When looking to evaluate ETF’s, MarketGrader’s new ETFGrader application adopts a bottom-up approach based on our fundamental analysis. Utilizing StockGrader , we analyze each component’s fundamentals and issue an overall rating for each company in the ETF. We then calculate a weighted average of all components in the ETF, based on the underlying index’s calculation methodology, to arrive at its average overall grade, which is therefore derived from the fundamental strength of its components.

The fundamental rating that we assign each component takes into account four main indicators and 24 sub-indicators. The four main indicators are: Growth, Value, Profitability, and Cash Flow. Each indicator is divided into six sub-indicators such as Growth Potential, Capital Structure, Return on Equity, and Debt/Cash Flow Ratio. The grades for all indicators are then compiled into our overall company rating, or overall grade. Once we have our component ratings, we then calculate our ETF ratings based on a weighted average that takes into account both the components of the ETF and the weight in the portfolio.

Currently the 5 highest rated sector ETF’s in MarketGrader all belong to the Technology sector, and, more specifically, 3 of the 5 track the Semiconductors industry. The following is the list of our top 5 ETF’s complete with their average ETF grade and rating, their average sentiment, the two highest rated components, and the two lowest rated components. Note that grades that are 60 or higher denote a “Buy,” grades between 50 and 60 denote a “Hold,” and grades below 50 denote a “Sell.”

1. HOLDRS Semiconductor (SMH)

HOLDRS Semiconductor received an ETF average grade of 77.8 (out of 100). The market sentiment for SMH is currently positive. The two highest rated components in SMH are Intel Corp (INTC), which has an overall grade of 91.8 and Altera Corp (ALTR), with an overall grade of 86.0. The two lowest rated components are LSI Corp (LSI), with a 46.8, and National Semiconductor Co (NSM), with a 59.4.

2. IShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund (SOXX)

IShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund received an ETF average grade of 72.0. The market sentiment for SOXX is currently neutral. The two highest rated components in SMH are Intel Corp (INTC), with an overall grade of 91.8 and Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS), with an 89.0. The two lowest rated components are NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), with an overall grade of 27.7, and NetLogic Microsystems Inc (NETL), with a 30.3.

3. IShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index Fund (IYW)

IShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index Fund received an ETF average grade of 71.8. The market sentiment for IYW is currently neutral. IYW’s two highest rated components are Intel Corp (INTC), with an overall grade of 91.8 and Apple (AAPL), with an 88.0. The two lowest rated components are Ciena Corp (Cien), 18.7, and Diebold Inc (DBD), 19.1.

4. HOLDRS Internet Architecture (IAH)

HOLDRS Internet Architecture received an ETF average grade of 71.8. The market sentiment for IAH is currently positive. IAH’s two highest rated components are Apple (AAPL), 88.0, and Hewlett Packard (HPQ), with an overall grade of 72.2. The two lowest rated components are Sycamore Networks Inc (SCMR), 14.6, and Ciena Corp (CIEN), 18.7.

5. Powershares Dynamic Semiconductors (PSI)

Powershares Dynamic Semiconductors received an ETF average grade of 71.8. The market sentiment for PSI is currently positive. PSI’s two highest rated components are Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc (KLIC), which has an overall grade of 93.5, and Veeco Instruments (VECO), with an 87.2. The two lowest rated components are NVidia Corp (NVDA), with a 44.2, and Electro Scientific Industries (ESIO), with a 54.2.

For the complete rankings of al sector or industry based ETFs in MarketGrader, please click here.

Amid an uncertain economic climate investors should be looking not only for companies that are able to survive an economic downturn but also for those that might actually benefit from taking market share from weaker rivals that may be too busy defending their turf or simply focused on surviving a weak economy. A good place to find these companies is MarketGrader’s Cash Kings idea list, one of 22 unique lists published daily for our subscribers.  In order to qualify as a ‘Cash King,’ a company must have an overall ‘Buy’ rating from MarketGrader, a Cash Flow overall grade of at least A- and a minimum of $1 billion in cash on hand. Our current list, available for free to all visitors as the Idea List of the Week, includes a total of 113 companies. 22 of them have at least $10 billion in cash on hand and 36 have a market cap of at least $50 billion; this is clearly a list of mostly large cap companies, with the smallest one, BBVA Banco Frances SA Buenos Aires (BFR), having a capitalization of $1.8 billion. And very telling perhaps of investor preference for safer, solid companies amid the recent market downturn, only five of the companies on the list have a Negative Sentiment rating, while 30 have a Neutral Sentiment rating and 78 have a Positive Sentiment rating.

The following are a few of the highlights of the top ten Cash Kings on MarketGrader.com:

1. Intel Corp (NASD: INTC)

Intel, which was recently the highest overall graded company in all of MarketGrader, has only $2.14 billion in total debt, compared to $11.90 billion in cash on hand. The company received an A+ grade in 4 of the 6 indicators that make up our Cash Flow category: EBITDA Margin, Debt/Cash Flow Ratio, Interest Coverage Capacity and Economic Value. Intel has an overall grade of 91.8 (out of 100).

2. Cliff’s Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF)

Cliff’s Natural Resources, with an overall grade of 89.0, saw its cash flow grow considerably in its latest quarter to $106.90 million, a 60.27% increase from $66.70 million reported in the year earlier period. The company’s liquidity is not only remarkable but the current amount of debt it carries relative to the cash flow it generates from its operations is even lower now than it was a year ago. It received an A+ grade in 3 of our 6 Cash Flow indicators: Cash Flow Growth, Debt/Cash Flow Ratio and Retention Rate.

3. Apple Inc. (NASD: AAPL)

Apple is truly a cash machine, generating almost $6 billion in free cash flow per quarter and more than $23 billion over the last 12 months.  Its cash flow grew considerably in its latest quarter to $6.22 billion, a 166.91% increase from $2.33 billion reported in the year earlier period. When compared to the 96.25% increase in cash flow in the last twelve months it seems like the rate of growth is accelerating, which could have a very positive impact on earnings growth in coming quarters. The company clearly has very strong liquidity having no debt to finance and $29.23 billion in cash on hand. This affords it significant flexibility to take on debt if it wanted to pursue new growth opportunities such as an acquisition. Apple received an A+ in 5 of 6 Cash Flow indicators: Cash Flow Growth, Debt/cash flow Ratio, Interest Covering Capacity, Economic Value, and Retention Rate. It has an overall grade of 88.0.

The following companies round out our top ten Cash Kings:

4. Research In Motion LTD. (NASD: RIMM)- Overall Grade: 87.6

5. Vale SA (NYSE: VALE)- Overall Grade: 87.2

6. Microsoft (NASD: MSFT)- Overall Grade: 87.1

7. Freeport-Mcmoran Copper and Gold (NYSE: FCX)- Overall Grade: 86.0

8. Altera Corp (NASD: ALTR)- Overall Grade: 86.0

9. Lam Research Corp (NASD: LRCX)- Overall Grade: 84.9

10.  Annaly Capital Management (NYSE: NLY)- Overall Grade: 84.4

For the complete list of all 113 “Cash Kings” and their fundamental analysis, please click here.