Trends I'm Watching

Best Performing ETFs for the Past Week

Trend: Direxion Daily Energy Bull 3X Shares (ERX) led the one week performance (+17%). ELEMENTS BG Total Market ETN (BVT) and Claymore/AlphaShares China Real Estate (TAO) were the second and third best performers, respectively.

The 20 ETFs with the best one week performance through 5/29/2009 tracked by Morningstar are highlighted below.

Source: MSN Money Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Performance Tracker

Name	Ticker	Category	Holdings	Morningstar	Last Price*	1-Wk	4-Wks	13-Wks	YTD	52-Wks	3-Yrs	5-Yrs
Direxion Daily Energy Bull 3X Shares	ERX	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$35.87	17.49	34.55	60.31	-7.75	N/A	N/A	N/A
ELEMENTS BG Total Market ETN	BVT	Growth			$8.79	17.17	15.05	50.18	48.35	N/A	N/A	N/A
Claymore/AlphaShares China Real Estate	TAO	Specialty - Real Estate	holdings		$17.27	16.75	31.83	92.96	58.59	-14.39	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares	TYH	Specialty - Technology	holdings		$79.90	15.81	6.60	96.43	46.44	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X Shares	TNA	Small Company	holdings		$27.00	14.07	5.92	74.17	-20.64	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	MWJ	Growth			$59.24	14.05	10.98	94.13	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Long ETN	DXO	Specialty - Natural Resources			$4.24	13.98	55.31	80.43	66.27	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares	FAS	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$10.00	13.90	23.00	104.66	-60.63	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Emrg Mrkts Bull 3X Shares	EDC	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$89.50	13.19	48.45	198.44	72.38	N/A	N/A	N/A
iShares FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Dvlpd Asia Idx	IFAS	Specialty - Real Estate	holdings		$25.86	13.14	24.02	61.11	21.37	-35.14	N/A	N/A
Ultra Real Estate ProShares	URE	Specialty - Real Estate	holdings		$3.81	13.09	-0.24	50.28	-38.95	-88.96	N/A	N/A
Ultra Semiconductor ProShares	USD	Specialty - Technology	holdings		$18.90	12.90	5.41	63.68	33.54	-68.34	N/A	N/A
iPath DJ AIG Lead TR Sub-Idx ETN	LD	Specialty - Natural Resources			$41.85	12.71	16.02	46.99	53.63	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ultra DJ-AIG Crude Oil ProShares	UCO	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$12.20	11.93	60.28	46.97	-15.70	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Large Cap Bull 3X Shares	BGU	Growth	holdings		$34.33	11.61	15.67	80.97	-5.31	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ultra Oil & Gas ProShares	DIG	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$30.09	11.61	22.62	44.95	4.61	-73.72	N/A	N/A
Ultra QQQ ProShares	QLD	Growth	holdings		$36.10	11.08	5.80	60.30	34.25	-60.09	N/A	N/A
Rydex 2x S&P Select Sector Financial	RFL	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$9.50	10.98	24.18	107.88	-33.31	N/A	N/A	N/A
iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index	EWH	Pacific Stock	holdings		$14.18	10.78	19.46	47.40	36.74	-23.22	4.88	10.08
Ultra Russell2000 Growth ProShares	UKK	Small Company	holdings		$20.49	10.76	6.00	58.33	7.01	-64.85	N/A	N/A

Disclosure: We may own any EFT above at any time.

Please verify the performance of any ETF before investing.

Benefit from Rising Bond Yields with ETFs

Trend: Bond yields are rising (reflecting inflationary expectations) which makes bonds lose value.

Short Treasury ETFs TBT, PST, TYO, and TMV allow investors and traders to take advantage of bond prices dropping as yields increase. Some observers warn that the Fed and/or Treasury will try to take action to stop the decline in bond prices. ETF Grind recommends the TBT to take advantage of this trend in the excerpt below.

Link: TBT's Day Has Come -- Seeking Alpha.

