7 ETF Model Portfolios You Can Use – Updated through 4/24/2012

Ulli Model ETF Portfolios Contact

Weakness in the markets showed up since last week’s ETF Model Portfolio publication, as continued uncertainty about Europe pulled the major indexes lower with the benchmark S&P 500 losing 1.4%.

All model portfolios retreated but to a lesser degree than the S&P. It looks to me that the markets are in dire need of a new driver to replenish lost upward momentum.

It may have found one, as Apple Computers came out with blowout earnings this Tuesday afternoon, which is sure to give the indexes an initial lift today.

Whether that translates into something more permanent remains to be seen as the Fed convenes for its 2 day FOMC meeting with any new announcements not due till Thursday.

Here’s the latest ETF Model Portfolio update:

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US Markets Close Mixed As Tech Stocks Slip; KRU Pops, GAZ Drops

Ulli Market Review Contact

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

US stocks closed mixed Tuesday with the broad market holding onto gains as investors welcomed encouraging Q1 corporate results, while Netflix’s weaker-than-expected outlook weighed NASDAQ down.

Apple Inc came under selling pressure ahead of its earnings report after the close. As was hoped for, Apple delivered beyond expectations which may bode well for a positive opening tomorrow.

The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasuries retreated for the first time in a week pushing prices up as the Federal Reserve got ready for its two-day FOMC meeting from tomorrow.

On the economic front, however, markets were disappointed with the Feb. S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index reading sinking a further 3.5 percent over last, hitting its lowest mark since Nov. 2002. Also Consumer Confidence Index fell to 69.2 in April from 70.2 in March. US Census report showed new home sales in March slipped 7.1 percent to an annual rate of 328,000, slightly bettering economists’ estimate of 318,000.

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US Equity ETFs Slide On Europe And China Fears; SDK Pops, UMX Sinks

Ulli Market Review Contact

[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com]

US equity ETFs retreated Monday as political uncertainty in Europe continued to dominate the headlines with French President Nicholas Sarkozy losing the first round of elections to socialist presidential aspirant Francois Hollande. Hollande has been openly hostile to Sarkozy’s austerity proposals and has vowed to tax the rich if voted to power.

The Netherlands’ coveted AAA rating came under pressure after the Dutch coalition government collapsed over austerity-measure disputes. Signs of yet another slowdown in the Chinese manufacturing sector spooked investors further as the markets braced for a week heavy on economic and earnings data.

I don’t know how else to say it, but Europe is a basket case. For some always entertaining yet brutally honest and correct comments on this topic, here’s Nigel Farage addressing the UK parliament:

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ETFs/Mutual Funds On The Cutline – Updated Through 4/20/2012

Ulli ETFs on the Cutline Contact

Below are the latest ETF Cutline reports, which show how far above or below their respective long-term trend lines (39 week SMA) my currently tracked ETFs/MFs are positioned.

The first report covers the ETF Master List from Thursday’s StatSheet and includes 398 ETFs, of which currently 334 (last week 316) of them are hovering in bullish territory.

The second report includes only High Volume ETFs. To clarify, High Volume (HV) ETFs are defined as those with an average daily volume of $10 million or higher.

These ETFs are generated from my selected list of some 93 that I use in my advisor practice. It cuts out the “noise,” which simply means it eliminates those ETFs that I would never buy because of their volume limitations. 66 ETFs (last week 60) have managed to move into in bullish territory after the recent run up.

The third report covers Mutual Funds on the Cutline. There are currently 804 (last week 785) above the line and 57 below it out of the 861 that I follow.

Take a look:

1. ETF Master Cutline Report

2. ETF High Volume Cutline Report

3. MF Cutline Report

Last Week In Review: ETF News And Blog Posts To 4/22/2012

Ulli Market Review Contact

In case you missed it, here’s a summary of the ETF topics and market reviews I posted to my blog during the week ending on 4/22/2012.

Last Tuesday’s strong rebound gave encouragement to the bulls, but there was no upside follow through, so the markets meandered with a downward bias for the remainder of the week.

While some are focusing on allegedly great earnings reports, the fact that the bar has been lowered does not seem to matter much. Right now, much of the attention will be on this weekend’s first round of elections in France, after which we’ll be facing a week with some 200 earnings announcements.

Upward market direction is sure to be challenged in the event expectations are not met.

This week, we covered the following:

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The Weekly Interview: Emerging Market ETFs

Ulli Emerging Markets ETFs Contact

The emerging markets led by China may prove to be an attractive investment proposition, according to Jay Pelosky, consultant at J2Z Advisory. Jay also helps Morgan Stanley create global and emerging markets equity products.

Speaking on Bloomberg about the domestic economy, Jay said there are four key issues – which he likes to call “sustainable issues,” that need to be addressed.

First, can the US economy return to a self-sustaining growth path without the monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve?

Second, can the US banks maintain their leadership position in the equity market?

Third, can the LTRO blanket keep the problems under wrap in Europe and fourth, can the Asian reflation efforts be sustained? (The act of increasing money supply or reducing taxes to stimulate the economy)

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