Each day ETFtrends.com publishes news, strategy and commentary on ETFs in the realms of Commodities, Currency, Equities and Smart-Beta to name a few.
Here’s a look at the Top 15 Most Viewed Articles of the Week on ETF Trends, May 2-6, 2016.
Click the headline to read the full article – enjoy!
1. The Best and Worst ETFs of April
The equities market stuck to a sideways range through April, but precious metals-related exchange traded funds shined through.
Among the top performing non-leveraged ETFs for the past month, the PureFunds ISE Junior Silver ETF (NYSEArca: SILJ) jumped 49.5%, Global X Gold Explorers ETF (NYSEArca: GLDX) increased 46.7% and iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund ETF (NYSEArca: SLVP) rose 34.9%. Click to read more >>
2. Slow-and-Steady ETFs for a Volatile Market
After enjoying a multi-year bull run, equities may be in for greater volatility ahead. Nevertheless, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors can still keep their toe in stock market but hedge against large drawdowns through a low-volatility strategy as a way to potentially generate steadier returns over the long run.
For instance, the iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca: USMV), which selects stocks based on variances and correlations, along with other risk factors, rose 6.1% year-to-date while the competing PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSEArca: SPLV), which tracks the 100 least volatile stocks on the S&P 500, increased 5.4%. In contrast, the S&P 500 Index only gained 2.5% after experiencing a market correction earlier this year. Click to read more >>
3. 32 Best ETFs to Track Crude Oil
Crude oil prices are finally bouncing back, and investors can also track the ups and downs of the energy market through commodity-related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were down 2.4% Tuesday to $43.7 per barrel while Brent crude oil futures were 1.7% lower to $45.1 per barrel. Click to read more >>
4. Hit The Lab With These 17 Biotech ETFs
The time to buy, regardless of sector, is usually when a particular group falls out of favor, not when it has been bid higher by scores of investors. Some investors view that as the case with the broader healthcare group and biotechnology in particular.
Multiple factors, including politics, are pressuring biotech stocks and ETFs this year. Click to read more >>
5. Best of Both Worlds With This Dividend ETF
Two of the most prominent themes in the world of exchange traded funds this year have been the resurgence of dividend funds and investors’ devotion to low volatility products. Some ETFs marry those two themes, including the Compass EMP US EQ Income 100 Enhanced Volatility Weighted Index ETF (NYSEArca: CDC). Click to read more >>
6. Best 15 ETFs for Utilities Sector Exposure
As the markets turn and investors grow more conservative, defensive assets like utilities sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) are back in the limelight.
While the equities market has fallen off over the past few days, with the S&P 500 on track for a three-week low, the utilities sector is strengthening as a defensive play. Click to read more >>
7. 44 Best REITs ETFs to Generate Yields
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and sector-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a good source of attractive payouts in a low-yield environment.
REITs are securities that trade like a stock and invest in real estate directly through property ownership or mortgages. Click to read more >>
8. The Best Strategy to Implement Smart-Beta ETFs into Portfolios
Smart-beta or alternative index-based exchange traded fund (ETF) strategies have quickly gained traction among financial advisors and investors seeking to enhance portfolio returns or smooth out their investment ride. Click to read more >>
9. Uranium ETF Fights off Commodity’s Slump
In what amounts to a vexing scenario, the Global X Uranium ETF (NYSEArca: URA), which tracks uranium miners, is up more than 4% over the past month and more than 8% year-to-date even as uranium prices slide. Click to read more >>
10. Gold ETF Traders Should Keep These 5 Factors in Mind
As the gold market makes an impressive bull run this year, precious metals exchange traded fund (ETF) investors will have to watch a handful of factors to gauge how far the rally can keep going.
Year-to-date, the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD), iShares Gold Trust (NYSEArca: IAU) and ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (NYSEArca: SGOL) have returned over 21%. Click to read more >>
11. Why Investors are Bearish on Oil ETFs
The United States Oil Fund (NYSEArca: USO), which tracks West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures, and the United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSEArca: BNO), which tracks Brent crude oil futures, are up an average of more than 28% over the past three months. That still is not enough to impress all oil market participants. Click to read more >>
12. High Quality Junk Bond ETFs Limit Default Risk
Speculative-grade, junk bonds have staged an impressive recovery from the February lows, but face mounting risks, notably from commodity producers. Investors, though, can diminish credit risks associated to more troubled areas through targeted high-yield bond exchange traded funds.
For instance, the Market Vectors Fallen Angel High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEArca: ANGL) tracks so-called fallen angel speculative-grade rated debt, or debt securities that were initially issued with an investment-grade rating but were later downgraded to junk territory. Click to read more >>
13. Low Rates Help Preferred ETFs Power Up
Count preferred stocks and exchange traded funds among the income-generating asset classes that are receiving renewed attention from income investors this year as the Federal Reserve balks at raising interest rates.
The iShares U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (NYSEArca: PFF) and the PowerShares Preferred Portfolio (NYSEArca: PGX) sport tempting yields that average out to about 5.8%. Like many preferred ETFs, PFF and PGX are heavy on preferred issued by financial services companies. Click to read more >>
14. State Street Gender Diversity ETF off to Stellar Start
Many investors, including some professionals and advisors, look to invest with a moral compass. Issuers of exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been meeting that demand with an increasing number of exchange traded funds that address various issues.
Time will ultimately tell how successful these ETFs end up being, but investors do not need to wait to gauge the success of the SPDR Gender Diversity Index ETF (NYSEArca: SHE). Click to read more >>
15. Global X Launches Millennials ETF on Nasdaq
Millennials – it’s the largest generation in the United States made up of more than 90 million people aged 16 to 36.
Global X Funds hopes to capitalize with its launch today of its Global X Millennials Thematic ETF (Nasdaq: MILN). Click to read more >>