Water ETFs a Way to Capitalize on Shortage of Resource

Talk about the global water shortage mixed with major companies talking of combating a water crisis has exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused on H2O flowing.

Recent news of General Electric (GE) and Pentair (PNR) agreeing on a joint venture to combine a global water softener and residential water filtration businesses have been picked up on investors’ radar, reports John Spence for MarketWatch. GE also plans to reduce its fresh-water usage by 20% by 2012.

One of the easiest ways to access a water investment is through an ETF, which give exposure to utilities, water treatment companies, pipe makers and bottled water producers.

Here are some water ETFs to quench your curiosity:

• PowerShares Water Resources (PHO), up 4.6% year-to-date
• Claymore S&P Global Water (CGW), down 1.2% year-to-date
• First Trust ISE Water (FIW), up 6.1% year-to-date