FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Exchange-Traded Funds Rise as US Equities Advance After Midday

By

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) rose 0.3%.

US equity indexes were higher after midday Tuesday, with technology extending gains, as investors weighed the response from Israel and Hezbollah to President Donald Trump's call to stop fighting in Lebanon.

Energy

IShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each added about 1.4%.

Technology

The State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) was 0.6% higher; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) rose 0.5%, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.7%.

The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) climbed up 4.8%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) edged up 4.5%.

Financial

The State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) added 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) rose 0.3%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), slipped 0.2%.

Commodities

Crude oil rose 1.2%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) added 0.9%. Natural gas dropped 0.8%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was down 1%.

Gold on Comex gained 0.3%, and the State Street SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was up 0.2%. Silver rose 0.6%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) added 0.9%.

Consumer

The State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) lost 0.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) fell 0.2%, and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) eased fractionally.

The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) shed 0.3%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) fell 0.5%, and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) rose 0.4%.

Healthcare

The State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) lost 1.1%, iShares US Healthcare (IYH) fell 1.2%, and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) was down 1.3%. IShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) declined 3.1%.

Industrial

The State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) added 0.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) rose 0.6%, while iShares US Industrials (IYJ) gained 0.2%.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) dropped 5.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) fell 5.9%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) shed 4.1%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 5.7% lower.

Related Articles

Asia Markets

Swiss Stocks Close Flat; Roche Shares Down

The Swiss Market Index closed Tuesday trading flat as investors digested the latest local corporate updates as well as developments in the Middle East.The US Food and Drug Administration accepted Roche's (RO.SW) new drug application for giredestrant on a priority review basis. The investigational treatment is an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader indicated as an adjuvant treatment for adults with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, stage 1, 2, and 3 breast cancer. The drugmaker was down 2.59%.Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported, citing a source, that UBS Group (UBSG.SW) plans to issue at least $500 million of perpetual Additional Tier 1 bonds, with a potential coupon of 7.5% and a first call date in late 2032. The lender, which rose 1.17%, had no comment when reached by.RBC Capital Markets upgraded its price target and earnings forecasts for Compagnie Financière Richemont (CFR.SW) after the sector perform-rated luxury goods company published its fiscal 2026 financial report."Richemont's 4Q26 confirmed strong Jewellery Maisons revenue momentum (+16%), though earnings uplift was more modest given softer gross margin, higher [operating expenses] (inc one-offs) and tax rate. For FY27E, we expect continued momentum for its Jewellery Maisons (+10%), although [we] do expect price increases to moderate somewhat in line with moderating gross margin headwinds, particularly in 2H27E. Raising revenue estimates by 3% and EPS by 2%, although we remain slightly below consensus. We roll forward our DCF, resulting in a revised [price target] of CHF 175 (from CHF 165)," the research firm said. Richemont edged up 0.66%.In economic news, Switzerland's watch exports tumbled 16.6% year over year to 2.13 billion francs in April, owing to a value decline across nearly all material categories, particularly precious metal watches and steel models, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.On the geopolitical front, Tehran is reviewing Washington's proposed temporary agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing Iran's Mehr News Agency. Iran has not responded to a proposed final text of the deal, according to the report.

$^SSMI$CFR.SW$RO.SW$UBSG.SW
Asia Markets

Germany's Blue-chip DAX Index Gains; Eurozone Inflation Accelerates

German equities wrapped up Tuesday's trading in the green, with the blue-chip DAX index up 0.48%, after the market assessed the latest eurozone inflation print, trade updates, and developments on the Middle East war.According to provisional data from Eurostat, annual inflation in the euro area stood at 3.2% in May, in line with market expectations and against the previous month's 3%. The core rate, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, stood at 2.5%, above the prior 2.2% and the expected 2.4%."A week ahead of the next [European Central Bank] meeting, this is the expected uptick in inflation that will motivate the central bank to decide on an 'insurance' hike," ING said. "With the war in the Middle East entering its fourth month, the energy price shock has become more permanent - even though oil prices are actually lower than what many had pencilled in for a more adverse scenario regarding the length of the war. This is also why there won't be any automatic shift in inflation and growth scenarios at the ECB's meeting next week."In trade news, the European Parliament's trade committee gave its preliminary approval for a trade agreement with the US. The approved measures cover changes to current legislation to enable the EU to scrap tariffs on American industrial goods and select farm products. A parliamentary plenary vote is expected on June 16, ahead of US President Donald Trump's threat of steeper levies if a trade pact is not finalized by July 4.On the geopolitical front, Reuters reported, citing Iran's Mehr News Agency, that Tehran is currently evaluating a proposed temporary peace agreement with the US. The report follows Trump's comments that negotiations between the two nations are ongoing and a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected over the next week.In corporate news, Infineon Technologies (IFX.F) surged to the top of the index, climbing 9.52%, after fellow semiconductor company STMicroelectronics raised its 2026 data center revenue targets amid robust artificial intelligence-related demand.Meanwhile, BofA Global Research reiterated Bayer's (BAYN.F) buy rating, with a price objective of 50 euros, as the research firm noted the German life science company's Glyphosate Missouri class action was transferred to the Northern California federal court under US District Judge Vince Chhabria. Bayer was one of the worst performers on the index, closing 2.93% lower."There is some debate on validity of the removal and whether there is any route to remanding it back to Missouri. It's unclear who has the final decision as to whether the class being removed was appropriate (the Missouri federal court or Chhabria), though some legal feedback suggests it may be Chhabria's decision. As a reminder, Chhabria was very negative on the class action in an oral argument a few weeks ago (but didn't get involved due to lack of jurisdiction) and he rejected Bayer's 2020 attempt at a class settlement. From here we see it unclear how timelines for Chhabria's involvement in the class evolve, or any appeals for remanding the class action back to Missouri, relative to the June 4th opt-out deadline (unchanged), and SCOTUS decision widely anticipated by end June/early July," BofA wrote.

$^DAX$BAYN.F$IFX.F
Asia Markets

British Equities Close in Green; British American Tobacco Affirms Outlook

London's FTSE 100 ended Tuesday trading 0.33% higher as investors examined the latest economic data against the backdrop of fragile Middle East peace efforts.Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK stood at 1.86 billion pounds sterling in April, little changed from the revised 1.9 billion pounds in March, according to Bank of England data. The consensus estimate for the month was 1.7 billion pounds. Meanwhile, net mortgage approvals for house purchases came in at 65,945, compared with the revised 63,979 in the prior month and the expected 62,000."UK bank lending growth shrugged off the rise in market interest rates during the first two months of the Iran war. Both corporate borrowing and mortgage lending remained robust in April, suggesting that higher fixed interest rates have so far failed to dampen demand much. If this continues, the Bank of England (BoE) will have to bear down on aggregate demand more forcefully by raising interest rates to ensure inflationary pressures do not spread," Berenberg said.Additionally, Deutsche Bank Research raised its full-year projection for British economic growth by 0.1 percentage point. "We have upgraded our 2026 [gross domestic product] outlook on the back of a slightly stronger Q1-26," economists said. "Indeed, we think the UK economy entered the Iran energy shock on a stronger footing. Stockpiling will also support activity as the lagged energy effects feed into inflation (and thus real disposable incomes). We remain cautious on the outlook from summer, as inflation bites into spending. Political uncertainty will also rear its head again, dampening investment and housing activity. Overall, we see GDP growth this year of 1% with activity rising to 1.2% next year and 1.6% in 2028."Speaking of the war, Tehran is reviewing a proposed temporary peace agreement with Washington after US President Donald Trump said discussions between the two sides are ongoing, Reuters reported, citing Iran's Mehr News Agency. Iran has not responded to a proposed final text of the deal, according to the report.In corporate news, British American Tobacco (BATS.L) upgraded its 2026 growth guidance for new categories, led by share gains for Velo nicotine pouches and Vuse vapors, keeping the overall group outlook unchanged. The stock sank 2.51% to become one of the worst performers on the blue-chip index."US vapour is the clear positive in today's print; however, weaker-than expected performance in [Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa] - driven by softness in Bangladesh and Heated Tobacco (ongoing destocking in Japan and high competition) - likely explains the absence of a guidance upgrade. We also believe management is opting to remain cautious at this stage, as elevated commodity prices are likely to weigh on consumer sentiment in 2H26 (Middle East). However, BAT flagged that there is no significant impact on Group's performance at this stage," BofA Global Research said, trimming its mid-term EPS estimates for the tobacco company.

$^FTSE$BATS.L