URA - Global X Uranium ETF
| Previous Close | 10.01 |
| Open | 10.05 |
| Bid | 0.00 x 800 |
| Ask | 0.00 x 900 |
| Day's Range | 10.05 - 10.22 |
| 52 Week Range | 9.96 - 13.67 |
| Volume | 137,224 |
| Avg. Volume | 116,493 |
| Net Assets | 203.92M |
| NAV | 10.19 |
| PE Ratio (TTM) | N/A |
| Yield | 1.39% |
| YTD Return | -13.05% |
| Beta (3Y Monthly) | 1.10 |
| Expense Ratio (net) | 0.69% |
| Inception Date | 2010-11-04 |
- InvestorPlace
7 Bad ETFs That Just Aren’t Worth the Trouble This Year
The S&P 500 is up nearly 19% year-to-date and in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs), about 90% of those trading in the U.S. are in the green this year. In other words, stocks and ETFs that are slumping this year really standout and for all the wrong reasons.To be fair to this year's list of bad ETFs, many of these funds are leveraged products. Those funds are not intended to be held over many months and the longer leveraged funds, the better chances they deviate from the underlying investment objective and turn into bad ETFs.In an additional effort to be fair, it should be noted that some of 2019's currently bad ETFs do have the potential to get their respective acts together and join the pantheon of funds that are prospering.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Stocks to Sell This Summer Earnings Season Let's have a look at some of this year's supposedly bad ETFs to see which ones could see extended struggles and which ones could offer investors compelling opportunities. Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.75%The Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:LIT) is down just 2.08% year-to-date, making it a "bad ETF" relative to the broader market, but there is some hope for a rebound here, particularly if Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) can continue bolstering the case for investors to consider the electric vehicle theme, the primary end market for lithium.Home to nearly $530 million in assets under management, LIT tracks the Solactive Global Lithium Index and is one of the longest-running, most successful thematic ETFs. LIT has been a bad ETF this year in part because it has not been responsive to improve electric vehicle sales, a scenario that could reverse in LIT's favor. Additionally, data suggest investors should buy into the notion that the lithium market is oversupplied."The possibility of an oversupply of lithium chemical is a myth, the president of California-based Global Lithium, Joe Lowry, said this week," reports Valentina Ruiz for Mining.com. "Addressing the audience at the conference Paydirt 2019 Latin America Downunder, Lowry blamed the spread of such a 'myth' on 'big bank' analysts and the Chilean regulator CORFO. In Lowry's view, there have been misunderstandings regarding CORFO's reports related to its revised agreements allowing Albemarle and SQM to produce more material from the Atacama brine resource." Invesco Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF (PXE)Expense ratio: 0.65%History continually shows that when it comes to bad ETFs, exploration and production funds, such as the Invesco Dynamic Energy Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA:PXE) certainly fit that bill when oil prices decline. These funds are usually more volatile than their integrated oil peers and are more sensitive to crude's price action in either direction.Said another way, PXE and rival funds are bad ETFs when oil is falling and often good ETFs when the commodity rises. PXE is down almost 6% this year and while there are other funds with far worse performances, there are some warning signs to consider with this bad ETF. * 7 Stocks to Buy This Summer Earnings Season For starters, losses are accelerating as about 80% of PXE's year-to-date loss was accrued just last week. Additionally, the fund resides more than 42% below its 52-week high and almost 17% below its 200-day moving average. With oil scuffling and its technicals weak, PXE has many of the hallmarks of a bad ETF over the near-term. First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.60%Keeping with the theme of struggling energy ETFs, there is the First Trust Natural Gas ETF (NYSEARCA:FCG), which is historically a bad ETF. Making matters worse for FCG, this can be a bad ETF even when natural gas prices are rising.How bad is this bad ETF? It's lower by 44.28% over the past year while the largest equity-based energy ETF is lower by 16.46% over the same span. As is the case with the aforementioned PXE, FCG's losses are accelerating. This bad ETF is lower by 11.56% this year after a 7.54% loss last week.And like PXE, FCG's technicals are horrendous. This bad ETF labors 23.49% below its 200-day moving average and has not closed above that technical indicate since last November. As we noted earlier, some of the bad ETFs highlighted here have the chance to be good funds down the road. It appears doubtful that will be true of FCG. iShares MSCI Chile ETF (ECH)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.59%With Chile being the world's largest lithium-producing nation, the iShares MSCI Chile ETF's (NYSEARCA:ECH) status as a bad ETF is similar to that of LIT's. That is to