ETF Headline Watch: January 26th, 2012 (GLD, IAU, QQQ, XLK, VGK)

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ETFs making headlines today include gold ETFs because gold is on the rise again, tech sector ETFs in light of the NASDAQ’s 11 year high yesterday, and Euro ETFs because Europe should be placed under permanent watch (or containment?).

Wall Street Sector Selector’s ETF Headline Watch, January 26th, 2012:

The SPDR Gold Trust ETF (NYSEARCA:GLD) and the iShares Gold Trust ETF (NYSEARCA:IAU):  Gold has reached record highs again today as investors flee US dollars yet again for the “safety” of gold and precious metals.  Gold prices have been on the rise recently in anticipation of the Fed’s January meetings and European woes.  After yesterday’s FOMC Statement and Dr. Bernanke’s Press conference, it is clear that the Fed will continue to funnel cheap money into the system with a targeted inflation rate, news that gold bugs and investors alike adored.  Regardless of inflation or “fiat” failure, Gold ETFs including the SPDR Gold Trust ETF (NYSEARCA:GLD) and the iShares Gold Trust ETF (NYSEARCA:IAU) have both risen over .5% today, and will likely close in the green for a while so long as the Dr. Ben’s dollars remain cheap and weak.

The PowerShares QQQ Series 1 Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) and the Technology SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLK): The tech sector has boomed in the last two weeks due to outstanding earnings reports from tech companies, specifically Apple Computers (NASDAQ:AAPL).  Online video giant Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) has led the charge this week as its outstanding earnings report had after-hour traders jumping for joy.  So far today, the PowerShares QQQ Series 1 Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) and the tech sector Technology SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLK) have dropped slightly, however the NASDAQ hit its 11 year high yesterday, so a little correction today is understandable.  Watch the NASDAQ closely, however, as the index and tech ETFs might have another go at profit, or follow gravity home.

The Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK):  This ETF and the entire continent should be placed on permanent watch (or containment?) as the World Economic Forum continues today in partly cloudy Davos, Switzerland.  The mood might be a little brighter in Greece, as private bond holders and the debt stricken country are again close to a new debt deal, as if the previous 50% haircut did not do enough already.  The Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF is feeling positive over the news at is has so far risen nearly 1%.

Bottom Line:  The general bull market continues as Dr. Ben, Gold, and the Tech sector stoke the fires.  Europe too, at least for today, has appeared to be making inroads on its crisis.  Gold ETFs including NYSEARCA:GLD and NYSEARCA:IAU, tech sector ETFs including NASDAQ:QQQ and NYSEARCA:XLK, and the Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK) are all ETFs worth watching today.

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Disclaimer: Wall Street Sector Selector trades a wide variety of ETFs and positions can change at any time.