Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)

GICS is a system to classify listed companies across four hierarchies from Sector down to Sub-Industries, referring to the business profile. GICS assists in stock valuations both in and across industries.

Divided into four levels the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) assigns listed companies a Sector and Industry classification. The classification starts at the Sector Level of which there are 11 in total, then further broken down to Industry Groups, 24 in total. Companies are then assigned to one of 69 Industries, and then to a Sub-Industry, of which there are 158. The GICS assigns companies to a specific Economic Sector and Industry grouping based on their business profile, products and services offered. GICS could be used by investors and analysts to compare and contrast Stock valuations both within any level of the specific hierarchy and across the various hierarchies. For example, the PE Ratios or Dividend Yields can be evaluated regarding their current and past relationship at any level. Industries or Sub-Industries within the GICS classification.