ETF Global

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded its Peace Prize to the European Union as a morale boost to the region struggling with its debt issues.  Congratulations Europe and buck up!  Maybe the ECB can use the prize money to buy some Spanish bonds.  Quant doesn’t analyze fixed income, yet, but it has been bucking up the European equity markets for a good part of 2012.  In the beginning of this year, various European funds were populating the upper ranks and the ETF Global Europe Index is our strongest Geographic index year to date.  Currently, the SPDR DJ EURO STOXX 50 Fund (FEZ) has an overall score of 68.7 putting it at a respectable 41^st place in Quant’s ranking of 810 equity ETFs.  Even better is that quintessential European country and its dedicated ETF, the iShares MSCI France Index Fund (EWQ), pulling a score of 77.1 in 2nd place today.  Both funds have spent most of the past month in the top 25.  Even troubled Spain and Italy see their funds, the iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund (EWP) and Italy Index Fund (EWI) in those upper ranks, at 17^th and 42^nd place respectively.  Quant shines its love on the downtrodden but if investing in troubled countries is too much for your gut to bear, look at the iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund (EWL), in 12^th place today.  Turkey may or may not make it into the EU but it has achieved 24th place with the iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund (TUR).  We love Norway, Sweden and the Nobel Committee but Quant is lukewarm on that part of Europe.  The Global X FTSE Norway 30 Fund (NORW) ranks at 141^st place and the iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund (EWD) ranks 125^th; so look to buy where others have sold, Scandinavia doesn’t need any bucking up.  Finding the opportunities in any region can be a complicated endeavor so check Quant each day, it has a proven ability to do exactly that.  Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend!