Short interest for ProShares UltraShort Materials gives investors a sense of the degree to which investors are betting on the decline of ProShares UltraShort Materials's stock. Short interest data is updated every two weeks.

ProShares UltraShort Materials (ARCA:SMN), Short Interest Report

Long Ideas

News

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Short Ideas

Specialty ETFs

New ETFs

Emerging Market ETFs

Currency ETFs

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Trading Ideas

ETFs

ISHARES MSCI PHILIPPINES INVESTABLE MARKET INDEX FUND

EPHE

ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20+ Year Treasury

ETFs to Watch September 4, 2013 (IDX, TAN, TBT)

Commodities

Intraday Update

PowerShares DB Crude Oil Double Short ETN

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Utilities Sector Index Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Basic Materials Sector Index Fund

Three Bearish Leveraged ETFs For September

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index Fund

Seasonal Trends: Three ETFs To Own In August

ProShares UltraShort Materials

SIEMENS ENERGY UNSP/ADR by Siemens Energy AG

Siemens Energy AG

Shimano Inc

SMN Corp

S2 Minerals Inc

PT SARANA MENARA NUSA ORD by Pt Sarana Menara Nusantara, Tbk

PT Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Wednesday, September 4, 2013.

The SPDR S&amp;P Homebuilders ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xhb#NYSE">XHB</a>) could be in trouble.

Give the Guggenheim Solar ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tan#NYSE">TAN</a>) a look.

The ProShares UltraShort Silver (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/zsl#NYSE">ZSL</a>) is in trouble.

The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) is worth a trade.

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idx#NYSE">IDX</a>), Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/brf#NYSE">BRF</a>) and the iShares MSCI Philippines Investable Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ephe#NYSE">EPHE</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxc#NYSE">FXC</a>).

Bond play of the day: ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tbt#NYSE">TBT</a>).

September has a bad, though well-deserved reputation as the worst month of the year for stocks.

	On a historical basis, it is the worst month of the year for the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite and the Russell 1000. Small-caps are sort of less bad as there are two months that are less kind to the Russell 2000 than September.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3796342/seasonal-trends-three-etfs-to-own-in-august">Three ETFs To Own In August</a>.

	This September has the potential to be even more volatile than recent editions of the ninth month of the year. August saw the largest monthly outflows from U.S. ETFs since early 2010. President Obama continues to mull a military strike against Syria and 10-year Treasury yields continue a <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/06/3697012/rising-10-year-yields-could-crush-popular-dividend-etfs">a dangerous flirtation with the three percent level</a>.

	With a rocky September possibly in the offing, investors would do well to get acquainted with the following ETFs as short-term trades for this month.

	ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) 
	Did you know that of the nine sector SPDRs none make more frequent appearances as the worst performer in a given month than the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>). XLB holds that dubious distinction in three months of the year, including September. XLB's slack historical September performances are usually an extension of a trend that started in August when the ETF is also usually the worst SPDR.

	The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials attempts to deliver twice the daily inverse returns of the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index. That is not XLB's underlying index. Rather, it is the benchmark for the iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>), which is to say one needs keep an eye on IYM if one is long SMN.

	ProShares UltraShort Utilities (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdp#NYSE">SDP</a>) 
	The suggestion of the often overlooked ProShares UltraShort Utilities would seem to go against conventional wisdom that shows the utilities sector is usually decent or less bad in September. That is the case on a historical basis, but with Treasury yields rising, <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/13/09/3883009/rising-rates-could-make-these-etfs-betray-seasonal-trends">rate-sensitive sectors are not to be trusted in the month ahead</a>.

	SDP seeks to deliver twice the daily inverse returns of the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index, which is the underlying index for the iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idu#NYSE">IDU</a>).

	Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ery#NYSE">ERY</a>) 
	The Stock Trader's Almanac <a href="http://www.stocktradersalmanac.com/sta/home.do">shows investors that September</a> is usually a good time to short oil. That could again be the case this year, particularly if some of the "Syria premium" comes out of crude futures.

	The Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3X Shares is an ideal play for risk-tolerant, active traders looking to profit from declines in energy equities. ERY is the triple-leveraged, bearish answer to the popular Energy Select SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xle#NYSE">XLE</a>). What that means is when one is long ERY, one wants to see stocks like Exxon Mobil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xom#NYSE">XOM</a>) and Chevron (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cvx#NYSE">CVX</a>) fall. Traders looking to participate in downside for oil futures should consider the PowerShares DB Crude Oil Double Short ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dto#NYSE">DTO</a>).

