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Psilocybin-focused mental health care company COMPASS Pathways plc (NASDAQ: CMPS) revealed Friday that it has been selected for addition to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: NBI), effective as of market open on Mon

Psychedelics Company COMPASS Pathways To Join NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

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Exclusive: SunTrust Managing Director Goes Over Sarepta Therapeutics&#39; Story

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<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11772327/Man-CURED-HIV-D-sseldorf-patient-virus-free.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline" title="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11772327/Man-CURED-HIV-D-sseldorf-patient-virus-free.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11772327/Man-CURED-HIV-D-sseldorf-patient-virus-free.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline</a>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02213-x" title="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02213-x">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02213-x</a>

Man in Germany Cured of HIV After Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant, According to Report in Nature Medicine

Psilocybin-focused mental health care company COMPASS Pathways plc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cmps#NASDAQ">CMPS</a>) revealed Friday that it has been selected for addition to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nbi#NASDAQ">NBI</a>), effective as of market open on Monday, Dec. 20.
&ldquo;We are proud to announce our addition to the esteemed Nasdaq Biotechnology Index,&rdquo; George Goldsmith, CEO and founder of Compass Pathways said. &ldquo;Our inclusion in this index enables us to reach new audiences as we continue to execute on our clinical development of our investigational COMP360 psilocybin therapy in hopes of addressing the most challenging issues in mental healthcare.&rdquo;
The NBI is designed to track the performance of a set of securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. For this year&rsquo;s annual reconstitution, 120 securities will be added to the Index and 16 will be removed.
The index represents a great tool for index funds and to be used as benchmarks for active investment strategies. It is commonly used both by investment managers and institutional investors. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the NBI include the ProShares Ultra NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>), ProShares UltraShort NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bis#NASDAQ">BIS</a>), Invesco NASDAQ Biotech UCITS ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbio#NASDAQ">SBIO</a>)&nbsp;and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>)&nbsp;and others.
More recent news from COMPASS: 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/21/12/24569083/psilocybin-therapy-combined-with-ssri-antidepressants-is-possible-compass-study-confirms">Psilocybin Therapy Combined With SSRI Antidepressants Is Possible, COMPASS Study Confirms</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/21/12/24452245/cannabis-movers-shakers-coda-signature-greater-cannabis-co-bioharvest-sciences-compass-pathways">Cannabis Movers &amp; Shakers: Coda Signature, Greater Cannabis Co., BioHarvest Sciences, Compass Pathways</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/21/12/24436931/new-york-city-conference-horizons-perspectives-on-psychedelics-a-whos-who-of-notable-speakers">New York City Conference &#39;Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics&#39; A Who&#39;s Who Of Notable Speakers</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/21/12/24388331/compass-pathways-positive-psilocybin-trial-high-dose-group-improves-beyond-depression-reduction">COMPASS Pathways: Positive Psilocybin Trial, High-Dose Group Improves Beyond Depression Reduction</a>
Price Action &nbsp;
COMPASS shares traded 1.64% higher at $22.87 per share at the time of writing Friday morning.
Photo: Courtesy of <a href="https://unsplash.com/@cadop?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Mathew Schwartz</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/magic-mushrooms?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

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Shares of several Chinese companies are trading lower as the coronavirus continues to spread within China and around the world. The virus has heavily disrupted economic activity in China and has weighed on global macro outlook.

The earnings season is off to a flying start with almost 75% of the companies having surpassed expectations. The performance has been quite impressive for Biotech companies, with major players beating market estimates. President Donald Trump&#39;s failure to implement the healthcare bill was a positive for the biotech space (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/268798/can-biotech-etfs-continue-to-surge-higher">Can Biotech ETFs Continue to Surge Higher?</a>).

	This week four major biotech players announced their quarterly results. Amgen Inc AMGN, Gilead Sciences GILD, Biogen Inc BIIB and Alexion Pharmaceuticals ALXN, all beat earnings and revenue estimates (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/266090/forget-big-tech-biotech-etfs-are-soaring-higher">Forget Big Tech, Biotech ETFs are Soaring Higher</a>).

	Earnings in Focus

	<a href="http://investors.amgen.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61656&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=2288639">Amgen </a>reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $3.27 per share on July 25, 2017, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.09 and increasing more than 15.1% from $2.84 per share in the year-ago quarter. Moreover, it also beat the consensus estimate on the revenue front. The company reported revenues of $5.810 billion, which surpassed the consensus estimate of $5.666 billion and increased 2.14% from $5.688 billion in the year-ago quarter.

	The company updated its full-year non-GAAP EPS guidance to the range of $12.15&ndash;$12.65 from $12&ndash;$12.6. It also updated its revenue guidance to the range of $22.5&ndash;$23 billion from $22.3&ndash;$23.1 billion. The company&#39;s shares lost around 3.2% at market close on July 26, 2017, after its updated guidance fell short of analyst expectations.

	<a href="http://investors.gilead.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=69964&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=2289028">Gilead Sciences</a> reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $2.51 per share on July 26, 2017, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11, but decreasing more than 17.1% from $3.03 per share in the year-ago quarter. Moreover, it also beat the consensus estimate on the revenue front. The company reported revenues of $7.141 billion, which surpassed the consensus estimate of $6.359 billion but decreased more than 8.1% from $7.776 billion in the year-ago quarter.

