PHO: A 'power' play on water

"What is one thing you can’t live without?" asks Brandon Clay and Ron Rowland. "Take away that glass of cool, clean drinking water from your diet, then it’s a matter of days before you dehydrate and die."

In their top-notch All Star Investor, they explain, "Water is essential to our survival, and for investors, Powershares Water Resources Portfolio (ASE: PHO) is a perfect play on the global demand for water technology." 

"The essential nature of water is the same for the 6.67 billion people on this planet.  With Latin America and Asia entering the modern world at an unprecedented pace, water is becoming even scarcer. 

"Improving diets and growing industry have pushed this diminishing resource further from the reach of many people.  Yes, people are still drinking water, but at what cost?
 
"Water covers most of our planet. Still, less than 2% is fresh water. That makes water a limited resource. Consumption is growing with 6,000 cubic meters per inhabitant used every year.

"That’s the equivalent of draining Lake Superior – the biggest lake in the world – twice. Since the water cycle is not replenishing growing demand, water sources are being depleted. 

"For instance, Lake Chad, once covered 400,000 square miles. Today, it’s only 500 square miles – and shrinking. Whole cities in China suffer from water shortages, especially when toxic spills affect supply.

"But this problem doesn’t just affect Africa or Asia. Even in the U.S., the great Ogallala Aquifer, under the Great Plains, is in danger of overuse. Some estimates suggest it could be dry by 2030. 

The need is great. Fortunately, we are not dependent on rainfall to resupply water to burgeoning global demand. Instead, desalinization plants and other such technologies make it possible for populations to get clean water – at a price.

"Some great companies are capitalizing on the trend. But instead of investing in individual companies in a sometimes-volatile industry, you can diversify your holdings in an ETF.

"That’s where PHO comes in. Powershares Water Resources Portfolio is a perfect play on the global demand for water technology. PHO seeks to identify a group of companies that focus on the provision of potable water, the treatment of water and the technology and services that are directly related to water consumption.'

"As the standard of living increases around the globe, consumption has spiked.  PHO takes advantage of this trend by being invested in water companies with international reach.

"For those who are interested, the newer (and currently with fewer assets) Claymore S&P Global Water ETF (NYSE: CGW) is also a possibility, though it’s not as heavily traded.
 
"Meanwhile, PHO is in a healthy uptrend at present.  After a quick correction in the past week, it appears PHO will resume a march up the chart.  Look to PHO for more upside in a drought-prone market.  As always, we suggest you use limit orders with reasonable prices to ensure a good entry."