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Roper Technologies (NASDAQ: ROP) beat revenue and EPS estimates in Q1 2024, with a 14% Y/Y revenue growth and increased profits. FY24 outlook positive.

Software Provider Roper Tech Boosts Annual Outlook Following Q1 Performance: The Details

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Rising Stars, Falling Trends: July&#39;s Industry ETF Winners And Losers

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The Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ: PHO) is down approximately 21% year-to-date, compared to the S&amp;P 500 which is down roughly 22% year-to-date.

As A Water Crisis Threatens The Globe, These 3 Dividend Paying Water Utilities Could See Their Market Caps Balloon

PHOSPHATE HOLDINGS INC by Phosphate Holdings, Inc.

Phosphate Holdings Inc

GrowLife Inc

PHOENIX LIFE SCIENCES INT by Phoenix Life Sciences International Ltd.

Phoenix Acquisition Limited

Phoenix Apps Inc

PHOENIX COPPER LTD S/ADR by Phoenix Copper Limited

Phoenix Copper Ltd

PHOENIX COPPER LTD by Phoenix Copper Limited

PHOENIX FOOTWEAR GROUP by Phoenix Footwear Group, Inc.

Phoenix Footwear Group Inc

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PHOENIX MECANO AG STEIN by PHOENIX MECANO AG STEIN AM RHEIN

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PHOENIX MEDIA INV NEW by PHOENIX MEDIA INVT (HOLDINGS) LTD.

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PHONEX HOLDINGS INC by PhoneX Holdings, Inc.

PhoneX Holdings Inc

PhotoCure ASA

PHOTOELECTRON CORP by Photoelectron Corp.

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PHOTOZOU HLDGS INC by PHOTOZOU HLDGS INC.

Photozou Holdings Inc

Photronics Inc

Roper Technologies Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROP#NASDAQ">ROP</a>) reported&nbsp;fiscal first-quarter 2024 revenue growth of 14% year-on-year to $1.68 billion, beating the analyst consensus&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/04/g38455590/roper-technologies-announces-first-quarter-financial-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimate of $1.65 billion</a>. Adjusted EPS of $4.41&nbsp;beat the analyst&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $4.34</a>.
Gross profit increased to $1.18 billion from $1.02 billion a year ago. Operating income increased to $483.9 million from $360.1 million the prior quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 16%&nbsp;year over year&nbsp;to $676 million, and margin expanded by 60 basis points to 40.2%.
Operating cash flow for the quarter totaled $531 million, up by 14% Y/Y.
The company held $198.4 million in cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2024.
Neil Hunn, Roper Technologies&#8217; President and&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;said, &#8220;We completed our acquisition of Procare during the first quarter and remain excited about the value creation opportunity this represents for Roper.&#8221; &#8220;We are increasing our&nbsp;full year&nbsp;2024 outlook, supported by our strong first quarter results, continued customer demand for our businesses&#8217; mission critical solutions, and the ongoing expansion of our recurring revenue base.
Outlook:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://investors.ropertech.com/investors/webcasts-presentations/default.aspx" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roper expects FY24</a>&nbsp;revenue growth of ~12% (prior 11% &#8211; 12%) vs. consensus of $6.89 billion and adjusted EPS of $18.05 &#8211; $18.25 (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/01/36869450/why-software-technology-company-roper-shares-are-down-today" rel="noreferrer noopener">prior $17.85 &#8211; $18.15</a>) vs. $18.12 estimate.
&nbsp;Roper expects adjusted EPS of $4.42 &#8211; $4.46 for its second quarter, compared to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">Street view of $4.49</a>.
Roper Technologies stock gained over 25% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;Invesco Water Resources ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHO#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) and&nbsp;First Trust Water ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIW#NYSE">FIW</a>).
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is Roper Tech A Good Stock To Buy?</h2>
Wall Street analysts view Roper Techs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROP#NASDAQ">ROP</a>) on the whole as a Outperform, given the history of coverage over the past three months. Christopher Glynn from Oppenheimer in Roper Techs is the most optimistic, expecting a 12.07% rise in the stock in the coming year.
But looking at how the market as a whole thinks of the stock, you can reference historical price action for views on whether investors feel strongly about the stock one way or another. In the past 3 months, Roper Techs fell 2.79%, which indicates that opinion soured on the business and how attractive it is to own based on either its stock price, or underlying fundamentals, like revenue, which rose 14.35% over the past year.
A complete overview of how Wall Street views individual stocks is available <a href='https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings'>here</a>, while real time updates on the latest analyst actions will be delivered via <a href='https://pro.benzinga.com'>Benzinga PRO</a>. Try it for free.
Price Action: ROP shares closed higher by 0.45% at $540.41 at last check on Thursday.
Image: Shutterstock/ whiteMocca

Photocure ASA&nbsp;(OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals&nbsp;(SSE: 688176)&nbsp;communicated today that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted the new drug application (NDA) for Hexvix&reg;&nbsp;(APL-1706) in&nbsp;China. Hexvix, a pharmaceutical product used in the detection of bladder cancer, was licensed to Asieris by Photocure in&nbsp;January 2021, for the registration and commercialization of Hexvix in mainland&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Taiwan.

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Photocure Partner Asieris Announces New Drug Application Acceptance for Regulatory Review of Hexvix in China

As July comes to an end, it&#8217;s time to take a look at the best- and worst-performing industry <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-etfs">ETFs for the month.</a>
Among the largest ETFs that represent major U.S. stock indices, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) returned 3.1% in July, marking its fifth consecutive month of gains. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) had similar monthly performance, but the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) outperformed by 3.8%. The strongest performer, though, was the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>), which increased by 4.9%.
Which industries have performed significantly better than the overall market? Which ones, on the other hand, had a particularly rough month despite the broader risk-on period?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 Top Performing Industry ETFs In July</h2>
5) Semiconductors &#8211; VanEck Semiconductors ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NYSE">SMH</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 5% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 58.8% &#8211; Top holdings: NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) (20%), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) (10.74%), Broadcom Inc. (5.64%) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) &#8211; Monthly stock contributors: Nvidia (2.8 percentage points), Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) (0.6pp), Intel Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NYSE">INTC</a>) (0.5pp)
4) Agriculture &#8211; VanEck Agribusiness ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOO#NYSE">MOO</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 7.8% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 3.1% &#8211; Top holdings: Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZTS#NYSE">ZTS</a>) (8.6%), Deere &amp; Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>) (8.33%) &#8211; Monthly stock contributors: Zoetis Inc. (1pp); Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADM#NYSE">ADM</a>) (0.9pp); 
3) Oil &amp; Gas – SPDR Oil &amp; Gas Explor. &amp; Prod. ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 10.1% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 11% &#8211; Top holdings: Antero Resources Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AR#NYSE">AR</a>) (2.6%), SM Energy Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SM#NYSE">SM</a>) (2.5%) &#8211; Monthly stock contributors: Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OVV#NYSE">OVV</a>) (0.6pp); APA Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APA#NYSE">APA</a>) (0.5pp)
2) Oil services – VanEck Oil Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OIH#NYSE">OIH</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 18.9% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 18.4% &#8211; Top holdings: Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLB#NYSE">SLB</a>) (19.6%); Halliburton Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>) (11%). &#8211; Monthly stock contributors: Schlumberger Ltd. (4pp); Halliburton Company (2.2pp)
1) Regional Banks – SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 19.8% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: -16.2% &#8211; Top holdings: Western Alliance Bancorp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAL#NYSE">WAL</a>) (2.4%), Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNFP#NYSE">PNFP</a>) (2.3%). &#8211; Monthly stock contributors: Western Alliance Bancorp. (0.85pp); ZIONS Bancorporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZION#NYSE">ZION</a>) (0.8pp)
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/07/33450464/oil-prices-hit-80-sparking-5-week-winning-streak-5-must-watch-oil-etfs-to-ride-th">Oil Prices Hit $80, Sparking 5-Week Winning Streak: 5 Must-Watch Oil ETFs To Ride The Wave</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Industry ETFs Gainers In July 2023</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="822" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42-1024x822.png" alt="" class="wp-image-78242" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42-1024x822.png 1024w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42-300x241.png 300w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42-768x616.png 768w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42-1536x1233.png 1536w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31095930/SMH_2023-07-31_15-58-18_36b42.png 1540w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 Worst Performing Industry ETFs In July</h2>
5) Water Resources &#8211; Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHO#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 2.9% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 12.6% &#8211; Top holdings: Danaher Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHR#NYSE">DHR</a>) (8.1%), Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECL#NYSE">ECL</a>) (8%), Ferguson Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FERG#NYSE">FERG</a>) (8%). &#8211; Monthly stock draggers: Walmont Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMI#NYSE">VMI</a>) (-0.3pp); Mueller Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLI#NYSE">MLI</a>) (-0.1pp). 
4) Biotech &#8211; iShares Biotechnology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBB#NYSE">IBB</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 2.1% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: down by 0.3% &#8211; Top holdings: Amgen Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NYSE">AMGN</a>) (8.5%), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NYSE">VRTX</a>) (8.5%) &#8211; Monthly stock draggers: Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APLS#NYSE">APLS</a>) (-0.7pp); Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIIB#NASDAQ">BIIB</a>) (-0.3pp). 
3) Real Estate – Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNQ#NYSE">VNQ</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: 2% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 3.3% &#8211; Top holdings: Prologis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLD#NYSE">PLD</a>) (7.6%), American Tower Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMT#NYSE">AMT</a>) (6%). &#8211; Monthly stock draggers: CoStar Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSGP#NASDAQ">CSGP</a>) (-0.2pp), Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCI#NYSE">CCI</a>) (-0.2pp)
2) Airlines – U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JETS#NYSE">JETS</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: down by 0.4% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: 25.9% &#8211; Top holdings: Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) (10.8%), American Airlines Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NYSE">AAL</a>) (9.8%). &#8211; Monthly stock draggers: American Airlines Group Inc. (-0.5pp), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>) (-0.4pp)
1) Solar – Invesco Solar ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAN#NYSE">TAN</a>) &#8211; Total return month-to-date: down by 3.3% &#8211; Total return year-to-date: down by 4.4% &#8211; Top holdings: First Solar Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NYSE">FSLR</a>) (11.1%), Enphase Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NYSE">ENPH</a>) (9.1%) &#8211; Monthly stock draggers: SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>) (-0.7pp), SMA Solar Technology AG (OTCPK: SMTGF) (-0.6pp). 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Industry ETF Losers In July</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="822" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583-1024x822.png" alt="" class="wp-image-78251" srcset="https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583-1024x822.png 1024w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583-300x241.png 300w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583-768x616.png 768w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583-1536x1233.png 1536w,https://s3.amazonaws.com/editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/31102147/IBB_2023-07-31_16-04-00_04583.png 1540w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Rising Stars, Falling Trends: July's Industry ETF Winners And Losers

The Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pho#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) is down approximately 21% year-to-date, compared to the S&amp;P 500 which is down roughly 22% year-to-date.
Although water utilities have fallen in line with the market, they still make an attractive investment as water is one of the most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/22/09/28816019/thirsty-for-good-stocks-look-to-water-scarcity">important resources in the world</a>.
The World Health Organization reported 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and according to UN-Water more than 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries.
A global water crisis could continue to worsen with scorching droughts and climate change, which could cause 700 million people to be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030, the Global Water Institute reported.
Here are three water utility stocks&nbsp;to consider.
Go To:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/22/08/28331495/1-5-million-bet-on-global-water-resources-4-stocks-insiders-are-buying">$1.5 Million Bet On Global Water Resources? 4 Stocks Insiders Are Buying</a>
Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wtrg#NYSE">WTRG</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 2.62% or $1.15 per share annually, making quarterly payments, with a strong track record of increasing its dividends for 16 consecutive years.
Essential Utilities is a Pennsylvania-based holding company for U.S. water, wastewater&nbsp;and natural gas distribution utilities.
&ldquo;Our work continues to produce solid financial performance for the first half of the year, with the expectation that we will meet the 5%-7% earnings growth guidance again this year,&rdquo; said Essential Chairman and CEO&nbsp;Christopher Franklin.
In the second quarter of 2022, Essential Utilities&#39; revenues for the quarter were $448.8 million, an increase of 13.0% compared to $397.0 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Aris Water Solutions Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aris#NYSE">ARIS</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 2.20% or 36 cents per share annually, through quarterly payments, with an infrequent track record of increasing its dividend.
Aris Water Solutions is an environmental infrastructure and solutions company that helps customers reduce their water and carbon footprints.
Due to cost headwinds and customer scheduling delays, Aris Water Solutions saw a net income for the second quarter of 2022 of $4 million, which decreased by 11% compared to the same period last year. On the bright side, Aris Water reported approximately 1.2 million barrels of water per day of total volumes handled, up approximately 34% from 924,000 barrels of water per day for the second quarter of 2021.
American Water Works Company Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/awk#NYSE">AWK</a>) is offering a dividend yield of 1.90% or $2.62 per share annually, using quarterly payments, with a decent track record of increasing its dividends for three consecutive years.
American Water Works is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility, providing&nbsp;water and wastewater services to residential, commercial&nbsp;and industrial customers and operates predominantly in regulated markets.
American Water Works beat its earnings consensus three quarters straight and has issued its 2022 earnings per share guidance range of $4.39 to $4.49 on a weather-normalized basis. The firm also issues 2023 earnings guidance range of $4.72 to $4.82 per share, with a long-term dividend growth expectation of 7% to 9%, narrowed to align with their long-term earnings per share <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/22/11/29525233/4-analysts-have-this-to-say-about-american-water-works">compounded annual growth rate</a>.
Photo:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/trutta">Trutta</a>&nbsp;via Shutterstock
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These are dry times. Droughts are becoming more common and are lasting longer. In the Western United States, for example, the demand for freshwater is outpacing supply, leading states like California to introduce stricter water controls. How dry is the West? A recent study shows the region is suffering the worst drought in over a millennium.
According to the 2018&nbsp;United Nations World Water Development Report, nearly 6 billion peoples will suffer from clean water scarcity by 2050.&nbsp;
For those that don&rsquo;t believe the science, perhaps the fact that Michael Burry, the investor famous for calling the housing bubble before it burst, has long been focused on investment opportunities in water scarcity. Some call fresh water, which only makes up 3% of the earth&rsquo;s water, the oil of the 21st&nbsp;Century. For civilization, this is scary stuff. For investors, water scarcity could be the equivalent of liquid gold.
Liquid Gold&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re looking to play water scarcity more generally, there are several ETFs to investigate. Of these, Invesco Water Resources (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pho#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) is a solid, broad play on the inevitability of sadly thirsty world. Its top three holdings are the&nbsp;utility&nbsp;American Water Works&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/awk#NYSE">AWK</a>),&nbsp;Roper Technologies&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rop#NYSE">ROP</a>), which makes smart water meters for utilities, at 8.2%; and water technology provider&nbsp;Xylem&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/xyl#NYSE">XYL</a>).
For more focused investments, investors can look to companies striving to solve different aspects of the ensuing water crisis. Companies that provide irrigation systems, such as Lindsay Corp (LNN), are interesting play. So too are companies focused on dredging such as Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corporation (GLDD). For the water industry novice,&nbsp;dredging&nbsp;is the act&nbsp;removing silt and other material from the bottom of bodies of water. As sand and silt washes downstream, sedimentation gradually fill channels and harbors.&nbsp;The global dredging market is estimated at USD 15.7 Billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach USD 21.4 Billion by 2032, growing with a&nbsp;CAGR of 3.3% from 2022 to 2032 At around $9.62 per share, GLDD is now under its pre-pandemic high&mdash;and is significantly down from its over $15 per share runup it saw in 2021.&nbsp;
The Glass Is Half Empty&nbsp;
Water shortages are going to increase. Whether 700 million people are displaced by intense water scarcity by 2025, as UNICEF estimates, or it takes longer for the Water End Times to arrive is a matter of debate. Time will tell. But for a long-term bet on an industry, companies that successfully solve&mdash;or even mitigate&mdash;the water scarcity crisis that is coming are bound to be swimming in profits.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Thirsty for Good Stocks? Look to Water Scarcity.