	The company updated its full-year revenue guidance to the range of $24&ndash;$25.5 billion from $22.5&ndash;$24.5 billion. The company&#39;s shares gained around 0.95% at market close on July 27, 2017, owing to the EPS and revenue beat.

	<a href="http://media.biogen.com/press-release/investor-relations/biogen-reports-record-quarterly-revenues-31-billion-raises-full-yea">Biogen Inc</a> reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $5.04 on July 25, 2017, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.36 but decreasing more than 3.2% from $5.21 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company reported revenues of $3.078 billion, which surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.812 billion and increased roughly 6.35% from $2.894 billion in the year-ago quarter.

	The company updated its full-year non-GAAP EPS guidance to the range of $20.8&ndash;$21.4 from $20.45&ndash;$21.25. It also increased its revenue guidance to $11.5&ndash;$11.8 billion. The company&#39;s shares gained more than 3% in pre-market trading due to the better-than-expected results but closed around 1% lower on July 25, 2017.

	<a href="http://news.alexionpharma.com/press-release/financial-news/alexion-reports-second-quarter-2017-results">Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc</a> reported second -quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.31 on July 27, 2017, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 and increasing roughly 40.9% from $0.93 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company reported revenues of $912 million, which surpassed the consensus estimate of $848 million and increased roughly 21.1% from $753 million in the year-ago quarter.

	The company updated its full-year non-GAAP EPS guidance to the range of $5.4&ndash;$5.55 and increased its revenue guidance to $3.45&ndash;$3.525 billion. The company&#39;s shares were up around 2.20% at market close on July 27, 2017, primarily due to the better-than-expected results.

	We will now discuss a few ETFs with high exposure to the companies discussed.

	iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF IBB

	This fund seeks to provide exposure to the biotech industry. It has AUM of $9.91 billion and charges a fee of 47 basis points a year. The fund has 8.38% exposure to Biogen, 8.03 to Gilead, 7.96% to Amgen and 4.26% to Alexion (as of July 26, 2017). The fund has returned 10.49% in the last one year and 20.5% year to date (as of July 27, 2017). It currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy) with a High risk outlook (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/266088/how-kite-pharma-is-revolutionizing-the-fight-against-cancer">How Kite Pharma Is Revolutionizing the Fight Against Cancer</a>).

	VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF BBH

	This fund has AUM of $699.9 million and charges a fee of 35 basis points a year. The fund has 11.22% exposure to Amgen, 10.37% to Gilead, 5.87% to Biogen and 5.44% to Alexion (as of July 27, 2017). The fund has returned 12.35% in the last one year and 20.47% year to date (as of July 27, 2017). It currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #2 with a High risk outlook (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/265297/5-reasons-why-biotech-etfs-are-soaring">5 Reasons Why Biotech ETFs are Soaring</a>).

	Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF BIB

	This fund has AUM of $470.81 million and charges a fee of 95 basis points a year. The fund has 8.33% exposure to Biogen, 7.98% to Gilead, 7.91% to Amgen and 4.23% to Alexion (as of July 26, 2017). The fund has returned 15.75% in the last one year and 41.79% year to date (as of July 27, 2017).

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Same as many other biopharmaceutical stocks, Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/srpt#NASDAQ">SRPT</a>) ad a rocky start to the year. However, its luck changed in September, when the FDA approved Exondys 51 (eteplirsen) for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), leading the stock to more than double in price in just a few days. And, while the shares lost about 14.5 percent in October, three-month gains still surpass the 150-percent threshold.
SunTrust has been following the Sarepta story for years now, even since the company was named AVI BioPharma. Benzinga recently had the chance to discuss the company with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Managing Director and Senior Biotechnology Analyst Edward Nash and Associate Biotechnology Analyst Mike Guo.
<h3>An Unexpected Turn Of Events</h3>
The firm rated Sarepta a Sell &ldquo;because the FDA was so negative,&rdquo; same as experts, Nash began. Clinical data (almost everything empirical, actually) also suggested its lead Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) drug would not be approved.
However, the drug was approved in the end, although reasons were more emotional than data-based. &ldquo;I believe it should&rsquo;ve been approved, but I think it was approved for the wrong reasons,&rdquo; the expert stated.
<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/10/8545489/wedbush-boosts-target-on-sarepta-shares-from-66-to-72-am">Wedbush Boosts Target On Sarepta Shares From $66 To $72 Amid U.S. Launch Of Exondys 51</a></bzrelatedlink>
One way or another, Sarepta&rsquo;s drug for DMD is approved now. And, while many health insurance providers are on board with it, others like Anthem Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/antm#NYSE">ANTM</a>) are still questioning if it will do its customers any good &mdash; given the drug&rsquo;s accelerated approval. &ldquo;They may run into some more of this,&rdquo; the analyst added.
The firm is also waiting to see pricing, in terms of price by weight. Adoption numbers might also be higher than currently forecast. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt though, for Exon 51, a particular type of DMD patients that eteplirsen targets, that we would see a significant number of those patients being put on therapy.&rdquo;
<h3>Other Exon Programs</h3>
In addition to the Exon 51 program, Sarepta has two other Exon skipping programs in Phase III clinical trials, Exon 45 and Exon 53. Nonetheless, these two programs face much higher hurdles, Nash explicated.
For the approval of eteplirsen, the company needs to run some additional Phase III trials, which should start sometime next year &ndash; most likely before mid-year, and would need to beat some more endpoints to remain in the market. This is what the firm will be looking at, Nash concluded.
SunTrust has a Hold rating and $52 price target on shares of Sarepta Therapeutics. Check disclosures <a href="https://suntrust.bluematrix.com/sellside/Disclosures.action">here</a>.
<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Benzinga%20Top%20of%20Article&amp;am%22%3">Full ratings data available on Benzinga Pro.</a>
Do you have ideas for articles/interviews you'd like to see more of on Benzinga? Please email <a href="mailto:feedback@benzinga.com">feedback@benzinga.com</a> with your best article ideas. One person will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card!
Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.

