Cemex Stands Out in Construction ETF Holdings for 2026

For investors tracking construction ETF performance, identifying which holdings are outpacing sector averages is essential to understanding fund dynamics. Cemex (CX) has emerged as a notable performer within the construction sector this year, raising the question: are other construction stocks keeping pace? Let’s examine how this company stacks up against its peers and what this means for construction ETF investors.

Sector Performance and Ranking Dynamics

The construction sector encompasses 93 stocks and currently ranks #16 within the broader Zacks Sector evaluation framework. The Zacks system analyzes average earnings estimate revisions across all companies within a sector—stocks with improving earnings outlooks tend to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. This makes sector ranking a valuable metric for construction ETF investors seeking exposure to the group’s strongest performers.

Cemex carries a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), signaling positive momentum. Over the past quarter, the consensus earnings estimate for CX’s full year has increased by 45.2%, indicating that analysts have substantially upgraded their outlook for the company. This material revision in earnings projections often precedes stock price appreciation, which may explain why Cemex has advanced approximately 12.4% year-to-date, outperforming the construction sector average of 9.5%.

Industry-Level Performance: The Concrete and Aggregates Division

While Cemex leads the broader sector, the company belongs to the Building Products - Concrete and Aggregates industry, a more specialized grouping of five stocks currently ranked #184 among Zacks industries. This segment has gained an average of 26.9% year-to-date, meaning Cemex is actually trailing its industry peers by a modest margin—a reminder that strength relative to the broad sector doesn’t guarantee leadership within specific industry segments.

This distinction matters for construction ETF investors who may hold funds focused on the wider construction universe or specialized concrete and aggregates funds. Cemex’s position suggests exposure to a moderating trend within what has been an exceptionally strong subsector.

Peer Comparisons: MasTec and Broader Trends

Beyond Cemex, MasTec (MTZ) has also posted solid year-to-date returns of 11.2%, positioning it above the construction sector average. MasTec operates in the Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, which includes nine stocks and ranks significantly higher at #98 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Notably, this industry has surged 61.4% year-to-date, substantially outpacing the broader construction sector.

Over the past three months, MasTec’s consensus EPS estimate for the current year rose 6.9%, and the stock holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)—matching Cemex’s ranking. This suggests that while different companies within construction ETFs may belong to distinct industry subsegments, multiple holdings show analyst enthusiasm and improving earnings trajectories.

Implications for Construction ETF Investors

For those building portfolios around construction exposure, the data highlights the importance of drilling down beyond headline sector performance. Construction ETFs may contain holdings from multiple industry segments—some gaining 26% while others surge 61%—creating significant variance in individual stock performance. Both Cemex and MasTec merit continued monitoring as representatives of their respective industry divisions, but investors should remain aware that these companies operate in materially different markets with distinct growth drivers and valuation trends.