The Fed's QE3, Unemployment Numbers and Your ETF Portfolio

Summed up in another way, most measures of employment have gotten worse since QE first began in November 2008. Even the headline number of 7.8% is at the same place as when President Obama started office in January 2009.

Most notably, the simple fact that Federal Reserve decided to enact an open-ended QE policy this past September tells everyone that the employment situation is bleak. The only question is whether or not the Fed is helping or hurting with its monetary policy.

Actually, there are additional questions for investors. What types of assets should you acquire in a currency-devaluing environment characterized by commodity price inflation and marginal economic growth?

First, I think it is important to minimize risk with inflation fighters. Vanguard REIT (VNQ) as well as iShares Gold (GLD) often do well, even when consumer prices are tame.

Second, those who can tolerate volatility better would do well to look at Real Asset ETFs. Consider Guggenheim Timber (CUT) and/or First Trust Natural Gas (FCG).

Third, I'm a big believer that the world's second-largest economy, China, has far more policy wiggle room than the European Union or the United States. This is not to suggest the best way to profit from monetary and fiscal stimulus on the mainland would come from exclusively investing there.

However, it does explain why Asian Pacific ETFs are relative strength standouts. Take a look at iShares MSCI Asia excl Japan (AAXJ) or iShares MSCI Malaysia (EWM).

This article was written by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.

Disclosure Statement: ETF Expert is a website that makes the world of ETFs easier to understand. Gary Gordon, Pacific Park Financial and/or its clients may hold positions in ETFs, mutual funds and investment assets mentioned. The commentary does not constitute individualized investment advice. The opinions offered are not personalized recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. At times, issuers of exchange-traded products compensate Pacific Park Financial or its subsidiaries for advertising at the ETF Expert website. ETF Expert content is created independently of any advertising relationships. You may review additional ETF Expert at the site.

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