<ul>
<li>Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has offered $2.9 billion in grants for state and local bridge, road, and other infrastructure projects,&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/23/buttigieg-says-dot-will-dole-out-2point9-billion-in-infrastructure-grants.html" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">CNBC reports</a>.</li>
<li>The grant, part of the bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by President Joe Biden, aimed to fund public works projects.</li>
<li>State, regional and local governments will be able to compete for the grant funding through three separate programs.</li>
<li>The Transportation Department will award 50% of funding to projects worth over $100 million and share $1 billion in funds over the first year under the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program.</li>
<li>The second program called the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, which caters to the smaller highway, freight, and rail construction projects has been allocated $8 billion by the Biden administration.</li>
<li>The remaining funding will fund the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, with funds exclusively available for rural communities. The program offered ~$300 million in grants through that project in 2022.</li>
</ul>

Media

IFRA

PAVE

SIMS

US Approves $2.9B In Grant For Infra Projects

American investors are used to a warm July 4 holiday, but a record-setting heat wave could make this holiday weekend the hottest on record in many places.
The heat wave is already impacting crop prices, but it could be good news for certain stocks as well.
<h3>Records Broken</h3>
On Saturday, temperatures in Alaska&rsquo;s capital city, Juneau, reached 83 degrees, breaking a record that stood for 110 years. Anchorage, Cordova, Gulkana, Talkeetna and other towns across Alaska also broke <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/01/alaska-heat-wave-record-heat-fuels-wildfires-melting-sea-ice/1616992001/">heat records</a> Saturday.
According to AccuWeather meteorologist Ryan Adamson, most areas in the eastern Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions will be experiencing temperatures in the mid to upper 80s by Wednesday. Adamson predicts the combination of heat and humidity will drive heat indices from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. near the triple digits.
The heat wave hasn&rsquo;t been confined to the U.S.
The Czech Republic, Germany and&nbsp;Poland have all recorded temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the past week. Those three nations are among nine countries in Europe enduring record heat.
The heat wave has been particularly bad in France, where a 114.6-degree temperature in Gallargues-le-Montueux is the hottest temperature ever recorded on any day <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/07/01/europes-historic-heat-wave-crushed-more-records-this-weekend-is-finally-easing/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.5fb072707462">in history</a>.
<h3>Impact On Crops, Lives</h3>
The heat wave is already having an impact on food prices in the U.S.
Americans who want lettuce on their grilled hamburgers this week will be paying as much as three times more for&nbsp;locally grown lettuce in parts of California thanks to the heat wave.
<a href="https://www.ksbw.com/article/lettuce-prices-triple-after-heat-wave-damages-crop/28253320#">Churches Brothers Farms </a>reports as much as 30% of its iceberg and romaine lettuce crop has been lost to the heat.
The high temperatures in France could lead to a 10% cut in wheat production, according to CNBC.
Heat waves tend to have the largest impact on staple crops such as wheat, grain and maize. The European Centre for International Political Economy estimates the region impacted by the wave in Europe could lose up to $11.3 billion in crop sales thanks to the heat.
A similar heat wave in the region in 2003 reportedly contributed to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/temperatures-in-france-hit-104-f-and-they-could-go-higher.html">15,000 deaths</a>, and Paris has temporarily shut down more than 50 schools in an effort to keep children safe.
<h3>Potential Winners</h3>
While the heat wave might not last long enough to have any major impact on individual stocks, investors who want to play the theme of rising global temperatures have several potential options.
Investors who expect climate change to ultimately trigger an electric vehicle boom can invest in the GLB X FUNDS/AUTONOMOUS &amp; ELEC V (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/driv#NASDAQ">DRIV</a>).
Looking at alternative energy in general, the INVESCO EXCHANG/SOLAR ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tan#NYSE">TAN</a>) is a diversified way to bet on a shift away from fuels that generate greenhouse gasses.
More than half of Ingersoll-Rand PLC (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ir#NYSE">IR</a>) revenue comes from its <a href="http://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001466258/db6730c2-3e75-4839-977d-33073f775dce.pdf">Trane HVAC products</a>, which could get a big boost from demand for air conditioning.
Finally, for investors who believe rising temperatures will eventually create major water shortages in parts of the world, the Powershares Water Resource Portfolio (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pho#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) is an ETF that invests almost entirely in the <a href="https://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/investors/etfs/product-detail?productId=PHO">water industry</a>.
Related Links:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/19/06/13937547/goldman-sachs-upgrades-residential-solar-stocks">Goldman Sachs Upgrades Residential Solar Stocks</a> 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/19/01/12926228/goldman-sachs-warms-up-to-solar-stocks-in-2019">Goldman Sachs Warms Up To Solar Stocks In 2019</a>
Photo by the <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_heat_is_on_(48138322288).jpg">European Space Agency via Wikimedia</a>.&nbsp;

DRIV

How To Play The Global Summer Heat Wave

Among exchange traded funds with exposure to the industrial and utilities sectors, water funds can go overlooked, but there is significant opportunity with these funds.
This year, the Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pho#NASDAQ">PHO</a>) is proving as much.
<h3>What To Know</h3>
PHO recently turned 13 years old and is home to nearly $857 million in assets under management, making it one of the oldest and largest US-listed water ETFs. The fund tracks the NASDAQ OMX US Water Index.
That index &ldquo;seeks to track the performance of US exchange-listed companies that create products designed to conserve and purify water for homes, businesses and industries,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/financial-professional/etfs/product-detail?productId=PHO">according to Invesco</a>.
<h3>Why It&#39;s Important</h3>
PHO is on a tear this year. The water ETF is higher by 16.27 percent and touched an all-time high last Friday, making it one of just 26 U.S.-listed ETFs to do so.
PHO is home to 35 stocks, about 80 percent of which hail from the industrial and utilities sectors. This year, PHO is topping the largest utilities ETF by a margin of better than 3-to-1. Last year, the water fund performed less poorly than the largest industrials ETF. Over the past several years, PHO&#39;s annualized volatility has generally been inline with that of the largest utilities ETF while being well below that of the biggest industrials ETF.
While the comparisons to the industrial and utilities sectors can imply PHO is not a growth fund, the opposite is actually true. Barely more than 5 percent of PHO&#39;s components are classified as value stocks while half the <a href="https://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/financial-professional/etfs/product-detail?productId=PHO">fund&#39;s holdings are either </a>large-, mid- or small-cap growth stocks.
<h3>What&#39;s Next</h3>
Heading into 2019, some analysts were bullish on water stocks following last year&#39;s selloff.
&ldquo;We believe the disconnect creates opportunity, with the market selloff providing compelling entry points in a number of high-quality names where both the tactical fundamentals and strategic stories remain intact,&rdquo; said Boenning &amp; Scattergood Ryan Connors <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/water-stocks-are-an-overlooked-and-underappreciated-play-for-2019-analyst-says-2018-12-27">in a note out late last year</a>.
Investors have added $1.59 million to PHO <a href="https://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/financial-professional/etfs/tools/flow-trend-tracker">over the past month</a>.
Related Links
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/19/02/13183024/the-marijuana-etf-continues-to-impress-could-institutio">A Powerful Pot ETF</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/19/02/13183825/the-right-etf-for-the-growthvalue-debate">Value Vs. Growth In This ETF</a>

