Confession time: That pun was intended because health care funds dominated the list of the most searched tickers on ETF Trends this week.
With two major biotechnology conferences taking place during the week, it was not surprising visitors to ETF Trends were flocking to health care ETFs. While those conferences were legitimate catalysts to spark increased interest in health care ETFs, another factor was at play.
Coming off a year in which they dominated the top-10 list of non-leveraged ETFs, biotech funds are up to their old tricks as three currently rank among the 10 best non-leveraged ETFs of 2014. [Duel to be the Best Health Care ETF]
The leader of that group was also the most searched ETF on our site this week: The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (NYSEArca: XBI). XBI, an equal-weight play on the biotech sector, is still basking in the glow of last week’s run-up in shares of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, enough to help the ETF gain almost 4% this week. [This Biotech ETF Stands Out]
The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSEArca: FBT) was the silver medal winner among the most searched crowd this week. As was the case with the other biotech funds, it was easy to see why. On Thursday, we profiled FBT as one of the best biotech ETFs for investors looking to take advantage of increased consolidation in the sector. [The Right ETF for Biotech M&A]
No surprises among the most searched leveraged ETF tickers of the week. The Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (NYSEArca: CURE) returned for a second consecutive week while the ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NasdaqGS: BIB) made an appearance in top-10 on the back of our Monday profile of the double-leveraged fund. [The Right Leveraged ETF for the Times]
Once again, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEArca: VIG) was the most searched dividend ETF on ETF Trends.
Another no surprise fund that was the only non-health care ETF in the five most-searched tickers on ETF Trends this week was the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GDX). Last year, GDX and its rivals were the anti-biotech ETFs. Meaning plenty of mining ETFs were found among the 10 worst ETFs of 2013.
That script has flipped in 2014 as four mining ETFs, including GDX, are found among the year’s 10 best. One noted technical analyst pointed out that the extreme bearish sentiment faced by miners was as bad as it has been in three decades, indicating this could be the time to embrace these beaten-down funds. [A Generational Buying Opportunity in Gold Miners]
The surprises on the week consisted of the Market Vectors Russia ETF (NYSEArca: RSX) and the SPDR S&P Russia ETF (NYSEArca: RBL) both finding their way into the top-10 and ranking as the two most searched emerging markets ETFs on ETF Trends this week.