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This week's highlights Equity markets rallied last week on the announcement of significant stimulus measures across the globe. The top performing equity funds for the week offered a range of exposures from global property (REIT), Japan (HJPN), gold miners (MNRS) and energy companies (FUEL). On the negative side, Indian equities (NDIA and IIND) reacted to aggressive lock-down measures and Australian banks lagged the domestic market. Precious metals rebounded strongly from the previous week’s declines. Gold benefited from haven buying and a slowdown in financial deleveraging. Platinum and palladium both saw big jumps on supply concerns linked to mine shutdowns due to coronavirus. Palladium fund ETPMPD was the week’s top performer, returning 31%. Oil continued its decline, while the Australian dollar rally saw AUDS amongst the top performers and YANK, USD and ZUSD amongst the poorest. Total flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $515m, while outflows totalled $553m. Bearish funds BBOZ and BBUS saw large inflows alongside equity funds A200, IHVV and STW, gold (GOLD) and US dollar cash (USD) also saw strong flows. IVV saw the largest outflows as investors looked for hedged exposures. Emerging market bonds (IHEB) also saw large outflows. Bearish domestic fund BBOZ was the most traded fund for the third week running, followed by broad-based funds STW and VAS. GOLD again saw above average trading. ETFS S&P Biotech ETF (CURE) has outperformed the S&P 500 by over 3% since the COVID-19 sell-off commenced. CURE holds positions in a number of companies that are at the forefront of the search of a cure or vaccine for the virus.

This week's highlights Another week of extreme volatility saw the S&P/ASX 200 fall 13%, the S&P 500 drop 15% and the VIX peak above 85. Bearish ETFs (BBUS, BBOZ and BEAR) were the top performing funds, while foreign currency funds (YANK, ZUSD, USD and EEU) also saw strong gains for the week as the AUD fell to 17-year lows. Amongst long-only equity funds, gold miners (GDX) bounced back and Japan (IJP) saw modest gains. On the negative side, leveraged funds (GGUS and GEAR) were significant decliners along with oil (OOO). Real estate funds, both domestic (MVA, SLF and VAP) and international (REIT and DJRE) were also amongst the hardest hit. Precious metals mostly declined for the week. Silver and platinum saw big dips, while palladium stabilised. Gold dropped 2% in US dollar terms, but gained ground in AUD. Total flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $297m, while outflows totalled $918m. Domestic equity funds including STW, GEAR and MVW saw the largest inflows. Cash and fixed income funds (IHEB, AAA, BILL, IAF, QPON, IHHY and CRED) saw significant outflows. Bearish domestic fund BBOZ was the most traded fund for the second week running, followed by broad-based funds VAS and STW. GOLD saw above average trading.

This week's highlights COVID-19 and Saudi Arabia’s aggressive moves to ramp up oil supply saw for one of the most volatile weeks ever across financial markets. Bearish ETFs (BBOZ, BBUS and BEAR) were the top performing funds, while foreign currency funds (YANK, ZUSD, USD, EEU and POU) also saw strong gains for the week. Amongst long-only equity funds, only China ETFs (CETF and IZZ) saw green. On the negative side, there were many. Energy companies were hit hardest – FUEL fell 27% for the week. Gold miners were also hit hard, despite the metal trading flat in AUD terms. European equity funds (HEUR) were also amongst the biggest decliners. Precious metals were not immune. Gold dropped 7% is US dollar terms, but held its ground in AUD. Palladium gave up most of its recent gains, dropping nearly 30%. Oil ETF OOO fell 23% for the week. The Australian dollar fell below US62c for the first time since 2008. Total flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $460m, while outflows totalled $468m. Domestic equity funds dominated flows with A200 and STW seeing the largest inflows and IOZ seeing the largest outflows. GOLD, QAU and USD saw strong haven flows, while crude oil fund OOO saw speculative inflows following the massive price drop. Bearish domestic fund BBOZ was the most traded fund last week, followed by broad-based funds VAS, STW and IOZ. Other leveraged funds, BBUS and GEAR, saw above average trading. ETFS Enhanced USD Cash ETF (ZUSD) returned 7.8% for the week, benefiting from the strengthening US dollar and the stability of cash amidst the turmoil in more volatile asset classes.

This week's highlights Gold miners headlined the top performers in a turbulent week, with MNRS and GDX seeing returns in excess of 8%. Defensive sectors, including healthcare (DRUG), consumer staples (IXI) and infrastructure (IFRA) were also amongst the top performers alongside bearish funds BBOZ and BEAR. Financial sector ETFs (MVB, OZF, QFN and BNKS) were the week’s poorest performers, with high beta plays such as India (NDIA) and technology (TECH) also seeing declines. Gold continued to push higher, trading above US$1,690/oz towards the end of the week. Hedged gold (QAU) added 3.7%, while palladium (ETPMPD) dropped 8.0%. Oil saw big declines, with OOO dropping 7.8%. The Australian dollar regained ground, adding close to 3% for the week and AUDS was amongst the week’s top performing funds. Total flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $424m, while outflows totalled $181m. iShares S&P/ASX 200 ETF (IOZ) and ETFS Physical Gold (GOLD) saw the largest inflows for the week. BetaShares Australian High Interest Cash ETF (AAA) saw the bulk of the week’s outflows. VAS was the most traded fund last week, followed by IOZ. BBOZ and MGE saw above average volumes.

To access the white paper, please click the download now button above. Investors seeking growth in their portfolios need to look outside the box for opportunities in today’s market. The so-called blue-chips of the past are not necessarily the growth drivers of today or the future. Investing in megatrends may offer an effective and sustainable approach to growth in investor portfolios. Megatrends are universal socioeconomic, environmental or technological forces that change the way we do things . These trends tend to be sustained over longer periods, in some cases, 20 years or more and based on known patterns and pressures . Investing in megatrends has become increasingly accessible in recent times due to the abundance of managed investments focused on them. There are a range of megatrends influencing the world. A few of these are covered below. 1. Virtual connectivity and digitisation The internet is becoming faster and cheaper to access, with close to 60% of the world’s population already users . There are a range of opportunities following from the movement online, such as ecommerce or online entertainment and gaming. Even data storage and security are becoming major concerns. Access to this megatrend can be broadly through sectors like technology that service and fuel this trend, regions with companies dominating this trend, such as the US or across Asia, or via niche subthemes like robotics and artificial intelligence. Products in focus: > ETFS Morningstar Global Technology ETF (TECH) > ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ROBO) > ETFS FANG+ETF (FANG) 2. The growth of the Asian middle-class Two-thirds of the world’s middle-class population are expected to reside across Asia by 2030 and this offers potential for a range of industries, such as luxury goods, tourism, education and healthcare. Many global players have turned their focus to targeting consumers in this region, while regionally based companies like Alibaba or Infosys Ltd are well positioned for future growth. Investors can consider sectors like healthcare which will benefit from the growth or take a more concentrated approach by investing across Asia or within specific countries, like India. Products in focus: > ETFS Reliance India Nifty 50 ETF (NDIA) > ETFS FANG+ETF (FANG) 3. Limited resources Ongoing population growth and climate change are placing pressure on available resources including minerals, energy, water and food sources. This has forced an evolution in terms of new products, how we consume and how companies interact with us. Renewable energy and battery storage is one area tipped to grow off the back of this megatrend. Many larger corporations have also started to adjust their operations too, for example, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pledged $10bn to fight climate change through the Bezos Earth Fund . Investors may consider sub-themes like battery technology or electric cars, or they could consider industries which may experience higher demand on the basis of restricted resources like agriculture. Products in focus: > ETFS Battery Tech and Lithium ETF (ACDC) > ETFS FANG+ETF (FANG) For more information on the solutions ETF Securities offers, please contact us on: Sales Trading Phone +61 2 8311 3488 Email: sales@etfsecurities.com.au Phone +61 2 8311 3483 Email: primarymarkets@etfsecurities.com.au