Conversely, the worst performers this week included ETFs tracking natural gas, oil, homebuilders and energy stocks.
Plunging oil prices will certainly provide relief at the pump for consumers as the summer driving season gets into full swing. However, crude dropping under $83 a barrel from $100 earlier this year signals investor concern over the global economy and deflation.
The top unleveraged ETFs this week were PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury (ZROZ), Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (EDV) and Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (GDXJ) with rallies of more than 6%.
The bottom three unleveraged ETFs this week were U.S. Natural Gas Fund (UNG), which lost about 14%, followed by iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil (OIL) and PowerShares DB Oil (OIL) with declines of 9%.
In next week’s economic data, look for updates on factory orders, ISM nonmanufacturing, international trade, productivity and labor costs, the trade deficit and the Federal Reserve’s beige book.
iShares S&P 500 (IVV)
