Indexes and ETFs
Gold Miners Soar as Federal Reserve Puts the ‘Bull’ Back in Bullion

Gold Miners Soar as Federal Reserve Puts the ‘Bull’ Back in Bullion

Monetary policy is changing, and it's fueling a monster rally in gold-mining stocks. The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has gained 18 percent since the beginning of June. That puts it on pace for the biggest monthly gain since April 2016. "Uncertainties about...

Bitcoin Keeps Ripping as ETF Hopes Return

Bitcoin Keeps Ripping as ETF Hopes Return

The world's top cryptocurrency hit new highs overnight as good news added to bullish momentum. Bitcoin (BTC) pushed over $12,900 this morning, its highest price since January 2018. It's up more than 40 percent in the last week and more than 250 percent so far this...

Airline ETF Takes Off as Investors Embrace Rising Fares

Airline ETF Takes Off as Investors Embrace Rising Fares

Investors are jumping on board airlines, one of the few industries with pricing power in a low-inflation environment. The U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS) is up 10 percent since the beginning of June and is on pace for its best monthly gain in its four years of existence....

Greenback on the Brink as Fed Meeting and G20 Approach

Greenback on the Brink as Fed Meeting and G20 Approach

The U.S. dollar seems to be teetering before some events with the potential to drive it lower. The U.S. dollar index (@DX) has spent most of 2019 between 95 and 97.75. It broke down quickly from those highs in early June and is now squeezing into a potential triangle....

Materials ETF Has Best Week in 7 Years as Fed Goes Dovish

Materials ETF Has Best Week in 7 Years as Fed Goes Dovish

Stocks like chemical makers and gold miners have struggled for much of the year, but now they're ripping amid hopes of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The SPDR Materials ETF (XLB) is up almost 8 percent since Friday, putting it on pace for its best week since December...

Retail ETF Spirals Downward with Brick-and-Mortar on the Skids

Retail ETF Spirals Downward with Brick-and-Mortar on the Skids

A perfect storm of bearishness is sweeping retail stocks, making them one of the weakest links in a teetering market. The SPDR Retail ETF (XRT) has lost 6 percent in the week ending yesterday, and is mired in the midst of its longest losing streak since early October....

Utility ETF Soars as Hot Money Shifts to Safe Havens

Utility ETF Soars as Hot Money Shifts to Safe Havens

President Trump's trade war against China isn't hurting all stocks. Just look at the price action in a key safe haven. The SPDR Utilities ETF (XLU) is up 2.5 percent in the last week, while the broader S&P 500 is down almost 2 percent. Aside from real-estate...

Is Real Estate ETF a Stealth Technology Trade?

Is Real Estate ETF a Stealth Technology Trade?

Believe it or not, real-estate investment trusts (REITs) are leading the market this month. The SPDR Real Estate ETF (XLRE) is up 1.8 percent so far in May. That contrasts with a 2.4 percent drop for the broader S&P 500 over the same period. Even more surprising,...

Bitcoin Bulls Were Running as Fear Swept Equity Markets

Bitcoin Bulls Were Running as Fear Swept Equity Markets

Something bullish has taken place in cryptocurrency markets as stocks crashed on trade worries. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) climbed 11 percent last week and is up almost triple that amount so far this week. The leading crypto is not only in the midst of its best month since...

Rollercoaster Week for Stocks as Trump Renews the Trade War

Rollercoaster Week for Stocks as Trump Renews the Trade War

Stocks just had their most dramatic week of the year after President Trump renewed his trade war against China. The S&P 500 swung 112 points between its high and low, the biggest weekly range since markets were crashing in December. The overall decline of 2.2...