A mixture of corporate deals, pleas for a health care deal and promising signs but no resolutions about the debt situation in Greece has exchange traded funds (ETFs) feeling a little topsy-turvy as they search for direction this morning.
President Barack Obama placed the blame for out-of-control health care costs squarely on the feet of insurers, accusing them of putting profits before people. He also called out Republicans for ignoring the problems. Today’s speech in Pennsylvania is the first of many to take place as he takes his call for health care reform across the country. Vanguard Health Care (NYSEArca: VHT) is down slightly by 0.3%. [Where You Can Find Value in ETFs.]
AIG (NYSE: AIG) is continuing to unload various units, this time selling another overseas life and health insurance business to MetLife Inc. (NYSE: MET) for $15.5 billion. Earlier this month, AIG sold its Asia-based life insurer to Britain’s Prudential for $35.5 billion. The deals are all in the name of repaying debt that the government loaned the insurer so it wouldn’t collapse and take the American economy down with it. iShares Dow Jones U.S. Broker-Dealers (NYSEArca: IAI) is up slightly by 0.3% so far today. [6 ETFs for a Financial Recovery.]
McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) is still a powerhouse overseas, seeing its same-store sales drop 4.8% last month. Leading the charge in overseas strength were China, Japan and Australia. In the United States, it’s a different story: same-store sales sank 0.7%. PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage (NYSEArca: PBJ) is down slightly so far today; McDonald’s is 4.8%.
While a firm bailout deal for Greece is still up in the air, even the faintest whiff of one has sent the euro higher. France’s President Nicholas Sarkozy stepped forward to say that major eurozone members will do whatever it takes to ensure Greece isn’t isolated. European leaders also bandied about the idea of creating the European equivalent of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) going forward. WisdomTree Dreyfus Euro (NYSEArca: EU) is up slightly this morning. [Eastern Europe ETFs May Outstrip Rest of EU.]
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.