While pullback somewhat in the last week , U.S. equities and stock exchange traded funds advanced toward new highs in February, shaking off the January doldrums.
Over February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 5.6%, the Nasdaq Composite increased 6.7% and the S&P 500 gained 5.4%.
The best performing non-leveraged exchange traded products over the past month include the United States Gasoline Fund (NYSEArca: UGA) up 21.1%, United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSEArca: BNO) up 20.8% and Deutsche X-trackers 2040 Target Date ETF (NYSEArca: TDV) up 19.5%.
UGA, which tracks the price of front month unleaded gasoline futures, has been on a monster rally after prices plunged last year in response to falling energy prices. [A Monster Rally for the Gasoline ETF]
Additionally, Brent crude oil futures registered their first monthly gain after a seven-month losing streak. Traders are feeling more optimistic, pointing to the improved demand outlook and some paused drilling operations. [Brent ETF’s Rally Could Extend as Speculators up Long Bets]
The worst performing non-leveraged ETFs over the past month include the C-Tracks on Citi Volatility Index ETN (NYSEArca: CVOL) down 25.1%, iPath Dow Jones-UBS Coffee Total Return Sub-Index ETN (NYSEArca: JO) down 18.0% and iPath Pure Beta Coffee ETN (NYSEArca: CAFÉ) down 16.7%.