Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The Fund's objective is to provide investment results that correspond to the performance of The Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. The Index includes cosmetic and personal care pharmaceuticals soft drinks tobacco and food products.

Performance

TODAY	1 DAY	5 DAY	10 DAY	1 MO	3 MO	6 MO	1 YR	2 YR	5 YR
0.2%	0.2%	1.9%	1.7%	3.7%	12.1%	23.9%	27.3%	37.2%	68.3%

Technical

ALPHA	BETA	R2	STD DEV
0.0069	0.581	0.743	0.037

• Retail ETFs Hold Steady

  05-01-2013 08:48 AM by Tom Lydon

  The retail exchange traded fund SPDR S&P Retail ETF (NYSEArca: XRT) is up 16% year-to-date but analysts warn a consumer spending slowdown could be in the works. Investors who want to take a more defensive posture can consider a shift into consumer staples ETFs to capture any ...

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• Defensive Consumer Staples ETFs for Yield

  04-15-2013 02:10 PM by Tom Lydon

  With above-average dividend yields and low risk exposure, defensive consumer staple sector exchange traded funds could be a safer way to play the markets. "We think some higher-yielding Consumer Staples stocks are seen as an alternative to bonds, with opportunity for dividend ...

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• ETFs to Mimic Warren Buffett's Portfolio

  04-02-2013 06:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Investment aficionado Warren Buffett is known for his ability to pick out individual stocks, but if he were to take on broad market strokes with exchange traded funds, then large blue-chips, consumer staples and financials would likely top the list. Buffett has a penchant for ...

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• Wal-Mart Puts a Damper on Retail, Consumer ETFs

  02-20-2013 08:33 AM by Tom Lydon

  Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) reports quarterly earnings later this week, but analysts are not upbeat after an internal email warned of slowing sales. February has been one of the most unimpressive months for sales with this retailer and focused exchange traded funds could fall out of fav...

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• The Warren Buffett ETF Portfolio

  02-08-2013 08:02 AM by Tom Lydon

  Investors want to emulate successful market navigators like Warren Buffett, but combing through thousands of stocks for that diamond in the rough is a daunting task. Buffett is the consummate stock picker but ETF investors can still roughly approximate his Berkshire Hathaway p...

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• Defensive ETFs to Shield Against the Fiscal Cliff

  12-14-2012 04:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  The economy and markets are humming along, but potential risks still loom, namely the so-called fiscal cliff. For the more pessimistic investors, it could be time to look over some defensive exchange traded fund options. While Mohamed El-Erian, chief executive officer at Pacif...

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• Going International with a Consumer Staples ETF

  11-29-2012 08:37 AM by Tom Lydon

  The U.S. equity market seems to be on pause as investors await the outcome of the fiscal cliff and are uncertain if the economy can withstand the monetary drag. Consumer staples exchange traded funds such as the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLP) are a defensive ...

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• Thanksgiving Dinner More Expensive This Year as Food ETFs Rise

  11-22-2012 06:45 AM by Tom Lydon

  The Thanksgiving feast usually adds a few more pounds to the scale but this year it will also leave your wallet a bit lighter than usual. The cost of your Thanksgiving meal will rise this year following this summer's historic drought, which has pushed agriculture and food pric...

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• Investors Get Defensive with Consumer Staples ETFs

  11-13-2012 11:15 AM by Tom Lydon

  Investors worried about the U.S. fiscal cliff and another flareup in Europe's debt crisis are shifting into defensive sectors such as consumer staples ETFs. "Investors should probably expect a great deal of volatility as we close out the year as more is known about the impendi...

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• Stock ETF Investors Could Win No Matter Who is President

  11-06-2012 04:19 PM by Tom Lydon

  While both Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama claim the other will drag the U.S. economy down, stocks and exchange traded funds will likely continue to expand as the markets gain momentum. Consumer spending is rising, employment numbers are improving, home prices are recov...

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• Five ETF Sectors to Watch After Hurricane Sandy

  10-30-2012 02:58 PM by Tom Lydon

  Hurricane Sandy, the perfect storm or "Frankenstorm," is expected to leave billions in damages along its wake as it ravages through the Northeast. When the markets start trading again, sector exchange traded funds investors will have to keep an eye on a couple of key areas. Tr...

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• Retail ETFs at Lifetime Highs as Holiday Shopping Season Nears

  09-24-2012 07:50 AM by Tom Lydon

  Retail focused ETFs are trading around all-time highs as the sector gears up for the make-or-break holiday shopping season. Retail sales increased in August, the most in half a year, buoyed by auto sales and higher demand. A gain of 0.9% beat expectations of 0.6% by the Commer...

