Chart of the Week Archive

Singapore Stays Strong

Singapore's strong economy has resulted in a strong stock market even as US equities have weakened over the past few months.

The MSCI Singapore Index Fund (EWS) is up nearly 10% since March 1 compared to a 5% decline for the S&P 500 over the same time period.

Even as economists worry about the possiblity of a douple dip recession in the U.S. and Europe, Singapore's economic performance continues to exceed expectations.

Treasuries Take Off

The lackluster economy has stalled stocks and sent investors in search of safe returns.

Semiconductors Underperform

Semiconductor stocks have underperformed the broader market as the outlook for the tech sector has become more uncertain.

The exchange traded fund S&P North American Technology-Semiconductors Sector Index Fund (IGW) with top holdings including Texas Instruments, Intel and Applied Materials, is down 15% since the beginning of May.

Analysts have

Stocks Resume Slide

Stocks fell on July 16 after gaining ground in eight straight trading sessions.

The SPDR S&P500 (SPY) fell 2.75% on Friday, ending a streak in which stocks gained 7.3%.

Volatility is Back

Volatility made a comeback in the second quarter.

The S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) is up nearly 50% since the beginning of April compared to nearly a 13% decline for the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) over the same time period.

Investor anxiety over lackluster job growth, consumer attitudes and even a possible double dip recession depressed stocks in Q2 and drove the double digit increases in the v

Homebuilders Retreat

May's correction hurt housing related stocks more than most other sectors.

The SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) declined over 20% since May 3 before rebounding slightly last week.  The overall market declined 12% in the same time period.

The overall housing market is likely to slow as the June deadline approaches for a Federal Tax Credit designed to stimulate housing.

Natural Gas Breaks Out

After a long decline, natural gas has rebounded and is now trading at levels not seen since March.

At the same time, oil continues to decline in concert with the Euro, despite a moratorium on new offshore drilling.

The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) ended last week at $8.18, up nearly 17% in the past month.  The United States Oil Fund (USO) is down nearly 18% over the same time period.

Telecom Sector Remains Buoyant

While the current stock market correction has brought most sectors down, at least one has held up better than the rest.

The telecom sector has experienced less of a decline than the overall market over the past four weks.  The Dow Jones U.S.

Consumer Discretionary Stays in Front

Last week's stock market decline saw equities fall more than 10% from April highs, the level generally recognized as a correction.

Euro Slides, Gold Shines

While the European debt crisis continues to take a toll on the Euro, investors have been pushing up the price of gold.

The Euro hit a four year low yesterday with the CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE) trading as low as $122.47 yesterday before closing at $123.48.  The last time the ETF traded below $123 was in April 2006.

FXE is designed to track the price of the Euro net of trust expenses.  The fund's expense ratio is 0.40%.

At the