According to some myths, the first year of a presidency is
generally the worst for the stock market but President Obama's
first year of his second term proved to be an exception.
In fact, 2013 was the banner year for the U.S. stock market with
the biggest annual gain for the S&P 500 in 16
years and for Dow in 18 years.
Additionally, the U.S. economy is growing at the fastest pace in
nearly two years with falling jobless claims, housing market
recovery, robust retail sales, narrowing budget deficit and
increasing consumer confidence (read: 3 Top Ranked ETFs That Will
Crush the Market in 2014).
Overall, the first year of Obama’s second term was positive for the
market and the economy but some corners of the market have
flourished more than other sectors. Below, we have highlighted
three best performing sectors and the related ETFs that have
benefitted hugely during President Obama’s first year of the second
term.
Clean Energy
The clean energy world has been the biggest winner from Obama’s
second term thanks to the new ‘Climate Change Action Plan’ and the
favorable green energy trends. Additionally, the depletion of
fossil fuel reserves, higher oil and gas prices as well as
efficient alternative energy applications have made clean power
more viable, injecting optimism into the sector.
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund
(QCLN)
This fund tracks the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index and
managed assets worth $117.8 million. It charges 60 bps in fees per
year while volume is light suggesting a wide bid/ask spread (read:
Will the Clean Energy ETF Surge Continue in 2014?).
In total, the product holds 43 securities in its basket with
largest allocations to Tesla Motors (TSLA), Cree (CREE) and Linear
Technology (LLTC). These firms together make up for 25.41% of total
assets. The ETF provides a nice mix to mid and small caps with at
least 40% share each. From a sector look, technology firms dominate
this ETF, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the assets while oil
& gas, and industrials round off to the next two spots.
QCLN surged nearly 94% in the trailing one-year period and is
expected to outperform this year as well given that it has a Zacks
ETF Rank of 1 or ‘Strong Buy’ rating with a ‘High’ risk
outlook.
Healthcare
Healthcare stocks, in particular biotech, have seen an incredible
run largely driven by the Affordable Care Act – often known as
Obamacare – which ensures a larger base of insured persons across
the U.S. This suggests increased revenues for these companies,
thereby limiting the debt burden at hospitals or other healthcare
service centers.
Further, an aging population, mergers & activities,
ever-increasing healthcare spending and promising new drugs added
to the bullish outlook on the sector (read: Obamacare Will Be
Amazing for These Stocks and ETFs).
PowerShares Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome Portfolio
(PBE)
This ETF follows the Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome Intellidex
Index. The product sees moderate volume of more than 61,000 shares
a day and a decent level of about $324.6 million in AUM. The fund
charges 63 bps in fees and expenses from investors.
Holding 30 stocks, the fund is moderately concentrated on its top
10 holdings at nearly 42% with Illumina (ILMN), Alexion
Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) as the top
three firms. The product is well spread out across market spectrums
with large caps (35%), mid caps (30%) and small caps (36%).
The fund added over 68% in the trailing one-year period and this
trend is expected to continue in the coming months given the Zacks
ETF Rank of 1 or ‘Strong Buy’ rating with ‘Medium’ risk outlook on
the fund (read: Inside Biotech ETFs: Can the Run Continue?).
Industrials
In Obama’s second term, the industrial sector is flourishing as
economy is gaining strong traction. Upbeat manufacturing data,
improving domestic demand for industrial equipment, lower energy
prices, declining unemployment rate, higher wages, lower energy
prices and improving fundamentals in Europe and China are fueling
growth in the sector.
This trend is expected to continue as we move ahead in 2014 (see:
all the Industrial ETFs here).
PowerShares Dynamic Industrials Sector Fund
(PRN)
This ETF provides exposure to 59 companies evaluated on investment
merit criteria which includes price momentum, earnings momentum,
quality, management action and value. This is done by tracking the
Dynamic Industrials Sector Intellidex Index (read: 3 ETFs to Profit
from the Manufacturing Upswing).
The product is well balanced across each security as none of these
accounts for more than 2.82% share in the basket. Southwest
Airlines (LUV), Ingersoll-Rand (IR) and Pentair (PNR) occupy the
top three positions in the basket. Further, the fund is well
diversified across various market spectrums. In terms of sector,
aerospace and defense takes the top spot at 22%, closely followed
by machinery (19%) and commercial services & supplies
(18%).
The fund has amassed $146.2 million in its asset base while trades
in light volume of under 33,000 shares a day. The ETF charges 65
bps in annual fees and gained over 45% over the trailing one-year
period. PRN has a Zacks Rank of 2 or ‘Buy’ rating with a ‘Low’ risk
outlook.
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PWRSH-DYN BIO (PBE): ETF Research Reports
PWRSH-DYN INDU (PRN): ETF Research Reports
NASDAQ-CL EDG G (QCLN): ETF Research Reports
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