ETFs to Watch January 4, 2012

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Wednesday January 4, 2012.

Gold started the new year off right. See if that continues with the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX) and the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD).

Small caps looked strong on Tuesday, so keep an eye on the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: VB).

Play some defense with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLP).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: VNM), iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (NYSE: EWT) and the iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund (NYSE: BKF).

Currency play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: YCS).

Bond play of the day: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE: BND).