The Q3 2015 earnings picture appears weak especially with companies struggling to beat even low top-line estimates and declining fourth-quarter estimates. Total earnings for 90.3% of the S&P 500 companies that have reported so far are down 2.5% on an annual basis with a beat ratio of 68.3% while revenues decreased 4.6% with a beat ratio of 39.8%. In fact, the revenue beat ratio is the lowest relative to the recent quarters.
Nevertheless, the technology sector bucked the revenue weakness and came up with better-than-expected results not only relative to pre-season expectations but also relative to the sector’s performance in the past quarters. Revenue surprise for the tech sector is 57.7%, just behind 58.3% for the medical sector. In terms of earnings surprises, transportation, conglomerates and medical are leading with impressive ratios of 85.7%, 83.3% and 81.3%, respectively (read: 5 Tech ETFs to Watch on Strong Earnings).
When it comes to stronger earnings growth rates, autos and transportation are the largest contributors with 30.7% and 22.5%, respectively. The other two sectors – medical and retail – also recorded double-digit earnings growth in Q3. With respect to revenues, retail has been trending up so far with growth of 18.4%, though results from about half of the retailers are still awaiting.
Considering all the key metrics, several equity ETFs have impressed with their performances and have generated handsome returns over the trailing one month. While there are winners in many corners of the space, below are five ETFs that buoyed up on robust earnings results and crushed the broad market fund (SPYÂ -Â ETF report) in the same period:
ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO - ETF report) – Up 11.4%
This fund targets companies with one or more drugs in Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials by tracking the Poliwogg Medical Breakthroughs Index. It provides a well spread out exposure to 81 stocks in its basket with none holding more than 4.92% share. SBIO is a small cap centric fund, having amassed $160.9 million in its asset base. The product charges 50 bps in fees per year from investors and trades in average daily volume of around 151,000 shares. It has a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 or ‘Buy’ rating (read: Biotech ETFs Looking Attractive After Sell-Off).
PowerShares Nasdaq Internet Portfolio (PNQI - ETF report) – Up 11.3%
This fund targets the Internet corner of the broad technology space by tracking the Nasdaq Internet Index and charges 60 bps in fees per year. With AUM of $223.2 million, it holds a basket of 94 securities with concentration on the top five holdings at around 40.9% share. Large caps account for 70% share while the rest are evenly split between mid and small caps. The fund trades in a light volume of around 19,500 shares a day. In terms of industrial exposure, Internet software and services makes up for 57% share, followed by Internet retail (38.1%). PNQI has a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 with a High risk outlook.
U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS - ETF report) – Up 11.03%
This fund provides exposure to the global airline industry, including airline operators and manufacturers from all over the world, by tracking the U.S. Global Jets Index. In total, the product holds 33 securities with double-digit allocation going to Southwest Airlines (LUVÂ -Â Analyst Report), American Airlines (AALÂ -Â Analyst Report), Delta Air Lines (DALÂ -Â Analyst Report), and United Continental (UALÂ -Â Analyst Report). Other firms hold less than 4.1% share. The ETF has a certain tilt toward large cap stocks at 62% while small and mid caps account for 24% and 14% share, respectively, in the basket. The fund has gathered $49.4 million in its asset base while sees moderate trading volume of nearly 63,000 shares a day. It charges investors 60 bps in annual fees (read:Â Highflier Airlines Earnings: Time for JETS ETF).
