Investors' growing interest in the developed markets equity rally was evident in the second quarter of 2013, with the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) again topping the list of most searched ETFs on Morningstar.co.uk. In fact, the only new addition to the top-10 list, the SPDR S&P US Dividend Aristocrats ETF (UDVD), reveals that within the developed equity world, UK investors are particularly interested in profiting from the good performance of the US market. With an economy growing at a more accelerated pace than those of its European counterparts, the US equity market reveals itself as a very attractive investment proposition for UK investors, with total market returns boosted by favourable foreign exchange as the US dollar strengthens against a monetary policy-driven weakening sterling.
Meanwhile, with regards to emerging market equities, the fall of the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (GBP) (VFEM) from sixth to ninth reflects investors' general concerns about the downgrading of growth prospects for these economies, and particular concerns about political instability in countries like Turkey and Brazil. In a way, these events have come as a useful reminder that for all the past successes, investing in emerging markets ultimately remains subject to a number of additional risks vs. developed markets that investors should take into consideration.
Once again we see a plethora of gold exchange-traded commodities making it into the "most searched" list. Precious metals have seen a steady decline in prices so far in 2013, and this has led to significant outflows from commodity ETCs (mainly gold products) in Europe. Against this general backdrop, we have to wonder whether investors searching for gold ETCs on Morningstar.co.uk are doing so in order to the unwind (i.e. sell) long-held positions in their portfolios; extend those positions at cheaper prices on the belief that the price of gold would bounce back; or whether we have a totally new breed of investor interested in profiting from the fall in gold prices by setting short positions in these ETCs. In either case, it seems that the allure of the gold metal remains as strong as ever.
10 Most Searched for ETFs in Q2
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (USD) (SPY)
4 Stars
Not covered by Morningstar analysts
SPDR Gold Shares Trust (USD) (GLD)
No quantitative rating
Morningstar analyst report
ETFS Gold Bullion Securities ETC (USD) (GBS)
No quantitative rating
Morningstar analyst report
Vanguard FTSE 100 ETF (GBP) (VUKE)
No quantitative rating
Not covered by Morningstar analysts
SPDR S&P US Dividend Aristocrats ETF (USD) (UDVD)
No quantitative rating
Morningstar analyst report
Source Physical Gold P-ETC (USD) (SGLD)
No quantitative rating
Morningstar research report
ETFS Physical Gold ETC (GBP) (PHGP)
No quantitative rating
Morningstar research report
iShares FTSE UK Dividend Plus Inc (IE) (GBP) (IUKD)
2 Stars
Morningstar research report
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (GBP) (VFEM)
No quantitative rating
Not covered by Morningstar analysts
iShares Corporate Bond UCITS ETF (GBP) (SLXX)
2 Stars
Morningstar research report