FYI: Below is a look at our asset class performance matrix highlighting the total return of various ETFs over three near-term time frames — over the last six months, over the last month, and year-to-date so far in 2018.
Notably, the oil ETF (USO) is now up more than any asset class in our matrix over the last six months with a gain of 32.76%. Behind oil is Brazil (EWZ), the BRIC ETF (EEB), Russia (RSX), and the S&P 500 Technology sector (XLK). Natural gas (UNG), Mexico (EWW), and the Telecom sector (IYZ) are down the most over the last six months.
In terms of performance to kick off 2018, US equities have done very well out of the gate with the S&P 500 gaining 2.24% this week. The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) has done even better with a gain of 3.83%, while the Dow 30 (DIA) has lagged at +1.83%. Large-caps have outperformed small-caps thus far, and growth has outperformed value.
While US equities have yet to see a down day in 2018, international markets have posted even bigger gains to start the year. Russia (RSX), Brazil (EWZ), Italy (EWI), Spain (EWP), and Germany (EWG) are all up more than 4% on the year already, and the emerging markets ETF (EEM) is up 4.07%.
One asset class that has dipped to start 2018 is fixed income, where both short and long-term Treasury ETFs are down.
Regards,
Ted
https://www.bespokepremium.com/think-big-blog/international-markets-lead-us-to-start-2018/
