Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in gold and silver jumped Monday morning after Standard & Poor’s cut its outlook on U.S. debt to negative, while Treasury ETFs fell in the wake of the downgrade.
The iShares Silver Trust (NYSEArca: SLV) rose more than 1% in early trading while SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) was up fractionally. Both ETFs notched fresh 52-week highs in early action.
Meanwhile, ETFs that track U.S. Treasury bonds weakened after S&P said it sees a 1-in-3 chance it could lower its long-term rating on the U.S. in the near term.
The iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund (NYSEArca: TLT), which follows the long end of the yield curve, fell about 1%.