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• S&P's Favorite Consumer Staples ETFs

  08-24-2012 01:47 PM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer staples exchange traded funds have offered investors a safe place to park their capital amid the market volatility over the past year. S&P Capital IQ recently weighted the three largest consumer staples ETFs "Overweight" in a recent note. "Within the Risk Consider...

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• Quality and Defense with Consumer Staples ETFs

  07-16-2012 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer staples exchange traded funds are rated overweight by S&P Capital IQ, based on their defensive nature in volatile markets. The Eurozone debt crisis continues to loom and global growth is stagnating, which has led to stock markets that are uncertain at best. "The S...

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• Five ETFs Hitting 2012 Highs

  07-02-2012 07:01 AM by Tom Lydon

  Various exchange traded fund categories have flirted with 52-week highs as the latest news out of the Eurozone looks positive on re-capitalizing certain EU banks. The ETFs that have managed upward movement are all from defensive or income yielding segments, on trend with what inv...

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• Why Consumer Staples ETFs are Holding Their Own

  06-27-2012 09:59 AM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLP) is one of the best-performing sector ETFs over the past few months. Over the past three months the S&P 500 has lost 3.6%, while XLP returned about 0.7%, according to Morningstar data. Consumer stocks are steady performers...

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• Tom Lydon, Chuck Jaffe Talk ETF of the Week: Consumer Staples

  06-21-2012 11:50 AM by Tom Lydon

  Click here to listen. I do the "ETF of the Week" for MarketWatch every Thursday on Chuck Jaffe's MoneyLife Show where I highlight big movers and disappointments within the exchange traded fund market. This week, I focused on the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEAr...

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• Defend Your Portfolio with Consumer Staples ETFs

  06-21-2012 08:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Bullish traders are already eschewing safe-haven assets in favor of risky equity plays, but for those who are still wary of a market pullback, consumer staples exchange traded funds are a low-risk way to dip one's toes into stocks. For example, Consumer Staples Select Sector S...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Play Defense Against Euro

  06-08-2012 10:29 AM by John Spence

  Defensive sector ETFs such as consumer staples funds have outperformed the S&P 500 since April in a market dominated by European debt fears and the possibility of a Greek exit from the euro. Consumer staples ETFs also offer decent yields as investors ride out a volatile and r...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Offer Defense and Yield

  05-14-2012 04:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer staples are a defensive sector in uncertain markets, and focused exchange traded funds can hedge the latest global volatility. The S&P Capital IQ Strategy Team not only sees focused ETFs as a protective stance, but also one with dividend yield and growth potential. ...

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• What Consumer ETFs are Saying About the Market’s Strength

  05-04-2012 10:45 AM by John Spence

  An exchange traded fund indexed to the consumer discretionary sector is lingering near an all-time high and outperforming the S&P 500, which are good technical signs for the overall market. Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLY) is up 17.7% year to date,...

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• Retail ETFs Higher After March Shopping Spree

  04-17-2012 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The U.S. economy may be doing better than we think as the improving jobs market is translating to higher consumer confidence. The government released better-than-expected retail sales numbers Monday, lifting retail stocks and sector-related exchange traded funds. SPDR S&P ...

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• Defensive ETFs for a Market Pullback

  03-15-2012 09:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The equities market and stock exchange traded funds are in the midst of a robust rebound, and the bears are growing louder in their predictions of another correction. With the major broad market indices returning to pre-financial crisis levels, it may be safer to keep some defens...

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• Sector Rotation Favors Riskier ETFs

  02-07-2012 12:15 PM by John Spence

  Buying and selling patterns in sector exchange traded funds provide more evidence that investors are taking on more risk and chasing the stock rally in 2012. For example, investors are shying away from ETFs tracking more conservative sectors such as utilities and healthcare, a...

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• State Street Lowers Expenses on Sector ETFs

  02-02-2012 03:37 PM by Tom Lydon

  As the exchange traded fund industry continues to expand and attract more assets, fund providers have been able to lower expenses, often undercutting the competition. State Street Global Advisors recently lowered its fees by 1 basis point on all its sector ETFs in what appears to...

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• Worst to First: Financial, Materials ETFs Lead Market

  01-26-2012 09:16 AM by Tom Lydon

  An analysis of exchange traded fund performance so far this year reveals that investors are piling into riskier sectors and moving away from conservative, dividend-paying ETFs that were the top performers in 2011. Some experts think defensive plays like utilities and consumer ...

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• Defensive ETFs for a Volatile Market

  01-19-2012 08:24 AM by Tom Lydon

  Market volatility scared investors into high-quality, defensive asset classes and exchange traded funds in 2011. As investors fork over a premium for the added safety, some defensive plays have become quite expensive. Last year, defensive plays like utilities, consumer staples...

