Stock exchange traded funds were mixed Thursday before two key speeches on the U.S. economy from President Barack Obama and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEArca: DIA) was flat in chopping trading along with the Dow at last check.
Obama is scheduled to deliver a highly anticipated speech to Congress on Thursday night. He is expected to unveil a $300 billion stimulus plan to boost the struggling economy and fight a stubbornly high unemployment rate. [Obama Speech Preview]
Separately, Fed chief Bernanke is expected to speak on the U.S. economy on Thursday afternoon. Markets will be looking for any hints of further easing from the central bank. [Fed Easing Speculation Lifts Gold ETFs]
“This is an opportunity for him to prepare the market that something might be coming,” said Jessica Hoversen, fixed income and currency analyst at MF Global, in a Reuters report.