say, ECH isn't a particularly bad as evidenced by a year-to-date loss of 1.69%. In addition to speculation that the lithium market is oversupplied, Chile's economy is levered to another commodity.The country is also the world's top copper producer, meaning there are often tight connections between the strength of Chilean stocks and that of the Chinese economy. If the world's second-largest economy slows, ECH is likely to labor in the bad ETF category. While ECH has the potential to shed that label, it may take a while because fund managers aren't rushing to embrace Chilean equities. * 5 Biotech Stocks to Buy for a Strong Growth Prognosis "For Chilean stocks, Itau BBA sees little to be excited about given weak earnings momentum," according to Bloomberg. "Even after a poor first half, the price-to-estimated-earnings ratio for stocks in the MSCI Chile Index is 15.7, the richest multiple in the region." iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.59%Down less than 1% year-to-date, the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) is one of the best of the bad ETFs and could easily right its course to finish this year in the green. A good portion of EWY's misfortunes this year are attributable to its position as a tech-heavy ETF and one that was stung by the US/China trade rift. Still, there is a lot to like with South Korean stocks."Korea's sovereign ratings balance robust external finances and a strong macroeconomic performance with ongoing geopolitical risk from the relationship with North Korea, and longer-run challenges of rapid population ageing [sic] and low productivity," said Fitch Ratings in a recent note.EWY is one emerging markets ETF that could shed its bad ETF status if the Federal Reserve proceeds with cutting interest rates."A deeper rate cut by the Fed would weaken the dollar, providing a short-term momentum to South Korean stocks, said Ryoo Yong-seok, an analyst at KB Securities," according to Reuters. Global X Uranium ETF (URA)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.69%The Global X Uranium ETF (NYSEARCA:URA) has been around nearly nine years and has spent a considerable chunk of that time declining or stuck in a rut. Earlier this year, this bad ETF rallied, but has since given back nearly all of those gains. The uranium fund is down just 0.60% year-to-date, so there are definitely worse dogs out there, but the issues with this fund are how long it will be bad for and how trustworthy its rallies are.In some states, there is political momentum against increased uranium mining. That said, the White House stands in favor of uranium production.Domestic "uranium producers recoup a little of last Friday's losses that followed reports Pres. Trump would decline to issue quotas for domestic uranium production, which the White House later confirmed," according to Seeking Alpha. * 10 Stocks to Buy From This Superstar Fund Plus, there are strong long-term fundamentals underpinning URA because big developing markets like China and India are embracing uranium as a way of cutting down pollution. All of this is to say URA can easily shed its bad ETF status. Invesco Dynamic Pharmaceuticals ETF (PJP)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.57%In an effort to end this piece on a positive note, we bring you a bad ETF that has the potential to be a legitimate rebound story: the Invesco Dynamic Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSEARCA:PJP). As has been widely noted, pharmaceuticals stocks have been under intense politically-induced pressure this year, explaining why PJP is lower by 7.47%.Large-cap pharmaceuticals names have endured a lot of that punishment, which has been bad news for PJP, an ETF where the 30 holdings have an average market value of $79 billion.PJP's underlying index "is designed to provide capital appreciation by thoroughly evaluating companies based on a variety of investment merit criteria, including: price momentum, earnings momentum, quality, management action, and value," according to Invesco.The healthcare sector has been a laggard this year, but the sector does not lack for supporters or those betting it will be a second-half rebound story. If pharmaceuticals stocks can stay out of the political limelight for awhile, PJP has all the makings of a redemption story.Todd Shriber does not own any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 5G Stocks to Connect Your Portfolio To * 7 Stocks to Sell This Summer Earnings Season * 6 Upcoming IPOs for July The post 7 Bad ETFs That Just Aren't Worth the Trouble This Year appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- ETF Trends
White House Delivers Good News for Uranium ETF
The Global X Uranium ETF (NYSEArca: URA), which tracks global uranium miners, has had its share of struggles and while the uranium exchange traded fund traded lower on Monday, there could be some glimmers ...
- Investopedia
Going Green With Exchange Traded Funds
Today's investors have access to a growing number of green ETFs, allowing them to incorporate environmentally friendly strategies into their investment decisions. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are investment funds that trade on a stock exchange.