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• AdvisorShares Launches Active ETF

  01-17-2012 03:45 PM by Tom Lydon

  AdvisorShares, an exchange traded fund provider of actively managed strategies, recently launched a long/short, fund-of-funds ETF that tries to provide investors with stable and consistent returns. The AdvisorShares Rockledge SectorSam ETF (NYSEArca: SSAM) began trading last w...

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• Utilities, Consumer and Pharma ETFs Lead 2011

  12-19-2011 07:31 AM by Tom Lydon

  Disruptions in the global economy have kept international equities suppressed, with a devastating Japanese earthquake crippling the normal supply chain between the Asia economies and escalating concerns over the Eurozone financial debt crisis. However, investors who opted to stic...

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• Dividends, Safety Drive 2011 Sector ETF Winners

  12-05-2011 10:27 AM by Tom Lydon

  With less than a month left in 2011, the best performers in sector exchange traded funds this year track industries known for dividends and some insulation from economic cycles. They include ETFs tracking utilities, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and consumer staples. Util...

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• Consumer Staples, Utilities ETFs Reward Defensive Investors

  11-08-2011 11:19 AM by John Spence

  Exchange traded funds that track consumer staples and utilities stocks are among the best sellers in ETFs this year, and their outperformance has rewarded investors who looked for safety in the defensive sectors. Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLU) and Consumer Staple...

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• Fall Melt-Up Arrives

  10-27-2011 11:33 AM by Michael A. Gayed CFA

  At the end of last month I penned an article here about how exchange traded funds indexed to the consumer sector were broadcasting a melt-up in equities this fall. A move higher was a high-probability scenario for the same reasons I called a summer sell-off in June. The Sept. ...

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• Consumer Staples, Discretionary ETFs Suggest Fall Melt-Up

  09-30-2011 02:25 PM by Michael A. Gayed CFA

  In June I started writing about the possibility of a summer crash and it was obviously a tough season for stocks. Now, however, I see a fall melt-up in equity prices. My reasoning for this has nothing to do with gut feeling, but rather has to do with listening to the messag...

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• Defensive Sector ETFs, Dividend Payers Guard Against Volatility

  09-26-2011 08:59 AM by Tom Lydon

  Many investors are turning to traditional defensive sectors and dividend exchange traded funds to weather the volatility in the stock market. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEArca: SPY) fell 6.6% last week on worries Greece will default and accelerate the European debt crisis. The...

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• ETF Flows Suggest Defensive Sector Rotation

  09-14-2011 05:09 PM by John Spence

  Recent buying patterns in exchange traded funds show investors are pulling money from stock ETFs while committing new funds to defensive areas of the market. "Defensive flows kept receiving healthy inflows during last week as investors sail choppy seas," Deutsche Bank said in ...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Forecast More Pain for Stocks: Analyst

  08-19-2011 01:23 PM by John Spence

  The outperformance of traditionally defensive sectors including consumer staples exchange traded funds this year suggests more potential downside for equities. ETFs tracking sectors that investors use to play defense in uncertain markets have been the top performers in 2011. [...

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• Kraft Helps Buoy Consumer Staples ETFs in Sell-Off

  08-04-2011 10:21 AM by John Spence

  Trader screens were a sea of red Thursday but exchange traded funds tracking the consumer staples sector help up relatively well as Kraft (NYSE: KFT) shares advanced after the company said it plans to split into two entities. Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca:...

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• Lower-Risk Stock ETFs to Consider

  07-25-2011 02:17 PM by Tom Lydon

  Investors worried about choppy global economic growth and debt turmoil on both sides of Atlantic have been favoring exchange traded funds tracking traditionally defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples and utilities. Standard & Poor's equity analyst Tom Grave...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Mixed on Pepsi, Philip Morris

  07-21-2011 12:25 PM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded funds that track consumer staples stocks were higher Thursday but lagged the overall market as top holding PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) shares fell nearly 5% after the company cut its outlook. "PepsiCo delivered quite solid results in the second quarter, increasing int...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Weather Sell-Off

  06-16-2011 05:24 PM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded funds tracking consumer staples stocks are living up to their reputation as defensive investments in the latest market pullback. Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLP) was up 6.2% for the three months ended June 15, while the S&P 500 was slight...

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• Investors Shift Into Defensive ETFs

  06-13-2011 09:28 AM by John Spence

  Exchange traded funds that track traditionally defensive industries such as healthcare, consumer staples and utilities have held up better than riskier sectors this year with investors expressing a cautious view on the economy. Every U.S. sector is down over the past month, bu...