Exclusive: SunTrust Managing Director Goes Over Sarepta Therapeutics' Story

The past few months have been great for small cap bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/blue#NASDAQ">BLUE</a>), which saw its stock appreciate more than 47.6 percent in the last six months and more than 31 percent in the past month alone, largely helped by the entry of its Gen2 LentiGlobin into the clinic.
Benzinga recently had the chance to discuss the company, catalysts and the MEDIGENE AG NPV (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mdgef#OTC">MDGEF</a>) collaboration agreement with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Managing Director and Senior Biotechnology Analyst Edward Nash and Associate Biotechnology Analyst Mike Guo.
<h3>A Leader In Gene Therapy</h3>
&ldquo;[When the company] first became public it was &mdash; and I&rsquo;d say still is &mdash; one of the leaders in the gene therapy space,&rdquo; which is one that has received considerable attention in recent years, Nash stated. Furthermore, over the last two to three years, several private and public companies in the arena have managed to get into the clinic, which the analyst considers surprising, given how rocky the landscape in gene therapy was a decade ago.
<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/16/09/8510527/maxim-raises-target-on-bluebird-bio-from-85-to-100-maint">Maxim Raises Target On bluebird bio From $85 To $100, Maintains Buy Rating</a></bzrelatedlink>
Bluebird, in particular, is working on Sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, two hot areas of indications, both for the Street and the biotech sector. The combination of these two specific indications and gene therapy is what has really attracted the attention of investors, Nash added.
&ldquo;Both these diseases are areas where a patient is not producing something they should be producing, and gene therapy has the ability to deliver and correct for that on a genetic level, so that potentially the patient could be permanently cured at best, and, hopefully at worst, would just have to maybe receive an additional therapy every so often, not daily, as most of them are having to do now with these types of diseases,&rdquo; he clarified.
<h3>Catalysts</h3>
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will host its widely watched annual conference in December. Talking about upcoming catalysts, Nash mentioned that bluebird will be presenting very anticipated data there, after one year without sharing any significant clinical data.
One very important question for the event is, how effective are the company&rsquo;s gene therapies in preventing the patients from having to be infused with blood on a regular basis, he continued, pointing out that the initial data was &ldquo;very robust.&rdquo;
It should be noted that over the past year, analysts and investors gained better understanding of what to expect from bluebird&rsquo;s therapies, Nash went on. We now know that &ldquo;there can be some greys, meaning that there is a potential that it would not cure every patient, but still, if you can get a patient to be transfusion free for&hellip; three months, four months, five months, two years, three years&hellip; and then have to receive the therapy again, that&rsquo;s still far better than having to receive transfusions on a weekly basis.&rdquo;
<h3>The Medigene Agreement</h3>
Finally, Benzinga asked about bluebird&rsquo;s R&amp;D collaboration and license agreement with Medigene, which encompasses T cell receptor (TCR) immunotherapies against four specific targets.
Collaborations among smaller companies working on gene therapies are very important, much more than if we were talking about larger firms or better-understood therapy areas, Nash expounded.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely important for the longer term aspects, and valuation of the company, down the road. That being said, any valuation that&rsquo;s going to be attributed to the company today is going to be always on indications where there has been clinical data presented.&rdquo;
This does not mean collaborations of this kind are not important. Quite the opposite; they help the companies involved build a pipeline and &ldquo;expertise to go out beyond other areas&hellip;&rdquo; like oncology, he concluded.
SunTrust maintains a Buy rating on shares of bluebird bio.
At last check, bluebird bio was down 2.52 percent at $63.90.
Disclosures: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.
Bluebird bio is a client of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and the firm has received or is entitled to receive compensation for investment banking services involving their securities within the last 12 months.
An affiliate of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. has received compensation for non-securities services from bluebird bio within the last 12 months.
<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Benzinga%20Top%20of%20Article&amp;am%22%3">Full ratings data available on Benzinga Pro.</a>
Do you have ideas for articles/interviews you'd like to see more of on Benzinga? Please email <a href="mailto:feedback@benzinga.com">feedback@benzinga.com</a> with your best article ideas. One person will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

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Exclusive: SunTrust Managing Director Discusses Bluebird Bio, A Leader In Gene Therapy

Biotech stocks spiked higher on Wednesday after the U.S. government said that Medicare will be exhausted in 2028, two years sooner than projected last year.

	In addition, the U.S. government said that a cost-cutting mechanism known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) is projected to be triggered in 2017.

	According to <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-22/medicare-fund-to-run-short-in-2028-ipab-still-projected-in-2017">Bloomberg,</a> investors have been &quot;nervously&quot; awaiting on news for the IPAB determination on fears it could have been triggered in 2016 and set in motion reductions in Medicare payments to biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
<h3>
	Biotech Stocks Surging</h3>

	The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>) was trading higher by nearly 3 percent, while the SPDR S&amp;P Biotech (ETF) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xbi#NYSE">XBI</a>) was trading higher by nearly 2 percent.

	The 2x leveraged-ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) gained more than 5 percent.

