The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Short S&P 500 ETF, Short Dow 30, Short QQQ ETF, Short MidCap400 and Short Russell 2000 ETF - Press Releases

For Immediate Release
 
Chicago, IL – May 04, 2015 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Short S&P 500 ETF (SH), Short Dow 30 (DOG), Short QQQ ETF (PSQ), Short MidCap400 (MYY) and Short Russell 2000 ETF (RWM).
           
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:   
                         
Don't Sell in May & Go Away: 3 ETF Strategies
 
There is one well-known and popular trading adage “Sell in May and Go Away,” which suggests that investors might want to avoid investing in the stock market this month due to seasonality. According to this investment saying, the U.S. stock market underperforms during the summer months (from May to October end).
 
While the historical underperformance is a point to be noted, a new research from a U.S. equity strategist at S&P Capital IQ indicates that it might be foolish to quit the stock market altogether. Rather, investors could rotate into the defensive sectors during this soft six-month period (read: These Smart-Beta ETFs Survive Market Volatility).
 
The new study has been done on the S&P SmallCap 600, which have returned 10.5%, excluding dividends, since 1979 during the November–April period. On the other hand, the index has delivered 2% gains on average over the next six months. Meanwhile, the data also shows that defensive stocks have gained over 3% during May to October since 1995. This is much better than holding cash, and suggests that investors can try out safer avenues for this rough period to remain invested in the equity world.
 
Here are the three ETF strategies for investing in May:
 
Be Safe with Defensive ETFs
 
Defensive sectors like consumer staples, health care and utilities generally act as safe havens during any market turmoil. This is especially true as stocks in these sectors generally provide higher returns when the market struggles to hold gains. The current market fundamentals erase bullishness from the market, as the Fed downgraded its outlook for the labor market and economy in its latest policy meeting. The central bank will wait for more months before raising interest rates. Further, weak corporate earnings, strong dollar and a slew of disappointing data softened sentiments (read: Winning ETF Picks For Q1 Earnings Season). 

Beat the Market with Low Volatility ETFs
 
Low volatility ETFs has the potential to outpace the broader market in bearish market conditions or in an uncertain environment providing significant protection to the portfolio. This is because these funds include more stable stocks that have experienced the least price movement in their portfolio. As a result, low-volatility strategies appear safe amid market turbulence, and reduce losses in declining markets while generating decent returns when the markets rise.
 
Hedge Portfolio with These Inverse ETFs
 
Investors worried about the May swoon could also go short with stocks via ETFs. There are a number of inverse or leveraged inverse products currently available in the market that offer inverse (opposite) exposure to the various stock market indexes. While a leveraged play might be a risky option, inverse ETFs are interesting choices and provide hedging strategies in a bearish market.
 
Below, we have highlighted the most popular options in this space for each market cap. All these are from a single issuer – Proshares:
 
Short S&P 500 ETF (SH) and Short Dow 30 (DOG) provide inverse exposure to large cap stocks. The former offers opposite performance of the S&P 500 while the latter targets Dow Jones Industrial Average. Meanwhile, Short QQQ ETF (PSQ) seeks to deliver the opposite return of the Nasdaq 100 index (see: all Inverse Equity ETFs here).
 
Short MidCap400 (MYY) and Short Russell 2000 ETF (RWM) target the inverse performance of the mid and small cap segments of the broader U.S. market by tracking the S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 2000 index. Likewise, investors could also apply short strategies in different sectors through ETFs.
 
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
 
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

About Zacks Equity Research  
         
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
PRO-SHRT S&P500 (SH): ETF Research Reports
 
PRO-SHRT DOW30 (DOG): ETF Research Reports
 
PRO-SHRT QQQ (PSQ): ETF Research Reports
 
PRO-SHRT MC400 (MYY): ETF Research Reports
 
PRO-SHRT R2000 (RWM): ETF Research Reports
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.