With World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden upon us, it’s no wonder there are many news stories cropping up detailing the looming water crisis around the world.

It was reported in a recent Reuters news story that a third of the world is facing water shortages because of poor management of water resources  and soaring usage driven mainly by agriculture.

Said Frank Rijsberman, the Director of the International Water Management Institute, “Without improvements in water productivity … the consequences of this will be even more widespread water scarcity and rapidly increasing water prices.” He went on to say, “The water is there, the rainfall is there, but the infrastructure isn’t there.”

The BBC reports that the world’s supply of fresh water is running out.  Already, one in five people have no access to safe drinking water…..

Please see the entire post at the the neglected ETF Central portal (someday I hope to post there more frequently.. someday 🙂

The following table shows the ETFs with greatest demand (as measured by price and volume movement over the past 20 trading days).  The DI score (for 20 and 40 trading days) is a proprietary indicator of SelfInvestors.com and measures price and volume movements.  The higher the score, the healthier the demand.  Of course this indicator is best used in conjunction with other information, such as where the price is in relation to key support and resistance levels (such as the 50 and 200 DMA), which can be seen in the last 2 columns. 

For example, BHH is showing great demand over the last 2 months, but currently sits below resistance of the 200 day moving average.  This could indicate that a bottom has been found, but probably still too early to initiate a position.  Particularly of interest to me are the ETF’s showing great demand, above both support levels, but very near the 50 day moving average.  So I’ll pull up the charts of IGW, LQD, IGE, EWM, EWA and GLD to see if the price is moving up from below or dropping to meet support of the 50 day moving average.  I focus on stocks/ETF’s that are dropping to meet support after rising above.  The only ETF I would eliminate from considering for a long position is LQD which has to prove itself above resistance of the 50 day moving average.

Of the group, the Ishares Semiconductor ETF (IGW) looks the most promising to me, surprisingly enough.  Both the Ishares (IGW) and Holders Trust Semi (SMH) have held up very well during the recent downturn and continue to look strong.

The following table is a list of ETF’s showing the least demand.  Not surprising to see real estate ETF’s at the top of this list.  Using this list could provide some short candidates by looking at those below support and fighting resistance.  In fact, both Ishares Realty ETF’s (ICF and IYR) look like promising short candidates with good liquidity.

It’s been some time since I’ve posted ETF movers and today is a good day to begin again considering today’s move is a significant one.  The Nasdaq is clearing key resistance at 2200 and looks like it will hold above that level into the close.  However, today’s move is lacking oomph as indicated by the lack of ETFs making a big move today.  In addition, volume levels for the major market tracking ETF’s (QQQQ, SPY and DIA) are running below average at this point in the trading day with volume 9%, 18% and 41% below average.  (Data as of 2:30EST)

Note: The DI scores measure the demand of the ETF using price and volument movements.  The higher the score, the greater the demand for the fund.  The China Ishares ETF is making another big move today, as it has over the past couple of weeks.  The fund showing the greatest demand over the past 20 days is the Ishares Malaysia (EWM) ETF with a score of 26.  The following table shows the top 10 over the past 20 days.

The market is following through nicely, adding to Friday’s gains.  It appears we’ll get another day of accumulation as volume on the major indices are ahead of Friday’s session.  Today, small caps lead the way as indicated by the movement in the small cap Ishares ETF’s.  As far as specific industries -technology, select emerging markets (Canada again!) and some basic materials/commodites are doing very well.  Nice move in Dynamic Materials (BOOM) today.  Add transportation to the mix as well. (Data as of 3PM EST)

The market continues to show its resiliency today and is battling resistance areas in the Dow (10440) and the Nasdaq at 2100.  However, volume is not particulary heavy today considering the magnitude of the move.  If the Dow and Nasdaq can hold above resistance levels and volume picks up significantly above the average levels in the last hour of trading, it would be a BIG step in the right direction.

Here’s a look at the ETF’s that are moving with volume today (data as of 2:30 EST):

You see that semis, healthcare related stocks and select software are doing well.  How about the Canada ETF!  It broke out of a nice looking base with volume yesterday and looks very strong.

Note: The DI 20 and 40 scores are proprietary indicators of SelfInvestors.com that measure demand in a stock based on price and volume movements over a period of 20 and 40 days.  The higher the score, the greater the demand.  It’s not surprising that the Biotech ETF (IBB) is showing the highest DI scores in the chart above.  Take a look at the chart and you’ll see high volume buying and low volume selling.  It has soared above resistance of the 50 and 200 day moving averages in the last couple of weeks.

Volume is accelerating during the selloff over the last hour or so as key support levels in the major indices approach.  Here’s a look at which areas of the market are moving with volume today. Data as of 3PM EST.  The only bright spot today appears to be the semis.

I’ve had some problems with my ETF database recently, but it’s now back in working order.. so I’ll begin posting more ETF movers.

Looking at today’s ETF movers, it’s clear that today’s rally isn’t really all that impressive.  With the exception of utilities, there isn’t much moving with heavy volume. (Data as of 2:30PM EST)

(Data as of 2PM EST)

The major indices are breaking out above major resistance today with good volume.  As it has over the past few days, technology leads the way once again.   Today’s move is a signal to become more aggressive on the long side.

(Data as of 2:45PM EST)

Quite a divergence between tech and the rest of the market today.  Money continues to flow out of energy and materials as we close in on the possibility of yet another day of distribution.

Here are today’s ETFs on the move.  Healthcare, Energy & Materials are getting hit today, while tech is bucking the trend with a strong performance.