commodity etf posts
FeedPosted Oct 14th 2010 12:30PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Stocks to Buy, Green Stocks, Obama Picks
"The real magic behind lithium is that, pound for pound, this featherweight metal can store more electric energy than just about any other material," notes Nathan Slaughter.
The editor of The ETF Authority explains, "That has made lithium the battery maker's best friend. And portable electronics, power grid infrastructure and hybrid vehicles are a powerful 1-2-3 punch that could send demand soaring.
"Unlike gold, silver and other metals, it's virtually impossible to invest directly in lithium. There are no lithium trading pits, no futures contracts, and no way to take physical possession. Global X Lithium Fund (LIT), a recently launched exchange-traded fund, is the next best thing.
Continue reading Global X Lithium (LIT): The Future for Batteries?
Posted Jan 6th 2010 12:01PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Best Stocks for 2010
This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.
"Whenever inflation heats up, there's no better place to park your cash than in tangible commodities," says Nathan Slaughter.
In his The ETF Authority, he noes "Our favorite play on this sector is Market Vectors Hard Asset Producers (HAP), an ETF whose 300-stock portfolio provides one-stop shopping for six distinct commodity sub-sectors."
Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Market Vectors Hard Assets (HAP)
Posted Oct 29th 2009 1:10PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy
"There is a very interesting situation developing in the oil and gas industry," says Mike Turner. In the Trade of the Week advisory, he looks at the Oil & Gas Ultra ProShares (NYSE: DIG).
"Even though global economies are not rapidly recovering (although they do seem to be on a positive upslope), and even though there seems to be a bit more supply than demand in the energy markets, oil and gas stocks continue to move higher. What's behind this move?
"Oil has become the inverse proxy to the U.S. dollar. As the dollar weakens, the price of oil is moving higher. With the burgeoning debt piling up in the U.S., the dollar looks to be under pressure to move lower for the foreseeable future.
Continue reading DIG this oil and gas ETF
Posted Jul 8th 2009 1:30PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International Markets, Newsletters, ETF Investing, Commodities, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"There are many reasons to like the PowerShares DB Agriculture (NYSE: DBA), an exchange-traded fund that tracks agricultural commodity prices," says fund expert Doug Fabian.
In The ETF Trader, he explains, "We like the technical picture. In addition, we believe commodities are a great hedge against inflation.
"Overall, we like the patterns taking shape in the world's key agricultural crops. The price charts of crops like corn, soybeans, sugar and wheat all have given us one compelling message, and that message is it's time to buy.
Continue reading PowerShares Agiculture (DBA): Farm favorite
Posted Dec 5th 2008 4:30PM by Mitch Tuchman (RSS feed)
Filed under: Duke Energy (DUK), Southern Company (SO)
With the shift of power in the United States one of the hot topics is obviously America's dependence on oil and fuel consumption. During the coming administration we're likely to see a change in the energy field as new options are sought. It's likely that there will be some newcomers to the industry, but most likely the old standards will continue to pave the way for the future of energy.
I doubt that there will be any disruptive technologies to change the utilities in my lifetime. By investing in an exchange traded fund (
ETF) consisting of a basket of utilities you will have a safe bet on energy. Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) includes electric utilities, multi-utilities, independent power producers, energy traders and gas utilities.
You'll own companies such as
Exelon Corp. (NYSE:
EXC) a utility services holding company, Southern Company (NYSE: SO) who uses subsidiaries in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity,
Dominion Resources, Inc (NYSE:
D) a provider of electricity and natural gas to the eastern United States, and
Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:
DUK) an energy company in the Americas. XLU also gives you a diversified basket of dividend paying stocks. Over the past year, XLU has paid about $1.20 which is currently a 4.3% yield on a $28 stock which down 33% this year (which means your dividend yield is higher). That's a lot better than 10 year T-Bills and the stocks in this index could appreciate as well.
Continue reading Sector ETFs: Energize your portfolio with XLU
Posted May 22nd 2008 11:30AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"We think we've seen the worst and will likely see some improvement in the economy going forward," says growth stock specialist Harry Domash, editor of Winning Investing.
Among his buy recommendations, the advisor looks at two agriculture plays: Agrium (NYSE: AGU), a producer of fertilizers, and the diversified exchange-traded fund, PowerShares DB Commodity (ASE: DBC).
"Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Agrium is a major North American producer and marketer of fertilizers. Agrium operates plants in Canada, the U.S., and in Argentina. Its major product is nitrogen fertilizer but it also makes potash and phosphate products.
"Agrium sells to wholesalers and through more than 800 company-owned retail stores in the U.S., Canada, and South America. Its stores also sell seed and other farm supplies.
"Agrium just recently completed its acquisition of UAP Holding, which had operated 370 distribution and storage facilities North America. Everything related to agriculture is booming, and Agrium, not counting its UAP acquisition, is growing sales around 30% annually.
Continue reading 'Growth' expert focuses on agriculture and commodities
Posted Apr 29th 2008 1:18PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Mutual Funds, Commodities, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"We're bullilsh on meats," says Eric Roseman, who notes, "I'm convinced we're finally at a turning point in 2008 as farmers continue to cull their herds. At some point, I'm expecting beef and pork prices to surge."
Here, the resources expert and editor of The Commodity Trend Alert looks at an exchange-traded note with a memorable trading symbol -- iPath Dow Jones Livestock (NYSE: COW). Here is his review.
"With virtually all commodities soaring over the last several months, the meats have been a disappointment - until about ten days ago. I think we finally broke-out.
"Like the grains, livestock maintain a negative correlation to common stocks. It's a great portfolio diversification tool, especially in 2008 when equities cratered during the first quarter and most commodities rallied. Live cattle and lean hogs have been poor inflation-adjusted investments or speculations since the bull market in raw materials was set afire in 2002.
"Over the last six years, live cattle and lean hogs have gained just under 30% in nominal terms, or up barely 4% adjusted for inflation. That pales compared to the huge gains logged by the base metals, precious metals, the grains and other commodities.
Continue reading COW: Resources expert turns bullish on meat
Posted Apr 25th 2008 9:33AM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: International Markets, Brazil, Newsletters, Mutual Funds, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"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.
Posted Mar 14th 2008 12:20PM by Steven Halpern (RSS feed)
Filed under: Newsletters, Mutual Funds, Commodities, Oil, Agriculture, Stocks to Buy
"The current environment is one of the most challenging I have seen in the twenty years I have been following the market," says Nate Pile, who has added some ETF hedges to his Nate's Notes portfolio.
"I am also introducing two ETFs this month that can be thought of as 'indirect hedges.' Rather than being a 'short' fund, we are choosing funds that track commodity prices, which in turn, will provide a hedge against any market declines that may result from investor concern about rising inflation.
"In addition, these two new ETFs is may appreciate in value even if the market does rally from here. I actually think there is a very good chance we will make money on these 'commodity ETFs' regardless of what the stock market does next. Anyhow, without further ado, I present to you the following two ETFs:
"The PowerShares Deutsche Bank Commodity Index Tracking Fund (ASE: DBC) is designed to reflect the performance of the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index, an index that tracks six important commodities (current index weightings approximated in parentheses): light crude (33%), heating oil (19%), wheat (14%), corn (12%), aluminum (12%), and gold (10%).
Continue reading Nate Pile's portfolio hedges
Next Page >