(MONEY Magazine) – In August, InterActiveCorp spun off Expedia, and in a reverse stock split, shareholders were given one share of each for every two shares of IAC stock. Both Expedia (EXPE) and IAC shares are down since the split. Earnings at Home Depot rose 14% in the second quarter, while Lowe's saw 20% gains. Perhaps fueled by a booming housing market, both home improvement retailers have seen double-digit returns over the past year.

S&P 500 SECTOR AVERAGES

How the 10 major market sectors performed

NOTES: As of Aug. 18. P/E ratios are based on projected 2005 earnings. Earnings growth is compound annual rate projected for five years by analysts covering the stock. SOURCES: Thomson/Baseline, Standard & Poor's.