It is possible that an already strong year for financial services exchange traded funds could get even more impressive.
The traders’ favorite, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF), is higher by 30% this year, while the Vanguard Financials ETF (NYSEArca: VFH) is up 28%. The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEArca: KRE), which benefited as investors turned to regional banks when interest rates spiked earlier this year, has surged 38%. [Regional Bank ETF Breaks to new High]
A steepening yield curve could be the next catalyst to boost bank ETFs and at least one technician is eying the KBW Bank Index.
“The KBW banks Index (BKX) is consolidating within the rising channel from late 2012 and is set up for a breakout that would set up a rally to channel resistance at 74-75. A break above 67 for the BKX would would complete the bullish consolidation…,” said Bank of America Merrill Lynch technical strategist Stephen Suttmeier in part of a note posted by Josh Brown on The Reformed Broker.
Good news: The KBW Bank Index is the underlying index for the $169 million PowerShares KBW Bank Portfolio (NYSEArca: KBWB), which is up 26% year-to-date. Suttmeier’s comments may have been behind KBWB’s volume eclipsing five times the daily average on Tuesday. [Bank ETFs: Regionals or Large-Caps?]