Many stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a mauling from the bear market, and commodities ETFs are doing their best to fight it off, but they may stumble just from sheer exhaustion.

Financials were the first to be attacked, then U.S. companies that sold consumer goods, real estate, airline and industrials, reports Gary Gordon for ETF Expert.

And then the bear went after international areas such as Europe and Asia, as the market there seemed to move in lockstep with the States. What is left are commodities, which have remained slightly above the bear market line, until recently…

Shares of these ETFs have been dumped by investors:

• United States Oil ETF (USO): up 25.9% year-to-date; down 4.6% in two weeks
• SPDR Gold Trust (GLD): up 5.2% year-to-date; down 4.4% in two weeks
• PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (DBA): up 2% year-to-date; down 4.9% year-to-date

Although there is wisdom in being in a cash position, there is reward only with risk. Most common ETFs have fallen below their 200 day-moving averages, or are more than 8% off their high. When considering an entry point into the market, consult with the 200 DMA and the 8% off the high mark. The good news is, the market can and will go up again, and there is comfort in knowing you are in when the pendulum swings the other way.

Tags: Agriculture, DBA, Energy, GLD, Gold, Industrials, Oil, Precious Metals, USO

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