SPDR Utilities E.T.F. (XLU)

(A Top Pick September 12/17 Up 2%) This was a bit of a gamble, but worked out on a total return basis. They saw this as a lifejacket in a market nearing peak levels.

He thinks this is the best of the bond proxy sector that may face some short term headwinds, but is backed by energy trends and modernization of infrastructure. He does not expect this to be a hero, but a conservative holding. Yield 4%.

(A Top Pick Feb 17/17. Up 8%.) This is one where he did almost 65% on a return. He cleared out of this in July at around $54.

US growth is moderate, just not putting up accelerating growth. This is a kind of environment where steady state utilities can do really well for you. Rates don’t seem to be shooting up anytime soon as inflation is just not there.

If we think inflation is coming we should see that 10 year north of 3%, but it is not. We broke above the $49 level. There are a lot of buyers in there. It is one of the strongest sectors. If the 1 year gets above 2.6% then you have broken the theme.

(A Top Pick June 10/15. Up 18.74%.) He has a much higher target on this. There have been some pretty big swings on this. Even on a short-term basis, it’s deeper ranking has still stayed.

With all the US data since September, there is not a lot of reason that Yelin had to raise rates. Chart shows there were some lower lows in September and again in December. The risk/reward is really good. Thinks the softening US$ will help it. He is looking for $45 first term and the 2^nd spot would be around $48.

(Top Pick Oct 31/14, Up 1.31%) It has a great long term trend. He got rid of some utility names last February. It is trying to break out.

(Top Pick Aug 24/15, Down 0.76%) It was low volatility. The utilities are a benign sideways investment ready and were for the downturn.

This is a boring position and he doesn’t expect a lot of upside, but also doesn’t expect a lot of downside. Thinks if you were to look at this position a month or 2 from now, you will find it more or less at a similar price. He expects it to be flat but to earn a dividend on it.

(Past Top Pick July 15, 2014, up 4.21%) In the utility sector, he likes this sector. In January there was a spike so they pieced off some of the Canadian utitlites, but he did keep this one. On a relative basis utilities are moving up on a short term. Their long term performance hasn't been impacted too much. Has been performing really well in the last 2 weeks. They really like it and has started to add to it.

(A Top Pick June 5/15. Up 3.38%.) His thesis is that he is not expecting much for the summer. He is trying to hold low beta positions that shouldn’t see a lot of upside or downside.

(A Top Pick July 14/14. 3.2%.) This holds a basket of US utilities. Really good risk/reward. Chart shows a pretty good trend line and has sort of broken it a little. However, there are a couple of spots to hang your hat on. In the last couple of months, earnings have really started to ratchet up. It has really been oversold.

Seasonally these things tend to do okay over the summer. His whole view right now is that he is trying to hold relatively neutral positions. He doesn’t expect this to do a lot over the summer, but he also doesn’t expect them to lose a lot either.

Utilities have been hitting record highs. Usually they do well in softer environments, but in the last 2 months, they have shown great strength. Well above its uptrend and he is looking to add to his position. The market does really not believe that we've got escape velocity growth.