Swimming in Water ETFs

Many exchange traded funds (ETFs) are available that focus on one of the world’s most precious resources: water. In fact, consumers seem to be willing to pay more for a bottle of water than a can of soda, reports Matt Krantz for USA Today. Water ETFs invest in a basket of different water companies. One of the benefits of owning water ETFs versus a single stock is that investors get exposure to many companies, which reduces risk. A few water ETFs and their performance year-to-date include:

• PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio (PHO) - up 20.4%
• First Trust ISE Water Index (FIW) – up 3.3% for the last three months, having launched in May
• PowerShares Global Water Portfolio (PIO) - down 1.8% for the last three months, having launched in June
• Claymore S&P Global Water ETF (CGW) - down 0.2% for the last three months, having launched in May