Asset Classes

Performance charts of various asset classes as represented by their ETFs that we follow.  Instead of looking at this on a year to date basis, I've expanded the data base out to a year.  {ETFs up less than 5% are highlighted in red so we can illustrate themes.}

Chart above from left to right shows ETF performance representing, the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Vanguard Total Market ETF, Vanguard Euro Pacific ETF, iShares Global High Yield ex US Dollar ETF, Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF,  Barclay's High Yield ETF, Vanguard REIT, PowerShares International Corporate Bond ETF and Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF.  Yield and international have underperformed.  Overseas, however, has been better this year.

Above are the various sectors of the S&P 500 and performance relative to the index.  Energy, Materials, Industrials and Consumer Staples have underperformed.  Utilities are a play on yield and so it's not surprising that they have not done better.  Financials have the inverse problem of low interest rates and the regulatory and scrutiny from Washington.  Financials have also been acting better of late.  

*We are long various sectors depicted above via ETFs or via ETFs related to the S&P 500 in client and or personal accounts.  Positions can vary in accounts depending on account strategy and the unique risk/reward characteristics of our clients.