Technical Analysis - Dow and All Ords

For those following the Dow Jones and the All Ords index closely, you would have noticed the week before last that as the Dow powered on upwards, the All Ords retreated slightly for a few days before following the Dow again. But be mindful that those are daily trends. So let's look at what the weekly trend show us, in particular concerning the small pullback we had a few days ago.

Alert: Gann date 20 Nov!

Indeed there has been a minor dip or change in trend leading up to this date. Is this a trigger for a major reversal?

The weekly chart of the Dow Jones below is quite interesting. See how it has just reached and touching the Gann-5 line. Gann analysis does not claim that it will bounce back down or break through. What it does show us is to get us prepared, if it breaks this line strongly, then go long. On the other hand if it tumbles from this line, it may be a shorting opportunity. The breaking of the Gann-10 angle in May 2009, shows an example of how it can break the Gann angle.

Errata: The weekly charts of the All Ords for previous posts has an error where the 20max envelope was shifted. The new graph here has been corrected.

Turning back towards the All Ords, if you look at a recent daily chart (not shown here), you will notice the formation of head - shoulder pattern with the peaks at early Oct, early Nov and during the last week where the last shoulder might be forming. Looking at the weekly chart, over the last few weeks, the trend has come off the Gann+50 angle. Not only that, but the 20max envelope has also tapered off its rise. This pattern has occurred once before in the bull trend started at March 09, and that happened in early July 09. If it does follow the July 09 pattern, it will power on ahead. On the other hand the recent movement may be a good setup for a strong decline.

Analysis - GTG - Genetic Technologies

Source: http://ozstock.blogspot.com

Price($) 0.06
NTA ($) 0.04
P/NTA 1.57
Team 2.1
BurnPeriod 4.16
ProductPipe 15.9
ForeignMarket 7.8
Cash:Debt 20.07


GTG - Genetic Technologies was last analysed here at ozstock in June 27, 2007
(http://ozstock.blogspot.com/2007/06/analysis-gtg-genetic-technologies.html)
Since then a lot has changed for the company. We will start by looking at the figures, followed by a commentary of the company.

The company has a good record of maintaining very low debt. Although most startup biotechs have almost zero debt, relying purely on equity, GTG has ongoing operations and is not a startup. The amount of debt to finance its operations appears to be manageable. GTG has had strong cashflow from operations only for a brief period between Q4 2007 and Q1 2008 which was reflected in its share price which peaked at 55c compared to today's 5.6c. Its price to NTA is about 1.57 which is very favourable by Ozstock's standard while it has enough cash to burn for 4 quarters assuming cash burn is constant.

One of the original core focus of GTG is to license non-coding DNA and obtain licencing income. Its patent portfolio also covers international patents and hence the it reaches into foreign markets, hence the score 7.8. But the non-coding DNA licencing business has recently underperformed. Instead it appears GTG has diversified into related business of Cancer Screening, Animal genetic and fertility management and DNA Testing. This diversity has resulted in the Product Pipe score of 15.9. However, these businesses have yet to reverse the negative operational cash flow not to mention the significant annual losses. It has two research projects RareCellect and ImmunAid in which their developmental stages are not entirely clear.

To be frank, ozstock's interest in GTG was renewed by the recent announcement that GTG won the exclusive distribution agreement with Rosetta Genomics for Rosetta's microRNA testing. There are several key risks to consider in GTG, although its product pipe looks quite attractive. The risks include:
i) Products that have yet to provide convincing turnaround for the company.
ii) Board reshuffle resulting in a new combination of management team.
iii) Diversity of products may result in focussing on product with short term benefit at the expense of better long-term products.
iv) ability to remain a going-concern over the next 4 quarters.

Technical analysis alone has shown the share price hovering between 5c and 6c over the last few months, with the possibility of breaking the 6c in the next week. However, it would be prudent for the fundamental investor to wait for another 2 quarters of result to see evidence of a turnaround by the new management team.

ETFs: Buy Sell Indices and Metals on the ASX

Source: http://ozstock.blogspot.com

Update 2 Aug 2020

Technology ETFs:

ATEC - BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF

The index ATEC aims to track, the S&P/ASX All Technology Index.

The first ETF focused on providing access to Australia’s fast-growing technology sector and offers exposure to a diversified portfolio of dynamic ASX-listed tech players such as REA Group, Xero, Afterpay, WiseTech Global and carsales.com. 

ROBO - Invest in robotics, automation and artificial intelligence (RAAI) through the ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF. ROBO uses a full-replication strategy to track the index, meaning it holds all the shares that make up the index in proportion to their index weights. The index comprises up to 200 global companies related to robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence in areas such as manufacturing, 3D printing, logistics and security. 

Update 1 Aug 2015
ANZ Bank
ZGOL - Physical Gold
ZCNH - Physical Renminbi
ZUSD - Physical US Dollar

Exchange Traded Bonds / Fixed income
xtbs.com.au


Update 25 Nov 2012
ETF - UBS IQ Research Preferred Australian Share Fund. This ETF aims to replicate the performance of the UBS Research Preferred Index before fees and expenses. These are the shares that UBS has done research into, for their managed funds investments.


