What is with Info-Tech?

I see last week the TSX listed iShares S&P/TSX Info Tech ETF (XIT) traded up to close at perhaps an all-time high. The XIT, according to the manager - seeks long-term capital growth by replicating the performance of the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index, net of expenses.

Years ago the sector (index) was dominated by Nortel – now the sector is capped and has matured and broadened out to hold about 20 names to include the likes of CGI GROUP INC (GIB.A), CONSTELLATION SOFTWARE INC. (CSU), OPEN TEXT CORP (OTC), BLACKBERRY LTD (BB) and DH CORP (DH).

Technically we know the technology sector is economy sensitive and so the current strength of the XIT is very bullish for the broader markets. Our chart is the weekly bars of the XIT – with the related 40 week simple moving average - plotted above the TSX 60 Index – in this case the clone iShares (XIU).

Note the price is above a rising 40-wk MA. The lower study is a ratio, or spread smoothed by a 20-week simple moving average. Note the out perform through 2014 and 2015 – a short under perform and now the recent return to out perform.