Market Pulse: Safe-Haven Demand Drives Metals While Software Guidance Drags Tech

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Macro Overview

U.S. equity markets experienced a sharp divergence on Tuesday as a rotation out of mega-cap technology weighed on major indices despite a resilient showing in value and small-cap segments. The Large Cap S&P 500 (IVV) fell 0.85%, largely dragged down by “AI-bubble” concerns and disappointing software earnings, while broader market participation remained healthy with nearly 61% of constituents trading above their 50-day SMA. Developed Markets (EFA) and Emerging Markets (EEM) managed modest gains of 0.05% and 0.54% respectively, outperforming domestic large caps. Within fixed income, long-term treasuries (SPTL) saw strength as yields retreated slightly, while the commodity complex was dominated by a significant 6% surge in precious metals (DBP) as safe-haven demand accelerated.

U.S. Size & Style

The style box performance highlighted a distinct “risk-off” move within growth equities, as Large Growth (IVW) tumbled 1.62%, leaving it as the only style segment currently trading below its 50-day moving average (-1.14%). Conversely, Small Value (IJS) and Mid Value (IJJ) led the day with gains of 0.17% and 0.47%, benefiting from the rotation into lower-valuation cyclicals. Technically, Small Value (IJS) remains the most extended style, trading 13.70% above its 200-day moving average, while Large Growth (IVW) has seen its RSI compress to a neutral-to-soft 42.96.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Small Value (IJS) 0.17% 6.84% 11.43% 7.74% 14.88%
Mid Value (IJJ) 0.47% 4.02% 8.69% 5.19% 10.27%
Mid Cap (IJH) 0.19% 3.69% 7.44% 5.12% 10.10%
Small Cap (IJR) -0.09% 5.66% 9.15% 6.71% 11.40%
Mid Growth (IJK) -0.05% 3.41% 6.24% 5.03% 9.63%
Small Growth (IJT) -0.33% 4.51% 6.87% 5.62% 8.10%
Large Value (IVE) -0.05% 2.90% 5.50% 3.23% 14.06%
Large Cap (IVV) -0.85% 0.93% 1.21% 1.11% 16.78%
Large Growth (IVW) -1.62% -0.87% -2.38% -0.80% 18.87%

U.S. Sectors & Industries

Energy (XLE) and Materials (XLB) dominated the sector leaderboard, rising 3.24% and 2.11% respectively, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East sparked a rally in oil. Energy is now deeply overbought with an RSI of 73.61, while showing 100% breadth above its 200-day SMA. At the opposite end, Technology (XLK) fell 2.19% following soft guidance from major software and fintech components. The Technology sector is now the most technically damaged from a price-action standpoint, trading 6.57% below its 52-week high and 2.04% below its 50-day moving average.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Energy (XLE) 3.24% 13.19% 18.23% 15.57% 21.10%
Materials (XLB) 2.11% 9.93% 19.71% 11.80% 16.34%
Consumer Staples (XLP) 1.62% 10.53% 14.38% 10.54% 11.26%
Utilities (XLU) 1.45% 0.14% -2.27% 1.29% 13.58%
Industrials (XLI) 0.84% 6.94% 9.79% 8.91% 25.01%
Real Estate (XLRE) -0.37% 1.06% 1.04% 1.14% 2.06%
Consumer Discretionary (XLY) -0.80% 2.23% 0.11% 1.32% 6.52%
S&P 500 (SPY) -0.85% 0.93% 1.20% 1.12% 16.70%
Financial (XLF) -0.93% -2.55% 3.00% -2.26% 5.87%
Health Care (XLV) -1.02% -0.91% 7.13% -0.45% 6.35%
Communication Services (XLC) -1.61% 0.72% 3.99% 0.02% 16.14%
Technology (XLK) -2.19% -1.54% -5.74% -1.31% 25.56%

Global Thematic

Thematic performance was split between a massive rally in mining-linked assets and a collapse in cloud-based technology. Silver Miners (SLVR) and Junior Silver Miners (SILJ) surged over 7%, driven by a significant bounce in underlying metal prices following recent volatility. Meanwhile, the Cloud Computing (WCLD) and FinTech (FINX) themes each plunged over 6% as software-as-a-service (SaaS) valuations faced intense scrutiny amid a shifting interest rate outlook.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day %
Daily Leaders
Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver (SLVR) 7.42%
Amplify Junior Silver Miners (SILJ) 7.01%
Sprott Copper Miners (COPP) 6.94%
iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners (SLVP) 6.69%
Sprott Junior Uranium Miners (URNJ) 6.64%
Daily Laggards
First Trust SkyBridge Crypto Industry & Digital Economy (CRPT) -6.49%
WisdomTree Cloud Computing Fund (WCLD) -6.48%
VanEck Alternative Asset Manager (GPZ) -6.10%
Global X FinTech (FINX) -6.08%
Global X Cloud Computing (CLOU) -5.62%

