With the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) employment index falling in June, and the manufacturing sector showing its weakest hiring in four years, investors were given some hope that the Federal Reserve's plans to slow or end quantitative easing might be tabled. The weak report may be a harbinger of Friday's nonfarm payroll jobs report coming in weaker than expected. Finally, with the U.S. dollar weakening, the precious metals markets are finally getting a breather.
In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses the economic data, what it means for the markets, and how investors can take advantage by considering ETFs like the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD +1.50%) and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV +2.81%).
