First Half Asset Class Performance

Below is our key ETF matrix which shows asset class performance over the last week, in the second quarter, and in the first half of the year.  For the second quarter, most US-based ETFs ended up down between 2% and 8%.  Friday's big gain saved the quarter, and it left most US ETFs up 7-10% over the first half of the year.  The Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) was up the most of any ETF on the list in the first half with a gain of 14.92%.  Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Financials (XLF) and Technology (XLK) were the best sector ETFs in the first half with gains of more than 12%.  Energy (XLE) was the worst with a decline of 3.99%.

Outside of the US, Brazil (EWZ) was the worst in the second quarter with a decline of 20.05%.  Mexico (EWW) held up the best in Q2 with a decline of just 1.71%, and it's up the most year to date as well with a gain of 14.30%.  India (INP) was the second best performing international ETF in the first half with a gain of 10.62%.  Spain (EWP) was the worst at -18.07%.

Looking at commodities, while they all did well last week, all but natural gas (UNG) performed poorly in the second quarter.

Finally, fixed income was the best performing asset class in the second quarter, with TLT gaining the most of the group at 11.59%.  For the year, most Treasury ETFs are up 1% to 3%.

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