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• Are Consumer Staples ETFs Getting Mixed Signals?

  06-03-2011 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  As consumer confidence is flagging, the fact remains that the consumer staples sector is one that can be a defensive back-up, as few will go without their necessities. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) such as the SPDR Consumer Staples Select Sector Fund (NYSEArca: XLP) is down about ...

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• Will Retail And Consumer ETFs Feel The Pressure of Inflation?

  06-01-2011 08:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Indications that economic growth might be stalling is revealing itself in the stutter of commodity and equity markets, giving way to the concern of inflationary pressure. Retailers such as Costco Wholesale Corp. (NasdqGS: COST) are still seeing strong demand for their merchandise...

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• Defensive ETF Plays

  05-31-2011 04:16 PM by Tom Lydon

  Markets tend to slow down in the summer months and conservative investors may look to put their money to work in defensive sector exchange traded funds (ETFs). Utilities, health care and consumer staples sectors tend to be good defensive plays for a slowing market due to their...

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• Retail, Consumer Staples ETFs Down After Costco Miss

  05-25-2011 03:18 PM by John Spence

  Retail exchange traded funds were in the red Wednesday along with Costco (NasdaqGS: COST) after the warehouse club operator reported quarterly net income that fell short of analyst estimates after a charge. Costco shares "have had a good run of late and are enjoying a healthy ...

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• Investors Play Defense with Consumer Staples ETFs

  05-19-2011 03:58 PM by John Spence

  Investors have been shifting money to consumer staples exchange traded funds that invest in Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and other defensive stocks to provide stability and income to their portfolios. Standard & Poor's Equity Strategy recently boosted its opinion on the consumer s...

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• Retail ETFs Eye JC Penney, Wal-Mart

  05-16-2011 09:05 AM by Tom Lydon

  Retail exchange traded funds got a boost Monday from JC Penney (NYSE: JCP), which saw its shares rise 5% after the company reported upbeat quarterly results. Sector bellwether Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) will report first-quarter earnings on Tuesday. Analysts are calling for a 1% dro...

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• Food, Staples ETFs on Menu After Kraft Results

  05-06-2011 07:35 AM by John Spence

  Quarterly results from Kraft (NYSE: KFT) may boost traders' appetite for exchange traded funds that invest in food stocks and consumer staples on Friday. "Although core Kraft is performing a bit better than expected, our concern regarding Cadbury was reinforced in the first qu...

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• Coca-Cola Results Leave Consumer ETFs Flat

  04-26-2011 12:34 PM by John Spence

  Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) shares weighed on consumer goods exchange traded funds (ETFs) on Tuesday after the company reported quarterly results that disappointed Wall Street. "The quarter didn't have the 'Coke Side of Life' feeling," said analysts at Wall Street Strategies in a res...

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• Kimberly-Clark Inflation Worries Dent Consumer ETFs

  04-25-2011 11:12 AM by John Spence

  Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) shares were off 3% Monday after the company cut the lower end of its full-year outlook as rising commodities costs hurt the maker of Huggies and Kleenex. The stock is a holding in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLP), which was do...

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• Altria Results Put Consumer Staples ETFs in Focus

  04-20-2011 06:08 AM by John Spence

  Exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the consumer-staples sector could see elevated volume Wednesday after quarterly results from Altria Group (NYSE: MO). Altria said earnings climbed 15% even though cigarette sales continued to decline, the Associated Press reported. Altria share...

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• ETFs Shrug Off Economic Concerns, Close Higher

  03-29-2011 02:46 PM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded funds (ETFs) closed broadly higher Tuesday after consumer confidence fell less than some analysts had feared, shaking off concerns about stagnant home prices. Shoppers' worries about juggling rising gas and food prices and other household costs flared up in Ma...

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• ETFs to Avoid If Wal-Mart's Fortunes Turn

  02-15-2011 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  For years, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) could seemingly do no wrong. Now it's been hit with downgrade number three. Some exchange traded funds (ETFs) are pretty heavy in the retailer, so you'll want to be on the alert. JPMorgan recently downgraded Wal-Mart from neutral to overweight, ...

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• White House Budget Questions Stall ETFs

  02-14-2011 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are mixed in early trading as investors await the White House's budget details and express concern about inflation fears in Europe. The Obama administration's budget proposal for fiscal 2012 carries a price tag of $3.7 trillion, down from the $3.8...

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• The Case for Consumer Staples ETFs

  02-07-2011 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded fund (ETFs) have made getting your exposure to various sectors easier than ever. It's an especially big advantage when you consider the strength of the consumer staples sector these days. Stocks in the consumer staples category have the most market value alloca...

