Sell In May And Go Away With These ETFs (DUG, UNG, XLV)

After today, there are 15 trading days left in April and that might not be a good thing because the month of May brings with it the start of the six-month cycle of the year that is historically challenging for stocks. Put another way, there is good reason why the expression "Sell in May and go away" exists. There are some sectors

that do have a penchant for performing well in the second quarter, but those looking to bet on the earnest return of "sell in May and go away" would do well to consider the following the funds.

It sure feels like with each passing day the reasons grow to be associated with low beta fare if one insists on being long right now. The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR

and XLV have both been

perhaps a sign the risk on trade was fading. Another health care-related ETF to consider from the long side is the iShares Dow Jones US Healthcare Provider Index Fund

, particularly if it falls another 2.4% to its 50-day moving average.

Call them consumer discretionary or call them consumer cyclical stocks, whatever label is applied, just remember that these stocks are historically vulnerable to selling pressure come May. That means VCR is a short recommendation. VCR has had a nice year gaining almost 17%, but selling pressure would almost certainly accelerate on a decline below $69. VCR is shortable, but does not have options trading on it. The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR

does have options available on it. Or consider the thinly traded ProShares UltraShort Consumer Services

.

As if the United States Natural Gas Fund

needs

we're heading into the time of year when the short natural gas trade usually works. For those that don't want to short UNG directly, the ETF is home to

. Call sellers may find some of the May premiums compelling.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares should not be held over multiple months as that strategy exposes traders to an above average amount of risk. On the other hand, financials are the second-largest sector weight in the S&P 500 behind technology, implying that if the broader market pulls back, financials probably won't escape the calamity. With earnings on tap this Friday from J.P. Morgan Chase

and Wells Fargo

traders will be given some clues regarding the near-term strength of bank stocks. Assuming those reports are bad and the support for the S&P 500 is violated at 1,375, FAZ becomes a worthwhile trade well before May rolls around.

The charts for major equity-based energy ETFs such as the Energy Select Sector SPDR

have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks and last Friday's March jobs report was just one more excuse for traders to hammer oil equities and ETFs. Above $25, DUG has plenty of room to run higher.