Now reality is finally catching up with the treasury market. Since March 18 10-year yields have risen from 2.5% to just under 3.5%. The 20-year note has performed similarly, now approaching 4.5%.

Investors who have been patiently waiting in the Proshares UltraShort 20-year Treasury (TBT), an ETF which shorts the 20-treasury note, are finally reaping their rewards as the fund is up 17% since mid March. As investors start to worry about the increasing risks of inflation, credit downgrades, or even a US sovereign default, they are demanding higher yields on US debt. Higher yields mean lower prices, and a higher TBT, as the leveraged fund aims to return 200% the inverse of long dated treasuries.

Rates above 5% would mean a healthy return for the fund. But the macroeconomic fundamentals of the American economy would suggest a 20 year note closer to 10%, meaning the potential for upside is huge.

Other ETF plays on rising long term rates exist. The ProShares UltraShort Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond (PST) shorts the middle of the treasury market. But rates are expected to explode highest on the longer end of the curve, so TBT would likely be a better choice.

Direxon carries two 3x leveraged ETFs that short treasuries. The Direxion Daily 30-Year Treasury Bear 3x Shares (TMV) tracks 3x the inverse of the 30 year note, and the Direxion Daily 10-Year Treasury Bear 3x Shares (TYO). Both are too volatile to hold over the long term, but would be great to own the day before the US loses its AAA credit rating, should that doomsday come.

The treasury market is poised for a collapse not unlike that of the subprime market two years ago.

Commodity ETFs and ETNs

Trend: Commodities generally increase in value when inflation is a concern; investing in commodities can maintain/protect the purchasing power of your money.

Commodity ETFs and ETNs provide excellent vehicles for investing in commodities. The current list of commodity ETFs and ETNs below is from Seeking Alpha,

Link: Commodity ETFs and ETNs -- Seeking Alpha.

Commodity ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and ETNs (exchange-traded notes) List

Broad Based Commodity ETFs and ETNs
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Index ETN (UCI)
GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index (GCC)
GS Connect S&P GSCI Enhanced Commodity Total Return Strategy Index ETN (GSC)
iShares GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust ETF (GSG)
iPath Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index Total Return ETN (DJP)
iPath S&P GSCI Total Return Index ETN (GSP)
PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund ETF (DBC)
Opta Lehman Brothers Commodity Index Pure Beta Total Return ETN (RAW)

Agricultural Commodities ETFs and ETNs
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Agriculture Index ETN (UAG)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Food Index ETN (FUD)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Livestock Index ETN (UBC)
iPath Dow Jones AIG-Agriculture ETN (JJA)
iPath Dow Jones AIG-Grains ETN (JJG)
iPath Dow Jones-AIG Livestock Total Return Sub-Index ETN (COW)
MLCX Biofuels Index ELEMENTS ETF (FUE)
MLCX Grains Index ELEMENTS ETF (GRU)
MLCX Livestock ELEMENTS ETN (LSO)
Rogers International Commodity Index – Agriculture ELEMENTS ETN (RJA)
PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund ETF (DBA)
Opta Lehman Brothers Commodity Index Pure Beta Agriculture Total Return ETN (EOH)

Gold, Silver and Metals ETFs and ETNs
DB Gold Double Long ETN (DGP)
DB Gold Double Short ETN (DZZ)
DB Gold Short ETN (DGZ)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Gold Total Return ETN (UBG)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Industrial Metals Index ETN (UBM)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Silver Index ETN (USV)
E-TRACS UBS Long Platinum ETN (PTM)
E-TRACS UBS Short Platinum ETN (PTD)
iPath DJ-AIG Industrial Metals Total Return Sub-Index (JJM)
iPath DJ-AIG Nickel Total Return Sub-Index (JJN)
iShares COMEX Gold Trust ETF (IAU)
iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV)
MLCX Gold ELEMENTS ETN (GOE)
MLCX Precious Metals ELEMENTS ETN (PMY)
PowerShares DB Gold Fund ETF (DGL)
streetTRACKS Gold Shares ETF (GLD)
PowerShares DB Silver Fund ETF (DBS)
PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund ETF (DBP)
PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund ETF (DBB)

