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ECB Considers Further Stimulus: ETFs to Top & Flop
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The Euro zone indicated on Jun 18 that it could restart money printing to boost its ailing economy even though the ECN ended QE in 2018. The stimulus moves could be cutting rates even further and other expansionary measures. Draghi ruled out concerns that the ECB was short of means for any new stimulus measures.
Already, the ECB pushed back the timing of its first-rate hike in nearly eight years to the second half of 2020 at the earliest during its June meeting, thanks to global growth concerns and tepid inflation outlook.
ECB president Draghi hinted that upcoming economic indicators point to persistent softness. Risks are skewed toward the downside. The rising threat of protectionism, possible U.S. sanctions on EU, Brexit issuers, U.S.-China trade war and the vulnerabilities in emerging markets are compelling the ECB’s dovish approach.
The continuation of trade war related risks has taken a toll on exports and in particular on manufacturing. The inflation has also been tame, with the annual figure of 1.2% still far below the bank's target of about 2%.
If the ECB rolls out more stimulus, the following ETFs will the losers and gainers.
Winners
International Treasury
After Draghi’s comments, the benchmark German bund yields fell to -0.30% and French 10-year yields turned negative for the first time on Jun 18. Since yields and bond prices are inversely related, this fund iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (IGOV - Free Report) (which has a sizable exposure to Europe), gained 0.1% on Jun 18.
Currency-Hedged Large-Cap Stocks
The continuation of the low-rate policy and a weaker Euro should boost the currency-hedged Euro zone ETFs in the near term. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU - Free Report) and Xtrackers MSCI Eurozone Hedged Equity ETF (DBEZ - Free Report) added about 2% and 1.9%, respectively, on Jun 18.
Dividend
Amid low rates, demand for high-yielding products should grow. So, investors can bet on ETFs like First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD - Free Report) (up 1.14% on Jun 18 and yields about 8.66% annually) and ProShares MSCI Europe Dividend Growth ETF (EUDV - Free Report) (up 1.4% on Jun 18 and yields 2.18% annually).
Small Cap
Low interest rates and stimulus may help the domestic-focused, small-cap ETFs to some extent. WisdomTree Europe Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund (EUSC - Free Report) added about 1.12 % on Jun 18.
Financials
Financial stocks normally underperform in a low-rate environment. However, more stimulus means more activities in the economy and the more dependence on financial institutions. This is why iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF (EUFN - Free Report) advanced a modest 1% on Jun 18.
Losers
Euro
One of the biggest losers will be the euro. Talks of more monetary stimulus caused Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE - Free Report) to lose about 0.2% on Jun 19.
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ECB Considers Further Stimulus: ETFs to Top & Flop
The Euro zone indicated on Jun 18 that it could restart money printing to boost its ailing economy even though the ECN ended QE in 2018. The stimulus moves could be cutting rates even further and other expansionary measures. Draghi ruled out concerns that the ECB was short of means for any new stimulus measures.
Already, the ECB pushed back the timing of its first-rate hike in nearly eight years to the second half of 2020 at the earliest during its June meeting, thanks to global growth concerns and tepid inflation outlook.
ECB president Draghi hinted that upcoming economic indicators point to persistent softness. Risks are skewed toward the downside. The rising threat of protectionism, possible U.S. sanctions on EU, Brexit issuers, U.S.-China trade war and the vulnerabilities in emerging markets are compelling the ECB’s dovish approach.
The continuation of trade war related risks has taken a toll on exports and in particular on manufacturing. The inflation has also been tame, with the annual figure of 1.2% still far below the bank's target of about 2%.
If the ECB rolls out more stimulus, the following ETFs will the losers and gainers.
Winners
International Treasury
After Draghi’s comments, the benchmark German bund yields fell to -0.30% and French 10-year yields turned negative for the first time on Jun 18. Since yields and bond prices are inversely related, this fund iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (IGOV - Free Report) (which has a sizable exposure to Europe), gained 0.1% on Jun 18.
Currency-Hedged Large-Cap Stocks
The continuation of the low-rate policy and a weaker Euro should boost the currency-hedged Euro zone ETFs in the near term. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU - Free Report) and Xtrackers MSCI Eurozone Hedged Equity ETF (DBEZ - Free Report) added about 2% and 1.9%, respectively, on Jun 18.
Dividend
Amid low rates, demand for high-yielding products should grow. So, investors can bet on ETFs like First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD - Free Report) (up 1.14% on Jun 18 and yields about 8.66% annually) and ProShares MSCI Europe Dividend Growth ETF (EUDV - Free Report) (up 1.4% on Jun 18 and yields 2.18% annually).
Small Cap
Low interest rates and stimulus may help the domestic-focused, small-cap ETFs to some extent. WisdomTree Europe Hedged SmallCap Equity Fund (EUSC - Free Report) added about 1.12 % on Jun 18.
Financials
Financial stocks normally underperform in a low-rate environment. However, more stimulus means more activities in the economy and the more dependence on financial institutions. This is why iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF (EUFN - Free Report) advanced a modest 1% on Jun 18.
Losers
Euro
One of the biggest losers will be the euro. Talks of more monetary stimulus caused Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (FXE - Free Report) to lose about 0.2% on Jun 19.
Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>