Tag Archives: zacks funds

Beyond Miners, 5 ETFs Crushing The Market To Start Q2

Overriding concerns over weak corporate earnings, U.S. stocks hit fresh highs of 2016. This is especially true as conservative earnings estimates are actually setting the stage for positive surprises. In fact, a handsome earnings beat by one of the six largest banks – JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM ) – spread optimism into financial sector, which is the backbone of the global economy. As per the Zacks Earnings Trend , earnings beat ratio for 8.8% of the S&P 500 companies that have reported so far is impressive at 71.9%. Additionally, better-than-expected trade data in China eased global growth fears, sending the stocks higher. Further, stabilization of crude oil at around $40 per barrel is the greatest achievement in the current oversupplied oil market. Though the dollar has been weakening since the start of the second quarter, it has gained some momentum this week on more stimulus hopes from Bank of Japan (read: 5 ETFs to Buy if Oil Stays at $40 ). Apart from these recent developments, the dovishness of the Fed, an accelerating job market, a pick-up in inflation and increasing consumer confidence have continued to brace the market. Meanwhile, the appeal for government bonds and precious metals has diminished on risk-on investors’ sentiment. That being said, we highlight five ETFs that are surging to start the second quarter and are expected to continue this trend. ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (NYSEARCA: SBIO ) – Up 11.5% This fund targets companies with one or more drugs in Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials by tracking the Poliwogg Medical Breakthroughs Index. It is a small cap centric fund, having amassed $104.2 million in its asset base. The product holds 95 stocks in its basket with a well-diversified portfolio as each security holds less than 4.6% of assets. The product charges 50 bps in fees per year from investors and trades in a moderate average daily volume of about 77,000 shares. It has a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 or ‘Hold’ rating. WisdomTree Weak Dollar U.S. Equity ETF (NYSEARCA: USWD ) – Up 10.3% This fund offers exposure to export-oriented companies that may benefit from a weakening U.S. dollar by tracking the WisdomTree Weak Dollar U.S. Equity Index. It holds 201 securities in its basket with none accounting for more than 1.84% of assets. However, about one-fourth of the portfolio is dominated by information technology while industrials, health care, consumer discretionary and materials round off the next four spots with a double-digit exposure each. USWD is an unpopular an illiquid fund with AUM of $1.2 million and average daily volume of under 1,000 shares. Expense ratio came in at 0.33%. SPDR SSGA Risk Aware ETF (NYSEARCA: RORO ) – Up 10.3% This is an actively managed ETF that seeks to provide capital appreciation and competitive returns compared to the broad U.S. equity market. Holding 90 stocks in its portfolio, the fund is moderately concentrated across the firms with each holding less than 5.4% share. From a sector look, consumer discretionary, health care, consumer staples, financial services and utilities are the top sectors with a double-digit allocation each. It has managed $2 million in its asset base and charges 50 bps in annual fees. Volume is light exchanging less than 1,000 shares a day on average. United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSEARCA: BNO ) – Up 9.2% This fund provides direct exposure to the spot price of Brent crude oil on a daily basis through futures contracts. It has amassed $121.3 million in its asset base and trades in a good volume of roughly 267,000 shares a day. The ETF charges 75 bps in annual fees and expenses. SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA: XOP ) – Up 9.2% This fund provides an equal weight exposure to 60 firms by tracking the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index. Each holding makes up for less than 2.8% of the total assets. XOP is one of the largest and popular funds in the energy space with AUM of over $2 billion and expense ratio of 0.35%. It trades in heavy volume of around 19.1 million shares a day on average. The fund has a Zacks ETF Rank of 5 or ‘Strong Sell’ rating. Link to the original post on Zacks.com