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

There is just one day left in July so there is no time like the present to start evaluating ETFs that have a tendency to perform well in August.

	August is not the greatest month of the year in which to be long stocks. Over the past 62 years, the S&amp;P 500 rose 35 times during the month of August, making the eighth month of the year the ninth-best in terms of performance for the benchmark U.S. index, <a href="http://www.stocktradersalmanac.com/sta/home.do">according to The Stock Trader's Almanac</a>.

	Dismissing seasonal trends as coincidence can be hazardous to a portfolio's health. For example, Benzinga pointed out earlier this year that February marks the beginning of a strong four-month stretch in which <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/02/3327831/february-first-month-in-energy-bull-run-use-these-etfs-to-tra">to own energy stocks</a>.

	ETFs including the iShares U.S. Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ieo#NYSE">IEO</a>) and the Vanguard Energy ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vde#NYSE">VDE</a>) honored that trend by turning in solid performances from February through May this year. With August right around the corner, these are some of the ETFs investors should consider.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/06/2698806/sound-of-the-seasons-more-etfs-for-seasonal-trends">Sound of the Seasons: More ETFs for Seasonal Trends</a>.

	iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ibb#NASDAQ">IBB</a>) 
	Or the Market Vectors Biotech ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bbh#NYSE">BBH</a>) or any other biotech ETF for that matter. Considering <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3795874/three-etfs-that-have-blown-past-their-200-day-lines">the superior returns</a> offered by biotech ETFs this year, it might be hard to imagine these funds could get any stronger.

	Seasonal trends say otherwise. Early August through early March is historically the best time to own biotech stocks. Other options in addition to IBB and BBH include the SPDR S&amp;P Biotechnology 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>).

	Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlp#NYSE">XLP</a>) 
	There is 14 years worth of data for the sector SPDRs ETFs and one of the most popular, the Consumer Staples Select SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlp#NYSE">XLP</a>), is the best performer in August, <a href="http://www.cxoadvisory.com/4408/calendar-effects/sector-performance-by-calendar-month/">according to CXO Advisory Group</a>.

	XLP is also the second-best performer among the SPDRs in September, so don't rush to sell the fund on August 31.

	ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) 
	Putting the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials on this list is loosely related to XLP. While the staples ETF is the best SPDR in August, the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) is the worst. Interestingly, XLB is usually the best SPDR in July and it has been solid over the past month with a gain of 5.6 percent.

	XLB is also <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3792951/spy-banks-could-be-boss-again">the worst-performing SPDR this year</a>, though it is still up year-to-date. Investors should note SMN is not the bearish equivalent of XLB. SMN attempts to deliver twice the daily inverse returns as the index tracked by the iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>).

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

Yes, April is just days old.

	And yes, Wednesday's declines come on the heels of the S&amp;P 500 touching a new record high on Tuesday. So perhaps it is too early to get worked up about April being a bad month for stocks.

	Historically, April is actually a good month for the bulls as the fourth month of the year is last month in the best six-month cycle in which to be long equities. On the other hand, that does not mean the broader market rises every April. Additionally, fortune favors the prepared and with that in mind, traders will want to consider the following inverse ETFs if Wednesday's glum price action is repeated throughout this month.

	ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) 
	Not to beat a dead horse, but <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3465163/further-confirmation-materials-etfs-are-imperiled">these are not good days for the materials sector</a>.

	The first sign of weakness was easily spotted during the first quarter when the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) was the worst-performing of the nine sector SPDRs funds.

	The negativity surrounding this sector has accelerated in recent days. With regards to SMN, this ETF is the inverse, double-leveraged play on the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Sector Index. That is the same index tracked by the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Sector Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>).

	While IYM is about two-thirds allocated to chemicals names, it is vulnerable to being a baby thrown out with the materials sector bathwater. The ETF is not particularly heavy on coal and steel names, but it includes a few such as Consol Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cnx#NYSE">CNX</a>), Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/clf#NYSE">CLF</a>) and U.S. Steel (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/x#NYSE">X</a>) further down its lineup.

	That is bad news for IYM, but good news for traders that opt to give SMN a short-term spin. Multiple steel names <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3468867/big-problems-for-steel-etf">are trading at multi-month or multi-year lows</a>. Coal equities and the corresponding ETF are in bad shape as well, buoying the short-term bull case for SMN.

	ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>) 
	Speaking of weakness in the materials sector, Brazil's Vale (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vale#NYSE">VALE</a>), the world's largest iron ore maker, is lower by 20 percent in the past 90 days. And that is with the benefit of Wednesday's two percent gain.

	Two Vale securities account for 9.7 percent of the weight of the iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>), making the stock that ETF's second-largest holdings behind another epic Brazilian disappointment, Petrobras (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pbr#NYSE">PBR</a>). The simple way of explaining BZQ is that is that is essentially the double-leveraged, inverse equivalent of EWZ.

	The cautionary tale with BZQ is that it is thinly traded (average daily volume of just 13,640 shares) and that can make for some large intraday moves on a print-by-print basis. The upside is that <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/03/3440610/ides-of-march-for-brazil-etf">Brazil continues to be a laggard in 2013</a>, the largest emerging markets of which Brazil is one have been slack performers and there is little reason to be long materials, EWZ's second-largest sector weight. All those factors play in BZQ's favor.

	Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dust#NYSE">DUST</a>) 
	Things are getting worse for gold. The SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gld#NYSE">GLD</a>) is playing a dangerous game with support in the $150 area and a move below that level would likely invite increased selling pressure. GLD is off 2.6 percent in the past week.

	A familiar situation is playing out in the gold pits that means DUST could have plenty more upside ahead of it and that is saying something because the ETF has more than doubled year-to-date. While GLD is down 2.6 percent in the past week, the miners are once again performing worse. Much worse. Much worse as in the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdx#NYSE">GDX</a>) is down 7.4 percent in the past five trading days.

	In anecdotal evidence regarding investors' disdain for gold miners, the Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bull 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nugt#NYSE">NUGT</a>) underwent a reverse split on April and open for trading at a post-split price of just over $25 on Tuesday. NUGT is already flirting with $21.

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

Futures

Events

Global

DUST

Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners

NUGT

VALE

Inverse ETFs For April Showers

With the S&amp;P 500 up about 0.7 percent Tuesday and having touched a new record high, it is not hard to find the laggards among sector ETFs. There are a few funds tracking the oil and semiconductor sub-segments that are in the red, but those losses are not yet alarming.

	The real cause for concern remains the materials sector. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) is down 0.54 percent today, and while that may not sound like much, remember that XLB was by far the worst performer of the nine sector SPDRs in the first quarter. XLB's first-quarter gain was not even half of what the SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>) returned.

	Tuesday may be just one day, but the problem for XLB and other materials ETFs is that this far from the worst day this year these funds have been laggards. As lower beta sectors such as consumer staples and health care have lead the broader market higher, materials names have under-performed <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3461115/materials-mess-these-etfs-are-in-trouble">perhaps foreshadowing imminent declines</a>.

	XLB is not the only materials ETF offender, either. As Benzinga noted on Monday, the SPDR S&amp;P Metals &amp; Mining ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xme#NYSE">XME</a>) is in serious technical trouble. That ETF is off another 1.5 percent today and has now lost more than 16.5 percent year-to-date.

	With gold futures being hammered, the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdx#NYSE">GDX</a>) and the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdxj#NYSE">GDXJ</a>) are both off more than three percent.

	In further proof that traders hate gold mining stocks and reverse splits are a joke, the Direxion Daily Gold Miners 3X Bull Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nugt#NYSE">NUGT</a>) is down nearly 11 percent today, the ETF's first trading day after undergoing a four-for-one reverse split.

	There is more bad news. The iShares Dow Jones US Basic Materials Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>) is flirting with support in the $68.80 area. A break there probably takes the ETF back to $65-$66. If the Vanguard Materials ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vaw#NYSE">VAW</a>) cannot hold $87, it likely returns to $82.

	Another way of illustrating the dark clouds hanging over materials ETFs right now is this. Look at a heat map of inverse ETFs and exclude the ones that are trading on a post-split basis today. The noteworthy, legitimate gainer is the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>), <a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=smn&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">which is close to staging a breakout of its own</a>.

	SMN is not the largest nor is it the most heavily traded inverse ETF out there. However, it is up nearly one percent on a day when the S&amp;P 500 hit a new record high and that is not a good sign for long materials ETFs.

	For more on materials ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3461115/materials-mess-these-etfs-are-in-trouble">here</a>.

