Materials stocks and ETFs, such as XLB and VAW, have enjoyed ample catalysts this year. For example, the stronger dollar is also supporting mining projects where some producers are even expanding production as currency moves diminish costs, even as commodity prices have been tumbling. Consequently, with supply continuing to rise, some observers are expecting metal prices to fall and remain pressured.
Rising Treasury yields, a sign that the Federal Reserve could be close to finally raising borrowing costs and that is good news for cyclical sectors. The technology, industrial and materials companies are among cyclical sectors that typically strengthen in a rising rate environment as investors turn away from safer assets and shift into riskier areas of the market. [Materials ETFs in Rally Mode]
According to some reports, Trian is the fifth-largest DuPont shareholder. Yahoo Finance data shows the firm as the fourth-largest DuPont investor. Two ETF sponsors, Vanguard and State Street, are the two largest DuPont shareholders.
Materials Select Sector SPDR
