Subindex

A subindex is a group of securities that are part of a larger classification, but that are also tracked as a separate group because of a common subcharacteristic. A subsurvey that is a single component of a broader survey. A subindex answers a smaller question that is part of a larger question.

For example, a grains subindex might only track soybeans, wheat and corn, providing a snapshot of just one part of the overall agriculture sector. Similarly, a copper subindex would track the performance of just one metal, while a broad-based metals index would track the performance of all metals.

The Present Situation Index is a subindex of the Consumer Confidence Index. The CCI is a broad measure of people's expectations about near-future economic performance, while the PSI emphasizes attitudes toward business and employment conditions. The PSI is combined with another subindex, the Expectations Index, which asks consumers about their expectations for economic activity. Together, these two subindices form the CCI.

Rather than buy shares of every company in a given industry or sector, you can get exposure to all of them in a single investment by buying an index fund that aligns with a sector subindex. Such investments are called exchange traded funds (ETFs), and they are popular with smaller investors for the ability to buy a diversified basket of an entire grouping, often with little to no commission and expense ratios that are typically less than 0.50% to 1.00%. These ETFs are similar to mutual funds, but trade like stocks, and they allow an investor to get exposure to a wide range of investments in a sector or industry without needing to research individual stocks. 

Many financial advisors recommend that investors try to maintain a portfolio that offers good exposure to all of these industries and sectors. 

The consumer discretionary sector consists of businesses that have demand that rises and falls based on general economic conditions, such as washers and dryers, sporting goods, new cars, and diamond engagement rings.  At present, the consumer discretionary sector contains twelve industries. Examples of consumer discretionary stocks include Apple, Disney, and Starbucks. Each of these industries have a corresponding subindex that an investor can buy into:

1. Automobile Components Industry
2. Automobiles Industry
3. Distributors Industry
4. Diversified Consumer Services Industry
5. Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
6. Household Durables Industry
7. Internet & Catalog Retail Industry
8. Leisure Products Industry
9. Media Industry
10. Multiline Retail Industry
11. Specialty Retail Industry
12. Textile, Apparel & Luxury Goods Industry