Singapore ETFs In Focus Following Policy Easing

In a surprise move, the monetary authority of Singapore (MAS) eased policies on April 14, 2016. The step was taken to boost economic growth which halted in the first quarter of 2016. Notably, the Singapore Monetary Authority uses currency as a key tool to ease monetary policy rather than interest rates and resorted to a flat slope, budging from the prior target of a 0.5% annualized gain in the currency. However, no changes were made to the center of the band or the width, which is usually +/- 2%, per barrons.com. The preliminary estimates revealed that the economy grew 1.8% year over year in the first quarter of 2016, maintain the pace seen in the previous two quarters and slightly above 1.7% growth expected by the market. Sequentially, growth was flat on a seasonally-adjusted annualized basis, declining from 6.2% growth recorded in the fourth quarter and falling shy of the market expectation of 0.2% growth . MAS expects the economy to expand more moderately over the rest of the year. External shocks due to the slowdown in its major trading partners caused the worry. And if this was not enough, consumer prices in Singapore declined in February for 16 months in a row. So, the authority had to react to arrest the downtrend and revive this export-centric economy. The move instantly lowered the value of Singapore dollar which recorded the biggest plunge in eight months. Many analysts are speculating further policy easing given the dour economic scenario. Market Impact Though Singaporean stocks and the related ETFs have surged so far this year, the recent central bank comments point to the fact that the economy is reeling under pressure. China Renminbi devaluation and the recent weakness in the U.S. dollar also acted as headwinds to the Singaporean currency. Export-centric Asian economies like Singapore were thus forced to depreciate their currencies to stave off competitive pressure (probably) and rev up their exports while growth issues in China marred investing prospects of countries with close trade ties. However, the present situation is a bit dicey with the monetary easing opening room for growth while submissive central bank comments making investors wary. So, it is better to stay on the sidelines at the current level, wait for some definite improvement and obviously better entry points. The large-cap fund covering this economy’s equity market – iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA: EWS ) – had a solid stretch in the last three-month period (as of April 14, 2016) gaining 16.9%. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold). We have briefly highlighted the ETF tracking the country below. EWS in Focus EWS is easily the most popular Singapore ETF on the market as it has about $550 million in AUM and an average daily volume of 1.8 million shares a day. The product charges 47 basis points a year from investors. With 28 stocks in its basket, this fund from iShares puts more than 50% of its total assets in the top five holdings, suggesting higher concentration risks. The financial sector actually makes up roughly half of the portfolio, leaving around 18% for industrials followed by 14.5% for telecommunication. EWS pays a solid yield of 4.06% annually (as of April 14, 2016), implying that it may be an income pick if payout levels hold. Original Post

4 Strong Buy PIMCO Mutual Funds For Steady Return

With nearly $1.5 trillion assets under management, Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (commonly known as PIMCO) is considered as one of the well-known investment management firms across the globe. The company provides a wide range of financial services in 12 countries with the help of more than 2,300 employees and over 720 professionals. PIMCO offers a broad lineup of investment solutions to its clients that encompass the entire gamut of equities, bonds, currencies, real estates, alternative investments and risk management. Though the firm manages a large number of mutual funds across a wide range, it is best known for its fixed-income mutual funds. Below, we share with you four top-rated PIMCO mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all PIMCO funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of PIMCO funds . PIMCO Income A (MUTF: PONAX ) invests a minimum of 65% of its assets in fixed income securities from a wide range of sectors. These securities may include options, futures contracts, and swap agreements. PONAX may invest not more than half of its assets in securities that are rated below investment grade. The PIMCO Income A fund has a five-year annualized return of 7.5%. As of December 2015, PONAX held 4,022 issues, with 7.76% of its total assets invested in Irs Usd 2.75000 06/17/15-10y Cme. PIMCO New York Municipal A (MUTF: PNYAX ) seeks high tax-exempted income. PNYAX invests the lion’s share of its assets in debt securities whose interest is exempted from regular federal income tax and New York income tax. PNYAX may invest in “private activity” bonds having interest which is a tax-preference item for the purpose of the federal alternative minimum tax. The fund may also invest in other derivatives. The PIMCO New York Municipal A fund has a five-year annualized return of 5%. PNYAX has an expense ratio of 0.77% as compared to the category average of 0.93%. PIMCO StocksPLUS A (MUTF: PSPAX ) maintains a portfolio by investing in fixed income securities related to the S&P 500 including bonds and other derivatives in order to derive higher return compared to the index. PSPAX invest in securities from public as well as private sectors issued worldwide. While PSPAX will not invest more than 30% of its assets in foreign currencies denominated securities, it may invest more than 30% of its assets in foreign securities that are denominated in the U.S. dollar. The PIMCO StocksPLUS A fund has a five-year annualized return of 11.8%. Sudi N. Mariappa is the fund manager of PSPAX since 2014. PIMCO Low Duration Fund D (MUTF: PLDDX ) seeks to maximize return with capital preservation. PLDDX invests more than 65% of its assets in fixed income securities irrespective of their maturities. PLDDX invests in securities of both domestic and foreign issuers. PLDDX may also invest in forwards, options and futures contracts. The PIMCO Low Duration D fund has a five-year annualized return of 1.4%. PLDDX has an expense ratio of 0.75% as compared to the category average of 0.80%. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all PIMCO mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds . About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank here . Original Post