The Inverse ETFs that I highlighted in October are really paying off with an average three month gain of 21%. I will admit that I didn’t buy any of them but I know several readers that were real excited about their potential and their ease of use.
Many traders are turned off by the complexities of shorting or just don’t feel comfortable about the process so Inverse ETFs present them with a simple solution. Trading Inverse ETFs allows traders to place an order that mimics the buying and selling process of a regular stock but you are now betting the short side instead of the long side. These trades allow the investor to ride the market down without the complexities or uncomfortable jitters of shorting.
As I wrote in October, Inverse ETFs are specifically designed to move in the opposite direction of the underlying market index. Thus, if the Dow Jones Industrial Average declines by 1 percent, its inverse ETF (the Short Dow 30 ProShares Fund, symbol DOG) will rise by 1 percent. When the S&P 500 falls by 1 percent, the Short S&P 500 ProShares Fund (SH) will rise by 1 percent.
Take a look at the gains of the four ETFs I highlighted prior to the market opening on October 17, 2007:
- DOG: 17.47% peak gain this week
- SH: 19.21% peak gain this week
- PSQ: 22.83% peak gain this week
- RWM: 23.07% peak gain this week
I don’t recommend jumping into these ETFs right this moment (the previous opportunity was in October when I presented them) but keep an eye on the market and look to pounce when the major indexes bounce higher and start to show overbought signs. Be patient just as you would with trades on the long side.
Here are some more:
http://etf.stock-encyclopedia.com/category/bearish-etfs.html
Bottom Line: The average Joe six pack is a baby boomer quickly running out of time. His single largest asset, his primary residence, is deflating rapidly. This single largest asset is also the primary collateral for his single largest liability. His balance sheet is rapidly deflating as all his assets, from his home to his equity portfolio, all simultaneously deflate while his debt outstanding may actually still be increasing. His debt servicing are costs not dropping, despite aggressive rate cuts, and may actually be rising. It has also become damn near impossible to refinance certain mortgages as easy credit evaporates. On top of that, Joe six pack should now be seriously concerned about his job security. So when a cheque for $300 to $1500 arrives in the mail, Joe six pack is not going to spend it on a $200 steak dinner or a new computer or on a vacation. Got it people?
More on the stimulous package: (http://benbittrolff.blogspot.com/2008/01/fact-sheet-bush-stimulous-package.html)
TheFinancialNinja
Looks like CNBC must have read your article on ETF’s. They did a spot on ETF’s and how badly folks had done and only glanced against the topic of inverse ETF. They totally missed emphasizing a great point, IMO. One that you did a great job explaining.
Wilbur,
CNBC hasn’t had a clue in years. I only watch one show on these financial/news channels: The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.
It’s an excellent show – I have my DVR tape it every night.