Author: Ben Hernandez

Gold ETFs Rise Following Fed Rate Decision

Ben Hernandez

Following the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates flat, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) and SPDR Gold MiniShares (NYSEArca: GLDM) gained as the dollar fell. GLD gained 0.65 percent while GLDM rose 0.61 percent. The Invesco DB US Dollar Bullish (UUP) fell 0.58 percent In move that was widely anticipated by most market experts, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday elected to keep rates unchanged, holding its policy rate in a range between 2.25 percent and 2.5 percent. In addition, the central bank alluded to no more…

Dynamic Exposure to a Changing Real Estate Market

Ben Hernandez

A confluence of rising interest rates and low affordability have made the housing market a challenging space for investors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that capitalizing on the real estate market is completely out of reach, especially with the advent of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like Hoya Capital Housing ETF (HOMZ). Hoya Capital Real Estate, a research-focused investment advisor specializing in real estate securities, launched HOMZ on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, making it the first ETF to offer diversified exposure across the entire US housing sector. It’s a…

“There’s Enormous Resistance to Change”

Ben Hernandez

An industry that’s set in its ways will be a difficult one to overhaul, which is exactly what Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett will be facing as part of Haven–the joint venture to alter health care in conjunction with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon. The goal of haven is simple: deliver quality health care at an affordable cost, but the execution of the plan is far more difficult. “We have a $3.4 trillion industry, which is as much as the federal government raises every year,…

Defensive Positioning for the Rest of 2019

Ben Hernandez

Even as U.S. equities continue to see a resurgence in the first quarter of 2019, investors can still see a wall of worry growing in the backdrop, which is sparking concerns of a global economic slowdown. Even if a permanent trade deal between the U.S. and China gives equities a healthy boost in the short-term, it won’t allay long-term concerns–this is where defensive positioning comes into play. Whether it’s delving into safe havens like commodities or more specifically, precious metals like gold, investors are looking to play defense despite the…

Tech ETF XLK Continues Climb, Dow Gains 150+ Points

Ben Hernandez

The technology sector helped to fuel Friday’s trading session, which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average gain over 150 points less than 2 hours away from the close as tech ETFs like the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEArca: XLK) gained. XLK rose 1.46 percent and is up 14.33 percent year-to-date based on Morningstar performance numbers. After XLK and the tech sector in general took a hit in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to a bout of volatility, it has since then rebounded, moving past its 200-day moving average…