In the past trading session, the performance of U.S. stocks was not satisfactory. Among the top ETFs, investors saw (AX:SPY) lose 0.32%, (V:DIA) lose 0.13% and QQQ lose 0.02% on the day.
Two more specialized ETFs are worth noting in particular though as both saw trading volume that was far outside of normal. In fact, both of these funds experienced volume levels that were more than triple their average for the most recent trading session. This could make these ETFs the ones to watch out for in the days ahead to see if this trend of extra-interest continues:
EWQ: Volume 3.94 times average.
This France ETF was under the microscope on Friday, April 21, 2017, as nearly 3.25 million shares moved hands. This compares to an average trading volume of 827,280 shares and came as EWQ lost 0.08% in the session.
The significant rise in volume was largely the result of increased uncertainty in the markets because of the French presidential elections. The first run-off was held on Sunday, April 23, 2017. Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen emerged victorious and will be facing each other in the second run-off on May 7, 2017. For the month, EWQ is up 0.96%. The fund currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Medium risk outlook.
(TO:PEY) : Volume 6.92 times average.
This U.S. Dividend ETF was in focus on Friday, April 21, 2017, as roughly 2.82 million shares moved hands compared to an average of roughly 407,320 shares. We also saw some share price movement as shares of PEY lost 0.12% in the session.
The fund has high exposure to Vector Group (NYSE:VGR) and Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) with 3.66% and 2.54% allocation, respectively. The higher than average trading volume in the ETF can largely be attributed to the increased trading in the Vector group stock following the sale of 100,000 shares by its director Bennett S. Lebow. Moreover, Verizon Communications reported disappointing 2017 first quarter earnings due to which shares of Verizon lost 2.4% on April 21, 2017. For the month, PEY is up 0.24%, while the fund currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a Medium risk outlook.
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Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
SPDR-DJ IND AVG (DIA): ETF Research Reports
NASDAQ-100 SHRS (QQQ): ETF Research Reports
SPDR-SP 500 TR (SPY (NYSE:SPY
ISHARS-FRANCE (EWQ): ETF Research Reports
PWRSH-HY EQ DV (PEY): ETF Research Reports
Vector Group Ltd. (VGR): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research