Below we highlight key ETF performance for the month of October as well as for the last day and week. With the exception of a few sectors and the Yen currency ETF (FXY), every asset class was up on the month.
In the US, the tech heavy Nasdaq tracking (QQQQ) was up 7%, while (SPY) was up 1.36%. The Dow 30 tracking (DIA) was up but only by 3 basis points. Global markets were up much more than the US, with BRIC countries once again leading the way. The India tracking ETN (INP) was up the most at 26%, followed by China (FXI), Brazil (EWZ) and then Hong Kong (EWH).
Commodities were led by Oil (USO), up 17% and Natural Gas (UNG), up 12%. Gold (GLD)and Silver (SLV) tracking ETFs were each up about 6%. Fixed Income ETFs were able to show gains on the month, but they have retreated in recent days as interest rates have moved higher.
For individuals with a balanced portfolio, it was a great month because all asset classes performed well. This can't last forever though, and it's important to keep asset weightings inline so the portfolio can hold up when divergences occur.