Oil and Gas ETFs and ETNs
Claymore MACROshares Oil Up Tradeable ETF (UCR)
E-TRACS UBS Bloomberg CMCI Energy Index ETN (UBN)
iPath DJ-AIG Energy Total Return Sub-Index (JJE)
iPath DJ-AIG Natural Gas Total Return Sub-Index (GAZ)
iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return Index ETN (OIL)
PowerShares DB Energy Fund ETF (DBE)
PowerShares DB Oil Fund ETF (DBO)
PowerShares DB Crude Oil Long ETN (OLO)
PowerShares DB Crude Oil Double Long ETN (DXO)
PowerShares DB Crude Oil ETN (SZO)
PowerShares DB Crude Oil Double Short ETN (DTO)
United States Gasoline Fund, LP ETF (UGA)
United States Heating Oil Fund, LP ETF (UHN)
United States Oil Fund, LP ETF (USO)
United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP ETF (USL)
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP ETF (UNG)

Commodities-Related ETFs and ETNs
Claymore Global Timber ETF (CUT)
iShares S&P North American Natural Resources Index Fund (IGE)
Van Eck Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (MOO)
Van Eck Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL)
Van Eck Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)
Van Eck Market Vectors RVE Hard Assets Producers ETF (HAP)
iPath Global Carbon ETN (GRN)
AirShares EU Carbon Allowances Fund (ASO)

Leveraged and Short Commodity ETFs and ETNs
ProShares Ultra DJ-AIG Commodity ETF (UCD)
ProShares UltraShort DJ-AIG Commodity ETF (CMD)
ProShares Ultra DJ-AIG Crude Oil ETF (UCO)
ProShares UltraShort DJ-AIG Crude Oil ETF (SCO)
DB Commodity Double Long ETN (DYY)
DB Commodity Double Short ETN (DEE)

Best Performing ETFs for the Past Week

Trend: WisdomTree India Earnings (EPI) led the one week performance (+23%). PowerShares India (PIN) and iPath MSCI India Index ETN (INP)  were the second and third best performers, respectively.

The 20 ETFs with the best one week performance through 5/22/2009 tracked by Morningstar are highlighted below.

Source: MSN Money Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Performance Tracker

Name	Ticker	Category	Holdings	Morningstar	Last Price*	1-Wk	4-Wks	13-Wks	YTD	52-Wks	3-Yrs	5-Yrs
WisdomTree India Earnings	EPI	Foreign Stock	holdings		$17.06	22.73	37.69	70.37	50.41	-25.51	N/A	N/A
PowerShares India	PIN	Foreign Stock	holdings		$17.94	21.63	34.79	63.83	45.14	-26.65	N/A	N/A
iPath MSCI India Index ETN	INP	Foreign Stock	holdings		$47.83	21.18	37.44	74.05	51.17	-29.82	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Emrg Mrkts Bull 3X Shares	EDC	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$79.07	17.87	55.80	162.61	52.29	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily 30 Yr Trsy Bear 3X Shares	TMV	Government Bond - Treasury			$84.37	16.20	30.62	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Devlpd Mrkts Bull 3X Shrs	DZK	Foreign Stock	holdings		$50.26	16.19	48.23	85.96	-12.94	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ultra DJ-AIG Crude Oil ProShares	UCO	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$10.51	15.75	46.18	62.44	-23.23	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Crude Oil Dble Long ETN	DXO	Specialty - Natural Resources			$3.72	14.11	44.75	88.83	45.88	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Base Metals Long ETN	BDG	Specialty - Natural Resources			$14.74	12.93	6.78	37.76	25.53	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares Global Gold & Prec Metals	PSAU	Specialty - Precious Metals	holdings		$32.62	12.91	31.80	19.49	24.12	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Agriculture Dble Long ETN	DAG	Specialty - Natural Resources			$11.31	11.98	29.11	38.43	11.21	-46.27	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF	GDX	Specialty - Precious Metals	holdings		$42.05	11.69	33.07	13.56	24.11	-12.72	4.80	N/A
Market Vectors Russia ETF	RSX	Foreign Stock	holdings		$22.03	11.43	28.45	100.09	68.55	-60.20	N/A	N/A
iPath Global Carbon ETN	GRN	Specialty - Natural Resources			$27.84	11.38	11.87	51.00	-3.65	N/A	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Indonesia ETF	IDX	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$41.20	11.35	28.79	87.19	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Commodity Long ETN	DPU	Specialty - Natural Resources			$15.29	11.07	25.88	26.61	9.63	-43.61	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Gaming ETF	BJK	Specialty - Unaligned	holdings		$22.00	11.06	21.55	65.31	25.06	-41.96	N/A	N/A
PowerShares Global Wind Energy	PWND	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$15.15	11.02	32.93	44.46	29.52	N/A	N/A	N/A
Claymore CEF GS Connect ETN	GCE	Asset Allocation			$13.16	10.59	12.05	27.06	19.30	-33.72	N/A	N/A
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe	GUR	Europe Stock	holdings		$33.28	10.45	26.68	77.20	36.59	-51.65	N/A	N/A