Update 16 Jul 2012
A few agriculture and metal commodities ETFs have been added to the ASX. A complete list of all ETFs can be seen at http://www.asx.com.au/products/managed-funds-product-list.htm
The agriculture commodities ETFs are:

ETPCMD - All Commodities (collateralised structured product)
ETPAGR - Agriculture (collateralised structured product)
ETPCRN - Corn (collateralised structured product)
ETPWHT - Wheat  (collateralised structured product)
ETPGRN - Grains  (collateralised structured product)

Metal Commodities ETFs:
ETPIND - Industrialised Metals (collateralised structured product)
ETPCOP  - Copper (collateralised structured product)

Energy Commodities ETFs
ETPNRG  - Energy (collateralised structured product)
ETPGAS - Natural Gas (collateralised structured product)
ETPOIL - Brent Crude  (collateralised structured product)

Update 11 Apr 2012
Some high dividend yielding shares are:
VHY - Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield
SYI - SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield
RDV - Russell High Dividend Australian Yield
IDF - iShares S&P / ASX High Dividend

Updated 22 Sep 2013
More high income ETFs
YMAX -BetaShares Australian Top20 Equity Yield Maximiser
IHD - iShares S&P/ASX High Dividend ETF
SYI - SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield
VHY - Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF

6 Nov 2016
HSVT Betashares Australian Dividend Harvester
WDIV SSgA S&P Global Dividend



Update 24 Apr 2012
A very comprehensive list of ETFs available in Australia can now be found at the Australian Stock Exchange ASX at: http://www.asx.com.au/products/managed-funds-product-list.htm
Just click at the "ETFs and ETCs" item at the website above.


Update 17 Sep 2012
Fixed Interest or Bonds ETFs are now available in the Australian market. More will be added soon, but here the few that are recently made available:

IAF - iShares UBS Composite Bond - fee 0.24%. The Fund invests primarily in investment grade fixed income securities issued by the Australian Commonwealth Government, Australian State-Governments, Supranational and Sovereign agencies and corporate debt issues that form the Index, and seeks to achieve its objective by employing an optimisation (stratified sampling) strategy to track the performance of the Index.

IGB - iShares UBS Treasury - fee 0.26%. The Fund invests primarily in investment grade fixed income securities issued by the Australian Commonwealth Government that form the Index, and seeks to achieve its objective by employing a full replication strategy to track the performance of the Index.

ILB - iShares UBS Government Inflation - fee 0.26%. The Fund invests primarily in investment grade fixed income securities issued by the Australian Commonwealth Government and Australian State-Governments that form the Index, and seeks to achieve its objective by employing an optimisation (stratified sampling) strategy to track the performance of the Index.

AAA - Betashares Australian High Interest Cash

Russell has also launched three fixed-income ETFs (updated 8 July)
RGB - Russell Australian Government Bond ETF - fee 0.24%
RSM - Russell Australian Semi-Government Bond ETF - fee 0.26%
RCB - Russell Australian Select Corporate Bond ETF - fee 0.28%


BOND - SPDR S&P/ASX Australian Bond Fund. The Fund seeks to closely track, before fees and expenses, the returns of the S&P/ASX Australian Fixed Interest Index. Our approach is designed to provide portfolios with low portfolio turnover, accurate tracking and lower costs.

GOVT - SPDR S&P/ASX Australian Government Bond Fund. The Fund seeks to closely track, before fees and expenses, the returns of the S&P/ASX Government Index. Our approach is designed to provide portfolios with low portfolio turnover, accurate tracking and lower costs.

GGOV - BetaShares Global Government Bond 20+ Year ETF – Currency Hedged

GGOV’s strategy is to invest in a portfolio of long-maturity bonds issued by governments of the G7 nations (USA, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France and Canada). Exposure is hedged into AUD.   Update 2 Aug 2020

Update 1 Aug 2015
VAF - Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest
VGB - Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index Fund

IHCB - iShares Global Corporate Bond (Hedged)  6 Nov 2016






Update 7 Feb 2012

QAG - ETF Betashares Agriculture - Currency Hedged - Synthetic
The Fund seeks to track the performance of the S&P GSCI Agriculture Enhanced Select Index Excess Return ("Index") hedged into Australian dollars, plus an interest component, before fees and expenses.

QCB - ETF Betashares Commodities Basket - Currency Hedged - Synthetic
The Fund seeks to track the performance of the S&P GSCI Light Energy Index Excess Return ("Index") hedged into Australian dollars, plus an interest component, before fees and expenses.

QCP - ETF Betashares Copper Index - Currency Hedged - Synthetic
The Fund seeks to track the performance of the S&P GSCI North American Copper Index Excess Return ("Index") hedged into Australian dollars, plus an interest component, before fees and expenses.