This Water ETF is Gushing Higher

The promise was for a $1-trillion infrastructure plan from Trump&#39;s campaign days but the actual plan launched lately is a $200-billion federal infrastructure plan, which comprises below-mentioned areas:
<ol>
<li>
		$100 billion in matching grant would go to states and cities on new, <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/12/17003840/trumps-infrastructure-plan">less-generous terms</a>.</li>
<li>
		$50 billion rural block grant program that will be available to states based on the length of rural roads and the level of rural inhabitants.</li>
<li>
		Around $20 billion for &quot;projects of national significance&quot; meaning &quot;projects that can lift the American spirit, that are the next-century-type of infrastructure as opposed to just rebuilding what we have currently.&quot;</li>
<li>
		Additional &quot;$20 billion in fund <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/12/17003840/trumps-infrastructure-plan">would go to federal loan programs</a> that underwrite private financing of profitable infrastructure projects.&quot;</li>
<li>
		Plus, there&#39;s a $10-billion capital financing program that would finance the construction of federal office buildings and similar infrastructure for actual government use.</li>
</ol>
Per <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/12/17003840/trumps-infrastructure-plan">an article published</a> on VOX.com, &quot;federally funded highways are financed on the basis of an 80-20 federal-state split.&quot; Trump&#39;s proposal is to reverse the 80-20 formula and call for states and cities to dole out at least $4 for every $1 in federal money they get. Some experts believe that the current formula results in &quot;over-investment in new highway projects with little transportation value.&quot;&nbsp;
The overall plan is supposed to lure private companies to come up of the groundwork and reconstruct America to the extent of $1.5 trillion <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/02/12/trump-infrastructure-plan-speech-white-house-budget/">over the coming 10 years</a>. However, <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/02/12/trump-infrastructure-plan-speech-white-house-budget/">sources believe that</a> private investors are less likely to be drawn to this project.
Investors should also note that the Trump administration did not roll out a separate infrastructure proposal, rather it came with a budget package &quot;that would also <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/02/12/trump-infrastructure-plan-speech-white-house-budget/">cut $48 billion in federal funding</a> for other programs and services.&quot;
The vox.com article indicated that Republican administrations are known for proposing big initiatives that are intended to be funded by increasing budget deficits. George W. Bush&#39;s 2001 tax cuts, 2003 tax cuts and Medicare expansion as well as Trump&#39;s 2017 tax cuts and his big increase in military spending have been held as examples for this Republican tendency by vox.com.
Any Bright Side? 
There is an initiative that would save $350 billion for drinking water pipes to guarantee that there is no another Flint, Michigan-style water crisis in the coming few years. This single initiative grossed more federal funds than the entire infrastructure plan. So, water ETFs like PowerShares Water Resources PHO and First Trust ISE Water Index Fund FIW should benefit from this plan.
As long as infrastructure ETFs are concerned, there are less likely to get a boost as financing would be a big issue. Still, investors can keep a tab on funds like Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF PAVE, ProShares DJ Brookfield Global Infrastructure ETF TOLZ and SPDRS&amp;P Global Infrastructure ETF GII.
Transportation ETFs like iShares Transportation Average ETF IYT and SPDR S&amp;P Transportation ETF XTN should also be closely watched.
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SPDR FTSE/Macquarie Global Infrastructure 100 ETF

iShares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund

TOLZ

Will Infrastructure ETFs Get A Boost From Trump's Plan?

Summer is the season for cold drinks. It&#39;s also the time of year when droughts worsen, putting the spotlight on water infrastructure and investment opportunities.

	Speaking of those themes, the Summit Water Infrastructure Multifactor Exchange Traded Fund (NYSE: WTRX) commenced trading Wednesday. The newest addition the water ETF segment follows the Summit Zacks Global Water Index.

	WTRX&#39;s underlying index can hold &ldquo;30 to 50 companies engaged in the global water industry. Specifically, the underlying index will utilize a rules-based indexing methodology to incorporate fundamental factors that have been strong historical indicators of the long-term performance of water equities,&rdquo; according to <a href="http://www.etftrends.com/2016/08/a-new-smart-beta-water-etf/">ETF Trends</a>.

	&ldquo;As opposed to passive water indices that are constructed through various measures of market capitalization, equities are selected for inclusion in the Index by a proprietary formula of relevant company fundamentals including measures of price/earnings, intrinsic value, and return on capital,&rdquo; Matt Dickerson, CEO of Summit Water Capital Advisors, said in a press release. &ldquo;Through this methodology, the Index targets a more balanced and representative exposure to the global water industry that encompasses several world markets and broader capitalization levels, as opposed to a less-diversified basket of the largest, most expensive stocks.&rdquo;

	WTRX features some screening criteria to limit exposure micro-cap water names while potentially enhancing the ETF&#39;s liquidity. For example, the new ETF&#39;s holdings must have a minimum market value of at least $200 million prior to inclusion. Additionally, WTRX holdings must have a three-month average daily dollar volume of at least $400,000.

	WTRX and its underlying index are departures from existing water ETFs on the market today as the new ETF represents the first smart beta approach in the space.

	&ldquo;As opposed to the passive water indices currently published that are constructed through various measures of market capitalization, equities are selected for inclusion in the Index by a proprietary formula of relevant company fundamentals including measures of price/earnings, intrinsic value, and return on capital.&nbsp; Through June 30, 2016, year-to-date gross total returns for the Index were 10.78% versus 3.82% for the NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index,&rdquo; according to California-based <a href="http://summitwatercapital.com/water-strategies/water-equities/">Summit</a>.

	WTRX charges 0.8 percent per year, or $80 on a $10,000 investment.

	Established water ETFs include the First Trust ISE Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fiw#NYSE">FIW</a>) and the PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>).

Specialty ETFs

Cool Off With A New Water ETF

The popularity of ETF trading has exploded in recent years, and investors seem to love the ability to gain diversification within a single purchase. Traders can easily play the entire S&amp;P 500 in one swoop by buying the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>) or gain exposure to the whole Energy Sector by buying the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xle#NYSE">XLE</a>).

	However, as the number of ETFs has exploded, some of them have become strangely specific. Here&rsquo;s a list of 10 oddball ETFs.

	1. Market Vectors Gaming ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bjk#NYSE">BJK</a>)

	Want to place a bet on the gambling business? This ETF is devoted to companies that generate at least half of their revenue from gambling.

	2. Global X Lithium ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lit#NYSE">LIT</a>)

	While direct investments in electric car companies such as Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) can be extremely volatile and risky, another way to play the electric car trend is by buying into Lithium ETF LIT.

	3. iPath Global Carbon ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/grn#NYSE">GRN</a>)

	Slightly higher on the ETF periodic table than LIT is the Carbon ETF GRN. As strange as it seems, this fund is intended to mirror the performance of the most liquid global carbon-related credit plans.

	4. iPath Bloomberg Livestock SubTR ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cow#NYSE">COW</a>)

	If you are bullish on the long-term outlook for carnivores, this pork and beef-based ETF is perfect for you.

	5. PowerShares Water Resources ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>)

	Although this water ETF is very specific, the recent California drought has demonstrated just how critical the global water business could be in the long-term.

	6. LocalShares Nashville Area ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nash#NYSE">NASH</a>)

	Do you love Nashville, Tennessee so much that you wish you could simply purchase it? The NASH invests 90 percent of its assets in U.S. companies headquartered in Nashville, TN.

	7. iPath S&amp;P 500 VIX ST Futures ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vxx#NYSE">VXX</a>)

	Although the VXX is an extremely popular volatility fund, CNBC&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2012/06/27/Herb-Greenbergs-8-Weirdest-ETFs.html?slide=3">Hank Greenberg</a>&nbsp;once explained just how convoluted the VXX actually is: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a credit instrument based on the price of futures tied to an index that measures future volatility based on ANOTHER derivative.&rdquo;

	8. Forensic Accounting ETF (NASDAQ: FLAG)

	The firm that created this fund performs forensic accounting analysis of large-cap U.S. companies and then weights the fund&rsquo;s holdings based on the accounting letter grade (A-F) that each company receives.

	9. Robo-Stox Glbl Robotics&amp;Automation ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/robo#NASDAQ">ROBO</a>)

	Robots may eventually take over the world and exterminate all of mankind, but at least you can die wealthy by investing in this robotics and automation ETF.

	10. Tuttle Tactical Management US Core ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tutt#NASDAQ">TUTT</a>)

	Having trouble deciding which ETF to buy? Buy one of a number of Inception-like &ldquo;ETFs of ETFs&rdquo; such as the Tuttle Core ETF, which invests no less than 80 percent of its funds in a basket of other ETFs.

Education

General

NASH

ROBO

TSLA

TUTT

Barclays Bank iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN

There's An ETF For That: 10 Oddball Funds

The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>) will start the week from its lofty perch of new all-time highs, which will pressure the bulls to capitalize on Friday&rsquo;s strength. Nearly every breakout attempt this year has been foiled by a reversion back to the broad trading range that has developed over the last several months.

