Around the ETF World

As the international exchange traded fund (ETF) market expands, it’s becoming a more popular area in which to invest. Asian country-based ETFs have been doing especially well because of strong labor markets. China’s economy has been growing so fast and performing so well that it’s had to tighten credit six times this year.

Europe has had some strong performers as well, namely Germany and Spain. Increased spending and falling unemployment has helped Germany’s ETF do well. Spain’s success can be partially attributed to Europe’s economic prosperity. Carl Delfeld for ETF XRAY also commented on the global markets. Below are the ETFs and their performances year-to-date.

• iShares MSCI South Korea Index (EWY) – up 25.5%
• iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI) – up 16.9%
• PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China (PGJ) – up 18.8%
• SPDR S&P China (GXC) – up 14.6% for the last three months (launched in March)
• iShares MSCI Germany Index (EWG) – up 16.9%
• iShares MSCI Spain Index (EWP) – up 9.2%