SMF Notes Currency, world region, commodity futures,

 & domestic sector ETF & ETN performance- US Retailers (XRT) a top performing sector at midday; Sugar (SGG) & Cocoa (NIB) advance in the CRB; VIX futures (VXX) ease as spot VIX slides back towards the 20 level; Emerging mkts. (INP, VNM) remain weak

ETFs and ETNs Posting Relative Strength & Outperformance:
sugar futures- SGG +2.5%, US retailers- XRT +2%, cocoa futures- NIB +2%, biotechnology- BBH +2%, IBB +1.25%, XBI +1.25%, airlines- FAA +1.75%, metal miners- XME +1.25%, REMX +1.75%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB +1.5%, ITB +1%, healthcare & pharma- IHF +1.5%, IYH +1%, and REITS & real estate- ICF +1.25%, IYR +1.25%, VNQ +1.5%

ETFs and ETNs Posting Relative Weakness & Underperformance:
VIX futures- VXX -3.75%, VXZ -2%, emerging mkts.- INP -2.25%, PIN -1.75%, VNM -1.75%, GULF -1.5%, PMNA -1.25%, TUR -1.25%, EWH -1%, EPU -1%, RSX -1%, coffee futures- JO -2.25%, physical platinum- PPLT -1.75%, uranium & nuclear energy- URA -1.5%, NLR -1%, heating oil futures- UHN -1.25%, Brent crude futures- BNO -1%, & wind energy- FAN -1%