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• 5 Sector ETFs to Consider for 2011

  01-10-2011 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Equities have gained ground after being pummeled in the market crash, and valuations are still cheap. If you're still sitting in the sidelines, don't let the recovery in the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) pass you by. Large, well-established companies are trading, on...

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• 4 ETFs to Play the Coming 'Food Price Shock'

  01-07-2011 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Food prices are on the rise and primed to rise further. We can't do anything about what you're paying at the grocery story, but we can point you to some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that will help you benefit. Here's how crazy it's getting: Trader Mark for International B...

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• How Mind Games Could Boost Retail ETFs

  12-17-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Holiday shopping and sales account for about 40-50% of revenue profit for retailers. Strategies are complicated this season, as retailers look for ways to lure consumers and move retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). Retailers want your cash now more than ever, and they've got ...

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• Thanksgiving and Food ETFs: A Natural Fit

  11-25-2010 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  This Thanksgiving, about 90% of American households will have a turkey dinner. If you are not feeling like basting most of the day, plenty of restaurants are throwing their doors open. The urge to fill our bellies with comfort food could be a boon for food and beverage exchange t...

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• Global Concerns Hold Back ETFs

  11-16-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Global concerns about possible Chinese government austerity measures and debt problems in Europe are overriding positive corporate earnings reports and driving down equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) in early morning trading. ETFs are down even though the U.S. government repo...

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• Questions About Fed's Plan Sinks ETFs Early

  10-27-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are headed down in early trading, driven by a published report that is raising questions concerning scope of the proposed new monetary stimulus program expected to be unveiled by the Federal Reserve next week. The Wall Street Journal is reporting t...

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• Commodity ETFs Lead the Charge After G-20 Meeting

  10-25-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) are surging higher driven by the commitment by the financial administrators from the Group of 20 Nations to stabilize the currency markets by avoiding competitive currency devaluations. In a statement released at the conclusion of their t...

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• Emerging Markets Boost Consumer Staples ETFs

  10-22-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  With growth coming to a crawl in the developed markets, consumer-goods companies are setting their eyes on the relatively untapped market share of the emerging markets. One may invest in consumer-staples exchange traded funds (ETFs) to gain exposure to a basket of well-known cons...

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• ETFs Start New Quarter Off on Right Foot

  10-01-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Manufacturing growth in China and rising consumer spending and incomes in the United States have stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) moving upward on the first day of the fourth quarter. The other economic reports aside, what's really moving this morning are India ETFs, ac...

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• 5 ETFs to Play the World's Best Brands

  09-21-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  A consulting firm has released its annual ranking of the world's top brands. You can own the companies deemed well-positioned to withstand global challenges in exchange traded funds (ETFs). According to a survey by consulting firm Interbrand, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is the world'...

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• Retail ETFs: Is It Time to Shop?

  09-14-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Retail sales actually increased in August for the second month in a row, giving related retail shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs) a lift. But is there really cause to be that optimistic about the American consumer? Merchants are luring shoppers with deep discounts, a key ...

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• Obama Press Conference Pauses ETFs

  09-10-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  President Obama is delivering a press conference this morning at which he's expected to challenge the GOP on tax cuts and the broader economy. In anticipation of the conference and what might be said, the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) paused. Few ETFs are making big...

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• 4 ETFs for the Fall Season

  09-08-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  It's sad, but summer time is coming to end. Consumers trends often change with the seasons and we should see some changes that may translate into movement in either direction for some exchange traded funds (ETFs). Here are some areas to watch this fall. Airlines. Airline fares...

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• ETF Strategies for July's Retail Report

  08-13-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  You might expect retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) to get a boost from the numbers. But here's the thing: the growth in consumer spending in July wasn't uniform. Generally, retail sales in July rose 0.4%. Tepid, but it was about as expected. And hey - it was growth, so we'll...

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• Mixed Consumer News Mixes Up ETFs

  06-11-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon

  Mixed news about the state of mind of the American consumer has markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) similarly mixed up. Wall Street is mostly flat this morning while it digests the reports. The news about retail was not great. Sales slowed slightly in May, declining 1.2%,...

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• It's Unofficially Summertime: Which ETFs Should You Watch?

  06-03-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Summer is unofficially upon us if you go by the Memorial Day kick-off definition. Plans are being made to travel, stay home, drive, eat, drink and generally just have fun. All this leisure time could well pay off for certain exchange traded funds (ETFs). A recent study by USA...

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• Retail ETFs Sitting Near Three-Year Highs

  04-28-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  One of the largest retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) is at highs not seen in nearly three years, and some of the others aren't far off from hitting their own new highs. But the new highs don't entirely gibe with the still-tenuous consumer picture. Perhaps the truth lies somewhe...

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• ETF Strategies for the Retail Rebound

  04-08-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  March was good. Very good. Consumers shopped more than they have in several years. Sure, they're not flinging Benjamins with abandon, but the signs of a turnaround are there. Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) come in several varieties for you to play along at home. SPDR...

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• Retail ETFs Have Their Work Cut Out

  03-25-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  The retail sector is not exactly in recovery mode, however, there are strategies that smart retailers are using to goad shoppers into, well, shopping. Related exchange traded funds (ETFs) may benefit if these tactics help bring back consumers. One thing consumers don't believe...

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• Food ETFs: Another Way to Play Emerging Markets

  03-16-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  The name brands we grew up with may soon become brands recognized by people around the world. Packaged-food companies are targeting emerging markets for their wares and food-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) could hop aboard the gravy train. Packaged-food companies like Kra...

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• Domestic ETFs: The Outlook in 2010

  01-26-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Domestic equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been off to a lackluster start so far this year, but we're only a few weeks into 2010. What's the outlook for the other 49 weeks to come? This year looks like a good year for more merger & acquisition transactions and corpo...

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• 4 ETFs for an Uncertain Future

  12-31-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  After some decent rallies in the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), investors have regained a fraction of their former wealth. But investors are still gripped with uncertainty and safe haven investments still have appeal. Health care and consumer staples are traditional...

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• Forget Inflation? How to Use ETFs to Hedge Deflation

  11-18-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Although many are worried about inflation and its effects on exchange traded funds (ETFs), deflation should be on investors minds as well. In an interview with Gary Shilling, Heesun Wee of Tech Ticker states that Shilling believes deflation is inevitable because of technolog...

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• Midday Market Update: Indexes Hit Intraday Highs

  11-16-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are hitting intraday highs this morning on an extremely positive report about October retail sales. The numbers could be just what investors needed to gain confidence about the upcoming holiday season. All three major indexes - the Dow ...

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• How Name Brands Are Boosting Consumer Staples ETFs

  11-02-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Retailers everywhere are locked in a battle for consumer dollars, and the fight may be most heated in the consumer staples sector as shoppers go generic. As brand names fight back, exchange traded funds (ETFs) can win. The multibillion dollar consumer staples companies are sl...

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• How to Play Food Producers' Rising Profits With ETFs

  09-29-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Major food and beverage producers have been releasing earnings and early forecasts signal positive results. Have food and beverage exchange traded funds (ETFs) benefited, though? General Mills (NYSE: GIS) and ConAgra (NYSE: CAG) both reported higher-than-expected quarterly pr...

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• How to Play the Battle for Cadbury With ETFs

  09-15-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  An all-out bidding war may be brewing for the rights to Cadbury as major names in the food industry line up for a piece of the Creme Egg purveyor. There are several ways interested investors can capitalize on the battle via food- and consumer staples-focused exchange traded funds...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs: How Name Brands Are Fighting Back

  09-14-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Mega-giant packaged food companies usually attract investors with the lure of moderate but stable growth, but related consumer staples exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been telling another story about these market players. Food producers were usually threatened only by rising...

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• 4 Sector ETFs for an Overextended Market

  09-03-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  For most investors, the typical rules of investing have been shattered. You may be astonished at the rise of stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) since the market's March 9 low. If you believe the market may be overextended, there are some ways to play it. The stock market...

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• How Going Generic Has Affected Consumer Staples ETFs

  08-27-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer staples used to be seen as a recession-proof sector that could withstand any downturn. But the consumer staples sector has lagged in this recession. How have the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed to stay afloat? Shoppers might not be able to afford Rolex wa...

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• Retail ETFs to Represent All Shopping Habits

  08-11-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  There is some good news that consumers are beginning to spend again, but how much and is it enough to heal markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) is yet to be seen. The rapid recovery in stock prices has consumers and U.S. companies hopeful that a "wealthy" feeling will ret...

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• How to Play the Consumer Spending Slump With ETFs

  08-06-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer spending, or the lack thereof, continues to be a thorn in the side of the economic recovery effort. Shoppers kept their wallets shut in July, but that doesn't mean you have to avoid retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) altogether. Consumer spending is a huge indicator...

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• Midday Morning Update: Stocks Retreat on Discouraging Economic Indicators

  08-05-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) take a dive as investors remain wary on the health of the overall economy, thanks to a gloomy report about private sector jobs. The Institute for Supply Chain Management reported that business at service companies was weaker than expec...

