A "Joint Recovery" For Transportation and Semiconductor ETFs

By Gerry Fowler:(Note that the following analysis was done using the underlying S&P 500 and Russell 2000 indices. The SPY and IWM are investable ETFs that replicate the indices with very low tracking error.)

Michael Albert submits: While last year ended up being a strong year for the Large-Cap S&P 500 Index (IVV), which ex-dividend was up about 13% for 2010, it was an even stronger year for higher Beta Small-Cap stocks. The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) was up a whopping 25% ex-dividend, significantly outperforming Large-Cap stocks.

By Chris Ciovacco: With an apparent acceleration of the debt crisis in Europe and a prolonged budget fight set to continue in the United States, we have bear market drivers in place from a fundamental perspective. On Monday, two-year Greek notes traded at 50% of face value; the yield on 10-year Italian bonds rose another 27 basis points. Angela Merkel’s party lost weekend elections in Germany, which brings into question public support for more bailouts in Europe.

MyPlanIQ submits:U.S. small cap stocks have been doing well recently. In fact, the small cap blend category (IWM) has a 24.15% 52-week return. Only the Smallcap Growth (IWO) and Midcap Growth (IWP) have the higher 52-week returns.

By Tom Lydon: ETF Spotlight on iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), part of an ongoing series.Assets: $15.6 billion.Objective: The iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund tries to reflect the performance of the U.S. Equities market as represented by the Russell 2000, which is comprised of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index.

By Thomas Kee: Did you read a headline recently that said the market may have begun to crack on Wednesday? If you did, that news item, like almost all news items, was late. The crack actually began on Monday, and it began with the Russell. U.S.

By MyPlanIQ:Vanguard ETFs have been a phenomenal success: it is rapidly becoming the most favorable ETF provider by investment advisors and average investors, even though iShares retains the largest market share.We compare U.S. small cap stock ETFs in the following tables:U.S. Small Cap Blend 09/28/2012

By Christian Magoon:In an unusual show of category domination from a newer ETF entrant, Russell Factor ETFs are crushing most of the 21 broad based small cap ETFs in the marketplace this year. Their Factor ETF product line contains three of the top five performing broad based small cap ETFs according to data compiled from Index Universe.