Technicals

GDXJ

Further Confirmation Materials ETFs Are Imperiled

These are not the best of times for materials stocks and the corresponding ETFs.

	In the first quarter, the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) gained 4.8 percent. While that does not sound terrible, it is less than half the 10.5 percent returned by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/spy#NYSE">SPY</a>). XLB's performance also makes it the worst of the nine sector SPDRs.

	In fact, seven of the nine sector SPDRs offered double-digit first-quarter returns with only the Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlk#NYSE">XLK</a>) joining XLB in the single-digit club. Still, XLK's 5.4 percent first-quarter gain is far better than XLB's performance.

	Unfortunately for materials bulls, XLB looks like one of the better ETFs tracking this sector. Year-to-date, Monsanto (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mon#NYSE">MON</a>) an DuPont (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dd#NYSE">DD</a>) are up 9.86 percent and 7.17 percent, respectively. Those stocks combine for over 21 percent of XLB's weight. XLB has also been helped by the fact metals miners account for just 17 percent of the ETF's weight.

	Other materials ETFs have not been so fortunate and several now look imperiled. Take the case of the SPDR S&amp;P Metals &amp; Mining ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xme#NYSE">XME</a>). The $609.3 million XME plunged 10.3 percent in the first quarter and that was before Monday's two percent loss (as of 1:30 PM Eastern time).

	XME has an ominous sub-sector mix. Alone, gold miners account for 10.4 percent of the fund's weight and as if that is not bad enough, other metals miners account for another 11.6 percent while coal and consumable fuels names represent 17.3 percent, <a href="https://www.spdrs.com/product/fund.seam?ticker=XME">according to State Street data</a>.

	Making matters worse is the fact that last week XME made a death cross, the technical scenario where a shorter term moving average crosses below a longer term average. In the case of XME, its 50-day moving average is now slightly below its 200-day line.

	Speaking of coal stocks, 2013 is proving to be another tough year for that group. Add in Monday's almost 1.6 percent slide and the Market Vectors Coal ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kol#NYSE">KOL</a>) is now off 10.2 percent year-to-date. KOL has not made a death cross yet, but <a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=kol&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">the chart indicates it may just be a matter of time</a>.

	In another bad sign for KOL, at least four of its top-10 holdings – Joy Global (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/joy#NYSE">JOY</a>), Peabody Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/btu#NYSE">BTU</a>), Yanzhou Coal (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/yzc#NYSE">YZC</a>) and Walter Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wlt#NYSE">WLT</a>) – reside below their 200-day moving averages. Those stocks combine for over 21 percent of KOL's weight. If KOL violates support at $22.50, a return to $20 seems likely.

	Things are not much better for global materials names. The iShares S&amp;P Global Materials Sector Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mxi#NYSE">MXI</a>) is now down 5.7 percent this year when accounting for Monday's 0.9 percent loss. A 44 percent weight to metals miners has proven problematic and MXI is now struggling to hold support at its 200-day line.

	Additionally, MXI allocates 14.5 percent of its weight to various securities issued by BHP Billiton (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bhp#NYSE">BHP</a>) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rio#NYSE">RIO</a>). Australian central bankers and policymakers have already acknowledged mining investment there is declining and that the mining boom will peak later this year, implying upside could be limited for these stocks and related fare.

	Another cause for concern: More than a third of MXI's top-18 holdings have exposure to gold mining. That is not a good thing when the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gdx#NYSE">GDX</a>) is down 18.4 percent this year.

	A possible solution for investors looking to profit the woes of the materials sector is the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>). SMN seeks to deliver twice the daily inverse performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Sector Index.

	That is the index tracked by the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Sector Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>). If IYM breaks resistance at $52, <a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=smn&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">a run to $55 could be in the offing.</a>

	<a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=smn&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">For more on ETFs, click </a><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

iShares S&P Global Materials Sector Index Fund

Materials Mess: These ETFs Are in Trouble

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday, April 1, 2013.

The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) could be in play.

Defensive play of the day: PowerShares S&amp;P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/splv#NYSE">SPLV</a>).

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

Dividend play of the day: WisdomTree Total Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dtd#NYSE">DTD</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>), Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idx#NYSE">IDX</a>) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eem#NYSE">EEM</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxa#NYSE">FXA</a>).