	Nevertheless, several important events this week have the potential to impact trading and investor sentiment. Minutes from the latest FOMC meeting will be released on Wednesday, in addition to home sales data and the April consumer price index later on in the week.

	Here are the key ETFs to watch for the week of Monday, May 18:

	iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/slv#NYSE">SLV</a>)

	Silver prices have jumped substantially since hitting a bottom in March and SLV has just recently broken out above its 200-day moving average as well. This heavily traded ETF tracks the daily spot price of silver bullion and currently has over $5.5 billion in total assets.

	Over the last several years, silver prices have experienced the same free fall as the majority of precious metals. However, the potential exists that a new trend in SLV may be forming and commodity investors would be wise to keep an eye on this ETF.&nbsp;

	Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/15/05/5517290/big-box-retailers-step-into-the-spotlight-for-earnings-this-week">Big-Box Retailers Step Into The Spotlight For Earnings This Week</a>

	PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>)

	Water resources companies experienced a big jump last week, which sent PHO more than 3 percent higher. This ETF is comprised of 28 stocks engaged in the business of purifying and delivering clean water to homes and businesses.

	Despite mostly sideways price action over the last year, the small- and mid-cap companies that make up PHO have recently shown positive signs of momentum. The urgency over the California drought situation combined with other cyclical factors make this ETF an important sector of the market to monitor.

	Market Vectors Russia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rsx#NYSE">RSX</a>)

	The Russian stock market has been one of the bright spots in international markets so far in 2015 and recently touched new year-to-date highs. RSX tracks 50 large- and mid-cap stocks domiciled in Russia and has gained more than 42 percent this year.

	The continued strength in this ETF on the back of a rebound in oil prices has been a positive sign for economic conditions in Eastern Europe. This nation, along with China, will be an important indicator of staying power for many broad-based emerging market ETFs as well.

Emerging Market ETFs

Market Vectors Russia ETF Trust Shares of Beneficial Interest

Silver, Water And Russia ETFs To Watch This Week

An interesting investment opportunity has recently emerged in an otherwise overlooked sector: water. California is in the midst of a four-year drought that has taken its supply of water down to one year <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/16/california-water-drought-nasa-warning">according to NASA</a>.

	With a population of 39 million people and holding the title of the largest farming state in the country, California is in a state of emergency. Consider, for instance, that the state produces more food from farming than Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota combined.
<h3>
	Continental Implications</h3>

	This is not just a California problem; due to the size of the state&#39;s economy, the ramifications will be felt around the country. Everything from higher almond prices to the potential loss of jobs is possible. That being said, there is almost always an investment angle when a crisis occurs, and this time is no different.

	<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/15/04/p5381635/california-droughts-first-ever-statewide-water-restrictions-fresh-water">California Drought&#39;s First Ever Statewide Water Restrictions</a></bzrelatedlink>

	An investor could consider purchasing individual stocks that manufacture and produce water conservation technologies. However, there is a broader approach to the water sector that includes several related ETFs.

	Highlighted below are three water ETFs that have been and will continue to be affected by the drought in California.
<h3>
	PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio ETF</h3>

	The Powershares Water Resource Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>) is made up of 28 companies across nine sectors that create products designed to conserve and purify water for homes, businesses and industries. The top weighted sub-sectors include machinery at 48 percent and water utilities at 18 percent.

	The top individual holding include:
<ul>
<li>
		Waters Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wat#NYSE">WAT</a>) at 8.4 percent</li>
<li>
		Roper Industries, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rop#NYSE">ROP</a>) making up 8.3 percent</li>
<li>
		Pall Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pll#NYSE">PLL</a>) coming in at 7.8 percent</li>
</ul>

	PHO is down 7 percent over the last 12 months, up 3 percent over the last six months and down 3 percent year-to-date. The water ETF has an expense ratio of 0.61 percent.
<h3>
	PowerShares Global Water Portfolio ETF</h3>

	The PowerShares Global Water Portfolio (ETF) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pio#NYSE">PIO</a>) provides investors exposure to 35 companies across five sectors and 10 countries. The United States at 40 percent and the United Kingdom at 21 percent are the top weighted countries. Industrials at 52 percent and utilities at 39 percent make up the majority of the portfolio.

	The top holdings include:
<ul>
<li>
		Geberit AG (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gbery#OTC">GBERY</a>) with an 8.5 percent holding</li>
<li>
		Roper Industries making up 8.2 percent</li>
<li>
		Veolia Environnement VE SA (ADR) (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/veoey#OTC">VEOEY</a>) coming in at 7.9 percent</li>
</ul>

	PIO is down 5 percent over the last 12 months, up 5 percent over the last six months and up 2 percent year-to-date. The ETF has an expense ratio of 0.82 percent.
<h3>
	First Trust Water Index Fund</h3>

	The First Trust ISE Water Index Fund (ETF) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fiw#NYSE">FIW</a>) consists of 37 companies across six sectors within the potable and wastewater industry.

	The top individual holdings includes
<ul>
<li>
		Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bmi#NYSE">BMI</a>) at 4.4 percent</li>
<li>
		Pentair plc. Ordinary Share (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pnr#NYSE">PNR</a>) making up 4.2 percent</li>
<li>
		California Water Service Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cwt#NYSE">CWT</a>) totaling 4.2 percent as well</li>
</ul>

	FIW is down 8 percent over the last 12 months, up 2 percent over the last six months and down 5 percent year-to-date. The water ETF has an expense ratio of 0.60 percent.

	Image Credit: <a href="http://pixabay.com/en/tap-drought-fountain-357252/">Public Domain</a>

GBERY

VEOEY

California Drought And Water ETFs

Small Cap Analysis

Interview

REGI

RGDEF

RDX Technologies: Franchising Business's Explosive Growth Will Lead To Substantial Upside Potential

According to the most recent <a href=" http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/" target="_blank">U.S. Drought Monitor</a> report, drought conditions in the United States have moderated a bit recently due to some above-average summer rainfall accumulations. Yet, more than 46 percent of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing some drought conditions. The west and southwest have been hardest hit, with some troubled areas in the southeast as well.

	There is little doubt that severe and ongoing droughts in places ranging from Brazil to California are having a significant economic impact. That impact is felt first in commodities, which should be a concern for commodities investors.
<h3>
	Drought Impact On Commodities And Stocks</h3>

	Take coffee, for instance. The recent drought in Brazil, the world&#39;s biggest producer of coffee, has already sent coffee prices sharply higher. According to NPR, the nation could <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/02/23/280770928/drought-could-drain-more-than-brazils-coffee-crop" target="_blank">lose 10 percent of its coffee crop by 2020</a>.

	That&#39;s not only bad for the coffee growers, but for the likes of Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) (and ultimately its customers and investors) as well. Starbucks shares are only up about one percent year-to-date.

	Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/14/09/4826943/2-great-ways-to-invest-in-commodities" target="_blank">2 Great Ways To Invest In Commodities</a>

	California, almost all of which is in what the USDA identifies as Exceptional or Extreme drought, is an agricultural powerhouse.

	A lack of the likes of tomatoes, peppers and avocados affect food processors like ConAgra Foods Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cag#NYSE">CAG</a>) and General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gis#NYSE">GIS</a>), as well as restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cmg#NYSE">CMG</a>). Prices get passed on to consumers, but that can lead to fewer sales and often fewer profits. All three have so far this year outperformed the S&amp;P 500.

