5 ETFs to Watch This Week

Here are five ETFs to watch this week.

Industrial Select Sector SPDR(XLI)

The industrials have run into trouble the past few months as investors have begun to question the strength of the global economy. Since its July breakdown, shares of XLI have struggled to recover lost ground, as the fund has jockeyed back and forth along a generally sideways path.

During the middle and latter half of the week, investors can expect to uncover important clues regarding the current state and future prospects for this sector. Sprinkled within the busy earnings calendar are names including United Technologies(UTX), General Electric(GE), Honeywell(HON) and Union Pacific(UNP). All of these firms are among XLI's top holdings.

Fans of the transportation sector will want to keep close watch on this week's earnings. Aside from UNP, fellow railroad goliaths including CSX(CSX) and Kansas City Southern(KSU) will be on tap. Southwest Airlines(LUV) will also report. Investors looking for dedicated exposure to the transportation sector can turn to the iShares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund(IYT).

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Telecommunications Sector Index Fund(IYZ)

Although only two of IYZ's top holdings are up for earnings this week, the respective performances from AT&T(T) and Verizon Communications(VZ) (VZ) will have heavily influence the fund's action.

Telecommunication ETFs like IYZ are designed to provide investors with expansive exposure to t! his mark et segment. However given the dominance of AT&T and Verizon, many of these products dedicate the lion's share of their portfolio to these two companies. In the case of IYZ, nearly one-third of the fund's portfolio is dominated by the two companies.

IYZ will be interesting to watch as these two telecom goliaths report their quarterly results. Investors looking to get in on the action need to be cautious. In order to protect against the risks associated with a top-heavy product like IYZ, exposure must be kept small and focused.

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Sector Index Fund(IYW)

Google's strong earnings performance set the stage for what could be an impressive showing from the technology sector over the next few weeks. In the days ahead, investors will have their sights set on companies such as Apple(AAPL), Intel(INTC), EMC(EMC), and Microsoft(MSFT) as they prepare to report their own earnings numbers and outlooks. International Business Machines(IBM) will kick off this week's tech earnings today.

In recent pieces, I have directed investor attention towards subsector products like the iShares S&P North America Technology Software Index Fund(IGV) and the First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund(FDN) as being attractive ways to target specific aspects of the tech sector. While these products remain attractive, those looking for a way to cast a wide net over the sector may want to consider looking to the IYW.

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index Fund(IYG)

Whereas Google's earnings numbers provided a dose of optimism, banking giant JPMo! rgan (JPM) reminded investors the markets are still battling against hurdles. Despite beating analyst expectations, the firm noted that its income saw a 4% dip, pressured by ongoing global market turmoil.

Fitch did little to ignite confidence following JPMorgan's disappointing quarterly report. Last week, the company placed a collection of U.S. and European banks on review for a possible downgrade.

This week, investors will uncover additional clues regarding the state of the U.S. financial system as companies such as Citigroup(C), Wells Fargo(WFC), Bank of America(BAC) and Goldman Sachs(GS) release their earnings. While these earnings are interesting to watch, I would encourage conservative investors to stick to the sidelines.

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund(THD)

The first half of October have been promising for Thailand's markets, as indicated by THD's impressive multi-week bounce off of its September lows. While this run-up may be alluring, conservative investors may want to hold off before jumping in.

Analysts have been watching Thailand closely as the nation takes steps to defend against rising flood waters brought on by heavy monsoon season rains. Government officials have attempted to determine the economic impact this natural phenomenon could have on the Thai economy. The nation's Deputy Prime Minister warned last week that the damage could slash GDP growth by 0.6% to 0.9%.