Commodity exchange traded funds have enjoyed greater investment interest this year as a recovery in oil prices and resurgence in safe-haven gold bets helped attract steady inflows.
According to BlackRock data, commodities-related exchange traded products attracted $27.7 billion in net inflows over the first six months of the year, compared to the $7.7 billion in net inflows for the same period last year and the total $12.0 billion in inflows for all of 2015. Year-to-date, the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD), which tracks a basket of physical gold bullion, has been the most popular ETF play.
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The PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (NYSEArca: DBC), which offers exposure to multiple commodities, has been a solid performer this year, too. Another name in the diversified commodities ETF group to consider is the iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (NYSEArca: GSG).
On the supply side, U.S. crude oil production is faltering, which has helped support crude prices. Moreover, the depreciating U.S. dollar has helped support demand for commodities as an alternative hard asset or a better store of wealth.
The U.S. dollar has previously rallied on expectations for a tighter U.S. monetary policy, which would diminish the amount of dollars sloshing around the economy and prop up the greenback against foreign currencies.