	The prices of beef and dairy rise too, as feed gets more expensive and water scarce. <a href="http://ers.usda.gov/topics/in-the-news/california-drought-2014-farm-and-food-impacts/california-drought-2014-food-prices-and-consumers.aspx#.VAdwLmPcPHo" target="_blank">According to the USDA</a>: &quot;In fact, fluid milk was seen as one barometer of the magnitude and duration of the impacts of the 2012 drought due to its perishability and strong dependence on commodities used as animal feed.&quot;

	The effects of the drought then spread to agricultural equipment makers such as AGCO Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/agco#NYSE" style="font-size: 13px;">AGCO</a>) and Deere &amp; Company&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/de#NYSE" style="font-size: 13px;">DE</a>) (both down more than eight percent year-to-date) and then to other industries and sectors.
<h3>
	What Are Investors To Do?</h3>

	Evan Smith of U.S. Global&#39;s Global Resources Fund recommends <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/markets/story/2012-08-26/drought-food-prices-investing/57334442/1" target="_blank">looking beyond the current crop</a> for profits. When grain prices are high and inventory low, he says, farmers will grow more aggressive in planting for next year&#39;s to profit. Monsanto Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mon#NYSE">MON</a>), which produces drought resistant seeds, has benefited and will do so again; shares are up almost 28 percent in the past two years. Fertilizer producers like Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pot#NYSE">POT</a>) are likely to see continued strong demand as well. Shares are up about 14 percent in the past year.

	See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/media/cnbc/14/09/4826658/scott-nations-is-bearish-on-corn" target="_blank">Scott Nations Is Bearish On Corn</a>

	Commodities investors have the choice of moving to commodities less affected by drought or into emerging or other markets not currently affected by water shortages. And there is diversification.

	<a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/food-and-water-investments-weather-drought-2012-07-20?page=1" target="_blank">Morningstar&#39;s Abraham Bailin</a> follows commodity exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and he likes PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbc#NYSE">DBC</a>) for its diversification across commodities. The United States Commodity Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/usci#NYSE">USCI</a>) offers relative stability as well as diversification. Note though that both retreated as summer wound down.

	Investors looking for other ways to benefit from the drought may want to focus on water. The first place to look is at water utility companies like American Water Works (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/awk#NYSE">AWK</a>) and Aqua America (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wtr#NYSE">WTR</a>). Shares of each are up more than 80 percent in the past five years. Pall Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pll#NYSE">PLL</a>) makes water filtration systems and is up more than 150 percent in five years. Lindsay (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lnn#NYSE">LNN</a>) makes irrigation systems and is up about 80 percent in five years.

	For ETF investors, there is the Guggenheim S&amp;P Global Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cgw#NYSE">CGW</a>), First Trust ISE Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fiw#NYSE">FIW</a>), PowerShares Water Resources ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>) and PowerShares Global Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pio#NYSE">PIO</a>). All are up at least 40 percent in the past five years, despite recent pullbacks. The Pax World Global Environmental Markets Fund is about 40 percent invested in water, but The Calvert Global Water Fund invests exclusively in water.

	At the time of this writing, the author had no position in the mentioned equities.

	Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following Benzinga on <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

AGCO

PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

LAYN

SBUX

USCI

How Droughts Affect The Stock Market

One of the most abundant and precious commodities on earth is water.

	Despite its ubiquity in the United States, many third world countries and dry climates continually struggle to protect this life-sustaining asset.&nbsp;

	In the summer months, when drought conditions worsen, water infrastructure becomes a top priority that must be kept flowing.

	Fortunately, many publicly traded companies are involved in the service, distribution, engineering, and general utility infrastructure of the water industry.&nbsp; These stocks are easily accessible in several diversified exchange-traded funds that offer investors both domestic and global exposure. 
	The PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>) is the largest ETF in this space, with more than $1 billion in assets under management.&nbsp; PHO invests in 29 individual water companies across a variety of industry sub-specialties.

	Despite its dominant size, PHO has struggled to make significant headway in 2014.&nbsp;

	<bzrelatedlink>Related Link: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/14/07/4675232/3-new-smart-beta-volatility-etfs-set-to-debut">3 New Smart Beta Volatility ETFs Set To Debut</a></bzrelatedlink>

	So far this year, this ETF has only gained 1.66 percent and struggled to maintain an upward bias.&nbsp; However, several competing funds with more diversified portfolios have seen much stronger returns.

	The Guggenheim S&amp;P Global Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cgw#NYSE">CGW</a>) and PowerShares Global Water Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pio#NYSE">PIO</a>) have notched gains of 9.22 and 7.73 percent, respectively this year.

	CGW invests in 50 companies selected by the S&amp;P Global Water Index according to industry classification, while PIO own 37 stocks in the NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index.

	The United States is the top country weighting in both global ETF portfolios.&nbsp; However, overseas exposure to companies in France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom has been a key contributor to this recent outperformance.

	In addition, both of these ETFs carry more direct exposure to the utility sector, which has been the top performing area of the market this year.

	The biggest risk to this upward momentum is a slowdown in global growth that could cap expansion of water assets in hard to reach areas of the world.&nbsp;

	However, these water ETFs may ultimately continue to strengthen based on the fundamental demand story and a strong equity market tailwind pushing prices higher.

	For now, the rally is flowing in earnest.&nbsp;

3 Water ETFs To Quench A Summer Drought

By <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/author/johnwhitefoot/" rel="author" title="Posts by John Whitefoot">John Whitefoot</a>

	If the stock market is an indicator of U.S. economic health, then 2013 was a stellar year. The <a data-ls-seen="1" data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/dow-jones-industrial-average/" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/dow-jones-industrial-average/" target="_blank" title="Dow Jones Industrial Average">Dow Jones Industrial Average</a> closed out 2013 with a 26% gain. The S&amp;P 500 was up 29%, while the NASDAQ Composite was up 34%.

	Despite a stellar 2013, the crystal ball for the <a data-ls-seen="1" data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/u-s-economy/" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/u-s-economy/" target="_blank">U.S. economy</a> and Wall Street in 2014 remains murky. That&rsquo;s because investors might have to actually consider the health of the U.S. economy this year. Now granted, the U.S. economy kicked into high gear last January after the federal government avoided the dreaded fiscal cliff. Thanks to some recent economic indicators, the start of 2014 has been more subdued.

	Factory activity in China hit a three-month low in December. While Germany and Italy reported healthy manufacturing numbers, British manufacturing growth eased and France hit a seven-month low of 47.0 (scores below 50 indicate contraction). Here at home, the U.S. economy got a boost after it was announced that manufacturing hit an 11-month high in December of 55.0, up from 54.4 in November. (Source: Weisenthal, J., &ldquo;This Manufacturing Report From France Is Just Plain Ugly,&rdquo; Business Insider, January 2, 2014.)

	To show it believes the U.S. economy is improving, the <a data-ls-seen="1" data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/federal-reserve/" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/federal-reserve/" target="_blank" title="Federal Reserve">Federal Reserve</a> recently announced that it will begin to taper its quantitative easing efforts this month. Instead of pumping $85.0 billion per month into the U.S. economy, it is going to purchase just $75.0 billion in bonds.

	And to quell investors&rsquo; fears, the Federal Reserve said it will continue to keep <a data-ls-seen="1" data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/interest-rates/" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/interest-rates/" target="_blank" title="interest rates">interest rates</a> artificially low until the unemployment rate hits 6.5% or lower&mdash;a target that probably won&rsquo;t be reached until mid-2015.

	Thanks to the sustained artificially low interest environment, many investors are wringing their hands together, hoping the U.S. economy in 2014 will be a repeat of the stellar 2013. But for a bull market to continue, businesses need to report solid earnings and sales growth&mdash;something that was lacking in 2013 and, by the looks of it, will be lacking in 2014, too.

	Some evidence?

	In 2013, the U.S. markets managed to hit new highs almost weekly in spite of an increasingly larger number of companies revising their earnings guidance lower. During the first quarter of 2013, 78% of the S&amp;P 500 companies issued negative earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance; during the second quarter, 81% of companies did; and in the third quarter, a record 83% of all S&amp;P 500 companies revised their earnings guidance lower. But Wall Street saved the worst for last: so far, 94 of the S&amp;P 500 companies (88%) have issued negative earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of 2013; only 13 have issued positive pre-announcements. (Source: &ldquo;Record high number and percentage of S&amp;P 500 companies issuing negative EPS guidance for Q4,&rdquo; FactSet web site, January 2, 2014.)

	78%, 81%, 83%, 88%&hellip; These projections are going in the opposite direction of a sustained economic turnaround.

	While the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s record-low interest rates will continue to fuel the bull market in 2014, the end of cheap money is visible on the horizon. And that means investors will have to rely on a company&rsquo;s earnings to boost its share price.

