Over December, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 were more or less flat.
December started off in sideways trading, bolstered by the positive economic data but dragged down by volatility associated with the drop in oil prices. Additionally, the European Central Bank hinted at aggressive and unconventional stimulus measure, which also helped lifted Eurozone markets.
However, the collapse in oil prices proved to be too much, weighing on the energy sector and the rest of the market in mid-December.
In Europe, another act in the Greek drama raised uncertainty over the country’s bailout exit and threatened the stability of the euro. Moreover, a surprise rate hike from Russia failed to protect the fall in the ruble currency, triggering around round of volatility.
U.S. markets, though, began to turn around after the Federal Open Meeting Committee stressed patience. U.S. continued to rally in the later half of the month, with the Dow breaking through the 18,000 marker for the first time. However, market momentum began to slow in last few days of the month.
Top performing non-leveraged ETPs over the past month include CHNA up 32%, ASHR up 19.9% and PEK up 19.9%.
The worst performing non-leveraged ETPs of the month include the ELEMENTS Linked to Spectrum Large Cap U.S. Sector Momentum Index (NYSEArca: EEH) down 53.8%, Morgan Stanley S&P 500 Crude Oil Linked ETN (NYSEArca: BARL) down 38.7% and United States Natural Gas Fund (NYSEArca: UNG) down 26.1%.
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Max Chen contributed to this article.