Developed ex-U.S. & Emerging Markets

International markets were buoyed by a substantial rally in South Korea (EWY), which rose 2.80% as defense and industrial exports fueled bullish sentiment; South Korea is now the most overextended country globally, trading 51.35% above its 200-day SMA. Mexico (EWW) and Brazil (EWZ) also saw significant gains of 4.41% and 1.58% respectively as regional metal and energy prices improved. In contrast, China (MCHI) and the Netherlands (EWN) were primary laggards, with the latter weighed down by its high concentration in semiconductor-related capital equipment.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Developed Markets
South Korea (EWY) 2.80% 21.62% 26.16% 27.87% 138.20%
Japan (EWJ) 0.92% 6.58% 7.56% 7.36% 34.04%
Australia (EWA) 0.61% 6.23% 6.57% 7.37% 18.57%
Canada (EWC) 0.53% 1.20% 9.20% 1.69% 37.26%
Hong Kong (EWH) 0.52% 6.86% 9.67% 9.98% 51.09%
Germany (EWG) 0.07% 2.23% 6.36% 2.38% 30.31%
Dev ex-U.S. (EFA) 0.05% 4.54% 9.27% 5.64% 34.18%
France (EWQ) 0.02% 0.84% 4.20% 1.56% 23.74%
U.K. (EWU) -0.15% 4.52% 11.38% 5.66% 37.02%
Switzerland (EWL) -0.58% 2.57% 12.28% 3.22% 28.08%
Netherlands (EWN) -1.39% 5.56% 9.53% 8.54% 42.67%
Emerging Markets
Mexico (EWW) 4.41% 13.06% 21.23% 13.60% 62.84%
South Africa (EZA) 1.79% 7.44% 23.37% 8.37% 81.87%
Brazil (EWZ) 1.58% 18.14% 25.02% 19.74% 58.09%
Indonesia (EIDO) 1.03% -6.49% -3.74% -5.94% 0.27%
Emerging (EEM) 0.54% 5.97% 8.64% 8.94% 43.92%
Thailand (THD) 0.49% 5.69% 6.42% 6.12% 14.46%
Malaysia (EWM) 0.34% 7.29% 14.69% 7.53% 30.60%
Taiwan (EWT) -0.16% 6.27% 7.63% 8.34% 41.15%
India (INDA) -0.24% -2.58% -2.01% -1.67% 4.42%
China (MCHI) -0.88% -1.88% -2.72% 1.66% 29.83%

Fixed Income

Fixed income markets showed localized strength in long-duration assets and international treasuries as market participants reassessed global policy paths. International Local Treasuries (IGOV) led the complex with a 0.38% gain, while Emerging Markets Local Currency (EMLC) outperformed its USD-denominated peers. Credit-sensitive segments faced headwinds, with Preferred Stock (PFF) and Bank Loans (BKLN) each falling as equity volatility and technical shifts in the leveraged loan market pressured performance.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Multisector
Taxable Long Term (BLV) 0.12% 0.26% -0.78% 0.07% 5.43%
Taxable Multisector (PYLD) 0.11% 0.60% 1.87% 0.71% 9.26%
Taxable Short-Term (BSV) 0.03% 0.13% 0.91% 0.12% 5.74%
Taxable Core Enhanced (IUSB) 0.02% 0.23% 0.72% 0.20% 6.95%
Taxable Core (AGG) 0.01% 0.17% 0.60% 0.14% 6.70%
Government
Government Long (SPTL) 0.23% 0.01% -1.65% -0.18% 3.97%
Inflation Protected (TIP) 0.16% 0.46% 0.09% 0.42% 5.52%
Taxable Ultrashort (BIL) 0.00% 0.27% 0.92% 0.31% 4.08%
Government Intermediate (SPTI) 0.00% -0.09% 0.40% -0.16% 6.62%
Government Short (SPTS) 0.00% 0.14% 0.89% 0.11% 4.94%
Specialty
Convertible (CWB) 0.03% 3.74% 1.03% 5.31% 19.54%
Mortgage Backed (MBS) 0.02% 0.47% 1.22% 0.38% 8.25%
Corporate (SPIB) -0.03% 0.18% 1.18% 0.21% 7.52%
Taxable High Yield (HYG) -0.06% 0.56% 2.17% 0.61% 7.92%
Bank Loans (BKLN) -0.29% -0.92% 0.66% -0.87% 5.57%
Preferred Stock (PFF) -0.38% 0.79% 2.40% 1.80% 6.14%
International & EM
International Local (IGOV) 0.38% 1.88% 2.21% 1.73% 11.67%
Emerging Local (EMLC) 0.31% 2.05% 5.19% 2.29% 19.10%
Emerging USD (EMB) 0.02% 0.29% 1.42% 0.31% 12.12%
International USD (BNDX) -0.04% 0.44% -0.20% 0.42% 2.72%
Municipals
Municipal Long (MLN) 0.11% -0.01% 0.05% 0.32% 2.53%
Municipal Short (SUB) 0.01% 0.56% 1.44% 0.59% 3.76%
Municipal Intermediate (MUB) -0.03% 0.62% 1.34% 0.75% 4.40%
Municipal High Yield (HYD) -0.04% 0.01% 1.20% 0.09% 2.61%