	Here are how some of the notable biotechnology names were performing:
<ul>
<li>
		Shares of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/acad#NASDAQ">ACAD</a>) were trading lower by 1.17 percent.</li>
<li>
		Shares of Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amgn#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) were trading higher by 1.53 percent.</li>
<li>
		Shares of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/celg#NASDAQ">CELG</a>) were trading higher by 3.76 percent.</li>
<li>
		Shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gild#NASDAQ">GILD</a>) were trading higher by 2.14 percent.</li>
<li>
		Shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vrx#NYSE">VRX</a>) were trading higher by 4.25 percent.</li>
</ul>

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Biotechs Are Ripping Following IPAB Ruling

Brand-name prescription drug prices have skyrocketed over the past five years, coming in twice as expensive as the prices in 2011.

	Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/esrx#NASDAQ">ESRX</a>), the United States&#39; largest pharmacy conglomerate, compiled the data and came to the initial findings regarding the price doubling.

	&quot;Express Scripts blamed the soaring cost of medicines on a class of drugs that is loosely known as &lsquo;specialty medications,&#39;&quot; according to the<a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/900291d8-ea04-11e5-888e-2eadd5fbc4a4.html"> Financial Times</a>. Within this context, &quot;specialty medications&quot; are drugs used to treat &quot;complex conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer&quot; and come with a high price tag.

	<img alt="rx.png" src="/files/images/2016/March/15/rx.png" style="width: 500px; height: 302px;" />

	Source: <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/900291d8-ea04-11e5-888e-2eadd5fbc4a4.html">Financial Times, Original From Express Scripts</a>

	While branded drugs have increased, driven by specialty medications, Express Scripts found that &quot;the average price of generic medicines [&hellip;] fell roughly 20 per cent last year.&quot;

	<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/16/03/6762429/hillary-clinton-im-going-after-valeant">Hillary Clinton: &quot;I&#39;m Going After&quot; Valeant</a></bzrelatedlink>
<h3>
	Broad Concerns</h3>

	Despite the implicit pricing concerns, FT highlighted how the study brings into context political implications as well.

	During this year&#39;s presidential race, drug manufacturers have come under scrutiny from all sides, with presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton campaigning an &quot;attack&quot; on Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vrx#NYSE">VRX</a>) and its specific price hikes, and Donald Trump proposing Medicare should have the freedom to negotiate pricings for medications.

	Against this backdrop, FT commented, &quot;Fears that the candidates will follow through on their promises with a crackdown on drug prices have contributed to sharp sell-off in pharmaceuticals and biotech stocks in recent months.&quot;

	&quot;The Nasdaq biotech index has lost roughly a third of its value since September, when Mrs. Clinton pledged to crack down on price &lsquo;gouging&#39; in a tweet,&quot; according to FT.
<h3>
	At Time Of Writing&hellip;</h3>
<ul>
<li>
		Valeant was down 38.88 percent at $42.17.</li>
<li>
		Express Scripts was down 1.33 percent at $70.00.</li>
<li>
		iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>) was down 3.04 percent at $253.49.</li>
<li>
		ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) was down 6.33 percent at $38.75.</li>
<li>
		Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pph#NASDAQ">PPH</a>) was down 3.20 percent at $58.00.</li>
</ul>

Politics

ESRX

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

New Study Suggests Drug Prices Have Doubled Since 2011: What's It Mean For The Market?

ProShares has always been a fund company that isn&rsquo;t afraid to introduce new products designed to maximize short-term moves in the market.

	Two of their latest ETFs are aiming to capitalize on the <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/15/06/5606677/biotech-etfs-hit-new-2015-highs">red-hot biotech space</a>. On Tuesday, the Proshares UltraPro NASDAQ Biotechnology (NASDAQ: UBIO) and ProShares UltraPro Short NASDAQ Biotechnology (NASDAQ: ZBIO) made their trading debut. These new funds are designed to provide triple-leveraged long and short exposure to a market cap weighted index of biotech companies.
<h3>Leveraging ETFs</h3>

	Leveraged ETFs allow investors to commit smaller amounts of capital in order to produce an enhanced return. These funds are primarily used by aggressive traders and institutional fund managers who are willing to bet big on a specific industry or sector.
<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/15/06/5606677/biotech-etfs-hit-new-2015-highs">Biotech ETFs Hit New 2015 Highs</a></bzrelatedlink>
<h3>Biotech Index</h3>
	The NASDAQ Biotechnology Index is the same subset of stocks underlying the well-known iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>). This includes overweight exposure to top industry names such as Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gild#NASDAQ">GILD</a>) and Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amgn#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>).
<div id="preview-wrapper">
<div id="file-preview">
		<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/imce?app=nomatter%7Cimceload%40imceInline.load#" title=""><img alt="ibb_0.png" height="284" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u79448/ibb_0.png" width="460" /></a></div>
</div>

	As is the case with all leveraged funds, UBIO and ZBIO are structured to provide daily returns that are three times magnified to the original index. The company notes that the compounded returns over time may deviate from the benchmark.
<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/15/06/5617928/biotech-pair-trade-brean-weighs-in-on-keryx-biopharma-an">A Biotech Pair Trade? Brean Weighs In</a></bzrelatedlink>
<h3>A Note From The CEO</h3>
	Michael L. Sapir, co-founder and CEO of ProShares Advisors, LLC, noted in the press release, &quot;We now offer investors four ETFs providing magnified or inverse exposure to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, including the first and only 3x ETF on the index.&quot;

	ProShares introduced the 2x long and short versions of this strategy back in 2010. The ProShares Ultra NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) and ProShares UltraShort Nasdaq Biotech (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bis#NASDAQ">BIS</a>) were the first leveraged ETFs to track this index.

	All four ProShares biotechnology-related ETFs charge an expense ratio of 0.95 percent.
<h3>Continued Race For Biotech</h3>
	The race to capitalize on investor interest in biotech stocks has also prompted the recent launch of the Direxion Daily S&amp;P Biotech Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/labu#NYSE">LABU</a>) and Direxion Daily S&amp;P Biotech Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/labd#NYSE">LABD</a>) as well.

	Clearly leveraged ETF providers believe that additional tools will be well received in this high growth industry and are going all in to accommodate their core customers.
Image Credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/see-saw-swing-swing-device-bar-339506/">Public Domain</a>

Specialty ETFs

New ETFs

LABD

LABU

ProShares Releases 2 New Leveraged Biotech ETFs

We&rsquo;re waist-deep into the earnings season, and many companies have already filed.

	The U.S. biotech firm Celgene Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/celg#NASDAQ">CELG</a>) has filed as well, and its reported earnings beat Wall Street&rsquo;s expectations. Here are some takeaways from the report.
<h3>
	Earnings Overview</h3>

	Revenues came in at $1.87 billion, a 17 percent increase from the same time period a year earlier. Earnings came in at $748 million, up 15 percent from the $653 million that the company reported for the same quarter last year. EPS increased by 18 percent to $0.90 from $0.76 for the same quarter a year ago, beating Wall Street&rsquo;s expectations of $0.89.

	The company also raised guidance for all of 2014. Good as that may seem, however, analysts deem the new outlook disappointing, as it is only meeting up with estimates.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/14/08/4757467/5-ground-breaking-products-from-healthcare-startups">5 Ground-Breaking Products From Healthcare Startup</a>

	RBC Capital Markets analyst Michael Yee told <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/24/us-celgene-results-idUSKBN0FT25820140724">Reuters</a> that &ldquo;Celgene was fine but disappointed the bulls after a big recent stock run to its all time highs.&rdquo; This displeasure has apparently caused its stock to struggle over the last few days.

	Yee also said this so-called disappointing guidance has made more investors look in the direction of other biotech companiesm like Gilead (NASQAQ: GILD) and Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/biib#NASDAQ">BIIB</a>), which &ldquo;have more near-term earnings upside and catalysts coming.&rdquo;

	Instead of dwelling on this aspect, which isn&rsquo;t negative in itself, investors should be looking into the reasons why the stock has done so well over the past year. If there was something awesome about the company that made it grow so mush within such a short amount of time, that should be what investors should setting their sights on, as that is what will determine the future of the company.
<h3>
	Celgene, A Bet On A Robust Drug Portfolio</h3>

	Simply put, Celgene is a good bet on a robust drug pipeline. Of the two companies that Yee mentioned above, only Gilead&rsquo;s drug pipeline can match that of Celgene. Celgene boasts a more robust drug pipeline than Biogene. A look at the pipeline pages on each of their websites makes this clear. &nbsp;&nbsp;

	With such a superior pipeline, Celgene seems to offer a greater growth potential than Biogen. Moreover, compared with Biogen, Celgene is already more diversified in that its revenues come from more sources.

	Critics might want to point to the fact that Biogen doesn&rsquo;t overly depend on one drug for its revenues. That is true. What is overlooked, however, is the fact that tremendous growth is on the horizon for a number of Celgene&rsquo;s drugs. Abraxane, Pomalyst and Otezla are good examples.

	Drawing from analysts&rsquo; estimates, these three drugs, combined, are expected to account for about $3.5 billion in annual sales. With Abaraxene being touted to lead the pancreatic cancer market, there are chances that these drugs could perform better than estimated.
<h3>
	Maximizing Research</h3>

	One other thing Celgene seems to be doing better than its peers, including Gilead and Biogen, is its strategy for maximizing the potential of its research. The company is doing this with its flagship blood-cancer treatment, Revlimid. If you look at the company&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.celgene.com/content/uploads/2014/06/2014Q2-CelgeneIRCombinedPipelineFINAL.pdf">pipeline page</a>, you&rsquo;d find that even other pipeline candidates are being researched for other indications.

	This could mean more revenues for the company. If the company can be successful with this strategy, then it will be a bigger force in the future.

Earnings

Why Investors Should Closely Watch Celgene

Shares of the following exchange traded funds are trading more than 20 percent higher than 90 days ago, and they are within 10 percent of their 52-week highs. This set of ETFs provides a peek at areas investors have focused on in the third quarter, even as interest rates crept up, during the furor over possible military action in Syria, as well as the lead up to the government shutdown.

	First Trust Global Wind Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fan#NYSE">FAN</a>) is trading more than 52 percent higher year to date and more than 28 percent higher than 90 days ago. This summer, the United States regained the lead in annual wind power capacity from China.

	The nondiversified fund seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield of the ISE Global Wind Energy Index. It is a benchmark for investors interested in tracking public companies throughout the world that are active in the wind energy industry.

	See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/13/10/3965342/hedging-currency-risk-with-etfs-dbap-dbeu-dbuk">Hedging Currency Risk With ETFs</a>

	First Trust ISE Chindia Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fni#NYSE">FNI</a>) has risen more than 28 percent in the past 90 days and reached a multiyear high last week. The Federal Reserve's surprise decision to keep quantitative easing in mid-September has helped boost emerging markets funds like this one.

	The investment seeks results that correspond to the price and yield of the ISE ChIndia Index, a portfolio of 50 equities representing companies from China and India currently trading on U.S. exchanges. Top holdings in the ETF include Baidu (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bidu#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) and Michael Kors (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kors#NYSE">KORS</a>).

	Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/grek#NYSE">GREK</a>) is up more than 36 percent in the past quarter and making another run at the 52-week high from last May. Clear signs that the declining Greek economy may be reaching bottom and overall rising confidence in Europe have boosted this ETF.

	The investment seeks to provide results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the FTSE/Athex 20 Capped Index, which is designed to reflect broad-based equity market performance in Greece. Top holdings of the ETF include Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cch#NYSE">CCH</a>) and National Bank of Greece (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nbg#NYSE">NBG</a>).

	Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qqqc#NYSE">QQQC</a>) is up more than 46 percent since the beginning of the year, most of that gain coming in the past three months. Technology has generally outperformed other sectors in the Chinese market this year.

	The investment seeks to provide results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ OMX China Technology Index, which invests primarily in securities of technology companies that are domiciled in, principally traded in or with revenues that come chiefly from China.

	See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/13/10/3968151/buying-railroad-etfs-on-a-government-shutdown-iyt-xtn-unp">Buying Railroad ETFs On A Government Shutdown</a>

	Global X Social Media Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/socl#NYSE">SOCL</a>) is trading more than 34 percent higher than three months ago and more than 54 percent higher year-to-date. Social media companies like Facebook (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fb#NASDAQ">FB</a>) posted strong results and bullish outlooks in the third quarter.

	This investment seeks to capture the global industry in a single ETF. It includes companies from all over the world that provide social networking, file sharing and other Web-based media applications. Top holdings include Facebook, Sina (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sina#NASDAQ">SINA</a>) and LinkedIn (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lnkd#NYSE">LNKD</a>).

	Guggenheim Solar ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tan#NYSE">TAN</a>) is nearly 120 percent higher than at the beginning of the year . Some experts see nine percent or more further upside, as demand for photovoltaic cells rises and the Chinese government supports the industry.

	The investment seeks results that correspond to the performance of the MAC Global Solar Energy Index. Top holdings in the ETF include Trina Solar (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tsl#NYSE">TSL</a>), First Solar (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fslr#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) and GT Advanced Technologies (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gtat#NASDAQ">GTAT</a>).

	ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) is about 118 percent higher year to date, as well as up about 35 percent in the past three months. Strength in the biotech sector is well over a year old, despite some head winds.

	The investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice the daily performance of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, which is a modified capitalization weighted index that includes securities of Nasadaq- listed companies classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical.

BIDU

FSLR

GREK

GTAT

KORS

LNKD

QQQC

SOCL

Seven ETFs On A Roll (BIB, SOCL, TAN)

Another day, another intrday record for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Buoyed by a stronger-than-expected February jobs report, U.S. stocks continue to grind higher. 

Friday's action is of the modesty variety, perhaps disappointing eager bulls that were expecting more on the back of the jobs report.

Despite the Friday lethargy, nearly 300 ETFs tracking a variety of asset classes and sectors are close to <a href="http://www.finviz.com/screener.ashx?v=111&amp;f=ind_exchangetradedfund,ta_highlow52w_nh&amp;ft=3">or have already made new highs</a>. 

That can be interpreted as a positive sign and perhaps open the door for aggressive traders to embrace some bullish leveraged ETFs.

With the benefit of the SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>) rising nearly nine percent year-to-date, plenty of leveraged bull ETFs have soared as well and now look overbought. 

When it comes to using these funds over the next few weeks, the key for traders is focusing on situations, meaning identification of leveraged ETFs that are or close to a potential sweet spot that can lead to further near-term upside. Consider the following.

ProShares Ultra Financials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uyg#NYSE">UYG</a>)
Plenty of traders are talking about the recent bullishness in the Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlf#NYSE">XLF</a>), the largest ETF tracking financial services stocks. 

With good reason, too. The stress results released on Thursday were mostly positive and that was enough to extend XLF's impressive year-to-date performance which has the ETF hovering near a new 52-week high.

Bringing the conversation back to UYG, this double leveraged ETF is not a play on XLF. Rather, UYG attempts to deliver two times the daily performance of the index tracked by the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Financial Sector Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iyf#NYSE">IYF</a>), an ETF that has slightly outpaced XLF this year.

As <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/03/3397765/the-must-know-etfs-for-bank-stress-tests">was noted on Thursday</a>, the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review stress test results are due out next week. 

That is when the Federal Reserve can approve or reject banks' capital plans such as dividends and share buybacks. In other words, a significant catalyst could be looming over the next few days for UYG.

ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>)
The ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology is the double-leveraged answer to the $2.37 billion iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>). 

That means that IBB and its holdings such as Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gild#NASDAQ">GILD</a>), Amgen (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amgn#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) and Celgene (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/celg#NASDAQ">CELG</a>) are the names traders in BIB will want to keep an eye on.

One of the more obvious reasons to embrace BIB is that IBB is not just making new 52-highs, it is making all-time highs. So are the other major non-leveraged biotech ETFs such as the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotech Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fbt#NYSE">FBT</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Biotechnology ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xbi#NYSE">XBI</a>). 

