XME SPDR S&P Metals and Mining

In 2013, iron had an overall good run compared to other base metals as prices and demand remained relatively strong. Ramp up in production by the major iron ore producers, increase in exports from Australia, Brazil and India will lead to a glut in iron supply in 2014. In case this excess supply is not matched by adequate demand, it will expose the market to the risk of a decline in prices.
 

The fate of iron ore prices now mainly hinges on Chinese demand.  A rebound in China’s metal imports along with improvement in global manufacturing will push iron ore prices upward. Furthermore, iron ore prices will be supported by increased demand from steel markets in India, Japan and South Korea. (Read: Oil Services ETFs in Focus on Schlumberger Earnings)

 
However, aluminum and copper did not enjoy a similar fate in 2013. As supply outpaced demand, aluminum prices slid downhill and recorded the lowest in November. Until the market can work its way out of the oversupply, aluminum producers will continue to face the brunt in the form of low prices. Furthermore, input costs are expected to pose challenges for the industry.
 
In the medium to long term, aluminum consumption is expected to improve on a global basis driven by the automotive and packaging industries. The automobile market is becoming increasingly aluminum-intensive and the global push to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles is expected to more than double the demand for aluminum in the auto industry by 2025. (Read: How will the Shipping ETF Sail in 2014)
 
For most part of 2013, oversupply and lack of demand kept copper prices in check. The scenario will continue in 2014 with demand and supply imbalances. Notwithstanding the current volatility in prices, we have a long-term bullish stance on copper, supported by its widespread use, limited supplies from existing mines and the absence of significant new development projects. Prices will be influenced by demand from China and emerging markets, economic activity in the U.S. and other industrialized countries.
 
Thus, in the metals market on the whole, increased supply and insufficient demand will continue to exert a downward pricing pressure on commodities over the short term. However, growth in the U.S. and an improving global macroeconomic scenario in tandem will boost demand in the industry. The long-term story for the industry remains intact as growth in the emerging markets, particularly in China and India, will be a major driver of metals demand.
 
ETFs to Tap the Sector
 
An ETF approach can help spread out assets among a variety of companies and reduce company-specific risk at a very low cost. There are currently two ETFs available to play this sector. (See all Materials ETFs Here)
 
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining (XME)
 
Launched in Jun 2006, XME seeks to replicate the S&P Metals and Mining Select Industry Index. The S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index represents the metals and mining sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index. With AUM of $589 million, XME is the largest and most popular fund in the metals and mining space.

It has a trading volume of roughly 2.9 million shares a day, suggesting little or no extra cost in the form of bid/ask spreads. The ETF is a low-cost choice, charging a net expense ratio of 35 basis points a year, while the dividend yield is 1.36% currently.
 
The fund currently holds 40 stocks in its basket, with only 34.12% of assets in the top 10 holdings with weightage of around 3% each. From a commodities perspective, the product is heavily weighted toward steel with 35% sector weightage, followed by diversified metal and mining (20%), coal and consumable fuels (16%), precious metals (11%), gold (10%), and aluminum (8%).
 
Among individual holdings, top stocks in the ETF include AK Steel Holding Corporation (AKS), Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (ANV), and Molycorp, Inc. (MCP) with asset allocation of 3.82%, 3.74% and 3.56%, respectively. (Read: MLP ETFs—Still Good for Income Investors?)
 
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Prdcrs (PICK)
 
The ETF seeks to match the price and yield performance of MSCI ACWI Select Metals & Mining Producers Ex Gold & Silver Investable Market Index.  This index measures the equity performance of companies in both developed and emerging markets that are primarily involved in the extraction and production of diversified metals, aluminum, steel and precious metals and minerals, excluding gold and silver.
 
Launched in Jan 2012, the fund has so far attracted AUM of $134 million. It has a trading volume of roughly 19,483 shares a day. The ETF is currently charging a net expense ratio of 39 basis points a year, with a dividend yield of 3.58%.
 
The fund currently holds 240 stocks with 99.66% sector weightage toward basic materials. The fund allocates nearly 52% of the assets in the top 10 firms, which suggests that company-specific risk is somewhat high, as the top 10 holdings dominate half of the returns.

Among individual holdings, top three stocks in the ETF include BHP Billiton Limited (BHP), Rio Tinto plc (RIO) and BHP Billiton plc (BBL) and with asset allocation of 13.3%, 8.2% and 7.8%, respectively.
 
The fund is widely diversified across various countries, and UK tops the list, holding 21.37% of the fund, followed by Australian (19.76%) and American securities (14.35%). These three nations make up for nearly 55% of the assets.
 
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BHP BILLITN LTD (BHP): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ISHARS-M GL M&M (PICK): ETF Research Reports
 
RIO TINTO-ADR (RIO): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
SPDR-SP MET&MIN (XME): ETF Research Reports
 
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