ETF/No Load Fund Tracker StatSheet
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THE LINK TO OUR CURRENT ETF/MUTUAL FUND STATSHEET IS:
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Market Commentary
Friday, January 23, 2015
A DISAPPOINTING FINISH TO A FRUITFUL WEEK
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]1. Moving the Markets
Stocks ended lower today but higher on the week, led primarily by the technology sector. Pushing markets higher in general was news from the European Central Bank. Earlier this week the ECB announced a larger-than-expected asset purchase (bond buying) program. The ECB plans to purchase at least €1.1 trillion (about $1.3 trillion) in investment-grade bonds and asset-backed securities from the secondary market, at least until September 2016. This is an attempt to spur economic growth to increase low inflation to the ECB’s 2% target.
In IPO news today, shares of online file sharing service Box (BOX) jumped more than 65% in their first day of trading. The initial price of the 12.5 million shares that were sold was set at $14 a share; however, the deal had been delayed for months. The company raised $175 million from its IPO and has clients such as General Electric (GE).
The highlight of the upcoming week will arrive on Wednesday, as the Federal Reserve FOMC two-day policy meeting ends and is followed by an announcement. The Fed has recently stated it would remain “patient” in increasing short-term policy rates as global economic growth has slowed and as inflation has stalled due to declining energy prices. Expectations are still for a midyear rate increase. Wall Street will certainly be looking for any change in the Fed’s statement.
All of our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight slipped today but most gained for the week. 6 of our funds remain on the plus side YTD as section 2 shows.