Bond play of the day: iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/emb#NYSE">EMB</a>).

iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Fund

PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio

SPLV

ETFs to Watch April 1, 2013 (EMB, FZA, SPLV)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Give the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) a look.

The iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/usmv#NYSE">USMV</a>) is looking decent.

Keep an eye on the PowerShares QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qqq#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>), iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fm#NYSE">FM</a>) and the iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewt#NYSE">EWT</a>).

Forex play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ycs#NYSE">YCS</a>)

Bond play of the day: iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lqd#NYSE">LQD</a>).

USMV

ETFs to Watch March 28, 2013 (EWT, QQQ, USMV)

Leveraged ETFs, whether they be the double- or triple-leveraged, bullish, or bearish funds, are risky instruments that are best used as short-term trading vehicles. 

That much is widely known. Put the term "leveraged ETF criticism" into Google and sit back as almost 68,000 results are returned in three tenths of a second. 

These ETFs have been criticized to levels that no longer add value. In fact some critics are so misinformed that they have implied <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/etf/2013/03/13/leveraged-etfs-an-endangered-species.aspx">the recently announced closure of two leveraged ETFs</a> by one particular issuer is a sign of things to come. 

Here is the reality: Leveraged ETFs are not for everyone. Issuer <a href="http://direxionshares.com/etf_landing/index.html?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Direxion-Brand&amp;utm_term=direxion&amp;utm_content=A&amp;gclid=CKiYpaLDka0CFWHatgodMUEkQg">web sites say as much</a> and anyone opting to ignore the abundant warnings surrounding this ETF sub-segment is likely headed for heartache.

Reality part two: Proper use of leveraged ETFs can result in quick profits for agile traders and the following funds could be worth the risk if global macro headwinds persist.

ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>)
The ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil is the double-leveraged equivalent of the iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>). EWZ may be the largest Brazil ETF on the market, but it is also a fund that has a hard time staying out of its own way.

Earlier this month, EWZ perked up after <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/13/03/3397507/brazil-etf-finally-getting-help-from-petrobras">finally getting some help from</a> downtrodden Petrobras (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pbr#NYSE">PBR</a>). 

Well, in further proof that if it is not one thing it is another for EWZ, Vale (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vale#NYSE">VALE</a>) is a real thorn in EWZ's side.

Vale, the world's largest iron ore producer, accounts for almost 10 percent of EWZ's weight. That is not a good thing when shares of Vale are off almost 12.5 percent in the past month and are getting toasted on lingering concerns about the Chinese economy. 

On a technical basis, EWZ has been rebuffed around $57.50 several times this year <a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=ewz&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">and could be vulnerable on a close below $55</a>. Conversely, BZQ is starting to creep above resistance at $65. A new breakout for the bearish play could follow.

Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/russ#NYSE">RUSS</a>)
The Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3X Shares represents a particularly risky trade and not just because this is triple-leveraged play. 

For starters, RUSS has surged almost 16 percent in the past five days as long Russia ETFs <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/03/3429313/cyprus-slivers-slamming-these-etfs">have tumble on the back of the Cyprus headlines</a>. That gain could imply RUSS is overbought here. 

Second, further declines in Russian equities enhance the case that <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/13/03/3413876/russia-etfs-still-sporting-cheap-valuations">these stocks are attractively valued</a>. If buyers take the valuation bait, RUSS could tumble just as rapidly as it has climbed. 

Living in the here and now, RUSS does hold some promise for active traders if Cyprus remains a problem. The key is realizing a 10 percent gain in two day or 16 percent in five days is impressive, taking profits from there and not being too greedy.

ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>)
Even with a year-to-date gain of over five percent, the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) is proving to be a laggard among the nine sector SPDRs ETFs. 

That said, traders should note the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials does not track the same index as XLB. Rather, SMN seeks to deliver twice the daily inverse returns of the index tracked by the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Sector Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#NYSE">IYM</a>).

While global materials names such as BHP Billiton (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bhp#NYSE">BHP</a>) and Vale have recently been worse performers than many of IYM's holdings, some of the ETF's marquee constituents are starting to show signs of weakness. 

In the past week, DuPont (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dd#NYSE">DD</a>) and Dow Chemical (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dow#NYSE">DOW</a>) are each down more than 0.7 percent while Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fcx#NYSE">FCX</a>) is off more than two percent. Those three stocks combine for over 24 percent of IYM's weight.

Losses for IYM could really accelerate if the ETF violates support at $69 while SMN becomes all the more alluring as a quick-strike trade above $52.

