U.S. stocks needed every bit of a 4% mega-surge on the last day of the month, just to finish flat for November. The question that some are asking now is – volatility ETNs notwithstanding — were there any genuine winners? Trang Ho of Investors Business Daily chronicled the biggest losers and the biggest gainers. (See the article [...] [...more]
Warren Buffett needs to do very little to move the NYSE needle. So when ”heir apparent” David Sokol recently resigned, scores of market pros began to speculate about the future of Mr. Buffett’s investment company, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B). How might this concern ETF investors? For one thing, Buffett invests heavily in transportation and insurance corporations; one should expect some correlation between Berkshire (BRK.B) and iShares DJ [...] [...more]
Mainstream media reports have been weaving a positive spin into most of their features. Japan? The rebuilding process may actually increase worldwide economic growth. Libya? The ousting of Gaddafi may actually reduce geopolitical risk in the Middle East. The problem with these “maybes” is that there is equally compelling evidence for negative outcomes. While I have no doubt [...] [...more]
In March of 2008, I talked about Warren Buffett’s increasing financial interest in transportation companies like Burlington Northern Santa Fe. It served as a “lead-in” to the notion that the iShares DJ Transportation Index Fund (IYT) could tell you when the U.S. economy might heal. Similarly, the folks at Morningstar recently mentioned that Buffett acquired the 2nd [...] [...more]
The iShares Dow Jones Transportation Index Fund (IYT) had its share of ups and downs in 2010. Nevertheless, investors maintaining IYT held onto a first class ticket to 20%+ gains on the year, handily outperforming the broader-based S&P 500. Does IYT’s strong finish give any clues about 2011? If you’re looking for other avenues, be sure to check the relative strength of other sub-sector stars. Transportation ETFs [...] [...more]
Investors concerned with deflation more than inflation may gravitate towards Dividend ETFs and Interest-Bearing ETFs. If weak economic reports continue trickling in (e.g., unemployment, personal income, etc.,), and if deficit-fighting fiscal tightening takes root, Deflation ETFs could win the day. Conversely, if history is any guide, U.S. Large Caps may be in a driver’s seat. The 3rd year of presidential election cycles [...] [...more]
Don Dion of The Street argues that Transportation ETFs may bounce even higher. And that’d certainly be good news for bull market believers. (Review 3 Reasons For ETF Investors To Believe The Bull.) If shippers like UPS are delivering… if airlines are posting excellent profits… the economy may be in much better shape than sentiment would suggest. [...] [...more]
European ETFs and their respective Currency ETFs have been getting squashed. Nobody seems to want to invest in Greece, Spain or Italy. Many believed that the U.S. represented a brighter spot. Yet the news… oh boy! Sales of new and existing homes have plunged. Consumer confidence sank. And jobless claims rose dramatically. - Is another recession around the corner? Is [...] [...more]
After umpteen quarters of economic growth in China, the government appears to be in the process of shutting down the stimulus spigot. What will happen to China ETFs if its government officials seek to rein in growth, slow speculation and moderate inflation? How are your favorite China ETFs currently faring? Must-read info before heading into your weekend… here on [...] [...more]
There are 3 basic things that all humans need to live: air, water and food. With that premise, some argue that economic output doesn’t even matter… we all need to imbibe and ingest. Here, then, we’ll read up on an Agriculture ETF position that’s been running like a wildebeest. We’ll also check up on Health Care ETFs as well as Transportation ETFs. Dow [...] [...more]
