Total Return, Cars And Consumer Staples ETFs To Watch This Week

Last week the markets were spooked by the continued rise in the U.S. dollar index and seasonal unrest.

The week ahead features the release of construction, industrial manufacturing and employment data that could create an exciting end of the third quarter.

Here are the key ETFs to watch for the week of Monday, September 29:

PIMCO ETF Trust BOND

Bill Gross announced his departure from PIMCO on Friday in an unexpected turn of events that has many questioning the leadership at this bond fund giant. Gross was the lead portfolio manager of the exchange-traded fund BOND, which traded more than five million shares on Friday.

Related Link: Best And Worst ETFs Of The Week Amid Bond King's Departure

Expect this week to bring another round of uncertainty regarding the portfolio manager shakeup and additional heavy volume for this active fixed-income ETF. BOND faces another challenge as well: It is under the microscope by the Securities and Exchange Commission for alleged securities mispricing that pumped up returns.

First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund II CARZ

On Wednesday, October 1 auto manufacturers are expected to release their September sales data. The current expectation is for an annualized rate of 16.5 million cars sold.

This year so far has been a continued boom for the auto industry, which has continued to exceed expectations for sales.

However, these same manufacturers have been hit by significant recalls of older models that have restrained gains in their stock prices.

CARZ tracks 38 individual auto stocks that include: Toyota Motor Corp, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Company. This ETF has struggled to remain at the flatline this year and will need to see continued positive sales data to warrant another swing to the upside.

Consumer Staples Select Sect. SPDR XLP

Consumer staples companies were steady performers last week as growth oriented stocks came under fire. XLP is only half a percent away from its all-time high and continues to show strong relative performance during periods of uncertainty.

Any additional volatility during the remaining days of September or early October could be met with carry forward momentum in XLP. This sector will be one to watch over the coming weeks as third quarter earnings are announced.