Succinct Summation of Week’s Events 8.21.20 (plus 9 of the Best Gold ETFs to Hedge Volatility)

Below is the usual week-end weekly summation, the main positive that the markets continue to make gains as new COVID-19 infections seem to be slowing. The main negatives continue to be the bungled handling of the pandemic and that we still have 75 whole days to go before the election (or switching this to a positive that we continue to make progress towards both a vaccine and treatment and that there are only 75 days to go before the election.)  The bonus this time is yet another contribution from U.S. News Invested, this time on the subject of gold.  We all love gold.  It's not only a good hedge against bad markets but is also pretty to look at. This particular edition talks about the best ETFs for investing in gold.  It's going to be a hot week, both climate-wise and politically.  Try to stay cool and calm.  

Succinct Summation of Week’s Events 8.21.20

August 21, 2020 4:30pm by Barry Ritholtz

Succinct Summations for the week ending August 21st, 2020

Positives:

1. Markets continue to add to gains as global economic recovery slowly continues.
2. New Covid-19 infections seem to be slowing;
3. Existing home sales rose from 4.700M to 5.860M m/o/m, above expectations;
4. E-Commerce sales rose 31.8% q/o/q,
5. PMI Composite Flash is at 54.7 for August, above expectations
6. Housing market index stands at 78 for August, above expectations.

Negatives:

1. We are only halfway through the political convention period, and 75 days out until the election;
2. American’s bungled pandemic response continues: 175,000 deaths, >5 million infections;
3. Index of leading economic indicators rose 1.4% m/o/m
4. Jobless claims rose from 971k to 1.106M w/o/w, above expectations.
5. Home refinance mortgage apps fell 5.1% w/o/w
6. Index of leading economic indicators rose 1.4% m/o/m

 

August 17, 2020 View in Browser Invested Advice, rankings and stock market news for investors.

Good morning, investors. First Congress, now the free market? Apple’s app store is under increasing fire for monopolistic practices, a charge the $2 trillion tech giant can be expected to fight. TODAY'S FEATURED STOCK STORY 9 of the Best Gold ETFs to Hedge Volatility Easy ways to hedge with gold. In 2019, investing in gold exchange-traded funds lost its luster as the stock market surged about 31%. Now it seems the uncertainty of a presidential election coupled with global economic pressures caused by the pandemic are weighing on investors' minds. You may want to set some money aside in gold ETFs as a hedge against volatility and market uncertainty. Here are nine gold ETFs to buy in uncertain times. 1. SPDR Gold Shares (ticker: GLD). This SPDR fund is the go-to way for investors looking to play precious metals, with nearly $80 billion in assets under management. Since 2005, the fund has allowed investors to purchase gold via their brokerage account or individual retirement account. 2. Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). Some critics say the SPDR gold ETF isn't really an investment in gold, since it's structured in a trust that tracks the market price of bullion. For investors who are serious about hard assets, this differentiation between "paper" gold and physical gold is a real concern. Click here to continue.

Hedge against a market fall with gold ETFs:

• SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
• Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL)
• VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ)
• VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)
• VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)
• GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR)
• Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF)
• Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares (NUGT)
• ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL)