Natural Gas ETFs Jump on Rebound

Other strong performers include Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente(SEYMF), up 30%; SMA Solar Technology, up 23%; and Energy Conversion Devices(ENER), up 19% on Applied Materials(AMAT) takeover rumors.

Best Performing Energy Funds for the Week Ending Thursday Sept. 10 Fund (Ticker) Rating Fund Type 1 Wk Tot'l Return iPath Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ) E- ETN 24.56% United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) E- ETF 24.08% Direxion Daily Energy Bull 3X Shares (ERX) U ETF 19.84% Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF (TAN) E ETF 16.55% Market Vectors - Solar Energy ETF (KWT) E ETF 14.74% First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (FCG) D+ ETF 13.88% Rydex 2X S&P Select Sector Energy ETF (REA) E ETF 13.45% ProShares Ultra Oil & Gas (DIG) E- ETF 13.19% BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio (SSGRX) E Open-End 12.10% Profunds Oil Equiptment Distribution & Services UltraSector ProFund (OEPIX) U Open-End 11.22% Source: Bloomberg & TheStreet.com Ratings

Inverse funds that bet against energy were the worst performers this week. The Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3X Shares(ERY), plummeted 17% with triple negative leverage, while the Rydex Inverse 2X S&P Select Sector Energy ETF(REC) lost 13% with double leverage.

Crude oil prices haven't crossed $74 since June, despite forecasts of higher demand from the International Energy Agency. Oil prices have been stepping higher each week, putting more pressure on the resistance level. If prices top $75, inverse funds might not fare well.

Worst Performing Energy Funds for the Week Ending Thursday Sept. 10 Fund (Ticker) Rating Fund Type 1 Wk Tot'l Return Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3X Shares (ERY) U ETF -17.27% Rydex Inverse 2X S&P Select Sector Energy ETF (REC) E- ETF -13.09% ProShares UltraShort Oil & Gas (DUG) E- ETF -11.78% ProShares Short Oil & Gas (DDG) D- ETF -6.24% ProFunds Short Oil & Gas ProFund (SNPIX) D Open-End -6.11% iPath Global Carbon ETN (GRN) C- ETN -4.51% Tortoise Power and Energy Income Co (TPZ) U Closed-End -2.50% Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Co (KYN) D Closed-End 0.74% ING Risk Managed Natural Resources Fund (IRR) A+ Closed-End 1.09% United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) E+ ETF 1.12% Source: Bloomberg & TheStreet.com Ratings

For more information, check out an explanation of our ratings.

-- Reported by Kevin Baker in Jupiter, Fla..

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