Consumer Staples ETFs Outperform, But Still Are Down
November 4, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Consumer Staples ETF Could Be Hit By Slower Food Spending
October 28, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Food Industry’s Value Approach Could Feed ETFs
October 1, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending
September 29, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Holiday Season May Not Be Merry for Retail ETFs
September 24, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Consumer ETFs Stalwarts Amid Financial Crisis
September 16, 2008 – Consumer prices fell in August after months of rampant inflation, which in turn benefited retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from last month, preceded by two months of increases: 0.8% in... Continue Reading »

There Are ETFs You Can Use to Hide From the Bear
September 11, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Deck the Halls With Strong Retail Numbers for Discounters
September 3, 2008 – Is the Ghost of Christmas Future trying to tell us that exchange traded funds (ETFs) could benefit from bargain-hunting this holiday season? The economy is not out of the doldrums yet, to be sure. While prices... Continue Reading »

Consumer ETFs Watch Personal Income Data
August 29, 2008 – A drop in personal incomes has investors wondering about consumers and the impact on exchange traded funds (ETFs). Personal incomes fell by 0.7% in July, the largest amount in nearly three years, reports Tim Paradis for the Associated... Continue Reading »

Falling Gas Prices Make Consumers and Retail ETFs Happy
August 26, 2008 – 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,... Continue Reading »

Weak Auto Sales Weigh Down Retail Sector and ETFs
August 13, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Kraft’s Earnings Could Fuel Consumer Staples ETFs
July 28, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »

Will Back-to-School ETFs Be As Great As Gatsby This Season?
July 25, 2008 – The ads are already infiltrating the newspapers and television commercials, and like Rodney Dangerfield, many U.S. families are gearing up to go back to school. Are retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) ready? Retailers are awaiting a... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Might Be About to Rock On Gas, Food Strength
July 15, 2008 – Retail sales and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a hit today as the June numbers came in. The 0.1% increase was weaker than analysts had expected, mostly because auto sales have plunged, reports Martin Crutsinger... Continue Reading »

Retail Sales Lift ETFs In June, But It’s Not Frivolous Spending
July 10, 2008 – 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%,... Continue Reading »