Financial services sector: Investing in stocks with a fiscal focus

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Where the money is.

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Think of the stock market’s financial services sector as a massive skyscraper in which all monetary transactions take place. It originates with the simplest purchases, like the morning coffee you buy on your way to work, all the way up to billion-dollar deals made by corporate giants. Cumulatively, these transactions amount to trillions of dollars changing hands daily in the U.S. economy.

When you invest in the financial services sector, or financials for short, you take a stake in the soaring tower that undergirds economic activity.

Stocks in the financials sector include some old-school picks as well as newer technology companies that provide financial services to retail and commercial customers. The financial services sector includes banks and an array of companies that offer insurance, investments, financial technology, and loans. These stocks help businesses grow and consumers pay for goods and services, buy homes, save for retirement, and much more.

Financial services is one of the largest among the 11 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sectors in the stock market. With a market capitalization hovering just over $8 trillion, financials made up nearly 21% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.

As with every GICS sector, the number of industry groups, industries, and subindustries varies according to the research firm conducting the analysis. There are about 15 industries that make up the financials sector, including the five that you’re most likely to hear about:

Banking. Included in this category are commercial banks, from small regional banks to those considered intrinsic to the nation’s economy (also sometimes referred to as “too big to fail”). These institutions accept deposits for savings and checking accounts and provide loans. Among the biggest players are:

Insurance. Property, life, health insurance, and reinsurance may not be among the most captivating stocks, but their potential as solid investments shouldn’t be overlooked. There are several subindustries within this category, and some of these companies have extensive holdings in other sectors, industries, and companies. Some larger companies include:

Investment services. This segment includes brokerages, asset managers, exchanges, and investment advisory firms, including these familiar names:

Mortgage finance. These companies deal in loan origination, funding, and servicing for residential and commercial properties. There aren’t many well-known names in this category, but those that might ring a bell are:

Consumer finance. Also known as retail finance, this industry is primarily designed to help individual consumers access loans (directly or indirectly) through credit cards, personal loans, private student loans, mortgage loans, and so on. This group includes some of the most iconic names in the financial services sector:

Companies in this sector are the economy’s primary lenders and underwriters. Financial companies provide the capital for businesses to expand, for individuals to buy big-ticket items like cars and homes, and for governments to fund their projects. They play a major role in facilitating the flow of capital, which is essential for a growing and stable economy.

Financial services is the second-largest sector in the S&P 500. With such a large weighting, the performance of financial institutions, especially large banks, can significantly affect the performance of all other sectors in the market. When these companies generate strong earnings, it can drive the broader market higher; conversely, when they perform poorly, it can drag down a good portion of the S&P 500.

Financials serve as a leading indicator of the economy. Financial stocks are closely tied to the economic cycle; the performance of the companies within the sector can often hint at the economy’s direction. Credit availability is a major factor in business growth and consumer spending. When banks’ profit margins are high, they may be boosted by increased lending activity and indicate favorable economic conditions. Also, when investors are buying financial stocks, it can indicate optimistic expectations for economic growth.

Keep an eye on interest rates. The Federal Reserve sets the federal funds rate—the rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans—which, in turn, affects interest rates throughout the economy. Although lower interest rates can spur demand in borrowing and spending, often leading to growth, a high-interest environment can restrain both, leading to slower economic activity.

Pay attention to economic indicators. Indicators for the job market, consumer confidence, GDP growth, inflation—as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Producer Price Index (PPI), and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—and more affect the Fed’s monetary policy decisions. They also prompt businesses and financial institutions to respond early to anticipate economic conditions and the Fed’s policy moves.

Diversify to weather economic ups and downs. The performance of financial stocks can lead the economic cycle and is closely tied to it. To weather any doldrums, diversify your portfolio with defensive or noncyclical sectors and stocks.

The financial services sector is a critical part of the economy, serving as a catalyst for and a leading indicator of economic activity. For investors, the good news is that the sector closely follows and responds to various fundamental metrics. These reports are widely and frequently disseminated, making them easy to find. The challenge is staying on top of all the information to help you make your investing decisions. In short, it’s a promising investment with a high volume of homework.

Specific companies and funds are mentioned for educational purposes only and not as an endorsement. The lists in this article are representative and not intended to be comprehensive.