Dion’s Monday ETF Winners and Losers
Welcome to Don Dion’s Daily ETF Winners and Losers. Be sure to stop by each day to get a feel of who’s winning and who’s losing when it comes to ETFs.
Winners
iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund(EWS) 1.2%
EWS, iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund(THD) and Market Vectors Vietnam ETF(VNM) are three Asian-focused single nation funds rising.
The Vietnam ETF’s gains can be attributed to news of the nation’s ambitious development plans as well as reports that the World Bank had approved loans valued at more than $450 million for the nation.
Consumer Staples Select Sectors SPDR Fund(XLP) 1.1%
Today’s jittery market is driving investors towards the safest and most stable sectors of the U.S. economy. Consumer staples funds such as XLP and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF(VDC), as well as utilities funds like Vanguard Utilities ETF(VPU), have benefited the most from this flight to safety.
iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund(EWL) 0.4%
The Swiss ETF is managing to hold onto gains today thanks to an optimistic outlook presented by one of the nation’s top central bankers. In recent weeks the nation’s currency, the Swiss franc, has rallied against the euro, reaching record highs. However, despite this strength, the Swiss National Bank insists that there is no threat of deflation on the horizon for the nation.
Losers
United States Natural Gas Fund(UNG) -3.6%
Natural gas prices are taking a hit today as traders unwind bets ahead of contract expirations. UNG and iPath Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Total Return Subindex ETN(GAZ) will be volatile though, as the Atlantic hurricane season gets into full swing.
WisdomTree DEFA ETF(DWM) -0.9%
On Monday, the U.S. markets have not been alone in being shaky. As seen by the performance of the WisdomTree DEFA ETF, pressure is being felt around the globe. DWM is designed to track dividend-paying companies hailing from Europe, Far East Asia, and Australasia.
Investors seeking international exposure may want to keep DWM on their radar. The fund’s divided focus will deliver income despite economic uncertainty. My favorite pick for dividend-paying companies is the domestic iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend Index Fund(DVY).
ETFS Physical Palladium Shares(PALL) -2.3%
Precious metals are taking a hit today with palladium and silver leading the downward action. Both physically backed funds such as PALL, iShares Silver Trust(SLV) and ETFS Physical Silver Shares, as well as the miner-focused Global X Silver Miners ETF(SIL), are heading lower. Gold is also feeling pressure after it approached all time highs this morning. iShares COMEX Gold Shares(IAU) is currently down 1.2%.
