Confession time: That pun was intended because health care funds dominated the list of the most searched tickers on ETF Trends this week.
With two major biotechnology conferences taking place during the week, it was not surprising visitors to ETF Trends were flocking to health care ETFs. While those conferences were legitimate catalysts to spark increased interest in health care ETFs, another factor was at play.
Coming off a year in which they dominated the top-10 list of non-leveraged ETFs, biotech funds are up to their old tricks as three currently rank among the 10 best non-leveraged ETFs of 2014. [Duel to be the Best Health Care ETF]
The leader of that group was also the most searched ETF on our site this week: The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEArca: XBI). XBI, an equal-weight play on the biotech sector, is still basking in the glow of last week’s run-up in shares of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, enough to help the ETF gain almost 4% this week. [This Biotech ETF Stands Out]
The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSEArca: FBT) was the silver medal winner among the most searched crowd this week. As was the case with the other biotech funds, it was easy to see why. On Thursday, we profiled FBT as one of the best biotech ETFs for investors looking to take advantage of increased consolidation in the sector. [The Right ETF for Biotech M&A]
No surprises among the most searched leveraged ETF tickers of the week. The Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (NYSEArca: CURE) returned for a second consecutive week while the ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NasdaqGS: BIB) made an appearance in top-10 on the back of our Monday profile of the double-leveraged fund. [The Right Leveraged ETF for the Times]