Total Market, Greece And Consumer Staples ETFs To Watch This Week

The stock market began the month of April on wobbly footing that may continue to breed uncertainty in the near future. The confidence of bulls will likely be tested with earnings season just around the corner and investors focused heavily on every economic data point.

The week ahead features several important economic releases including FOMC minutes, weekly jobless claims, and the federal budget.

Here are the key ETFs to watch for the week of Monday, April 6:

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF VTI

The weaker than expected payroll report released on Friday created a buzz among traders as after-hours index futures fell by 1 percent despite the markets being closed. This may lead to a volatile open on Monday as investors recalculate their expectations for 2015 job growth.

VTI is a broad measure of small-, mid- and large-cap equity exposure in a diversified basket of 3,800 securities. This exchange-traded fund has over $55 billion in total assets and will be an important index to watch if the market starts off the week in a selling frenzy.

The 50-day moving average has been an important level of support for VTI all year and will likely be tested again this week.

Related Link: It's Back: Alcoa Kicks Off The Unofficial Start To Earnings Season

Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF GREK

The investment community will be closely watching the actions of Greece this week as a large repayment to the IMF is coming due. If Greece defaults on its loans or has to seek additional emergency funding to fuel its debt-ridden economy, it could add another layer of complexity to European markets.

GREK tracks the 20 largest securities on the Athens stocks exchange has has over $230 million in total assets. This ETF has become an important indicator for U.S. investors on the health of the Greek stock market.

GREK is down 54 percent over the last year and 17 percent since the beginning of 2015.

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR XLP

Consumer staples stocks have traveled a relatively conservative path so far this year. XLP tracks 40 large-cap companies engaged in food staples, beverage, and household products.

This exchange-traded fund has shown relatively low volatility when compared to its peers and may act as a defensive area of the market in the event stocks head lower. XLP has over $8 billion in total assets and charges an expense ratio of just 0.15 percent.

So far this year, XLP has gained 1.94 percent compared to 0.88 percent in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF SPY.