Two Water ETFs Actually Correlated to Market Tide

Eleven months ago I recommended the water ETFs PowerShares Water Resources (PHO) and PowerShares Global Water Portfolio (PIO). I was specifically seeking an asset class uncorrelated to the broader stock market. However, I think too many traders and funds are buying and selling these assets based on the same signals as broader market indicators. Therefore, the investments have not met my thesis and need to be sold.

This is a good lesson for investing. We have many prospective investments, yet only enough cash to buy a tiny fraction of assets. As a result, we must consider our opportunity costs when holding investments that under-perform. Moreover, we want to cut our losses when a thesis has been proven incorrect. If for some reason these water ETFs start trading as if water is a scarce commodity, then I will happily jump back in the pool.

Disclosure: SmartGuyDH no longer owns shares of PHO or PIO.

Comments

[User 193849:]

That's funny, I've owned PHO for two years and I'm up 20%.
Check the graph. Now do a graph on XLE. Let me advise the wise....water will go the way of oil...maybe not tomorrow, but you will live to see it soar. I did with oil.

2008 May 21 05:20 AM

[BAWE:]

I think more patience is required here. Your original thesis was sound. I agree with user 193849.

2008 May 21 08:35 AM

[khaz:]

In looking at the other SA post seekingalpha.com/artic... I'm selling PHO and buying the components that are more what I had in mind when I bought the ETF

2008 May 21 10:55 AM

[danno:]

There is no correlation to water because the indexes are have such limited to exposure to water which is, in most cases, a lousy business to invest in. if you look at these companies in detail, it's clear that there is little or no investment strategy here other than to take investors' money with a nicely marketed "theme" product.

2008 May 23 09:48 PM