Google, Facebook Antitrust Investigation News Weighs on Communications ETFs

By Francesca Fontana

A number of communication services ETFs with high exposure to Facebook Inc. (FB) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) fell Monday after The Wall Street Journal reported that the two tech giants could face antitrust investigations.

Among the ETFs trading lower are iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP), Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX), and Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM).

IXP, issued by BlackRock, tracks a market-cap-weighted index of global telecommunications stocks, according to ETF.com. Among its top ten holdings are Verizon Communications Inc. (V) and Tencent Holdings Ltd. IXP falls 2.3% to $54.55, according to FactSet.

VOX, issued by Vanguard, tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US communication services companies, ETF.com says. Among its top 10 holdings are Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) and Walt Disney Co. (DIS). VOX loses 2.9% to $81.15.

FCOM, issued by FMR, tracks a market-cap-weighted index of stocks in the U.S. telecommunication services sector, according to ETF.com. Among its top 10 holdings are AT&T Inc. (T) and Netflix Inc. (NFLX) FCOM falls 2.9% to $31.10.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Trade Commission had secured rights to begin a potential antitrust investigation into Facebook sent the social media company's shares down 8.7%. Meanwhile, Alphabet shares lost 7.1% on a report that the Justice Department had been given chief oversight over a Google probe.

Write to Francesca Fontana at [e-mail].

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 03, 2019 14:23 ET (18:23 GMT)

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