3 Sector ETFs & Stocks to Gain Amid Upbeat March Jobs Data

Employment Data Overview - The March 2025 U.S. jobs report showed a robust addition of 228,000 jobs, exceeding economists' expectations of 140,000 and the 12-month average of 158,000 [1] - Average hourly earnings increased by 0.3% month-over-month, with an annual rate of 3.8%, the lowest since July 2024 [1] Sector Performance Healthcare - The healthcare sector added 54,000 jobs in March, consistent with the average monthly gain of 52,000 over the previous year [4] - Employment growth was noted in ambulatory health care services (+20,000), hospitals (+17,000), and nursing and residential care facilities (+17,000) [4] - The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is highlighted for its 30% exposure to the pharma industry and 22.32% to healthcare providers & services [5] - HCA Healthcare (HCA), a major player in acute care hospitals, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.86% on average [6] Transportation - Employment in transportation and warehousing rose by 23,000, significantly above the prior 12-month average gain of 12,000 [7] - Job gains were primarily in couriers and messengers (+16,000) and truck transportation (+10,000), with a slight offset from warehousing and storage (-9,000) [7] - The SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) is noted for its potential, yielding 1.19% annually [7] - FedEx (FDX), a leader in global express delivery services, is identified as a strong stock pick in this sector [8] Retail - The retail sector saw an increase of 24,000 jobs in March, with food and beverage retailers contributing significantly due to workers returning from a strike (+21,000) [9] - The Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) includes stocks from 30 U.S. food and beverage companies, charging 62 bps in fees and yielding 1.51% annually [10] - Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM), ranked 2 (Buy), operates in a fragmented grocery store industry with a focus on fresh produce and wellness [11]