Sector ETFs

A few years ago, 3D printing stocks were all the rage, but that intensity has since waned in a big way as investors looking for growth opportunities have headed to other industries. As a result, The 3D Printing ETF (CBOE: PRNT) is lower by 19.33% over the past year. What Happened The lack of...

The health care sector and the related exchange traded funds have been mired in political controversy this year and that is particularly true of health care services providers. What Happened As has been widely noted, Dow component UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH) and the iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers...

The energy patch has been punished this month, particularly the volatile exploration and production stocks. Just look at the widely followed S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (SPSIOPTR), which is lower by more than 12% month-to-date. What Happened Last Friday...

With Treasury yields on a seemingly unabated decline in the U.S. and market participants expecting more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, there is plenty of chatter about investment strategies for a low rate environment. What Happened At the industry level, one of the prime beneficiaries...

At a time when many investors are assessing the international exposure of their equity holdings, it pays to evaluate that issue from the sector level. As has been noted, some defensive sectors generate the bulk of or close to all their revenue on a domestic basis. What Happened Last year, the S...

The NYSE Pickens Oil Response ETF, the once scuffling energy exchange traded fund that was built by Boone Pickens Capital Fund Advisors, the investing firm founded by the legendary oilman, is no longer. As was previously reported, the ETF once known by the ticker “BOON,” is converting...

Amid geopolitical tensions, investors have been scampering out of high beta, cyclical sectors to low volatility, defensive destinations. Those moves are benefiting real estate and utilities exchange traded funds, but consumer staples ETFs should not be ignored. What Happened Just a few dozen U.S.-...

The Cannabis ETF (NYSE: THCX), one of several marijuana exchange traded funds that debuted last month, is already making some changes to its roster. THCX, which tracks the Innovation Labs Cannabis Index, added four companies to the portfolio: Valens GroWorks Inc. (TSXV: VGW), EnWave Corp. (TSXV:...

The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE: XLF), the largest exchange-traded fund tracking stocks in the S&P 500's third-largest sector, lost 1.56% last week. With interest rates declining, some market observers are forecasting more weakness for bank stocks. What Happened While second-...

In another round of expansion on the commission-free exchange traded funds front, E*Trade Financial (NASDAQ: ETFC) added four thematic funds from ETF Managers Group (ETFMG). What Happened The two firms announced the addition of the funds to E*Trade's no commission ETF platform on Monday, noting...

Obviously, one of the big stories in the precious metals complex this year is the resurgence of gold. Amid declining interest rates the world over and pressure on riskier assets, the yellow is luring investors and gaining higher price targets on an almost daily basis. What Happened Recently silver...

It's not Christmas in August, but some trends in the retail space could be setting up nicely for an impressive holiday season for the ProShares Decline of the Retail Store ETF (NYSE: EMTY). What Happened Of course, since EMTY is an inverse exchange traded fund designed to profit from weakness...

Plenty of health care exchange traded funds can be dubbed disappointing this year. The iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (NYSE: IHF) is one fund that belongs in that group. What Happened While IHF's year-to-date gain of 5.88% is tepid at best, the fund's lethargy is not its fault....

During his Twitter tirade last week, President Trump mentioned his displeasure with the fact that China has not upped its purchases of U.S. farm products as it promised it would as part of trade talks. Those comments affected agribusiness stocks. What Happened Not surprisingly, the VanEck Vectors...