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• What Retail Sales Trends Signal About ETF's Direction

  07-19-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Consumption. It's what drives the American economy. Retail trends are likely to recover but at a more slower pace, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be one way to trace the recovery of consumer habits and retail. Recent retail trends are likely to continue for awhile. Tha...

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• Consumer Spending and ETFs: What's a Comeback Going to Take?

  06-18-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Positive news regarding inflation is indicating that those worries should start to ease, thanks to a lower-than-expected rise in producer prices.  This is great news, but how will it affect consumer spending and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that follow this economic indicator...

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• Midday Market Update: Consumers Are Feeling Better

  05-15-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  As investors place small bets on the markets in morning trading, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are floating in mixed waters, despite upbeat economic news about U.S. consumers. One positive economic indicator was the result of  a report which indicated that New-York ...

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• Midday Market Update: Jobs and Inflation Don't Keep Markets Down

  05-14-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Despite weaker-than-expected job numbers, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in slightly positive territory this morning as Wall Street sorts everything out. The Labor Department reported the number of individuals filing new unemployment claims jumped to 637,000, mu...

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• Why Value Still Rules With Retail ETFs

  05-12-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Retail sales are still not back to where they were, but retailers and the sector's exchange traded funds (ETFs) are seeing signs of easing, much to the relief of many. But will it continue?Retail sales overall were up 1.2% from one year earlier, however, in general the sentiment...

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• Midday Market Update: Markets Waver on Bank Worries

  05-05-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in negative territory this morning giving back some of the gains seen in yesterday's rally. More than half of the banks that underwent federal government stress tests will be required to raise more capital to meet buffer requirem...

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• How Higher Product Prices Can Signal ETF Strength

  03-09-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  When it seems like everyone is being affected by the global economic meltdown, there are a few sectors, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track these sectors, that seem to be immune from having to slash prices to attract consumers. In a time of a recession and depressed con...

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• 4 Reasons Decline in Commodity Prices, ETFs Hasn't Hit Groceries

  03-05-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Commodities and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the sector have taken a bath, so why hasn't the price of a box of cereal at your grocery store gotten any cheaper? Jerry Hirsch of The Los Angeles Times states the following reasons: There is a tug-of-war between ...

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• 3 ETF Sectors That Are Earnings Season Winners

  02-23-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  If you were remotely tuned into the events of our economy, you may have noticed that the fourth quarter was not our heyday. But there were sectors in the S&P 500 with corresponding exchange traded funds (ETFs) that managed to demonstrate might. The unofficial fourth quarte...

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• Midday Market Update: How Will ETFs React To Stimulus, Improving Numbers?

  02-12-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Retail sales saw a reversal of fortune, if only a bit, and the numbers beat analysts' expectations. The numbers were also the biggest increase in 14 months. Will this reflect in related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks? U.S. retail sales in January saw a 1% jump, chang...

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• History Not on Side of Consumer Staples ETFs

  11-06-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors have had small fortunes ravaged by the bear, sometimes seemingly overnight. The fear that surfaces in volatile markets usually drives an investor to make an emotionally charged decision, selling stocks or ETFs at a loss, rather than bargain-hu...

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• Consumer Staples ETFs Outperform, But Still Are Down

  11-04-2008 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Despite a recession, financial pros are touting the consumer staples portfolios and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as good performers during the next few months. This year so far, some of the better performers are those funds that zero in on toothpaste, food and paper towels. So...

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• ETFs Give Investors Choices In Any Climate

  11-01-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors can play defense with their fund choices by focusing on areas of the market that hold up better in a downturn than other sectors. Many market analysts believe we are in a recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of a decline in gross ...

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• Consumer Staples ETF Could Be Hit By Slower Food Spending

  10-28-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  The consumer staples sector has typically been considered a defensive play in a down economy, but what's an exchange traded fund (ETF) to do when families start cutting back on food, of all things? According to a recent study, more American families are going to depend on food...

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• A 'Poor' Feeling Hits Retail ETFs

  10-07-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  During tough economic times consumers usually pull back on their spending, and this market is no exception, as exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track consumerism have pulled back, leaving room only for necessities. Falling home values, higher gas prices and more expensive foo...

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• Food Industry's Value Approach Could Feed ETFs

  10-01-2008 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  As food prices soar, food companies are trying to steer consumers toward cheaper, high-margin products, in hopes of raising profits and delivering a nice side effect to related exchange traded funds (ETFs). The latest advertising strategy comes from three companies, Kellogg Co...

