View: Daily ETF Roundup: GDX Turns Higher On Sour Data, VXX Creeps Lower...

Daily ETF Roundup: GDX Turns Higher On Sour Data, VXX Creeps Lower...

The string of disappointing news continues as equity markets got off to a mixed start following the latest economic data release on the home front. Factory orders in April came in at negative 0.6%, marking a modest contraction in the manufacturing sector and ultimately falling short of the the expected 0.1% growth figure. On the home front, the Nasdaq pulled ahead, clinching a 0.46% gain on the day, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average crept lower, shedding 0.14% as the trading session drew to a close [see also Which Sector ETFs Are Cheap].

Last week’s dismal employment report will continue to weigh down on investors’ confidence as expectations for an additional round of quantitative easing intensify this month. The lack of resolution in the overseas currency bloc is the other major headwind that’s troubling markets as investors cope with the possibility of a full-fledged financial crisis to spill over. To kick off this week, gold futures settled near $1,620 an ounce, while crude oil gained over 1% on the day, settling just above $84 a barrel.

The Van Eck Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX) was one of the best performers, gaining 1.61% on the day. Gold futures drifted slightly lower on the day, giving up only a portion of the massive gains tacked on last Friday. The commodity producers pulled ahead of the yellow metal itself as bargain buyers bolstered GDX higher; this ETF closed at a multi-week high at $47.35 a share as the closing bell rang [see also GLD-Free Gold Bug ETFdb Portfolio ].

The Barclays iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) was one of the worst performers, shedding 4.03% on the day. Surprisingly, the Volatility Index crept lower despite the worse-than-expected factory orders report this morning; however, the VIX remains above the 25 mark, which means that uncertainty levels are still at multi-month highs [see also 3 ETF Trading Tips You Are Missing].

Follow me on Twitter @SBojinov

[For more ETF analysis, make sure to sign up for our free ETF newsletter or try a free seven day trial to ETFdb Pro]

Disclosure: No positions at time of writing.

ETF Database is not an investment advisor, and any content published by ETF Database does not constitute individual investment advice. The opinions offered herein are not personalized recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. From time to time, issuers of exchange-traded products mentioned herein may place paid advertisements with ETF Database. All content on ETF Database is produced independently of any advertising relationships. Read the full disclaimer here.

Are you enjoying ETF Database?

Get more articles like this one via our free daily e-mail newsletter or RSS feed.

Related News Stories

Comments

No comments yet.

...