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

RUSS

These Leveraged ETFs Could be Worth The Risk 

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>.

Stock Split

SDOW

SVXY

ProShares to Split 2, Reverse Split 9 ETFs

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday September 6, 2012.

The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) is worth a look.

If silver is ready to pull back, trade the ProShares UltraShort Silver (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/zsl#NYSE">ZSL</a>).

The iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewa#NYSE">EWA</a>) looks like it has some downside to come.

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bkf#NYSE">BKF</a>), Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>) and the Market Vectors Egypt ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/egpt#NYSE">EGPT</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxf#NYSE">FXF</a>).

Bond play of the day: PIMCO Total Return ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bond#NYSE">BOND</a>).

BOND

EGPT

ETFs to Watch September 6, 2012 (EWA, FXF, ZSL)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Friday August 3, 2012.

Play the iShares Gold Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iau#NYSE">IAU</a>) and the iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/slv#NYSE">SLV</a>) following the jobs report.

Keep an eye on the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>).

Another leveraged play: ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sco#NYSE">SCO</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort FTSE China 25 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxp#NYSE">FXP</a>), iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewy#NYSE">EWY</a>) and the Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idx#NYSE">IDX</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: PIMCO Total Return ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bond#NYSE">BOND</a>).

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

ETFs to Watch August 3, 2012 (BOND, SCO, UUP)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Friday June 22, 2012.

Give the Global X MLP ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mlpa#NYSE">MLPA</a>) a look.

The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) will be in play as will the ProShares UltraShort MSCI Europe (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epv#NYSE">EPV</a>).

The ProShares UltraShort QQQ (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qid#NYSE">QID</a>) merits consideration.

Emerging markets plays of the day: Direxion Daily China Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/yang#NYSE">YANG</a>), iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epi#NYSE">EPI</a>) and the WisdomTree India Earnings ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epi#NYSE">EPI</a>).

Currency play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: Market Vectors High-Yield Muni ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hyd#NYSE">HYD</a>).

Market Vectors High Yield Municipal Index ETF

MLPA

YANG

ETFs to Watch June 22, 2012 (EPV, HYD, YANG)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday May 14, 2012.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/faz#NYSE">FAZ</a>) looks like it will remain in play for the next few days.

Economic data will have the Vanguard MSCI Pacific ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vpl#NYSE">VPL</a>) on the move.

Celebrate risk off with the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>).

Keep an eye on the ProShares UltraShort MSCI Europe (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epv#NYSE">EPV</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>), Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/russ#NYSE">RUSS</a>) and the iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewy#NYSE">EWY</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Swiss Franc Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxf#NYSE">FXF</a>).

Bond play of the day: SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/jnk#NYSE">JNK</a>).

ETFs to Watch May 14, 2012 (EPV, FXF, JNK)

The reasons are plentiful regarding why investors and even active traders should <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/02/2332700/yinn-to-my-yang-whats-up-with-leveraged-chinese-etfs">tread carefully with leveraged and inverse ETFs</a> but if today's market pullback sticks around for a while, the utility of these ETFs (when properly used) has the potential to shine.

Inverse ETFs are probably the best bet of the three primary ways most folks establish bearish stances. Shorting individual stocks can be costly due to the margin requirements. Buying put options is fine, but if a stock or index doesn't fall as much as you need it to before expiry, then the puts are worthless. 

In other words, inverse and leveraged ETFs aren't the devil of the financial world, as long as they are used as short-term trading instruments, not long-term investments. Consider the following inverse ETFs if today's glum market action is a sign of things to come.

Direxion Daily Latin America Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lhb#NYSE">LHB</a>)
Latin American stocks and ETFs have been impressive to start the year. Brazil, Chile <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/02/2333992/five-etfs-to-buy-on-a-pullback">Mexico and others have wiped 2011 from investors' memories. The good start to 2012 could make LatAm ETFs vulnerable to some near-term profit-taking. 

The Direxion Daily Latin America Bear 3X Shares is not for the faint of heart. No triple-leveraged ETF is, but with LHB trading for less than $12, it could prove to be a profitable hedge for a couple of days on existing positions in ETFs such as the iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (NYSE: </a><a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>) or the iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eww#NYSE">EWW</a>).

