026 as investors reassess consumer spending (CNBC, 2026-03-15)
Article LinkAerospace & Defense: Applied Aerospace & Defense’s 25 percent revenue jump in IPO filing highlights sector growth (Reuters, 2026-05-08)
Article LinkHealth Care Equipment & Supplies: Strait of Hormuz tensions raise risks for US generic drug and medical supply chains (CNBC, 2026-03-16)
Article LinkMedia: Iran’s information war targets US audiences with viral propaganda campaigns (CNBC, 2026-04-01)
Article LinkElectric Utilities: PJM grid operator weighs major market overhaul that could impact utility earnings (Reuters, 2026-05-06)
Article LinkResidential REITs: Senior‑housing REIT Janus Living surges in NYSE debut, valued at $5.9 billion (Reuters, 2026-03-20)
Article LinkSoftware: Beaten‑down software stocks join the broader market rally, teaching a classic cycle lesson (CNBC, 2026-04-19)
Article LinkPassenger Airlines: US‑Iran conflict triggers worst disruption to air travel since Covid, sinking travel stocks (Reuters, 2026-03-02)
Article LinkBuilding Products: QXO’s $17 billion TopBuild acquisition highlights strategic interest in US building products (Reuters, 2026-04-19)
Article LinkBanks: Volatile markets drive mixed but robust revenue trends at Wall Street banks (Reuters, 2026-04-16)
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