In U.S. stocks, homebuilder ETFs also pulled back sharply on sluggish home-sales data following their big third-quarter rally.
Conversely, this week’s top gainers were Treasury funds and volatility-linked ETFs on the safety trade. In commodities, natural gas was the leader.
The top three unleveraged ETFs this week were U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEArca: UNG), Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (NYSEArca: EDV) and PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Index (NYSEArca: ZROZ) with gains of at least 3%.
The bottom three unleveraged ETFs this week were iShares MSCI Spain, Global X Uranium (NYSEArca: URA) and iShares MSCI Italy with losses of 5% or more.
In next week’s economic data, look for reports on ISM manufacturing, construction spending, motor vehicle sales, ISM non-manufacturing, factory orders and the ADP employment report. However, the main event will be Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report for September.