- InvestorPlace
3 Best Commodities to Buy Right Now
Last year brought a near-complete devastation on the markets. Finding investment opportunities with strong upside performance has proven difficult due to concerns about domestic and global economic stability. But within this malaise, the markets have opened doors for critical commodities to buy. Unlike the equities sector, physical assets have no shareholders in the traditional sense of the word. They also lack a board of directors, a management structure and disgruntled employees. When looking at a list of commodities to buy, you have one assurance: your target asset will trade on its fundamentals, and not on unforeseen, ancillary events. Another advantage in this sector is its consistent framework. While even the best commodities can trade irrationally, they usually move based on logical expectations. For instance, fear and uncertainty has recently gripped Wall Street. As a historical safe-haven asset, gold features an inverse relationship with market sentiment. InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips Sure enough, the spot price for the yellow metal has jumped over 7% since the beginning of October. On the other hand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped nearly double digits over the same period. Even today we saw a significant increase in gold futures as doubts continue to build regarding the current health of the market. Still, I want to present a reasonable warning: gambling on physical goods is a tough venture. No matter what the asset, an unexpected catalyst -- political unrest, supply chain disruption, etc. -- can ruin a great thesis. * 10 A-Rated Stocks the Smart Money Is Piling Into That said, an unexpected catalyst could also skyrocket your portfolio. It's this fine line between euphoria and despair that keeps speculators coming back for more. If you've got nerves of steel, here are my picks for best commodities to buy: ### Palladium Source: Shutterstock Admittedly, what I'm about to say sounds silly, but I've got an inkling most of you share my opinion: the best commodities to buy are those you can hold in your hand. Intrinsically, there's something special about going home from the local coin shop with an American Silver Eagle, for instance. Each bullion product is carefully crafted, providing you with a tangible investment. What do you get when you invest in a company or an exchange-traded fund? A mere digital record. In terms of physically and easily accessible investments, I'd go with palladium. From a historical perspective, palladium has significantly outperformed other precious metals, even during sector downturns. Since the start of October, palladium is up nearly 20%. The other catalyst is geopolitical. Russia produces the most palladium, followed by South Africa. From there, all other sources' production rate falls off a cliff. Needless to say, we have poor relations with Russia. However, we also have a negative stance on South Africa, especially due to its controversial land-appropriation policy. What this translates to is a supply squeeze, which is positive for palladium prices. For those that want digital exposure, check out either the ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (NYSEARCA:PALL) or the Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium (NYSEARCA:SPPP). ### Uranium Source: Shutterstock In our rapidly-growing world, next-generation technologies have infiltrated almost every corner of our lives. But the mechanisms to feed this revolution are decidedly archaic. For instance, we burn fossil fuels to extract usable energy. If President Trump had his way, every neighborhood may have its own coal mine. But no other energy source generates as much controversy as uranium. Thanks to high-profile incidents and disasters such as Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and most recently, Fukushima, the public is wary of this double-edged sword. Yes, uranium provides our energy needs, but chaos is theoretically only one oversight away from exploding. Still, I have the view that over the long-term, uranium represents one of the best commodities to buy. It all boils down to cost-effectiveness. I look at the energy issue from a basic, scientific reality: more work requires more energy. That's why if you have a new year's resolution to get fit, you must break a sweat. These days, we're seeing a push into green energy sources, namely wind and solar. On paper, these formats represent free energy. In reality, as The Economist has demonstrated, the costs associated in either installation or maintenance make them economically inefficient. * 7 Pharmaceutical Stocks That Just Raised Prices This Year As controversial as this sector is, uranium provides gobs of power for a relatively cheap price. Money talks and the smelly stuff walks. If you're interested in going nuclear, your best bet is Global X Uranium ETF (NYSEARCA:URA). ### Lithium Source: fdecomite via Flickr To me, lithium stands out as a no-brainer among the best commodities to buy. While not the rarest of elements, lithium forms the backbone of electric-vehicle batteries. Whether you like Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Nio (NYSE:NIO), or some other manufacturer, the consensus is clear: EVs and their lust for the silvery white metal won't fade. So why did its demand fall off a cliff last year? In 2018, the Global X Lithium ETF (NYSEARCA:LIT) lost a staggering 30%. Worse yet, LIT remains mired in a bearish trend channel. The problem catapulted due to a perfect storm of headwinds. While lithium demand from EVs consistently remained strong, the mining community overproduced the asset. That led to a sudden supply glut that pressured the spot price. Second, deteriorating economic conditions forced many lithium companies in China to dump the metal. That triggered further downside on an already bearish environment. Finally, unfavorable currency fluctuations hurt all commodities to buy, not just lithium. A stronger dollar typically imposes deflationary pressure on physical assets. Nevertheless, I think it's a mistake to read too deeply into the current volatility. Most car companies recognize the dramatic potential for EVs. As a result, the majors all have invested significant money into their EV programs. It's only a matter of time before rationality bolsters this market. As of this writing, Josh Enomoto is long gold, silver and palladium. ### More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Key Emerging-Market Stocks to Buy for Contrarian Investors * 7 Stocks at Risk of the Global Smartphone Slowdown * 7 Pharmaceutical Stocks That Just Raised Prices This Year Compare Brokers The post 3 Best Commodities to Buy Right Now appeared first on InvestorPlace.
- ETF Trends
Uranium Miner ETF Tests Its Long-Term Resistance
The Global X Uranium ETF (URA) , which tracks global uranium miners, was among the best performing ETFs on Friday, has jumped on back-to-back gains over six sessions, surging 18.4% since its recent lows and briefly testing its long-term resistance at the 200-day simple moving average. URA advanced 3.3% on Monday after Energy Fuels (UUUU) climbed close to 18% before the trading day closed. Energy Fuels makes up 2.8% of URA's underlying portfolio.
- ETF Trends
Cameco’s Tax Win Helps Uranium ETF Climb
A Uranium sector-related exchange traded fund was among the best performers Thursday after the Tax Court of Canada ruled in favor of Canadian uranium producer Cameco Corp. (NYSE: CCJ) over a dispute on ...
- ETF Trends
Crimped Supply Could Help Uranium ETF
Some market observers believe constrained supply could soon provide relief to downtrodden uranium prices. “Production cuts, halted projects and operations, as well as renewed interest from investors has helped drive uranium prices up by 30% in the past four months, but experts remain cautious about the long-term outlook for the commodity,” reports Mining.com. URA, which is nearly eight years old, targets the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index.
