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%.
At the start of February, traders maintained their mixed feelings on the equities market as positive and economic data kept stocks in sideways trading.
However, the equities market began to strengthen after the uncertain start on expectations for a Greek deal to ease uncertainty and rising oil prices to support the faltering U.S. energy sector. The continued positive economic reports, such as the strong jobs numbers, and supportive earnings season helped keep forward momentum going.
After Federal Chair Janet Yellen commented on the upbeat economic outlook, U.S. equities markets touched new highs in the last week of February, but tepid trading in the last few days of the month sent stocks slightly off from their record highs.
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Max Chen contributed to this article.