ETF/No Load Fund Tracker Newsletter For May 2, 2014

Ulli ETF Tracker Contact

ETF/No Load Fund Tracker StatSheet

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THE LINK TO OUR CURRENT ETF/MUTUAL FUND STATSHEET IS:

https://theetfbully.com/2014/05/weekly-statsheet-for-the-etfno-load-fund-tracker-newsletter-updated-through-05012014/

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Market Commentary

Friday, May 2, 2014

MARKETS UP OVERALL FOR THE WEEK ON STRONG JOBS DATA

Fri pic

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

1. Moving The Markets

While markets slid a bit today, all three major indexes posted gains for the week as the 5-day chart above shows. The key market driver today was the much anticipated jobs report, which revealed better-than-expected data; at least on the surface. The fact that the 2 surveys used, namely the household and establishment surveys, showed a huge divergence was conveniently overlooked.

Be that as it may, data showed U.S. job growth picked up at its fastest pace in more than two years in April, suggesting a sharp rebound in economic activity early in the second quarter. Factory orders — up a strong 1.1% for March — offered another dose of good economic news but not enough to power an earlier rally through the session’s closing bell.

Healthcare shares were among the biggest strains on the market today, including U.S. drug maker Pfizer Inc (PFE) whose shares fell 1.3% after its sweetened bid for AstraZeneca Plc (AZN) was rejected.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei index ticked down 0.2% to 14,457.51 and share prices fell in Singapore and Indonesia, while they rose in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The international realm is acting very unpredictable at present, especially with tensions heating up between Russia and the Ukraine.

Our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight recovered during this rebound week; none of them made new highs today but 9 of them are on the plus side YTD.

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Weekly StatSheet For The ETF/No Load Fund Tracker Newsletter – Updated Through 05/01/2014

Ulli ETF StatSheet Contact

ETF/Mutual Fund Data updated through Thursday, May 1, 2014

Table of Content082312

If you are not familiar with some of the terminology used, please see the Glossary of Terms.

 

1. DOMESTIC EQUITY MUTUAL FUNDS/ETFs: BUY — since 10/25/2011

TTI0501

Our main directional indicator, the Domestic Trend Tracking Index (TTI), broke through its long-term trend line generating a Sell for this area effective 8/9/2011. Over the recent past, we’ve seen the TTI hovering slightly below and above this dividing line between bullish and bearish territory. The clear break to the upside occurred on 10/24/11 and, effective 10/25/11, a new Buy signal for domestic equities went into effect.

As of today, our TTI (green line in above chart) is positioned above its long term trend line (red) by +2.49%.

To avoid a potential whip-saw, a Sell signal to move out of all domestic equity positions will be generated once we have clearly pierced the red line to the downside. Be sure to tune in for the latest updates.

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Markets Mixed As Investors Await Jobs Report On Friday

Ulli Market Commentary Contact

Thur pic

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

1. Moving The Markets

The S&P 500 ended nearly flat on Thursday as investors anxiously await Friday’s jobs report, though some gains in Internet shares helped lift the Nasdaq to positive territory late in the day. The anticipated (April) jobs report, which is expected to show that U.S. employment rose at its fastest pace in five months could give investors confidence that economic momentum will continue on through the next quarter.

Perhaps more convincing that the U.S. economy is trucking along is the fact that U.S. consumer spending recorded its largest gain in more than 4-1/2 years in March and factory activity accelerated last month. Remember that consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. When adjusted for inflation, it increased 0.7% in March after advancing 0.4% in February.

Shares of DirecTV Inc (DTV) experienced a surprising pop today of 4.1% after the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T Inc (T) had approached the company about a possible acquisition. Other gainers on the day included TripAdvisor Inc (TRIP) which added 3.4%, while Amazon.com (AMZN) rose 1.2%.

Overseas, many of the major markets were closed for May Day holidays. However, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index jumped by 1.3% on the day, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index rose by 0.4%.

Our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight went sideways; no new highs were made today but 9 of them are remaining in the green YTD.

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Dow Closes At Record Level For The First Time This Year

Ulli Market Commentary Contact

Wed pic

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

1. Moving The Markets

Volatility was still the name of the game on this last day of April just as it has been for quite some time. All the major indexes gained while the S&P 500 managed to eke out a modest +0.64% for the month.

As expected, the Fed announced a reduction of $10 billion in its monthly bond buying program from $55 billion to $45 billion. Key interest rates remained unchanged despite weak GDP growth in the first quarter, which almost came to a standstill. Of course, there always hopeful optimists who believe that the Fed’s tapering means the economy is improving and should soon be able to carry its own weight. Personally, I have not seen enough data to support that view.

Although private sector hiring improved in April with employers adding the most jobs in some 5 months. The Chicago PMI also rebounded last month at the fastest pace in six months.

Our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight headed modestly higher with 3 of them making new highs today while 9 of them are now in the green YTD.

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Equities Continue To Climb On Positive Earnings Announcments

Ulli Market Commentary Contact

Tue pic

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

1. Moving The Markets

Stocks continued to move higher today, driven by continued positive earnings announcements. The major indexes climbed as the chart shows but the Nasdaq led with a gain of 0.73% on the day.

Notable corporate earnings announcements, that exceeded analyst expectations included Merck & Co (MRK) and Sprint (S). Q1 profit growth for S&P 500 companies is at 3.7% compared with a forecast for 2.1% at the beginning of the month. This bodes well for those who are looking to capitalize on those corporate earnings announcements left in the pipeline. This is another big week for earnings announcements with 135 companies in the S&P 500 reporting.

Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve ends its two-day meeting Wednesday with the release of its closely watched policy statement, while the U.S. government will release its April jobs report on Friday.

In international news, Chrysler’s shot at a significant slice of sales in China, the world’s largest auto market, has taken a major step forward with a deal to build three Jeep SUVs there in a venture with Guangzhou Automobile. Production of SUVs in China is expected to rise to 6 million by 2020, nearly twice the 3.15 million produced in 2013.

Our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight gained with 2 of them making new highs today while 9 of them are now in the green YTD.

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Market Sways—But Closes In Positive Territory

Ulli Market Commentary Contact

Mond pic

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

1. Moving The Markets

The market swayed back and forth today, but finished in positive territory across the board with the exception of the Nasdaq. And, despite today’s intraday volatility and chaotic price action, many major market indexes are not far from all-time highs.

Although markets ended up for the day, there was a notable selloff in big name social media stocks such as LinkedIn (LNKD), Facebook (FB), Yelp (YELP) and the Chinese social media company that went public earlier this month Weibo (WB).

In M&A news, takeover talks remain the buzz as Pfizer (PFE) reaffirmed its commitment to its potential $100 billion bid for AstraZeneca (AZN), while General Electric (GE) is reportedly attempting to buy Alstom’s (ALSMY) power turbines business.

We are still in the midst of Q1 earnings season announcements, with Twitter Inc (TWTR) and Nokia Corporation (NOK) among the high-profile names with earnings announcements coming up tomorrow. Amazon (AMZN) took a blow today after its sub-par earnings report. The stock continued its slide from Friday falling 3.1% on the day. Overall though, the majority of corporate earnings announcements have been exceeding reduced analyst’s forecasts.

Our 10 ETFs in the Spotlight inched higher with 3 of them making new highs today while 8 of them are remaining in the green YTD.

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