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February 24, 2014 at 07:00 PM
We examine major developing trends in financial markets and the impact on ETF performance. Our analysis includes leading ETF performers along with laggards and specific actionable ticker symbols to invest in.
U.S. Stocks (SPY)
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) ended January down 3.5% and more losses could be ahead according to the January Barometer. The indicator states the yearly performance for stocks will mimic the January performance for the S&P 500. Although the January Barometer failed to be correct in 2009 and 2010, it has successfully predicted the direction of stocks 88.9% of the time over the past 63 years. Weak performance in the stock market has meant good performance for inverse ETFs like the ProShares Short S&P 500 ETF (SH), which aims for daily opposite performance to the S&P.
Commodities (GCC)
The Greenhaven Continuous Commodities Fund (GCC) is edging higher as commodities prices continue a climb that began in late 2013. GCC equally weights a basket of 17 different commodity futures contracts, including oil, soybean and sugar. Coffee prices have surged 21% and are off to their best start since 1997. A drought in Brazil, the world’s largest coffee exporter, has caused bean prices to boom. Elsewhere, precious metals prices (GLTR) are booming again and gold prices have rallied almost 4% since mid-December. Bullish sentiment toward bullion is picking up steam too. The net-long position in gold contracts rose 40% during the week ending Jan.28, according to data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Volatility (VIX)