Another reason to consider BIB is that biotech stocks have proven resilient to global macroeconomic headwinds. In other words, the sector's <a href="http://www.sectorspdr.com/correlation/">relatively low correlation to the S&amp;P 500 can be a good thing</a>.

ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ycs#NYSE">YCS</a>)
Alright, so we fibbed a bit because the ProShares UltraShort Yen is a bearish play on the yen. However, that means it is a bullish play on the U.S. dollar against the Japanese currency. 

Technicalities aside, USD/JPY is trading at its highest levels in nearly four years and the yen is battling with the British pound for the dubious honor of the world's worst-performing developed market currency in 2013.

Here is the lingering catalyst for YCS, though it will require hanging onto the ETF for a few weeks. The next Bank of Japan meeting is in early April and that will be the first with (presumably) Haruhio Kuroda at the helm. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated Kuroda because the latter favors higher inflation and a weaker yen. 

Along those lines, it would not be surprising to see BoJ announce new monetary stimulus measures that go into effect soon after the April meeting. That means the yen likely falls and YCS keeps going higher.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Short Ideas

Technicals

Currency ETFs

Forex

Events

Global

Intraday Update

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund

If Stocks Keep Soaring, Get to Know These Leveraged ETFs

ProShares, the largest issuer of inverse and leveraged ETFs, announced 2-for-1 splits for two of its ETFs and reverse splits for nine of its funds. The ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) and the ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/svxy#NYSE">SVXY</a>) will be split 2-for-1.

All splits will apply to shareholders of record as of the close of the markets on October 2, 2012, payable after the close of the markets on October 4, 2012. The funds will trade at their post-split price on October 5, 2012, according to a statement issued by ProShares.

Nine ProShares ETFs will be reverse split on a 1-for-4 basis. Those funds are as follows: ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tbt#NYSE">TBT</a>), the ProShares UltraShort S&amp;P500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sds#NYSE">SDS</a>), the ProShares UltraShort Gold (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gll#NYSE">GLL</a>), the ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdow#NYSE">SDOW</a>), the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>), the ProShares Ultra MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ubr#NYSE">UBR</a>), the ProShares UltraShort Health Care (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rxd#NYSE">RXD</a>), the ProShares UltraShort Nasdaq Biotech (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bis#NASDAQ">BIS</a>) and the ProShares UltraShort Consumer Goods (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/szk#NYSE">SZK</a>).

Those funds will also trade at their post-split prices on October 5.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Emerging Market ETFs

Stock Split

Pre-Market Outlook

SDOW

SVXY

ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20+ Year Treasury

ProShares to Split 2, Reverse Split 9 ETFs

Despite the rapid expansion of exchange-traded products to nearly 1,500 ETFs and ETNs combined, a percentage of products continues to dominate in terms of average daily volume. Indeed, TrimTabs Investment Research reported that the largest ETFs represent 15 percent of total daily stock trading volume, an 87 percent increase from 2006.

There is good news about low-volume ETFs and it comes in two packages. First, it has become clear <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/12/07/2740931/etf-liquidity-thinly-traded-etfs-are-not-so-bad">that liquidity concerns with many ETFs are overstated</a>. An ETF's liquidity is determined more by the volume in its underlying components rather than the volume of the ETF itself.

Second, as recent research from TrimTabs notes, some thinly traded ETFs outperform the more heavily traded equivalents. That tells investors investors that low volume does not mean low returns and that high volume is not always associated with high returns.

There may be differing opinions on exactly what number or range of numbers constitutes "low volume," but a screen for ETFs with average daily volume of less than 50,000 and year-to-date returns of 10 percent or more turned up more than 120 offerings. Here are few worth considering.

ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>)
Given that the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>), SPDR S&amp;P Biotech ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xbi#NYSE">XBI</a>) and the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fbt#NYSE">FBT</a>) are among the three best-performing sector funds through this year, it is almost shocking that few traders talk about the leveraged answer to the biotech sector.

ProShares Ultra, which seeks to deliver two times the daily returns of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, the same index tracked by iShares, has surged more than 55 percent this year despite average daily volume of 6,580 shares.

WisdomTree Global ex-US Real Estate Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/drw#NYSE">DRW</a>)
The WisdomTree Global ex-US Real Estate Fund is a pleasant surprise on multiple fronts. First, the ETF has jumped 15.8 percent year-to-date and that is with exposure to some global markets that investors have been conditioned to avoid recently. WisdomTree offers exposure to a mix of developed and emerging markets. All told, 25 countries, including five Eurozone members, are represented in the ETF. So are emerging markets laggards such as Brazil, South Africa and Taiwan.

In other words, WisdomTree's performance this year is downright impressive. So is the ETF's 4.6 percent distribution yield. DRW has delivered stellar returns and a robust yield on average daily turnover of less than 19,000 shares.

Focus Morningstar Health Care Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fhc#NYSE">FHC</a>)
The Focus Morningstar Health Care Indsex ETF is basically the FocusShares answer to the larger, more heavily traded Health Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlv#NYSE">XLV</a>). Not only is Morningstar the dominant health care ETF in terms of size, it is also the cheapest with an expense ratio of 0.18 percent. That said, it must be noted that Morningstar only charges 0.19 percent and has outperformed XLV by almost 80 basis points, rendering the expense ratio conversation a moot point.

Morningstar is a prime example of what the TrimTabs research highlights: A low-volume ETF that does not necessarily suffer from liquidity problems because its underlying components are heavily traded.

Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/jnj#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Pfizer (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>), Merck (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mrk#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Abbott Labs (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/abt#NYSE">ABT</a>) combine for about 35 percent of Morningstar's weight. Those are all heavily traded stocks and the flight to those and other blue-chip pharmaceuticals names has helped Morningstar gain almost 10.7 percent year-to-date despite average daily volume of less than 2,800 shares.

For more on ETFs and liquidity, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/12/07/2740931/etf-liquidity-thinly-traded-etfs-are-not-so-bad">here</a>.

WisdomTree Trust International Real Estate Sector Fund

Low Volume, High Returns for These ETFs (BIB, FHC, DRW)

Shares of the following exchange traded funds are more than 15% higher than 90 days ago and trading within 9% of their 52-week highs.

Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cure#NYSE">CURE</a>) is more than 26% higher year to date but trading about where it was a month ago. The nondiversified fund creates long positions by investing at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities that comprise the Health Care Select Sector Index, or financial instruments that provide leveraged and unleveraged exposure to the index. These financial instruments include: futures contracts, swap agreements and short positions.

Direxion Daily Large Cap Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bgu#NYSE">BGU</a>) is up more than 40% from the beginning of the year, including up almost 7% in the past week. The nondiversified fund creates long positions by investing at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities that comprise the Russell 1000 Index, or financial instruments that provide leveraged and unleveraged exposure to the index. These financial instruments include: futures contracts, swap agreements and short positions.

Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/drn#NYSE">DRN</a>) is about 48% higher year to date, as well as up about 9% in the past week. The investment seeks daily investment results of 300% of the performance of the MSCI US REIT Index. The nondiversified fund normally creates long positions by investing at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities that comprise the index, or financial instruments that provide leveraged and unleveraged exposure to the index.

See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/12/05/2547337/s-p-look-to-etfs-holding-multi-family-reits-vnq-icf-rez">S&amp;P: Look to ETFs Holding Multi-Family REITs</a>

ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bib#NASDAQ">BIB</a>) is up more than 42% year to date, including about 7% higher in the past week. This investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (2x) the daily performance of the underlying index. The nondiversified fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the index. Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/alxn#NASDAQ">ALXN</a>) is one top holding.

ProShares UltraPro QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tqqq#NASDAQ">TQQQ</a>) is up more than 69% since the beginning of the year, including about 10% in the past week. The investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to three times (3x) the daily performance of the underlying index. Assets of the fund not invested in equity securities or derivatives typically are held in money market instruments. Top holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) and Google (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>).

ProShares UltraPro S&amp;P 500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/upro#NYSE">UPRO</a>) is up more than 40% since the beginning of the year, including rising more than 7% in the past week. This investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to three times (3x) the daily performance of the underlying index. The nondiversified fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the index. Apple and Exxon Mobil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xom#NYSE">XOM</a>) are top holdings.

See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/04/2538130/etfs-for-sell-in-may-and-go-away-part-ii-fbt-xlu-soxs">ETFs to Sell in May and Go Away</a>

ProShares Ultra Russell 1000 Growth (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ukf#NYSE">UKF</a>) is more than 30% higher since the beginning of the year and trading near the 52-week high. This investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (2x) the daily performance of the underlying index. The nondiversified fund concentrates its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the index. Top holdings include Apple, Exxon and IBM (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibm#NYSE">IBM</a>).

ProShares Ultra Technology (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rom#NYSE">ROM</a>) is more than 40% higher year to date, despite pulling back about 5% in the past month. The investment seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (2x) the daily performance of the underlying index. Assets of this nondiversified fund not invested in equity securities or derivatives typically are held in money market instruments. Top holdings include Apple, IBM, Google and Intel (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/intc#NASDAQ">INTC</a>).

Teucrium Soybean (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/soyb#NYSE">SOYB</a>) is trading about 15% higher than three months ago. The investment seeks to have the daily changes in percentage terms of the funds NAV per share reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of a weighted average of the closing settlement prices for the three soybean futures contracts. The fund invests normally in Benchmark Component Futures Contracts or in other Soybean Futures Contracts trade on the CBOT or on foreign exchange.

<div id="action-items">ACTION ITEMS:

Bullish: Investors may also want to consider the following trades: 

<ul><li>ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/svxy#NYSE">SVXY</a>) is almost 88% higher year to date.</li>
<li>UBS E-TRACS Daily Short 2-Month S&amp;P 500 VIX Futures ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bbvx#NYSE">BBVX</a>) is more than 49% higher year to date.</li>
<li>iPath Inverse S&amp;P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN II (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ivop#NYSE">IVOP</a>) is about 44% higher year to date.</li>
</ul>Bearish: Traders may prefer to consider these alternative positions in stocks:

<ul><li>Apple (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is up almost 44% year to date.</li>
<li>Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/alxn#NYSE">ALXN</a>) is up more than 28% year to date.</li>
<li>Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) is up more than 24% year to date.</li>
</ul>Neither Benzinga nor its staff recommend that you buy, sell, or hold any security. We do not offer investment advice, personalized or otherwise. Benzinga recommends that you conduct your own due diligence and consult a certified financial professional for personalized advice about your financial situation.</div>

AAPL

BBVX

CURE

Direxion Daily Real Estate Bull 3x Shares

GOOG

INTC

IVOP

MSFT

SOYB

TQQQ

UPRO

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ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology

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ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ:BIB), Quote.Headers.trade-ideas