It’s all coming to a point…a tipping point, even for exchange traded funds (ETFs). Americans are inches away from the effects of $100 a barrel oil, a slowing economy and the pressures of holiday shopping. Something’s got to give. In addition to that, we are feeling more pressure to get a clearer understanding of what our individual carbon footprint looks like and how each of us can do our part to protect the planet.
Enter clean energy ETFs:
- PowerShares Cleantech (PZD)
- Market Vectors Environmental Services ETF (EVX)
- Claymore/LGA Green ETF (GRN)
- PowerShares WilderHill Progressive Energy (PUW)
- PowerShares Global Clean Energy (PBD)
- First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid ETF (QCLN)
- PowerShares Wilderhill Clean Energy (PBW)
- Van Ecks’ Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy ETF (GEX)
Year-to-date, PBW is up 44.7%, compared to United States Oil (USO), which is up 44.3%. Even if the price of oil takes a breather, clean energy is grabbing the attention of investors.
One of PBW’s top holdings is First Solar, Inc. (FSLR). First Solar and its subsidiaries engage in the design, manufacture and sale of solar electric power modules. Shares of First Solar leaped $37.48, or 22.4%, to $204.60 in after market trading after they announced that they had trounced analysts estimates of their third quarter profits and sales.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Lydon serves as an independent trustee of certain mutual funds and ETFs that are managed by Guggenheim Investments; however, any opinions or forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Lydon and not those of Guggenheim Funds, Guggenheim Investments, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC or any of their affiliates. 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.