Equity markets inched higher last week as news from the Euro zone was sparse, while economic data releases on the home front surprised to the upside. The final trading week of one of the most volatile periods in financial history is sure to abundant with more of the same: excitement, drama, and perhaps even the usual chaos. Domestic equity indexes are flirting with modest gains for 2011, although year end selling pressures may create headwinds as investors lock-in profits in anticipation of more turmoil next year. In this edition of ETF Insider we outline three bullish actionable ideas with conservative stop-loss recommendations; positioning our trades favorably in case the bulls continue their stampede, while also protecting ourselves from a potential sell-off.
Euro zone worries took a backseat as investors instead turned their attention to the latest U.S. housing market data. The bulls came charging through Wall Street on Tuesday as new home starts in November surged to multi-month highs, showing signs of life in the battered down housing market. The Nasdaq charged ahead with a strong [...]
After the best performance since early 2009, markets finished today relatively flat as no major data or news had an effect on stocks. Both the Dow and S&P dipped by about 0.20% while the NASDAQ jumped by that same amount. Gold suffered by just $1/oz. while oil saw slight losses but was able to hold [...]
This past week featured volatility that has become all too familiar to investors. The week started off on a strong note as news from the euro-zone seemed to point in a positive direction, only to have the exact opposite reaction on Wednesday. After a shaky guidance from Europe hit home in the middle of the [...]
Euro zone debt woes took investors for another roller coaster ride as uncertainty from overseas led to volatile trading across equity markets all over the globe. Investors were spooked early in the week after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced a proposal for a referendum to the three-pronged “bailout plan” proposed by EU leaders earlier [...]
Stocks got off to a fairly weak start on Monday as investors took profits off the table given last weeks monster gains. Euro zone debt woes resurfaced on Tuesday, dragging down equity markets all over the globe, after Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, put the latest “bailout plan” to a referendum. Greek default fears returned [...]
Halloween day was certainly a spooky one for investors, as one of the best months in years ended on a terrible note. The Dow surrendered over 275 points while the S&P 500 was the biggest loser with a near 2.5% decrease. What is perhaps more surprising is that the NASDAQ was the best performing of the three benchmarks; that [...]
Improving optimism over the Euro zone debt negotiations coupled with positive earnings and economic data releases at home pushed stock markets higher last week. Investor confidence improved considerably as domestic equity indexes climbed higher above key resistance levels and held onto gains the entire week. Bailout talks in the Euro zone reignited fears of inflation, [...]
The Japanese economy has endured two rough decades after a period of high growth made it seem as though they would quickly surpass the U.S. with ease. Lately, however, the economy has had trouble finding its footing, as the country has tried various techniques to try and jump-start its sputtering economy. Yet this has been easier said [...]
Precidian Funds, a New Jersey-based ETF newcomer, announced on Thursday the launch of the first U.S.-listed ETF offering exposure to the Nikkei 225 Index. The new MAXIS Nikkei 225 Index ETF (NKY) will seek to replicate the widely followed benchmark of Japanese stocks, often referred to simply as the Nikkei or the Nikkei Index. That [...]
The latest ETF industry data from the National Stock Exchange is out, and after a small step back in May, exchange-traded products resumed their upward trajectory in June. Total ETP inflows totaled more than $8 billion last month, after May saw about $800 million in outflows–attributable in large part to big outflows from the S&P [...]
