Telecom ETFs – It Was a Prank Caller!
July 18th at 8:12am by Tom Lydon
The telecom exchange traded funds (ETFs) were ringing but nobody was there! Rumors that Vodafone (VOD), the world’s largest wireless-network firm, wanted to buy Verizon Communications (VZ) for $160 billion were deemed false says Trang Ho for Investor’s Business Daily. The news helped lift telecom ETFs to new highs, which have returned double-digit gains this year. Some of the telecom ETFs include:
- Telecom HOLDRs (TTH) - up 14.5% year-to-date and VZ makes up 22%
- Wireless HOLDRs (WMH) – up 19.5%, while VZ makes up 10% of the ETF
- Vanguard Telecommunication Services (VOX) – up 15.5% with 18% in VZ
- PowerShares Dynamic Telecommunications and Wireless (PTE) – up 12.8% and holds 5% VZ
- WisdomTree International Communications (DGG) – up 16.2%; no VZ, but 15.5% VOD
- iShares S&P Global Telecommunications (IXP) – up 16.4% with 8% VZ and 12% VOD
- iShares DJ U.S. Telecom (IYZ) – up 19.3% with 14.3% in VZ