Commodities

Commodities indices surged on Tuesday, led by a violent upside move in Precious Metals (DBP), which climbed over 6%. Gold (GLD) and Silver (SLV) futures both rebounded sharply from recent lows as traders sought safety amidst Middle East drone interceptions and a softening U.S. dollar. Energy (DBE) and Gasoline (UGA) also posted multi-percentage point gains as supply-side risks re-entered the global narrative.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Broad Commodities (DJP) 2.87% 9.34% 11.69% 9.52% 21.00%
Agriculture
Sugar (CANE) 2.50% -1.46% 0.21% -3.23% -17.53%
Soybeans (SOYB) 0.59% 1.97% -5.20% 1.78% -0.80%
Corn (CORN) 0.52% -1.47% -3.34% -2.03% -13.11%
Wheat (WEAT) 0.49% 3.35% -4.53% 3.51% -17.32%
Broad-based (DBA) 0.39% 0.74% -0.92% 0.90% -3.50%
Energy
Gasoline (UGA) 3.63% 11.23% 2.65% 10.38% 4.13%
WTI Crude Oil (USO) 2.84% 12.34% 6.50% 12.02% -0.45%
Brent Crude Oil (BNO) 2.69% 13.70% 8.26% 13.42% 3.41%
Broad-based (DBE) 2.43% 11.58% 4.71% 11.14% 4.82%
Natural Gas (UNG) 2.20% 7.63% -5.67% 5.87% -26.42%
Industrial Metals
Copper (CPER) 4.46% 7.15% 19.82% 7.21% 38.00%
Broad-based (DBB) 2.59% 4.95% 13.16% 5.27% 31.10%
Precious Metals
Gold (GLD) 6.36% 14.06% 23.19% 14.63% 74.77%
Silver (SLV) 6.24% 17.05% 75.87% 19.47% 168.43%
Broad-based (DBP) 6.02% 13.77% 31.56% 14.93% 85.21%
Platinum (PPLT) 4.08% 4.16% 42.44% 8.67% 129.41%
Palladium (PALL) 2.29% 7.21% 21.93% 9.86% 72.63%

Cryptocurrency

Digital assets faced broad selling pressure as risk appetite evaporated in the wake of technology weakness. Solana (SOLZ) was the day’s worst performer, falling 2.65%, followed closely by Multi-Coin composites (NCIQ) and Bitcoin (IBIT). Ethereum (ETHA) showed relative resilience but still ended the day 0.91% lower. Sentiment remains fragile as Bitcoin has retraced nearly 28.5% over the last three months, currently trading significantly below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Solana (SOLZ) -2.65% -23.19% -39.31% -18.97% N/A
Multi-Coin (NCIQ) -2.17% -17.22% -30.10% -14.42% N/A
Bitcoin (IBIT) -2.08% -15.00% -28.47% -12.79% -24.80%
Ethereum (ETHA) -0.91% -26.46% -35.99% -22.69% -15.54%
XRP 0.00% -18.60% N/A -11.94% N/A

What to Watch Today

Investors are closely monitoring the fallout from a string of software earnings misses, which have sparked fears of a broader slowdown in AI-related infrastructure spend. While a partial government shutdown has officially delayed the release of January’s job creation and unemployment data until federal funding resumes, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for December remains a key focal point for assessing labor market tightness. Furthermore, geopolitical developments in the Middle East continue to hold a massive premium on energy and precious metal prices, with any further escalation likely to drive additional safe-haven rotation. Market participants are also keeping a wary eye on the 10-year Treasury yield, which touched a multi-month high today before slightly paring gains.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. All investments, including ETFs, involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.

This analysis was developed by the team at ETF Action. We leverage advanced AI tools to assist in the drafting and refinement of our content, based on our expert prompts, direction, and final review.