	It&rsquo;s inevitable that the stock market will reach new highs at different points throughout 2014, but a soft U.S. economy means it will be nothing like 2013. For investors, that means to follow the trends, but be very aware of the underlying indicators in the U.S. economy&mdash;and globally.

	Still, if you want to keep a couple sectors on your radar, I think consumer staples and utilities could be two of the more interesting sectors that could benefit from a rebounding U.S. economy in 2014. To diversify risk, investors might want to consider exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like Market Vectors Retail ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rth#NYSE">RTH</a>) and PowerShares Water Resources (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>).

	This article <a data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/stock-market/economic-indicators-pointing-to-weaker-growth-in-2014/2288/" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com/stock-market/economic-indicators-pointing-to-weaker-growth-in-2014/2288/" target="_blank">Economic Indicators Pointing to Weaker Growth in 2014</a> was originally published at <a data-mce-href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com" href="http://www.dailygainsletter.com" target="_blank">Daily Gains Letter</a>

Economics

Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS Trust due 12/31/41

Economic Indicators Pointing to Weaker Growth in 2014

The rise in the global population created an increased demand for clean water around the world.

	Unfortunately there are also a growing number of people that do not have access to clean water on a regular basis. On top of clean water, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities.

	As a result, WHO estimates 2 million deaths per year are related to diarrheal disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation.

	Those of us lucky enough to live in a developed country have clean running water from a faucet and more than likely bottles of water in the refrigerator. Due to this upbringing, most investors will overlook the water epidemic around the world. From an investing viewpoint there is money to be made with what many refer to as “blue gold."

	When it comes to investing in water-related stocks the two largest opportunities lie in the industrials and the utilities. The best strategy is to consider using an ETF that will offer exposure to a variety of water-related stocks.

	PowerShares Water Resource ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>)

	The ETF is heavily invested in the industrial side of the sector with 66 percent of the allocation in the stocks. Water utilities make up 19 percent of the ETF. The 29 stocks that make up the ETF are either based in the U.S. or trade on an American exchange as an ADR. The underlying index it tracks is composed of companies that create products to conserve and purify water.

	The top holdings are Xylem (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xyl#NYSE">XYL</a>)and Flowserve (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fls#NYSE">FLS</a>), which make up 18 percent of the entire ETF. The two companies are industrials that supply the water sector with pumps and other products. The ETF is up 20 percent in 2013 and is trading at an all-time high. The expense ratio is 0.62 percent.

	PowerShares Global Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pio#NYSE">PIO</a>)

	Similar to PHO, this ETF also concentrates on companies that conserve and purify water. The one major difference is that the stocks that make up PIO are not limited to trading on a U.S. stock exchange. Only 47 percent of the ETF is invested in the U.S., with 16 percent in the U.K. and 12 percent in France.

	By investing more overseas the ETF expands its exposure to water utility stocks that make up 46 percent of the allocation, the same as the industrial stocks. The top holdings, which make up 17 percent, are FLS and Severn Trent PLC, a U.K.-based water utility.

	Year-to-date the ETF is up 22 percent and it charges an annual expense ratio of 0.75 percent.

	Guggenheim S&amp;P Global Water ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cgw#NYSE">CGW</a>)

	This ETF takes a similar approach to investing as PIO with nearly equal exposure to the industrials and utilities as well as exposure outside of the U.S. This is probably why the return this year has been 20 percent, nearly inline with PIO. The annual expense ratio is 0.70 percent. Of the 54 stocks in the ETF, the top two holdings are Pentair (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pnr#NYSE">PNR</a>) and Geberit AG, which make up 13 percent of the allocation.

	First Trust ISE Water Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fiw#NYSE">FIW</a>)

	The basket of 36 stocks relies more on the industrials (65 percent) than the utilities (22 percent). The makeup is not too far from that of PHO with more industrial stocks at the top of the allocation.

	The top two holdings include XYL and Rexnord Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rxn#NYSE">RXN</a>), which make up 9 percent of the portfolio. RXN is a motion control maker that focuses on the water industry. The ETF is up 25 percent in 2013 and charges an expense ratio of 0.60 percent.

	The facts are laid out for the four water ETFs and the next step would be for interested investors to choose the best for their portfolio. Based on performance FIW would appear to be the best option.

	The other argument for FIW is that its heavy focus on industrials would appear to be the best allocation considering the infrastructure needed worldwide to meet the growing water demand. Alas, the decision is in your hands.

The Best Water ETF (PHO, PIO, CGW, FIW)

Savvy and experienced investors are always on the lookout for the next big investment opportunity and recognize one when they see it.

	Believe it or not, the phenomenon known as global warming is becoming one of the most buzzed about opportunities for investors to cash in on.

	Global warming itself is not a new opportunity in the world of finance, at least not entirely. Wall Street has actually spent years investing in global warming plays, but most of that investing was geared toward combating it. There has been something of a paradigm shift over the past few years, however, that has investors saying “if you can't beat ‘em, join ‘em."

	In other words, rather than spend money fighting global warming in the hopes that there may be some moderately respectable return, why not try to profit from it?

	The first question that probably comes to most peoples' minds is to wonder: How can global warming actually be profitable?

	Clean tech stocks and renewable or “green” energy have been all the rage for a while, but political pressure and government subsidies put the kibosh on all of that.

	Companies like British Petroleum (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bp#NYSE">BP</a>) were jumping all over themselves to show the public that they were serious about alternative energy. The focus now is investing in companies that have the capacity to manage not just global warming, but the effects of all elements of climate change.

	Hedge funds are becoming more and more interested, for example, in companies that deal with water treatment and distribution. Weather-related derivatives that reduce the risk of loss due to natural catastrophes are where many big players are looking.

	In a nutshell, companies are actually rooting for inclement and even severe weather to become more frequent. As incidents of volatile weather increase, risk increases, which in turn generates an ever-increasing need to protect against that risk.

	In terms of the aforementioned water treatment and distribution companies, drought is helping to turn funds like PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>) into veritable cash cows.

	The key is to think long-term when it comes to a weather-related investment strategy. Water is an asset and it is one that becomes more valuable with the continued proliferation of climate change.

	Global warming has also opened new ground for mining opportunities. Rising temperatures over the last several decades have led to the melting of the polar icecaps and other traditional frozen areas. South Greenland was an area that had previously been covered entirely by a glacier but is no longer thanks to increasing temperatures around the world in general and over Greenland in particular.

	Mining companies are now 'chomping at the bit' to explore newly uncovered land masses like this in order to dig up valuable commodity resources like gold and copper that are known to be waiting under the surface in these areas. Companies like Barrick Gold (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/abx#NYSE">ABX</a>) are sure to be in on any cash-in in global warming related mining.

	Global warming can have an economically positive impact on investment portfolios if people know how to take advantage of it, as in the case of the mining companies. At the end of the day there is a growing uneasiness regarding climate change and how it will affect the world population and that uneasiness is likely to mean big profits for those who know how to cash in on it.

	People want protection from the elements and after witnessing events like Hurricane Sandy and the like combined with the ever-increasing frequency of these kinds of severe weather events; the companies that can provide that protection stand to generate record profits for the foreseeable future.

Hedge Funds

Global Warming - What's the Long-Term Investment Strategy?

Big winners (up at least 5%): Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dust#NYSE">DUST</a>), VelocityShares 3x Inverse Natural Gas ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dgaz#NYSE">DGAZ</a>) and the iPath Pure Beta Crude Oil ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/olem#NYSE">OLEM</a>).

	Big winners (down at least 5%): Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nugt#NYSE">NUGT</a>), iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eval#NYSE">EVAL</a>) and the VelocityShares 3x Long Natural Gas ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ugaz#NYSE">UGAZ</a>).

	Unusual volume (at least 5X ADV): iShares Utilities ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idu#NYSE">IDU</a>), First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxu#NYSE">FXU</a>), iShares MSCI Germany Small Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewgs#NYSE">EWGS</a>), iShares MSCI USA ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eusa#NYSE">EUSA</a>), SPDR S&amp;P Emerging Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gur#NYSE">GUR</a>), PowerShares Water Resources (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pho#NYSE">PHO</a>) and the Vanguard Industrials ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vis#NYSE">VIS</a>).

	Must reads of the day:

	CNN Money: <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/23/investing/ipos-2013/index.html?section=money_markets&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_markets+%28Markets%29">The IPO market is stronger than you think</a>.

	Reformed Broker: <a href="http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2013/09/22/the-investment-case-for-africa/">Presents the case for investing in Africa</a>.

	All-Star Charts takes a look at what you can expect <a href="http://allstarcharts.com/from-false-moves-come-fast-moves/">false moves or failed breakouts/breakdowns</a>

	The Philippines <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/09/3932583/taper-or-not-4-reasons-the-philippines-etf-will-shine-again">remains a shining star</a> that could shine brighter still.

	Bloomberg: Coffee <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-23/coffee-bears-double-bets-on-lower-robusta-price-on-vietnam-crop.html">bear market getting worse</a>.

	The Emmy Awards <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/09/3934970/emmy-awards-do-nothing-for-relevant-etfs">were a non-event for some ETFs</a>.

	Don't forget to follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ETFProfessor1">@ETFProfessor1</a>.

Currency ETFs

After-Hours Center

DGAZ

DUST

EUSA

EVAL

EWGS

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Utilities Sector Index Fund

NUGT

OLEM

UGAZ

Benzinga's Mandatory ETF Reading for September 23, 2013

PHO: Water Is A Long Term Play

PHO: Drinking Water Is Bullish

Invesco Water Resources ETF declares quarterly distribution of $0.1150

FIW ETF: Investing In Water

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
Fidelity published an article on Nov. 28, 2023, wondering if it was time for investors to take the plunge and buy water stock.




&ldquo;It&rsquo;s possible that our freshwater supply may diminish, threatened by climate change, contamination, and drought. In fact, water scarcity is expected to worsen as the global population continues to boom. By 2030, demand for global freshwater is projected to exceed supply by 40%,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/water-stocks">Fidelity stated</a>.




Anyone who lives in or near Las Vegas knows all too well the dire situation regarding the supply of fresh water in the region. Since 2000, the elevation of Lake Mead, one of the primary water supplies in Southern Nevada, has fallen by <a href="https://www.snwa.com/water-resources/drought-and-shortage/index.html#:~:text=The%20elevation%20of%20Lake%20Mead,other%20water%20users%20in%202022.">more than 150 feet</a>.&nbsp;



As a result of the water shortages in this country and around the world, the hottest <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/energy/renewable-energy/water/">water stocks</a> are likely to attract more attention in 2024 than at any other time in the past.&nbsp;



Who are the water stocks to bet on? Here are three excellent ideas.&nbsp;



<h2>Water Stock: Invesco Water Resources ETF (PHO)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/invesco_logo_invesco1600-300x169.png" alt="Invesco logo in blue with mountain image"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>


Invesco Water Resources ETF (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/pho-stock-quote/">PHO</a>) is one of the leading water-related ETFs listed on a U.S. stock exchange with <a href="https://www.invesco.com/us/financial-products/etfs/product-detail?audienceType=investor&amp;ticker=pho">$1.95 billion</a> in net assets. The ETF tracks the performance of the NASDAQ OMX US Water Index, a collection of companies &ldquo;that create products designed to conserve and purify water for homes, businesses and industries,&rdquo; states the ETF&rsquo;s homepage.&nbsp;



Morningstar gives the ETF a five-star rating in the natural resources category for the past three, five, and ten-year periods. In 2023, PHO generated a total return of 18.9%.&nbsp;



The average stock in the 40-stock portfolio has an average market capitalization of just under $33 billion with a forward price-to-sales ratio of 20.9x and a 22.6% return on equity. Its top holdings account for 60% of its net assets.&nbsp;



The top three industries by weight are machinery (20.98%), trading companies and distributors (12.67%), and life sciences tools and services (12.07%).&nbsp;



The ETF charges 0.60%, a relatively inexpensive way to benefit from the world&rsquo;s solutions to water shortages.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s definitely a great water stock to bet on.



<h2>Ferguson (FERG)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ferg1600-300x169.png" alt="Person holding mobile phone with logo of British company Ferguson (FERG) plc on screen in front of business web page. Focus on phone display. Unmodified photo."><div>Source: T. Schneider / Shutterstock.com</div></div>


Ferguson (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ferg-stock-quote/">FERG</a>), although based in the UK, is a value-added <a href="https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001832433/25aa62e7-c2d9-4fe6-8566-1aca58314e0b.pdf">industrial distributor</a> focused solely on the North American market, providing products for infrastructure, plumbing and appliances, HVAC, fire, fabrication, and other industries.&nbsp;



The company has approximately <a href="https://www.corporate.ferguson.com/about-us/Our-Businesses/default.aspx">1,549 locations</a> and 10 national distribution centers in the U.S., served by about 32,000 employees nationwide. It also has 213 branches in Canada, served by one national distribution center. It operates under the <a href="https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001832433/6c1b6ea4-a7fd-468d-8418-ee3fb9458ad7.pdf">Wolseley brand in Canada</a>.&nbsp;



Ferguson <a href="https://www.corporate.ferguson.com/about-us/our-history/default.aspx">started in the U.S. in 1953</a> and was acquired by U.K.-based Wolseley-Hughes in 1982. Wolseley went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1986. It was renamed Ferguson plc in 2017. In 2021, it sold off the last of its European businesses to focus on North America.



This year, it expects revenues to remain flat over 2023, with a 9.5% operating margin at the midpoint of its guidance, down 30 basis points from 2023.&nbsp;



In fiscal 2023 (July year-end), it faced tough comparatives to the previous year. For example, it had <a href="https://www.corporate.ferguson.com/pressroom/news-releases/news-details/2023/Ferguson-plc-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Year-End-Results/default.aspx">full-year sales growth of 4.1%</a> in 2023, down considerably from a 25.3% gain in 2022. However, on an adjusted basis, it had an operating margin in 2023 of 9.8%.&nbsp;



It should start growing again once it gets past Q2 2024 (January quarter-end) due to lower sales comparisons.&nbsp;



Up 46% over the past year, it will be tough to deliver a repeat performance. That said, its long-term growth remains bright.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2>A.O. Smith (AOS)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/water_5_1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A photo of water being poured into a glass that's sitting on a table."><div>Source: HQuality/ShutterStock.com</div></div>


A.O. Smith (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/aos-stock-quote/">AOS</a>) is not in PHO&rsquo;s top 10, landing just outside in 11th spot, with a 3.99% weight. The Milwaukee-based company manufactures water heaters (tank and tankless), water filtration, and water softening products. It is considered <a href="https://www.aosmith.com/">one of the world&rsquo;s leading</a> water heating and treatment solutions providers.



I&rsquo;ve been a fan of the company and stock for many years. I first recommended its stock to InvestorPlace readers in July 2012, suggesting that AOS was <a href="https://investorplace.com/2012/07/a-o-smith-has-china-fever/">a stock to own forever</a>. I still feel that way.&nbsp;



So, I&rsquo;m glad it&rsquo;s gained over 38% in the past year, delivering an excellent return for shareholders in 2023. It trades a few dollars shy of its all-time high set at the end of 2021. I think shareholders can expect it to hit a new all-time high in 2024.&nbsp;



The company&rsquo;s most recent earnings report was at the end of October. Its <a href="https://investor.aosmith.com/news-releases/news-release-details/o-smith-reports-earnings-share-eps-090-third-quarter-2023-year">Q3 2023 results</a> included a 7% increase in sales to $938 million, with a 27% increase in earnings per share to $0.90.&nbsp;



Based on its adjusted EPS of $3.75 in 2023, it is a reasonable 21.8x earnings. It&rsquo;s a long-term buy.



On the date of publication, Will Ashworth did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com <a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/01/the-3-hottest-water-stocks-to-watch-in-2024/">The 3 Hottest Water Stocks to Watch in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

The 3 Hottest Water Stocks to Watch in 2024

Resource Sector Considerations For 2024

PHO: A Water Resource Fund With Qualities As Average As A Plain Glass Of Water

In February this year, PHO the ETF Invesco Water Resources, surpassed the old high of around $61 set in December 2021.