Disclosure: We may own any EFT above at any time.

Please verify the performance of any ETF before investing.

Time To Take Profits on Recent ETF Gains?

Trend: Stocks and ETFs – especially leveraged and financial ETFs – that rebounded rapidly after the March lows could drop rapidly in a correction.

Simon Maierhofer at ETF Guide says that investors are actually feeling good about owning stocks and optimistic about the future prospects. However, now is the time to examine your portfolio and decide what to sell for investors who have gains from ETFs that rebounded after the March lows. Excerpts below.

Link: ETF Guide: 11 ETFs You Should Not Own.

Extreme investor optimism, or pessimism, tends to signal a change in direction. The current 30%+ rally was born amidst the doomsday atmosphere surrounding the March lows. Conversely, the biggest bear market since the Great Depression started its reign at Dow 14,000, when financial stocks were the top performers and investors couldn’t be more optimistic about their future prospects.

The current rally has rekindled this optimism to a surprisingly large extent. Wall Street, along with stock markets around the globe, was quick to regain its confidence. The Wall Street Journal’s May 11th front page headline read: “World Regains Taste for Risk.” This should serve as a red flag for savvy investors.

Best Performing ETFs for the Past Week

Trend: Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) led the one week performance (+31%). Rydex Inverse 2x S&P Select Sector Fincl (RFN) and UltraShort Real Estate ProShares (SRS) were the second and third best performers, respectively.

The 20 ETFs with the best one week performance through 5/15/2009 tracked by Morningstar are highlighted below.

Source: MSN Money Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Performance Tracker

