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Investing in industrial stocks

A major sector that relies heavily on the economy and contains some of the world’s largest companies.

Companies like General Electric and American Airlines are part of the industrial sector. But these stocks are linked to politics and the economy, so they can be volatile. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of investing in industrial stocks to find out if they might be a good fit for your investment portfolio.

What are industrial stocks?

The industrial sector is one of 11 sectors of the stock market that include companies that produce goods for industrial and commercial use, such as in construction or manufacturing.

These businesses play a critical role in the economy by supporting other industries. They supply the industrial tools, machinery and equipment that are used to produce consumer goods and services.

What industries are included in this sector?

Industrial stocks cover many different industries. A few popular subsectors include:

  • Aerospace and defense. Companies that manufacture civil or military aircraft and defense products.
  • Construction and engineering. Those involved in the nonresidential building industry.
  • Electrical equipment. Producers of electrical components and equipment.
  • Machinery industry. These companies manufacture and sell industrial equipment and machinery to other companies, such as tractors for agricultural use.
  • Transportation infrastructure. This industry covers airport operations and companies that manage roads, tunnels, rail tracks and marine ports.

How to invest in the industrial sector in Australia

Invest in the industrial sector by purchasing individual stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). By choosing your own stocks, you buy shares of a company and ultimately have more control over your investments. That comes with its fair share of risk. You can also choose the ETF route, which gives you a basket of industrial stocks to help minimize exposure.

A brief rundown of how to start investing in Australia:

  1. Find a brokerage. Explore different brokerage platforms in Australia and choose a firm that fits your financial needs.
  2. Apply for an account. You can open most brokerage accounts in Australia online. You’ll need to fund your account before you buy any stocks or ETFs.
  3. Pick your securities. Your platform should come with research tools to help you learn about the right stocks and ETFs for you.
  4. Place an order. When you’re ready, buy the security.
  5. Monitor your investments. Use your brokerage account to track your securities.

What stocks are in the industrial goods sector?

What ETFs track the industrial sector?

Several popular ETFs that track the industrial sector are:

  • Vanguard Global Infrastructure Index (VBLD)
  • VanEck Vectors FTSE Global Infrastructure (IFRA)

How is the industrial sector performing?

The graph below tracks the performance of the Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI). Tracking ETF performance is one way to gauge how the sector as a whole is doing.

Why invest in the industrial sector?

Industrial stocks are susceptible to economic cycles. When the economy is doing well, the industrial sector thrives and may even outperform the market. For example, as the US recovered from the Great Recession in 2009, the S&P 500 Index returned 15.1% in 2010, compared to the S&P 500 industrial Index of 26.7%.

The industrial sector can also see a boost when the economy is just coming out of a recession. Economic growth and a rise in employment and profits can promote business confidence and outlook. That could mean new building projects and machinery purchases.

What unique risks does the industrial sector face?

The industrial sector is deeply connected to the global economy and the international political climate. Some risks that are unique to industrial stocks include:

  • Tariffs. In the midst of geopolitical unrest and trade wars, tariffs push the cost of goods up. Higher prices hurt consumers and can lead to fewer sales and cuts in production — slowing the sector down.
  • Low demand. During a weak economy, the need for industrial goods and services also declines. Less demand can directly impact industrial stocks’ profit and performance.
  • Global economy. Australian investors also need to watch the economies of key countries, like China. For example, about 6% to 10% of US industrials are tied to China’s economy, with some big names like General Motors (GM) and 3M (MMM). A slowdown abroad can affect a large portion of industrial stocks.

Compare stock trading platforms

Compare platforms to invest in stocks and ETFs in Australia.

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Name Product Price per trade Inactivity fee Asset class International
eToro
Finder AwardExclusive
eToro
$0
US$10 per month if there’s been no log-in for 12 months
ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Finder exclusive: Get 12 months of investment tracking app Delta PRO for free when you fund your eToro account (T&Cs apply).
CFD service. Capital at risk.
Join the world's biggest social trading network when you trade stocks, commodities and currencies from the one account.
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CMC Invest
Finder Award
CMC Invest
$0
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
$0 brokerage on US, UK, Canadian and Japanese markets (FX spreads apply).
Trade over 45,000 shares and ETFs from Australia and 15 major global markets. Plus, buy Aussie shares or ETFs for $0 brokerage up to $1,000 (First buy order of each security, each day - excludes margin loan settled trades).
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Moomoo Share Trading
Exclusive
Moomoo Share Trading
US$0.99
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Finder exclusive: Get an additional 30 days on top of the regular brokerage-free period for new accounts. T&Cs apply.
Trade shares on the ASX, the US markets and buy ETFs with Moomoo. Plus join a community over 20 million investors.
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Spaceship US Investing
Spaceship US Investing
US$0
$0
US shares, ETFs
Yes
Dive into US markets with $0 brokerage, starting with just a $10 investment.
Unlock US stocks and ETFs with minimal entry barriers, offering straightforward, low-cost options for new and seasoned investors.
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Tiger Brokers
Exclusive
Tiger Brokers
US$2
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Finder exclusive: 10 no-brokerage US or ASX market trades in the first 180 days + 7% p.a. on uninvested cash with first deposit of any amount, plus US$30 TSLA + US$30 NVDA shares with deposits up to AU$2000. T&Cs apply.
Trade Australian, US and Asian stocks with no minimum deposit on Tiger Broker’s feature-packed platform.
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Webull
Webull
US$0.25
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Sign up & deposit $200 to get $100 of rewards value, or deposit $1,000 to get $200 worth. Up to $5,450 value available. T&Cs apply.
Trade ASX and US stocks and US options, plus gain access to inbuilt news platforms and educational resources. You can also start trading for less with fractional shares.
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Saxo Invested
Saxo Invested
US$1
$0
ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs
Yes
Access 22,000+ stocks on 50+ exchanges worldwide
Low fees for Australian and global share trading, no inactivity fees, low currency conversion fee and optimised for mobile.
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Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.

Bottom line

The industrial sector could be a good option if you’ve got a pulse on global politics and have a strong understanding of the economic cycle, but there are unique risks to consider. When you’re ready to start investing, be sure to find the right online brokerage platform for your financial goals.

Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product on the provider's website.

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