"Some 20,000 or more million-dollar block trades are made each day," says Peter Way in Block Traders ETF Monitor, which assesses the activity of these trades. Here's some current top "big block" bets.

"Since it's these big dollar pressures that move markets, we want to know what they are likely to do next. Our analysis determines what the pros' expectations are for the coming prices of stocks, from the way
they protect investments they have or are making.

"Based on our proprietary analysis of this big block activity, we determine the prospects for each ETF sector to determine where prices will be in the next 3 months. We seek the best balance of upside risk and downside exposures.

"We don't want to buy anything that doesn't offer a net payoff of better than 5% over three months, or an annual rate of +22%. International and global ETFs. and emerging markets still hold appeal, with MSCI Brazil iShares (NYSE: EWZ), the best bet.

"Where's the beef? Must be in MOO, the Market Vectors International Agricultural ETF (ASE: MOO). Prospects for it are the best combined odds & payoffs in the group.

"The ETFs that have been providing the most reliable and productive gains of late have been in commodities. Without any leverage, there are currently a number that appear attractive, given the volume market-makers' appraisals. The PowerShares DB Agricultural Index ETF (ASE: DBA) outranks just about all of the 2,500 issues we cover. PowerShares DB Commodities Index ETF (ASE: DBC) also offers strong buy credentials."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

"Powershares DB Agriculture Fund (ASE: DBA) is a new addition to the capital gains portfolio at TheMoneyMan.com Market Newsletter. Here the latest by BizRadio host Daniel Frishberg.

"An area of the market that hasn't been affected by the economic slowdown and isn't correlated with the equities has been the commodity markets. Global demand for commodities has continued to increase.

"This has lead to record highs for most commodities, including soft commodities. We expect this to continue. There are several reasons for this.

"First, emerging markets are developing at a rapid pace and their populations are becoming richer and can now afford to eat better. That leads to higher prices in soybeans, corn, wheat, etc. Second, there are government mandates for producing ethanol which has driven up the price of corn.

"We're adding a position in one of our favorite ETFs for 2008: the PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE: DBA), which provides investors with an alternative way to invest in the agricultural sector," says technical analyst and contrarian investor Chris Johnson.

The money manager and editor of Insightful Investor explains, "We feel a long-term position in DBA is appropriate for any investor's portfolio." Here is his review.

"One of the areas of the economy that we have been outwardly bullish on is the agricultural group. From a fundamental perspective, the 'ag play' is in full force, as demand and supply remain imbalanced. This has been a fantastic catalyst for a number of stocks that have to do with the agriculture sector, as we have heard in the news quite a bit lately.

"While we like the environment that this creates for a number of stocks, there is one agricultural investment that we do not hear trumpeted in the media as much as one might expect. We're referring to an investment in agricultural products, not the companies that help to produce the products.

Based in London, Nick Vardy is among the leading international stock experts. The editor of The Global Bull Market Alert has created a package of stocks called the "Ultimate Defensive Global Bull Market Alert" Portfolio -- using ETFs to go short on China and the British pound while simultaneously going long on agriculture and the yen.

"UltraShort FTSE/Xinhua China 25 ProShares (ASE: FXP) has been a hero during market weakness. While the market's current focus is on the exposure of Chinese banks to U.S. subprime loans, the real issue in Chinese banks is their own bad loans to state-owned enterprises. China has a long way to fall.

"Short the CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (NYSE: FXB). With the U.K.'s fundamentals perhaps weaker than the United States, the U.K. currency should continue to weaken over the coming months.

"PowerShares DB Agriculture (NYSE: DBA) invests in some of the most liquid and widely traded agricultural commodities, corn, wheat, soy beans and sugar.

"Buy the Currency Shares Japanese Yen Trust (NYSE: FXY). The yen zigs when the rest of the market zags. A position in the Yen won't knock your socks off in terms of performance. But it will hold up well in times of turmoil and appreciate steadily as the 'carry trade' unwinds.

"A word of warning: This is a 'defensive' global portfolio that will hold up the best during periods of negative market sentiment. But understand that this is also the part of the portfolio that will underperform -- perhaps significantly -- on any 'relief rally' in the markets."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.