Two unloved commodity ETFs during the first half of the year tracking natural gas and coal paced the gainers this week as investors add money to energy sector funds.
U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSEArca: UNG) and Market Vectors Coal (NYSEArca: KOL) gained about 5% this week. [Natural Gas ETF at 2012 High]
Meanwhile, Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLE) was the top-selling ETF this week with about $500 million of inflows.
In the major U.S. equity indices, the S&P 500 reversed last week’s gain with a 2.3% loss as third-quarter earnings season gets underway. The Dow was also on track for a 2.3% weekly setback while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 3%.
U.S. Treasury ETFs were among this week’s top advancers on the risk-off action, while volatility-linked ETFs such as ProShares VIX Short Term Futurse (NYSEArca: VIXY) also moved higher.