Name	Ticker	Category	Holdings	Morningstar	Last Price*	1-Wk	4-Wks	13-Wks	YTD	52-Wks	3-Yrs	5-Yrs
Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares	FAZ	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$5.90	31.40	-38.01	-88.03	-83.47	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rydex Inverse 2x S&P Select Sector Fincl	RFN	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$11.47	23.73	-27.01	-74.98	-64.98	N/A	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Real Estate ProShares	SRS	Specialty - Real Estate	holdings		$24.46	23.66	-20.75	-64.43	-51.76	-66.68	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Financials ProShares	SKF	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$47.52	22.03	-22.59	-67.35	-53.87	-51.69	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3X Shares	ERY	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$24.64	20.61	-22.17	-30.83	-34.03	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bear 3X Shares	MWN	Growth			$37.56	20.46	-18.26	-45.60	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares	TZA	Small Company	holdings		$30.03	19.88	-18.84	-46.93	-37.29	N/A	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Russell2000 Value ProShares	SJH	Small Company			$54.74	16.36	-10.74	-33.19	-14.81	-5.80	N/A	N/A
Rydex Inverse 2x S&P Select Sector Enrgy	REC	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$8.96	16.32	-16.92	-20.74	-26.04	N/A	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Russell MidCap Val ProShares	SJL	Growth	holdings		$61.36	15.77	-12.67	-31.60	-19.38	35.49	N/A	N/A
UltraShort SmallCap600 ProShares	SDD	Small Company			$52.33	15.24	-12.39	-30.46	-14.72	12.97	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Large Cap Bear 3X Shares	BGZ	Growth	holdings		$41.92	15.09	-15.21	-37.90	-28.22	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Emrg Mrkts Bear 3X Shares	EDZ	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$19.47	15.07	-26.94	-67.58	-71.05	N/A	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Industrials ProShares	SIJ	Specialty - Unaligned			$47.23	14.55	-15.12	-28.23	-12.70	62.18	N/A	N/A
UltraShort MidCap400 ProShares	MZZ	Growth	holdings		$44.02	14.16	-10.09	-28.35	-24.49	25.26	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Oil & Gas ProShares	DUG	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$20.02	14.01	-14.00	-18.29	-20.05	-9.28	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Devlpd Mrkts Bear 3X Shrs	DPK	World Stock	holdings		$41.30	13.92	-24.23	-49.21	-31.17	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rydex Inverse 2x Russell 2000	RRZ	Small Company	holdings		$72.22	13.52	-11.50	-29.65	-16.85	9.68	N/A	N/A
UltraShort Russell1000 Value ProShares	SJF	Growth	holdings		$92.47	13.45	-11.22	-27.50	-10.40	30.97	N/A	N/A
UltraShort FTSE/Xinhua China25 Proshares	FXP	Pacific Stock	holdings		$17.14	12.76	-10.03	-52.83	-51.51	-72.80	N/A	N/A

Disclosure: We may own any EFT above at any time.

Please verify the performance of any ETF before investing.

Natural Gas ETF (UNG) Surges

Trend: Natural gas prices may have bottomed recently if the demand for the natural gas ETF UNG indicates a viable trend.

Stephen Schork at Seeking Alpha describes why a natural gas ETF (UNG) has steadily climbed in price in the last 15 days. Excerpts below.

Link: Look Who's Buying Natural Gas Now -- Seeking Alpha.

Since March the number of shares outstanding in the United States Natural Gas (UNG) exchanged-traded fund have surged 260%, from 37,500 to 98,000. At the same time, interest in the equivalent crude oil ETF, the USO, has dropped 39%, from 157,800 at the end of February to 96,100. Thus, last week equal amounts of bets were being placed on both commodities, whereas two months ago passive investors in energy favored crude oil at a 4:1 margin.

... the flood of money into the UNG has undoubtedly helped to establish a floor in the NYMEX market – regardless of extant weak fundamentals – and is now propelling the market higher. To wit, with natural gas’s strong performance last week, we imagine that will serve to attract even more funds into the UNG, et al.

That makes sense. Given WTI’s [West Texas Intermediate oil] push towards $60 (and beyond), natural gas – regardless of extant weak fundamentals – is cheap. So if you are a passive investor and you want to play the energy trade, then buying gas in our book makes a lot more sense than punting WTI. For instance, since April 27th, the former for July delivery has risen by 12.8%, while the latter has jumped by 24.4%. Nevertheless, this is still one of our favorite trades. That is because WTI relative to gas remains overbought. As we noted in Friday’s issue of The Schork Report, this cross-commodity play broke through support at a nearby trendline last week and is now threatening longer dated support.

Disclosure: We may own shares in the ETF described above.

Best Performing ETFs for the Past Week

Trend: Rydex 2x S&P Select Sector Financial (RFL) led the one week performance (+49%). Ultra Financials ProShares (UYG) and SPDR KBW Bank (KBE) were the second and third best performers, respectively.

