Technology led ETF gains in August

Article Excerpt

The month of August saw the strongest returns for U.S. technology, Internet, and growth stocks. The SPDR Tech Select ETF (XLK) gained 16.6%, and the Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ), 13.9%. U.S. Growth stocks as represented by the iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) also had a good month, with a 13.2% gain. At the broad market level, the Vanguard Total World Stocks ETF (VT) gained 6.8% in the month, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), 9.2%, and the iShares MSCI Canada Equity ETF (EWC) ,6.2%. The iShares Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) lagged developed markets with a 5.1% gain. China was a top performer among the emerging markets ETFs; it rose 8.5% as measured by the BMO China Equity ETF (ZCH). Fixed-income ETFs lagged during the month. The Vanguard International Bond ETF (BNDX) lost 0.6% while Canadian bonds—as indicated by the iShares Canadian Government Bond ETF (XGB), lost 1.6%. Global real estate investment trusts— specifically the iShares Global Reit ETF (REET)—performed a little better with a 3.7% gain. Commodities had a strong month in August with the Invesco Base Metals ETF (DBB) up by 5.9%. Silver saw even…