Dallas, Texas 02/03/2014 (FINANCIALSTRENDS) – The $18.42 billion capitalized Vanguard REIT ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ) trading volume surged almost 82% on 31st January to 5.4 million transactions in comparison to its daily average as REIT stock rallied in anticipation of Fed tapering. Its share price has clocked a 1.57 percent increase in past week to level out at $67.32, which compares well against the iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate bench mark of $65.25. The ETF posted 1.9 percent increase against its 20 day simple moving average and has outpaced returns posted by S&P 500(-3.46%) in the past month and boasts of a annual dividend yield of 4.32 percent.
Utilities SPDR (ETF) (NYSEARCA:XLU) capitalization of $5 billion posted 4.5 percent increase in first month of trading in 2014. It is trading at $39.1, 2.8 percent above its 50 day SMA of $38.03 and has provided annual dividend yield of 3.86 percent. The returns of 2.75 percent posted by this energy ETF in past month is favourably comparable to sector benchmarks Shares Dow Jones US Utilities (2.72% gains) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR (2.98% gains). These short term gains have been driven largely by the unusually harsh winter conditions which have prevailed over large parts of U.S in the recent weeks, thereby driving up demand for energy stock.
TheS&P 500 index tracked national investment brokerage house CME Group Inc (NASDAQ:CME) gained 0.59 percent to level out at $74.76 during 31st January trading. Its trading volume also doubled to 4.2 million as against its daily average. These gains reverse the close to 1.27 percent loss recorded in its 20 day SMA. With a Price to Sales ratio of 8.5 and profit margins of 32.7 percent over the trailing 12 months, the stock is attracting value seeking buyers in the run up to its 4th quarter and full year operation results announcement scheduled for 4th February.