FactorShares 2X: Gold Bull/S&amp;P500 Bear (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fsg#NYSE">FSG</a>)
FSG tracks the S&amp;P Gold - Equity Spread Total Return Index and generates returns by establishing a leveraged long position in Gold Futures and a leveraged short position in the E-mini S&amp;P 500 Stock Price Index, according to the FactorShares Web site. Translation: If stocks pullback and gold regains its safe-haven status, FSG becomes appealing.

ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>)
At the start of trading today, the Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlb#NYSE">XLB</a>) was one of the best performers among the select sector SPDRs on a year-to-date basis and with a solid January run in the books, more gains could be on the way for XLB later this year. The big "but" is when the riskier assets retreat, materials stocks are almost always part of that equation. 

SMN is great short-term hedge on positions in ETFs such as XLB or the Market Vectors Coal ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kol#NYSE">KOL</a>) or stocks such as Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fcx#NYSE">FCX</a>).

Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tza#NYSE">TZA</a>)
There was evidence of a January Effect, or small-cap leadership, and that encouraged an increase in risk appetite. That scenario may also make small-caps vulnerable on the downside and that validates TZA as an ETF worth TRADING. This is one of those ETFs that can have you thinking you've mastered the market one day and pulling your hair out the next day. In the span of about five weeks from September-October 2011, TZA went from $40 to over $60 and back down to $40 again. That's a warning label.

ProShares Short QQQ (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/psq#NYSE">PSQ</a>)
With the Nasdaq flirting with levels not seen in over a decade that means the tech-heavy index could easily be fertile ground for some downside savagery. PSQ is not a leveraged fund, so if the PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qqq#Nasdaq">QQQ</a>) loses 1% on a given day, PSQ will be higher by roughly the same amount. This one is useful for those looking to get their feet wet with inverse ETFs because it's fairly calm compared to the other members of this list.

Movers

Danger, Danger: Prep For A Sell-Off With These Inverse ETFs

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday November 21, 2011.

Keep an eye on the ProShares UltraShort Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) if the broader market is week.

Small caps still look troubled, so take a look at the Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tza#NYSE">TZA</a>).

Grab some yield with the PowerShares Financial Preferred ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pgf#NYSE">PGF</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>), iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eww#NYSE">EWW</a>) and the Direxion Daily Emerging Markets Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/edz#NYSE">EDZ</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bnd#NYSE">BND</a>).

Direxion Daily Emerging Markets Bear 3x Shares

PowerShares Exchange Traded Fund Financial Preferred Portfolio

ETFs to Watch November 21, 2011

<a href="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/factory.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-133291" title="factory" src="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/factory.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="271" /></a>
 
