| Treasury ETFs Lead the Way in 2011 and Highlights in 2011 Market Performance |
| News - Financial News |
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Europe(TM)s never-ending debt crisis drove nervous investors into U.S. debt in 2011 as traditionally staid Treasury exchange traded funds were the performance leaders.PIMCO 25+ Year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury (NYSEArca: ZROZ - News), Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury (NYSEArca: EDV - News) and iPath U.S. Treasury 10-year Bull (NYSEArca: DTLY) topped the list among unleveraged exchange traded products. The two leaders invest in STRIPS, zero coupon bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. [ETF Chart of the Day: Treasury STRIPS]Year to date through Dec. 29, the funds gained 58.7%, 55.3% and 44.6%, respectively, according to investment researcher Morningstar. [Read the full article] There are three reports on the calendar today to kick off 2012. Manufacturing data and Fed meeting minutes later in the day are likely to be the primary focal points. This is a week that will be dominated by jobs data, culminating in the employment report on Friday. It is the last big week of data before earnings season begins on Monday.At 10 a.m. ET, the ISM Manufacturing Index will be released. The consensus forecast calls for a small rise to 53.2 from last month's reading of 52.7. Estimates range from a more bearish 52 to a bullish 54.5.Construction Spending also comes out at 10 a.m. ET. The consensus expectation is 0.5 percent, a small rise from last month. The range is from a bearish -0.6 percent to a bullish 1.4 percent.The Federal Open Market Committee minutes will be reported at 2 p.m. ET. Traders will be sifting through the report for any signs of a change in tone as far as policy is concerned. [Read the full article] Crude oil is positioned to follow stock prices higher amid a recovery in risk appetite but gold prices may reverse downward as the outlook for QE3 sours. Talking PointsPrices are probing above the $100/barrel figure in Europe as a recovery in risk appetite that began in Asia continues following better-than-expected Swiss and UK Manufacturing PMI figures. The focus now turns to the analogous US ISM gauge, where forecasts suggest factor-sector growth accelerated to the fastest in six months. Absent an unexpected headline reminding markets of the still-unresolved Eurozone debt crisis, the stage seems set for the risk-on mood to carry forward as Wall Street comes online, boosting shares and pulling the WTI contract along for the ride.On the technical front, are starting to drift higher after putting in a Hammer candlestick above resistance-turned-support at thetop of a falling channel set from mid-November. The pull-up is seen as corrective for the time being. [Read the full article] 
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