Currency ETFs Are Sending Mixed Signals

Currency exchange-traded funds aren't sending clear signals about the outlook for riskier assets.
By Gary Gordon ,

NEW YORK (ETF Expert) -- Far too frequently, commentators focus on one of two potential outcomes.

For example, one writer may explain why riskier assets will navigate the fiscal cliff and rocket substantially higher into the new year. Meanwhile, another may predict the collapse of market-based investing altogether, with the

Dow

plummeting 3,000 points before Christmas.

Greed and fear. Bull and bear. Democrat and Republican. Is there really nothing in the middle?

In truth, there are plenty of times when participants simply cannot make up their minds. The light may be yellow, rather than red or green.

Consider the widely followed "fear gauge," the

CBOE S&P 500 Volatility Index

I:VIX

. A fear-mongering forecaster may overemphasize the reality that the VIX has climbed above a shorter-term, 50-day trend line, then insist the end of days is a near certainty.

In contrast, a buy-and-hold blogger may point to the fact there have been six VIX spikes to more than 25 over the last three years, and that the current environment isn't even as "fearful" as the mild correction that occurred this past May.

In essence, people often see what they want to see. And sometimes, making a bold prognostication about a monster rally or a massive selloff makes a headline. Yet VIX volatility is sending mixed signals about the future direction of

S&P 500

stocks.

It's not just the VIX either. The

S&P 500 SPDR Trust

(SPY) - Get Report

is hugging its 200-day long-term trend line. Is there enough support? It may depend on the ability of the U.S. government to negotiate a fiscal cliff solution.

Currency ETFs are equally confounding. Specifically, postelection results show a rise in

PowerShares Dollar Bullish

(UUP) - Get Report

and

CurrencyShares Yen Trust

(FXY) - Get Report

, a sign that might be "bearish" for riskier assets. The decline of emerging currencies and the euro-dollar might even bolster that claim.

At the same time, few currencies are far enough above or below a near-term 50-day trend line to make a definitive call. What's more, the

CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust

(FXA) - Get Report

often has volatile drops during times of unusual market stress. Yet for the time being, FXA is calm, cool and collected. Give some credit to the

recent economic upticks

in Asia.

There is no need to downplay the threats that exist. Europe's economy is contracting, U.S. leaders are sparring and global corporations aren't meeting expected sales targets.

Still, an imminent market meltdown is probably not in the tea leaves. And if it is, there are simple methods for protecting your capital through "covered calls," stop-limit loss orders as well as

hedging techniques

. Make sure that you know precisely how to control the outcomes for all of your investment decisions.

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

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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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