The year ahead is showing an alarming investment slowdown for the emerging-markets investor. Money Morning’s Martin Hutchinson presents which Emerging Markets ETFs the pros are buying. These picks have sound savings and are worth looking at.
Latest data from the housing market shows that the misery is set to continue for a while yet. But Christian Hill says investors can still make money by shorting two real estate specific ETFs (IYR, VNQ). A more speculative play is the UltraShort Real Estate ProShares (NYSE:SRS) inverse ETF.
The battle between inflation and deflation is the most important thing for investors to watch right now, says Adam Lass. Fears of falling prices are rife in Washington today. But the inflation cycle will come around again soon, especially with all the new money being pumped into the economy by the Fed. Adam says that’s why investors should buy the PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish ETF (NYSE:UDN).
There’s a fine line between a stimulated economy and a destroyed currency, says Adam Lass. And the world’s central bankers are in a race to the bottom. Japan’s latest rate cut has given the US dollar a short-term lift versus the yen. But the greenback will soon plummet again. Adam says investors should take up a short dollar/long gold position for 20-30% gains in the coming months.
We shouldn’t get too attached to low gas prices, says Keith Fitz-Gerald. Crude oil prices will soar before long, making driving an expensive habit again. But Keith says savvy investors can ‘hedge’ against this rise by buying into these three oil and gas ETFs now.
Investors can now trade triple-leveraged ETFs. That means three times the return (or loss) of the underlying index. Rick Pendergraft says stocks could be in line for a major rally in the first half of 2009. If it does, the Large Cap Bull 3x Shares ETF (NYSE:BGU) will ensure huge profits for investors willing to “think big”.
Obama’s stimulus plan may still be vague, but you can be sure it will involve huge construction projects says David Newman. And government funding will be targeted at US companies. That’s why David recommends the PowerShares Dynamic Building & Construction Portfolio ETF (NYSE:PKB) as an all-American infrastructure play.
There has not been a recession in history that was not followed by inflationary pressure, says Keith Fitz-Gerald. And the unprecedented government spending means this next wave of inflation could be painful. Keith says savvy investors protect themselves from the real enemy – and even turn a decent profit – with inflation-protected securities (TIPS) like the iShares Lehman TIP ETF (NYSE:TIP).
Oxford Club’s Alexander Green says making the switch from mutual funds to ETFs can save thousands in taxes and expenses. Changing funds now can also help psychologically, by locking this year’s huge losses in the past. Alex lists eight ETFs that can “help turn market lemons into lemonade.”
Americans might rejoice as fuel prices tumble. But it means catastrophe for Russia. Its stock market is already down 80% this year, and Andrew Snyder says the country faces more economic woes in 2009. That’s why he recommends shorting the Market Vectors Russian ETF (NYSE:RSX).
