An ETF that has attracted significant asset inflows in recent days is Market Vectors Semiconductor (NYSEArca: SMH).
The ticker symbol likely is familiar to most whom have been involved in the ETF industry over the past decade or so, but the current SMH differs from the “old SMH” in that it functions as a managed, index based ETF as opposed to the former setup when Merrill Lynch ran the product as an un-managed trust.
SMH tracks the Market Vectors U.S. Listed Semiconductor 25 Index and top holdings currently weigh in as follows: INTC (19.14%), TSM (12.91%), TXN (7.17%), BRCM (5.51%), and ASML (4.94%). The fund, as mentioned above, has reeled in more than $90 million in recent sessions, which accounts for more than 30% of the current assets outstanding in the fund.
The third highest weighting, TXN, released earnings yesterday after the closing bell and the stock more than recouped its 1.8% during the regular session by gaining more than 4% in the after-hours. Trading volume in TXN last Friday was absolutely monstrous, with more than 50 million shares trading as the stock, and the sector are clearly at the forefront of institutional attention in recent sessions.
TXN and SMH will likely make a run at their 50 day moving averages again, as the level has provided resistance recently for both the stock and the ETF.
INTC, the top weighted name in the index has already reported quarterly earnings, but the number two weighting, TSM, is slated to release earnings before the market open on 4/26. A related ETF that has seen above average trading activity recently is iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector (NasdaqGM: SOXX), which has a different composition than SMH as top weightings are: BRCM (8.18%), INTC (8.09%), TSM (7.94%), TXN (7.79%), and AMAT (7.64%).
In short, there is much less weighting given to INTC and the top 5 holdings are roughly equal weighted. Year to date, SOXX has outpaced SMH, up 9.64% versus SMH rallying 7.95%. Other Semi sector ETFs that have been very active in this earnings season for related stocks include SPDR S&P Semiconductor (NYSEArca: XSD), Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X (NYSEArca: SOXL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X (NYSEArca: SOXS).
Market Vectors Semiconductor
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