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• Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending

  09-29-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  Consumer spending became even weaker in August as back-to-school shopping failed to deliver a boost to the sector, even though retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed small gains for the month. Spending was the weakest it's been in six months as the boost from the economic...

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• Holiday Season May Not Be Merry for Retail ETFs

  09-24-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  This holiday season may not have retailers decking the halls, as most consumers are facing a thinning wallet, leaving exchange traded funds (ETFs) to follow. U.S. retailers are expected to post the smallest holiday gains in six years, as consumers are tackling unemployment, mi...

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• Consumer Mood Lifts ETFs, Retail Numbers Take Them Lower

  09-12-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The mood of consumers has risen to an eight-month high this month, and the performance of retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting the lighter mood. The jump in the confidence index was unexpected, and it was the biggest monthly jump since January 2004, reports Steve...

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• There Are ETFs You Can Use to Hide From the Bear

  09-11-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The markets are ugly, and many exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting that. But as we always say, even as some areas are down, there are other areas that are performing well. You just have to take the time to look. Jim Wiandt for Index Universe gets started with some ETFs...

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• Falling Gas Prices Make Consumers and Retail ETFs Happy

  08-26-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  What do you know? Falling gas prices this month lifted the collective mood of consumers and exchange traded funds (ETFs). It's had quite an effect, too: the increase in confidence is the biggest in two years, reports Anne D'Innocenzio for the Associated Press. It's also the seco...

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• Inflation, Housing Numbers Show ETFs, Markets Still In the Thick Of It

  08-19-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Life is getting more expensive these days, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) could reflect it. Wholesale prices are shooting up at their fastest clip since 1981. Inflation surged 1.2% in July, more than twice what had been expected, reports Martin Crutsinger for the Associated ...

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• Weak Auto Sales Weigh Down Retail Sector and ETFs

  08-13-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The retail sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a little down in the dumps today after reports show that consumers are still getting squeezed by high fuel prices. Sales fell in July, and it was the weakest performance in five months, reports Martin Crutsinger for the As...

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• Consumers, Real Estate ETFs Looking Up

  07-29-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Home prices are down and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up. The Case-Shiller index of 20 cities in the United States fell 15.8% in May compared with a year ago, a record decline since its 2000 inception, reports J.W. Elphinstone for the Associated Press. Not one city in the ...

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• Kraft's Earnings Could Fuel Consumer Staples ETFs

  07-28-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  The fond memories you have for your college diet might deliver an energy boost to consumer staples exchange traded funds (ETFs). Kraft Foods (KFT) reported its second-quarter earnings, which rose 4%, reports Emily Fredrix for the Associated Press. Could higher food prices bein...

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• Earnings Around the Markets Boost Energy, Food ETFs

  07-23-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  Glug, glug, glug. That's the sound of Pepsi's second-quarter profit rising, which has bubbled up the food and beverage exchange traded fund (ETF). PepsiCo (PEP) reported a 9% jump in profits in the most recent quarter, thanks to strong international sales and a weak U.S. dolla...

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• Wal-Mart Supplier ETF Getting Boost From Slow Economy?

  07-21-2008 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon

  One of the areas that has demonstrated strength during this economic downturn is consumer spending on necessities, which might be benefiting the Wal-Mart supplier exchange traded fund (ETF). Any strength shown among consumer spending in recent months has mostly been attributed...

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• Retail Sales Lift ETFs In June, But It's Not Frivolous Spending

  07-10-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon

  If you took that rebate check and went shopping, give yourself a hearty pat on the back, because you just might have helped some retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) in June. Retail sales overall rose 4.3%, reports Anne D'Innocenzio for the Associated Press. Wal-Mart (WMT) and ...

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Number of Holdings: 43

%	Ticker	Name	Sector	Market Cap	Country
13.5%	PG	Procter & Gamble Co/...	Real Estate	214301080000	United States
10.1%	KO	Coca-Cola Co/The	SOFT DRINKS	188126630000	United States
9.7%	PM	Philip Morris Intern...	TOBACCO	154793030000	United States
8.2%	WMT	Wal-Mart Stores Inc	Real Estate	260926140000	United States
4.7%	CVS	CVS Caremark Corp	Real Estate	71798380000	United States
4.6%	PEP	PepsiCo Inc	SOFT DRINKS	128089660000	United States
4.2%	MO	Altria Group Inc	TOBACCO	73336250000	United States
3.5%	CL	Colgate-Palmolive Co	Real Estate	56500590000	United States
3.2%	MDLZ	Mondelez Internation...	Real Estate	56425060000	United States
3.1%	COST	Costco Wholesale Cor...	Real Estate	47891760000	United States

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