We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Inflation picked up last month as the cost of groceries, gas, and used cars rose, reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3% in January compared to a year ago, according to a February 12 report from the Labor Department. This marks an uptick from 2.9% in December, and above market forecasts of 2.9% and a climb from the 3 1/2-year low of 2.4% recorded in September.
The latest data highlights the ongoing challenge of inflation, which previously posed a significant political issue for former President Joe Biden. During his campaign, President Donald Trump pledged to bring prices down. However, economists caution that his proposed tariffs could temporarily drive costs higher rather than lower them.
On a monthly basis, the CPI grew by 0.5%, above 0.4% in the previous month and expectations it would slow to 0.3%. The index for shelter rose 0.4%, accounting for nearly 30% of the increase. Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing strategies that can be gainful for investors.
Play Inflation-Fighting ETFs
In the past one year, Wall Street has seen launches of several inflation-fighting ETFs like AXS Astoria Inflation Sensitive ETF (PPI - Free Report) , VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF (RAAX - Free Report) and Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL - Free Report) . Some of these ETFs invest in asset classes that look to benefit, either directly or indirectly, from inflation while some invest directly or indirectly, in a mix of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities and long options tied to the shape of the U.S. interest rate curve.
Play ETFs That Protect You From Higher Rates
In reflection of the sticky inflation data, the benchmark 10-year U.S. treasury yield jumped to 4.62% on Feb 12, 2025 from 4.54% recorded at the start of the month. The two-year U.S. treasury yield too jumped by 10 bps to 4.36% during this timeframe.
Against this scenario, ETFs that offer protection from higher rates should be in vogue. These ETFs include Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX - Free Report) , Global X Interest Rate Hedge ETF (RATE - Free Report) and FolioBeyond Alternative Income And Interest Rate Hedge ETF (RISR - Free Report) .
Gold to Save You This Time Despite High Rates?
Gold market is in the sweet spot currently despite higher rates. Gold is often viewed as a safe-haven as well as inflation-beating asset. Hence, the current market backdrop serves well for gold investing. The largest gold bullion ETF SPDR Gold Trust (GLD - Free Report) was up 0.1% on Feb. 12, 2025, while the fund has gained about 9% so far this year.
Value ETFs to Gain Traction?
Given this edgy investing backdrop, investors can bet on large-cap value ETFs. After all, value investing requires buying securities that appear underpriced. Also, value stocks perform better than growth stocks in a rising rate environment. SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV - Free Report) , Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF (MGV - Free Report) , and Alps OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA - Free Report) are some of the value ETFs that may gain if inflation continues to stay hot.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
ETF Strategies to Play Hot January Inflation
Inflation picked up last month as the cost of groceries, gas, and used cars rose, reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3% in January compared to a year ago, according to a February 12 report from the Labor Department. This marks an uptick from 2.9% in December, and above market forecasts of 2.9% and a climb from the 3 1/2-year low of 2.4% recorded in September.
The latest data highlights the ongoing challenge of inflation, which previously posed a significant political issue for former President Joe Biden. During his campaign, President Donald Trump pledged to bring prices down. However, economists caution that his proposed tariffs could temporarily drive costs higher rather than lower them.
On a monthly basis, the CPI grew by 0.5%, above 0.4% in the previous month and expectations it would slow to 0.3%. The index for shelter rose 0.4%, accounting for nearly 30% of the increase. Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing strategies that can be gainful for investors.
Play Inflation-Fighting ETFs
In the past one year, Wall Street has seen launches of several inflation-fighting ETFs like AXS Astoria Inflation Sensitive ETF (PPI - Free Report) , VanEck Inflation Allocation ETF (RAAX - Free Report) and Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL - Free Report) . Some of these ETFs invest in asset classes that look to benefit, either directly or indirectly, from inflation while some invest directly or indirectly, in a mix of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities and long options tied to the shape of the U.S. interest rate curve.
Play ETFs That Protect You From Higher Rates
In reflection of the sticky inflation data, the benchmark 10-year U.S. treasury yield jumped to 4.62% on Feb 12, 2025 from 4.54% recorded at the start of the month. The two-year U.S. treasury yield too jumped by 10 bps to 4.36% during this timeframe.
Against this scenario, ETFs that offer protection from higher rates should be in vogue. These ETFs include Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX - Free Report) , Global X Interest Rate Hedge ETF (RATE - Free Report) and FolioBeyond Alternative Income And Interest Rate Hedge ETF (RISR - Free Report) .
Gold to Save You This Time Despite High Rates?
Gold market is in the sweet spot currently despite higher rates. Gold is often viewed as a safe-haven as well as inflation-beating asset. Hence, the current market backdrop serves well for gold investing. The largest gold bullion ETF SPDR Gold Trust (GLD - Free Report) was up 0.1% on Feb. 12, 2025, while the fund has gained about 9% so far this year.
Value ETFs to Gain Traction?
Given this edgy investing backdrop, investors can bet on large-cap value ETFs. After all, value investing requires buying securities that appear underpriced. Also, value stocks perform better than growth stocks in a rising rate environment. SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF (SPYV - Free Report) , Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF (MGV - Free Report) , and Alps OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA - Free Report) are some of the value ETFs that may gain if inflation continues to stay hot.