Update 15 Jan  2012
USD - BetaShares US Dollar ETF - If US$ goes up against AU$, then buy this. If US$ goes down against AU$, then sell this.
EEU - Beta Shares Euro ETF
POU - Beta Shares British Pound ETF

These currency ETF were introduced on Feb 2011. They allow for trading currency with much smaller cost than just buying and selling currency from banks or currency exchanges. The USD is supposed to hold actual US dollars in a JP Morgan Chase deposit account according to Money Magazine Dec 2011 issue.

OOO - Beta Shares Crude Oil ETF - also available. It tracks the Crude Oil Index which follows the West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures. This ETF is hedged.



Update 8 May  2011
AVOID buying the following ETFs if you don't want to be highly leveraged or speculative (see explanation soon)
QFN - BetaShares S&P/ASX 200 Financial Sector ETF
QRE - BetaShares S&P/ASX 200 Resources Sector ETF
by BetaPro management. There may be more of these coming......


The ETFs above are called synthetic ETFs. They are a new kind of ETFs which are partly composed of derivatives. This is unlike original ETFs which track their index by trading actual shares that the index is made up of. The original ETF is copying the index so it lets investor trading the index itself - what you see is what you get - and there are little surprises. The synthetic ETFs attempt to create the same movement as the underlying index, but actually make up of more exotic instruments such as derivatives. The risk profile is therefore different for the synthetic ETFs and their index. It will be particularly serious if market movement is so severe, such that the derivatives effect is even more severe, causing the companies backing synthetic ETFs to fail. In such cases the synthetic ETFs may collapse. This is an extreme but not impossible scenario.



Update 12 Dec 2010
iShares has recently added four more ETFs for Australian investors. The four ETFs are:


IOZ  iShares MSCI Australia 200
Aims to track the performance of the MSCI Australia 200 Index investing in the 200 largest companies in Australia.

ILC  iShares S&P/ASX 20
Aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 20 Index investing in the twenty largest blue chip companies in Australia.

IHD  iShares S&P/ASX High Dividend
Provides exposure to 50 large Australian companies with a particular focus on higher dividends

ISO iShares S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries
Aims to track the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries, an established index which represents small cap companies in Australia



Original Post
Over nearly the last 2 years, mum and dad investors as well as professional investors may heve been burned by the GFC - Global Financial Crisis. For most, it is bad enough that the shares in companies crashes, but for others trading derivatives like options, futures and CFDs (Contract For Difference) the exposure to individual companies may have been worse.

For some companies the share prices not only crashed but the companies themselves collapse and investors (non-creditors) usually get nothing. But even in the doom and gloom, some companies or sectors fare better than others.

One way to mitigate company risks is to buy or sell stock indices, like the S&P 500. This is not about trading in leveraged derivatives like options or futures, but rather trading in actual units of the indices. This is called Exchange Traded Funds or ETF in short.

ETFs are not only for stock indices, they also exist for commodity indices. Below is a list of the ETFs available to buy and sell just like a regular unit of share, in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), along with their respective ASX code.


Metal Commodities
GOLD Gold Bullion
ETPMAG Silver
ETPMPD Palladium
ETPMPT Platinum
ETPMPM Precious Metal Basket

State Street's Domestic Equity (started about 2001)
SFY SPDR S&P/ASX 50
STW SPDR S&P/ASX 200
SLF SPDR S&P/ASX Listed Property Funds

(iShares started about 2007)
International Emerging Nations Equity (as classified by iShares)
IZZ iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25
IBK iShares MSCI BRIC
IEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets
IKO iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund
ITW iShares MSCI Taiwan

International Developed Nations Equity (as classified by iShares)
IVE iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund - European, Australasian and Far East markets
IHK iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund
IJP iShares MSCI Japan
ISG iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund
IAA iShares S&P Asia 50
IEU iShares S&P Europe 350
IOO iShares S&P Global 100 - multinationals $US5bn+ cap
IXI iShares S&P Global Consumer Staples
IXJ iShares S&P Global Healthcare
IXP iShares S&P Global Telecommunications

US ETFs (iShares)
IVV iShares S&P 500 US large cap stocks
iHVV iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged (US Exposure)  6Nov 2016
IJH iShares S&P MidCap 400 US stocks
IJR iShares S&P SmallCap 600 US stocks
IRU iShares Russell 2000 US small cap stocks


(Vanguard started about 2009)
VAS Vanguard Australian Share Index ETF - top 300 Aust shares
VTS MSCI US Broad Market Index - overall US mkt
VEU Vanguard all world, ex US, Shares Index
VAP - Vanguard Australian Property Sector Index   Updated 8 Dec 2014
DJRE - SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate Fund    Updated 26 Apr 2015
VGAD Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares Hedged    6Nov 2016




Please let me know if you know of any ETFs trading in the ASx which are not listed here.

Note that a small amount of management fees may be build into the prices of these ETFs. In addition, foreign exchange rates also affect the prices. One example is today's Gold price is USD $942/oz but the ETFs GOLD share is AUD $114.6. However, ETFs seem to be as close as we can get to actually trading indices and commodities without actually trading the physical stuff.