The 20 ETFs with the best one week performance through 5/8/2009 tracked by Morningstar are highlighted below.

Source: MSN Money Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Performance Tracker

Name	Ticker	Category	Holdings	Morningstar	Last Price*	1-Wk	4-Wks	13-Wks	YTD	52-Wks	3-Yrs	5-Yrs
Rydex 2x S&P Select Sector Financial	RFL	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$11.01	49.19	85.36	39.10	-22.71	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ultra Financials ProShares	UYG	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$4.74	38.60	68.68	33.04	-20.79	-85.17	N/A	N/A
SPDR KBW Bank	KBE	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$21.62	34.79	54.43	43.73	-0.82	-44.48	-24.35	N/A
PowerShares FTSE RAFI Financials	PRFF	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$20.82	30.63	52.99	43.63	10.70	-44.61	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares	FAS	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$12.55	28.29	70.70	-2.34	-58.93	N/A	N/A	N/A
Regional Bank HOLDRs	RKH	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$75.84	28.22	50.75	38.58	0.28	-37.94	-20.93	-9.54
Rydex S&P Equal Weight Financials	RYF	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$20.12	26.54	48.60	41.29	14.46	-43.60	N/A	N/A
Ultra Silver ProShares	AGQ	Specialty - Precious Metals	holdings		$44.24	25.29	27.09	7.51	40.44	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Emrg Mrkts Bull 3X Shares	EDC	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$78.62	24.58	57.73	63.37	51.42	N/A	N/A	N/A
RevenueShares Financials Sector	RWW	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$24.47	24.40	44.54	41.70	12.00	N/A	N/A	N/A
iPath DJ AIG Tin TR Sub-Idx ETN	JJT	Specialty - Natural Resources			$31.43	23.50	26.22	27.87	30.85	N/A	N/A	N/A
Direxion Daily Energy Bull 3X Shares	ERX	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$36.97	23.18	33.77	-17.56	-15.55	N/A	N/A	N/A
United States Natural Gas	UNG	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$16.93	22.95	14.94	-14.80	-26.93	-68.89	N/A	N/A
iShares MSCI Singapore Index	EWS	Pacific Stock	holdings		$9.02	22.55	35.23	36.05	27.94	-29.58	1.41	11.86
Financial Select Sector SPDR	XLF	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$13.02	22.25	41.52	34.26	4.98	-48.32	-25.05	-11.40
iPath DJ AIG Natural Gas TR Sub-Idx ETN	GAZ	Specialty - Natural Resources			$20.63	21.93	13.17	-16.81	-29.43	-70.62	N/A	N/A
iShares Dow Jones US Financial Services	IYG	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$49.99	21.87	40.46	36.17	7.17	-43.81	-24.22	-10.55
Ultra DJ-AIG Crude Oil ProShares	UCO	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$9.81	21.61	10.54	-4.35	-32.58	N/A	N/A	N/A
SPDR KBW Insurance	KIE	Specialty - Financial	holdings		$29.05	21.40	32.71	28.03	5.86	-38.35	-16.86	N/A
Rydex 2x S&P Select Sector Energy	REA	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$17.61	21.13	34.02	4.94	9.14	N/A	N/A	N/A

Disclosure: We may own any EFT above at any time.

Please verify the performance of any ETF before investing.

Are Food Shortages Imminent?

Trend: Food prices will rise as food production will not keep up with demand in the next few years.

Jim Rogers recently said that farmers will be the next wealthy class. The May 2009 issue of Scientific American lists a number of significant trends for a food shortage in the future. Benson at Prudent Investor Newsletters says that government intervention in financial markets, countering the natural deflation cycle with money creation, creates inflation that will show up in food prices (and gold) soon. Seeking Alpha recently evaluated six ETFs that provide exposure to agriculture futures.

