ETFs & Stocks Gaining From S&P 500's Record Run

The S&P 500 index hasn’t logged a fall of at least 3% since Nov 7, 2016, as per an article published on MarketWatch. This marked the longest winning streak since 1996. No North Korea-induced geopolitical tensions, no hurricanes, no political entanglement in Europe, no Fed rate hikes and uncertainty over the Trump tax plan could come in the way of the index (read: ETF Strategies to Benefit from North Korea Tensions).

Rather hopes of deregulation and tax cuts as well as improving global economy kept pushing the markets higher, barring some occasional blips. The index is up about 20% since Nov 7, 2016.

Below we highlight a few ETFs and stocks that gained from the S&P 500’s record run, Trump bump and an improving U.S. economy.

ProShares Ultra S&P500 ETF (BO:SSO)

This is one of the most popular and liquid ETFs in the leveraged space with AUM of more than $2.0 billion. The fund seeks to deliver twice the return of the index, charging investors 0.89% in expense ratio. The fund has gained 45.9% since Nov 7, 2016 (read: S&P 500 Hits 2,500 Mark: How to Trade With ETFs).

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 1.25x Shares LLSP

This ETF offers 125% exposure to the S&P 500 Index. It charges just 25 bps in annual fees. It has accumulated $64.9 million in its asset base and has added about 28.3% since Nov 7.

Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2x Shares SPUU

This product also provides two times (2x) exposure to the index, charging a lower fee of 60 bps. It has $3.8 million in AUM. The fund has added about 27.1% since Nov 7.

ProShares UltraPro S&P500 ETF (MCX:UPRO)

Investors having a more bullish view and higher risk appetite could find UPRO interesting as the fund provides three times (3x) exposure to the index. The ETF charges slightly higher fee of 94 bps per year. It has amassed about $999.1 million in its asset base so far and is up about 75.6% since Nov 7.

Stock Picks

Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN)

Align Technology manufactures and markets the Invisalign System, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion. The VGM (Value, Growth, Momentum) score of the stock is B at the time of writing. The stock is up 124% since Nov 7.

NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE:NRG)

The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating facilities, primarily in the United States. The VGM score of the stock is C at the time of writing. The stock is up 124.4% since Nov 7.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)

The company and markets small molecule drugs that address major unmet medical needs. The stock has a VGM sore of B and is up about 85.8% since Nov 7.

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU)

The company’s business segments include Computer and Networking Business Unit (CNBU), Mobile Business Unit (MBU), Storage Business Unit (SBU) and Embedded Business Unit (EBU). With a VGM score of A, the stock is now up 137.8% since Nov 7.

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