Homebuilder ETFs are the best-performing sector funds this year with gains of more than 50% but now some technical analysts are worried about a potential correction following a recent failed breakout.
The iShares Dow Jones US Home Construction (NYSEArca: ITB) and SPDR S&P Homebuilders (NYSEArca: XHB) are up 74% and 53% year to date respectively as of Nov. 8, according to Morningstar, but the ETFs are mired in a four-day losing streak.
J.C. Parets at All Star Charts sees a false breakout in the XHB chart. “From false moves come fast moves in the opposite direction. In this case, we’re talking about the November 1st false breakout above key resistance that could not hold for more than a week,” he writes.
Homebuilder ETFs may be overvalued after their strong run in 2012. For example, Paul Weisbruch at Street One says the builder funds are among the ETFs with the highest price-to-earnings ratios, a valuation measure.
In the options market, some traders have been using puts on the builder ETFs to hedge gains or position for a pullback in the high-flying funds. [ETF Chart of the Day: Home Construction]