ETFs that might gain if this trend gains traction include:

PowerShares DB Agriculture ETF (DBA)
iPath Dow Jones AIG-Agriculture ETN (JJA)
ELEMENTS Linked to the Rogers International Commodity Index – Agriculture ETN (RJA)
iPath Dow Jones AIG-Grains ETN (JJG)
ELEMENTS Linked to the MLCX Grains Index ETN (GRU)
ELEMENTS Linked to the MLCX Biofuels Index ETN (FUE)

Best Performing ETFs for the Past Week

Trend: B2B Internet HOLDRs (BHH)  led the one week performance (+24%). Direxion Emerging Markets Bull 3X Shares (EDC) and Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL) were the second and third best performers, respectively.

The 20 ETFs with the best one week performance through 5/1/2009 tracked by Morningstar are highlighted below.

Source: MSN Money Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Performance Tracker

Name	Ticker	Category	Holdings	Morningstar	Last Price*	1-Wk	4-Wks	13-Wks	YTD	52-Wks	3-Yrs	5-Yrs
B2B Internet HOLDRs	BHH	Specialty - Technology	holdings		$0.36	24.14	33.33	50.00	56.52	-25.53	-16.57	-7.55
Direxion Emerging Markets Bull 3X Shares	EDC	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$63.11	12.50	41.40	75.12	21.55	N/A	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Coal ETF	KOL	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$19.01	12.49	33.40	40.97	27.67	-55.66	N/A	N/A
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index	EWT	Pacific Stock	holdings		$10.31	12.43	22.30	51.40	35.84	-34.22	-5.64	1.27
PowerShares DB Agriculture Dble Long ETN	DAG	Specialty - Natural Resources			$10.20	11.84	15.52	7.76	0.29	-51.31	N/A	N/A
ELEMENTS BG Total Market ETN	BVT	Growth			$7.80	11.44	28.21	22.55	30.43	N/A	N/A	N/A
Claymore U.S.-1-The Capital Markets Idx	UEM	Balanced	holdings		$38.99	11.40	-2.53	8.46	0.45	-21.68	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Indonesia ETF	IDX	Diversified Emerging Markets	holdings		$35.70	11.01	34.77	49.56	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
ELEMENTS BG Large Cap ETN	BVL	Growth			$6.80	10.93	9.32	12.77	5.59	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mkt Vectors Glb Alternative Energy ETF	GEX	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$22.92	10.89	21.72	10.19	-1.84	-54.68	N/A	N/A
Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF	KWT	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$13.72	10.41	17.57	13.20	-3.11	-65.07	N/A	N/A
Internet Infrastructure HOLDRs	IIH	Specialty - Technology	holdings		$2.20	10.00	12.87	18.92	13.99	-61.54	-23.94	-9.23
Rydex S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Value	RZV	Small Company	holdings		$22.05	9.83	53.34	48.78	15.73	-30.03	-16.15	N/A
Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy	TAN	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$8.34	9.74	17.46	15.03	-4.90	-67.22	N/A	N/A
Ultra Utilities ProShares	UPW	Specialty - Utility	holdings		$26.98	9.67	6.01	-16.32	-18.75	-63.21	N/A	N/A
PowerShares FTSE RAFI Basic Materials	PRFM	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$38.90	9.58	40.64	42.50	25.24	-39.34	N/A	N/A
PowerShares DB Base Metals Dble Long ETN	BDD	Specialty - Natural Resources			$7.50	9.49	22.75	56.25	39.40	N/A	N/A	N/A
PowerShares Global Wind Energy	PWND	Specialty - Natural Resources	holdings		$13.24	9.28	23.85	20.53	13.16	N/A	N/A	N/A
Claymore CEF GS Connect ETN	GCE	Asset Allocation			$12.05	8.42	10.84	3.77	9.19	-37.97	N/A	N/A
iPath DJ AIG Cotton TR Sub-Idx ETN	BAL	Specialty - Natural Resources			$32.00	8.40	19.23	9.22	10.54	N/A	N/A	N/A

Disclosure: We may own any EFT above at any time.

Please verify the performance of any ETF before investing.