Quick! Would you be able to name the best performing, unleveraged, sector ETF for September? The First Trust ISE Revere Natural Gas Fund (FCG) produced a slick 15.4%. In spite of the collapse of natural gas prices in 2009, companies engaged in exploration, storage and transportation of the commodity have nearly doubled (99% gain) off of the March lows. The 2nd [...] Continue Reading...
Timber is being described, by some, as a great investment for deflation or inflation. We don’t know if that’s truly the case. However, with a possible uptick in infrastructure spending as well as construction, should the Timber ETF make your “CUT?” We’re also getting the scoop on alternative choices for accessing China as well as the scoop [...] Continue Reading...
Working in Southeast Asia at different points in the 80s and 90s, I marveled at the blind adoration of Mark Mobius. When the emerging market guru arrived in Taipei or Hong Kong for a speech, it was always a celebrated event. The financial media fawned over his presence the way that the entertainment media currently fawn over Angelina Jolie. I have great [...] Continue Reading...
With semiconductor analysts forecasting stronger-than-expected chip demand, is it possible that Semiconductor ETFs will surge even higher? Has copper’s run-up hit a wall? And should we expect a sharp increase in volatility… or a surprising decrease… as we move into the month of October? Here are 3 outstanding ETF features for the final trading day of September, 2009: Copper’s Run [...] Continue Reading...
Grading ETF Risk & The Best Performing “Theme-Based” ETFs. Click here to listen to the show: 9-30-09 Continue Reading...
I usually enjoy articles by John Spence at CBS Marketwatch. And for that matter, Mr. Spence did a fine job representing Morningstar’s John Gabriel on the potential positives for the iShares DJ Broker Dealer Index Fund (IAI). Nevertheless, I’d like to offer an opposing viewpoint on the “high risk, high reward” stamp of approval. Analyst Gabriel is quoted as describing the [...] Continue Reading...
Investing in the stock, bond currency or commodity markets can be extremely confusing… but it doesn’t have to be. Today we highlight a feature that offers 10 ways for becoming a skilled, informed ETF investor. We’re also touching base on Muni Bond ETFs as well as Hard Asset ETFs. Here are 3 powerful articles for ETF enthusiasts on September 29, 2009: 10 [...] Continue Reading...
Banks aren’t lending, yet the SPDR Select Financials (XLF) keeps getting investor dollars. Consumers are exceptionally cautious in their consumption, yet SPDR Retail (XRT) continues unfettered. It’s pure momentum for the time being, and people are snapping up the investments that have been climbing the fastest. They’re exceptionally keen on purchasing fundamentally weak areas in near-term pullbacks. If you’d rather look for opportunity rather than ride [...] Continue Reading...
Investor desire for an Aluminum ETF has picked up an enormous steam, as the spot price of the metal has recovered handsomely from 7-year lows. Yet questionable future demand and possible oversupply may limit potential gains. In additional to the aluminum push, here are a number of high-quality ETF features for September 29, 2009 Aluminum-Backed ETF In The [...] Continue Reading...
When I looked at the ETF data this past weekend, one big thing jumped out at me. My favorite area of the world to invest in, Southeast Asia, was showing more technical weakness than any other region. The weakness wasn’t restricted to large companies in large cap indexes. There’s been near-term trendline troubles in small caps as well [...] Continue Reading...
