Five ETFs to Watch This Week
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Here are five ETFs to watch this week.
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR
(XLP) - Get Report
Earnings season continues to press on with dozens of companies scheduled to step up to the plate next week. The middle of the week will be particularly exciting for investors following the consumer staples industry with names, including
Coca-Cola
(KO) - Get Report
,
Philip Morris
(PM) - Get Report
,
CVS Caremark
(CVS) - Get Report
and
Pepsi
(PEP) - Get Report
on the docket.
Consumer staples are still lagging against the broader market as investors opt to venture into riskier sectors. However, in recent days we have seen some signs that the U.S. consumer is beginning to tighten its belt. As individuals cut back on their spending habits, discretionary companies responsible for producing "wants" will likely face steeper headwinds than the staple producers underlying XLP.
iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund
(EWW) - Get Report
The iShares Mexico ETF's top-heaviness will likely shine through this week when
America Movil
(AMX) - Get Report
reports its earnings. Carlos Slim's telecom empire dominates EWW's index, accounting for over 20% of its assets.
Latin America continues to stand out as an attractive option for internationally-minded investors looking to escape the drama taking place in Europe. EWW has been on a tear in 2012, helping it recover back to heights last seen at the start of August 2011. As the fund recovers to pre-breakdown levels, it will be interesting to see if it can hold up.
SPDR S&P 500 ETF
(SPY) - Get Report
On Friday, the market was greeted to some encouraging news on the jobs front. The most recent nonfarm payroll report indicated that 243,000 jobs were added in January, far outpacing analyst estimates. In addition, the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, the lowest reading since February 2009. February is a historically tricky month for the stock market. So far, however, the strength from January appears to be lingering. SPY is kicking off the week at 2012 highs.
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Biotechnology Index Fund
(IBB) - Get Report
The biotechnology industry's early-year strength has propelled IBB to its highest levels ever. In response to this climb, the fund has seen impressive gains in both our short- and long- term momentum rankings.
This parabolic ascension is attractive for those who decided to get in early. While enticing, I would encourage investors lacking exposure to funds like IBB and the
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
(XBI) - Get Report
to avoid chasing gains here.
Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF
(GDX) - Get Report
Gold miners spent much of the past week heading higher. Any gains, however, were dashed on Friday as the fund succumbed to its 200-day moving average. Looking to the days ahead, it will be interesting to see if this level will be tested once again.
Despite the metal's designation as a safe haven, gold-related funds like GDX and
iShares Gold Trust
(IAU) - Get Report
have staged impressive rallies during the opening weeks of the year, following the broader market higher. Investors and market followers are questioning whether gold miners, after a disappointing showing in 2011, can find some footing in the months ahead.
Written by Don Dion in Williamstown, Mass.
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At the time of publication, Dion Money Management owned iShares Gold Trust.