<h4>Despite continued (should I say permanent?) European woes, investors around the world are anticipating the seasonal “Santa Rally” in markets which will hopefully carry us higher into the end of the year.  Should Santa arrive on schedule, the bell whether basic materials sector (NYSEARCA:XLB) could benefit from his arrival.</h4>
After Chancellor Merkel and company managed to stave off the European crisis a few weeks ago, the Santa Rally seemed to be underway until fears of “contagion” spread to Italy and Spain and investors realized that Greece still remains on the brink of collapse.
Should the Santa Rally resume, one sector that could provide enormous profits from a “tinsel” economy would be the Basic Materials Sector, (NYSEARCA:XLB) which, of course, has a variety of ETFs tracking this important sector.  The Basic Materials Sector typically rises with a strong economy; as an economy's growth increases, so does the demand for basic materials including precious metals, oil and gas, forestry products, synthetics, chemicals, and other raw materials.
Because the markets (and economy?) are currently showing modest signs of growth, basic materials could produce profits that would more than stuff one's Christmas stockings this holiday season if and when the European crisis is ever resolved.
The most popular Basic Materials Sector ETF is the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLB) which directly tracks the S&amp;P Materials Select Sector Index.
<a href="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaXLB.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-133292" title="XLB Basic Materials" src="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaXLB.png" alt="XLB Basic Materials" width="620" height="639" /></a>
chart courtesy of <a href="http://www.stockcharts.com">www.stockcharts.com</a>
The next Basic Materials ETF that is worth a look is the iShares Dow Jones US Basic Materials Sector Index Fund (NYSEARCA:IYM). NYSEARCA:IYM currently has 70 holdings in the Dow Jones US Basic Materials Sector Index and could easily add to this year's Christmas cheer if the “Santa Rally” continues.
<a href="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaIYM.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-133294" title="iShares Basic Materials (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#" />IYM</a>)" src="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaIYM.png" alt="iShares Basic Materials (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/iym#">IYM</a>)" width="620" height="639" />
chart courtesy of <a href="http://www.stockcharts.com">www.stockcharts.com</a>
Year to date, both of these funds have lost money due to the volatility in markets and the on- going soap operas presented by both the European and American governments.  However, seasonality and oversold levels on a technical basis would indicate that there is hope that we will finish up the year with a “Santa Rally,” and if we do, both of these funds would likely be leaders as the economy shows signs of renewed strength and durability.
If, however, the anticipated “Santa Rally” does not take off or Europe implodes, then the ProShares Ultrashort Basic Materials Fund (NYSEARCA:SMN) is designed to short the Basic Materials Sector and so seek profits in down markets. This fund is also leveraged 2x, so investors must be careful using this fund because gains or losses are further magnified due to market swings and inherent tracking error in the design of leveraged exchange traded funds..  However, shorting Basic Materials this time of year could turn out to be a good call in the event that Santa can't ride his sleigh:
<a href="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaSMN.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-133295" title="ProShares Short Basic Materials (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#" />SMN</a>)" src="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marketcap11182011BMsantaSMN.png" alt="ProShares Short Basic Materials (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#">SMN</a>)" width="620" height="639" />
chart courtesy of <a href="http://www.stockcharts.com">www.stockcharts.com</a>
As always, ETFs offer investors a chance to make money in both up and down markets while at the same time diversifying portfolios across various sectors and exchanges.  Basic Materials is one such sector, and these three ETFs can offer potentially lucrative profits depending upon what the rest of November and December brings.  With the upcoming and greatly anticipated “Santa Rally,” one might expect a surge in Basic Materials, however, if Santa can't get off the ground, then a basic materials “short” ETF could make this year's perfect gift.
<a href="http://wallstreetsectorselector.com/wall-street-sector-selector-review/" target="_blank">Go here for a Special Offer from Wall Street Sector Selector</a>
 
Disclaimer:  Wall Street Sector Selector actively trades a wide range of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and positions can change at any time.
 
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								<a target='_blank' class='wikinvestWireItemLink' wikinvestWirePageId='1187625' href='http://www.philstockworld.com/2011/11/18/could-a-bullish-inverse-head-amp-shoulders-be-in-play-in-the-basic-materials-arena' onclick='Wikinvest.Wire.BloggerTracker.trackUrlClick( 1188030, 1187625 );' >Could a bullish inverse head &amp; shoulders be in play, in the basic materials arena?</a>
								 
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Basic Materials & The Santa Rally

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Tuesday November 15, 2011.

The iPath DJ-UBS Copper TR Sub-Index ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/jjc#NYSE">JJC</a>) is perking up a bit.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/faz#NYSE">FAZ</a>) was up 5.4% on Monday.

The ProShares UltraShort Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) might be worth a look.

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewt#NYSE">EWT</a>), Direxion Daily Emerging Markets Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/edz#NYSE">EDZ</a>) and the First Trust Brazil AlphaDEX Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fbz#NYSE">FBZ</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bnd#NYSE">BND</a>).

After-Hours Center

iPath Dow Jones UBSpper Subindex Total Return ETN

ETFs to Watch November 15, 2011

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List of Thursday October 20, 2011.

The Direxion Daily Gold Miners Bear 2X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dust#NYSE">DUST</a>) was up nearly 12% on Wednesday.

The ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>) added nearly 7%.

The Market Vectors Gaming ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bjk#NYSE">BJK</a>) will certainly be in play.

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>), ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>) and the IndexIQ South Korea Small Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/skor#NYSE">SKOR</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tlt#NYSE">TLT</a>).

SKOR

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

ETFs to Watch October 20, 2011

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday October 13, 2011.

The Market Vectors Steel ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/slx#NYSE">SLX</a>) has been acting well lately.

Materials stocks look a little overbought here, so trade the ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/smn#NYSE">SMN</a>).

Same goes for small-caps, so give the Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tza#NYSE">TZA</a>) a look.

Earnings play: ProShares UltraShort Financials (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/skf#NYSE">SKF</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>), iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewm#NYSE">EWM</a>) and the iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tur#NYSE">TUR</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxa#NYSE">FXA</a>).

Bond play of the day: ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tbt#NYSE">TBT</a>).

Earnings

iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund