How thankful are you this Thanksgiving Day? Many exchange traded fund (ETF) investors may be extra thankful this year that they made it out of the market meltdown with something left, while others are thankful that the markets are still intact.
It’s time to count all of your blessings. This Thanksgiving may bring about the gratitude of many more people as they go back to the basics and analyze what matters. Craig Ford for Bible Money Matters has four ways to develop your thankful side this holiday, in case you haven’t already:
- Focus on what you have. Thankful people focus on what they have, not what they do not. Don’t focus on your neighbor’s car or your boss’s financial returns. Look at what you have and relish it.
- Admit you may have more than you deserve. The fact of the matter is that many of us may have more than we need, and many people have more than they can ever use.
- Being thankful is knowing that it is something you develop. Unfortunately, many of us think that we are made thankful. It’s something we develop over time. If you decide to be thankful when you get “x” then probably once you get that item you actually will just want something more. It takes practice.
- Gauge blessing by something other than money. Money is one way we are blessed as individuals, but there’s so much more. For starters, think about family, friends, health, children and the earth. These things do not come from money.
Meanwhile, if thoughts of portfolios are swirling in your head, remember that the ETFs to play Thanksgiving may have more to do with the belly. According to Big Sky Business Journal, the classic Thanksgiving dinner will cost less this year. For 2009, the total cost of t he traditional Thanksgiving dinner is 4% less than what it was in 2008. Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings, for a family of 10, will cost an average of $42.91 — $1.70 less than last year.
AFBF Livestock Economist Jim Sartwelle said despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation. (Read about how food and beverage ETFs are benefiting from this market).
For more stories about food and beverages, visit our food and beverage category.
ETFs that may be thankful:
- PowerShares Dynamic Food and Beverage (NYSEArca: PBJ): up 9.1% year-to-date
- UBS E-TRACS CMCI Food TR ETN (NYSEArca: FUD): up 14% year-to-date
- PowerShares DB Agriculture (NYSEArca: DBA): down 0.6% year-to-date
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. 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.