Industrial ETFs Rise Against Negative Durable Goods Order Report (XLI, IYJ)

Industrials Select Sector SPDR XLI and Industrials iShares IYJ rose despite the negative “Durable Goods Orders” Report released earlier today by The US Department of Commerce.

Durable goods orders indicate demand for goods such as cars, airplanes and appliances; The US Department of Commerce said that overall demand for durable goods fell by .8% from September. Decreased orders for durable goods would indicate less demand and thus a slowing economy.

Industrial ETFs did not respond to the negative durable goods report however, as XLI increased .71% while Industrials iShares IYJ followed with an over 1% increase by the end of the trading day.

The surge in XLI and IYJ is likely due to large quarterly profit increases for large industrial goods provided by companies such as Caterpillar CAT and Detroit auto makers last month.

Although XLI and IYJ surged today, they are likely to fall as the US Economy still teeters on the brink of recession and the surge in car sales and machinery orders last month evens out. Also, the situation in Europe still remains tenuous and any hick-up in a bail-out plan across the Atlantic will have a direct effect on demand in the industrials marketplace, as a Euro hick-up would likely derail any signs of a US economic recovery.