Brokerage Firms Hug It Out With ETFs
March 31, 2008 – Brokerage firms are putting their arms around exchange traded funds (ETFs) in a big way, even going so far as to build entire portfolios out of them. Some of the largest brokerage houses, such as... Continue Reading »

March ETF Performance Report
March 31, 2008 – The adage that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb certainly held true for the markets this month. Several days this month saw wild movement in the markets, sometimes... Continue Reading »

ETFs, Stocks Sigh As the S&P Parties (Or Not) Like It’s 1999
March 31, 2008 – It’s a historical fact: there are the periodic stretches of market declines that affect stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) amid the years of steady upward climb. Every so often, the ground made up in those... Continue Reading »

Gold ETFs Are Hot Now, But Know the Risks, Too
March 31, 2008 – As it continually hits new records, it’s no secret that gold and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the trend right now. Many stories on the subject mention the metal’s allure as a "safe... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Bounce Up After Paulson’s Proposal - Will It Stick?
March 31, 2008 – Is the government stepping in and hastening the bottom for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson came forward today with the most far-ranging overhaul of the financial regulatory system since the stock... Continue Reading »

Corn Planting to Decrease This Year, Helping Agriculture ETF
March 31, 2008 – Corn isn’t about to get cheaper anytime soon, and while it might hurt your grocery bills, it could benefit exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold futures for the commodity. Farmers are expected to plant less... Continue Reading »

Nuclear Power’s Reputation Precedes It, But Will That Hurt ETFs?
March 31, 2008 – Nuclear power and nuclear-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been pushed to the forefront as concerns about the environment and the rising cost of energy pick up steam. But not everyone is so sure... Continue Reading »

Taiwan Had a Busy Week, Sending Its ETF Lower
March 31, 2008 – The Taiwan exchange traded fund (ETF), iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT), fell 7.8% this week after the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the 15th consecutive quarter. It also signaled that yet more... Continue Reading »

Backtesting ETFs Involves Several Metrics You Should Understand
March 30, 2008 – Most exchange traded funds (ETFs) are put to the test via backtesting. But what, exactly, does that mean? Thaddeus Malley for ETF Guide says the average investor should be aware of this. Backtests, he says, share... Continue Reading »

Worldwide Growth Can Build Up Demand for Industrial ETFs
March 30, 2008 – The PowerShares FTSE RAFI Industrials Sector (PRFN) exchange traded fund (ETF) could benefit from optimism in the industrial sector down the line. How’s that? Many of the companies in this fund’s top holdings have... Continue Reading »

Considering An ETF? Ask These Questions First
March 29, 2008 – So, you’ve got your eye on an exchange traded fund (ETF). It’s performing well, it’s above its trend line, the future prospects are good…SOLD! Not so fast, buddy. When considering an ETF for your portfolio, there... Continue Reading »

First Actively Managed ETF Off to a Slow Start
March 29, 2008 – Now that the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) has debuted, let’s check in with it. On Tuesday, Bear Stearns (BSC) beat all other providers to market, with its Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund... Continue Reading »

Tapping Into the Energy Sector With a Diversified ETF
March 28, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have allowed investors to tap into the energy market without futures or oil and gas stocks. There are a broad number of options now, as the market has grown for... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Are Shopping For Consumers
March 28, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) posted some losses this week. Where have all the shoppers gone? Retailer J.C. Penny (JCP) had a lowered outlook, reports Tomi Kilgore for Thomson Financial, with a bitter sentiment toward the... Continue Reading »

iShares Breaks New Ground With Israel, Turkey and Thailand ETFs
March 28, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors is breaking new ground with their iShares exchange traded funds (ETFs): they’re the first to launch funds covering Israel, Thailand and Turkey. In addition to these funds, iShares has also launched two global... Continue Reading »

Money Flows to Non-U.S. ETFs And Investments
March 28, 2008 – In the shaky U.S. economy, two research firms have found that investors are increasingly turning to exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on global markets. Fund tracker TrimTabs Investment Research reported that total inflows into... Continue Reading »

Oil Concern Eases, But Which Way It and ETFs Will Go, Nobody Knows
March 28, 2008 – The oil services exchange traded fund (ETF) pulled back slightly yesterday after rising for four consecutive sessions. Oil Service HOLDRs (OIH) finished the session down 0.6%. Earlier in the day, it had moved higher on... Continue Reading »

Playing the Waiting Game With ETFs
March 28, 2008 –   Some believe we’re in a full-blown recession, but no matter what they believe, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors shouldn’t panic. Chris Fichera for Consumer Reports suggests staying put and weathering the storm, while making some... Continue Reading »

When Markets Turn Around, Could High Yield Bond ETFs Benefit?
March 28, 2008 – Once the Federal Reserve decides it’s done making interest rate cuts, junk bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be a beneficiary. The appetite for risk goes up with economic recovery. Gary Gordon for ETF Expert says... Continue Reading »

Traders Turning to ETFs Over Single Stocks
March 28, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are great for the buy-and-hold kind of investor, but increasingly traders are turning to them to dodge the perils of single-stock trading. There’s a downside, though: while ETFs can have a smoother... Continue Reading »

J.P. Morgan Could Inadvertently Find Itself In the Active ETF Game
March 27, 2008 – Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY), the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) to hit the market, began trading Tuesday.    If JP Morgan Chase (JPM) takes over Bear Stearns (BSC), the company would... Continue Reading »

The Clean Energy Sector ETFs Readjust, But the Long-Term Potential Is There
March 27, 2008 – Clean energy stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were last year’s little darlings for the market, outperforming in big ways. This year, things are much different, reports Billy Fisher for The Street. But Jenny Chase,... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on CNBC’s Power Lunch
March 27, 2008 – Tom Lydon was a guest on CNBC’s "Smart Money" segment of Power Lunch earlier today. He spoke with show host Sue Herera about agriculture ETFs. Video of Tom’s segment can be seen below: Continue Reading »

Leveraged and Short Telecom ETFs Can Maximize Exposure On Both Sides
March 27, 2008 – Year-to-date, the iShares Dow Jones US Telecom (IYZ) and the iShares S&P Global Telecommunications (IXP) exchange traded funds (ETFs) are down 20.8% and 13.7%, respectively. So, it’s probably a good time for the new... Continue Reading »

Lehman Shares, Broker-Dealers ETF Fall After Fears Of Another Bank Collapse
March 27, 2008 – After the collapse of Bear Stearns (BSC), it’s only natural that investors take a look at other broker-dealers with nervous eyes and exchange traded funds (ETFs) suffer. After all, if it could happen to... Continue Reading »

Markets Went Down Yesterday, But Oil and ETFs Went Their Own Way
March 27, 2008 – Yesterday, the Department of Energy reported flat inventories of crude oil, along with a large drawdown in gasoline, which led to a solid jump in related exchange traded funds (ETFs). The price of oil shot... Continue Reading »

Nuclear Energy Sector to Add a New ETF to the Fold
March 27, 2008 – PowerShares is getting in on the global nuclear energy sector with a new exchange traded fund (ETF). The anticipated launch date for the PowerShares Global Nuclear Energy Portfolio (PKN) is April 3. PowerShares President Bruce... Continue Reading »

Technology ETFs Bear the Weight of Oracle’s Stumble
March 27, 2008 – While Oracle Corp. (ORCL) gave good news that its quarterly profit had risen, other numbers weren’t to investors’ liking and its shares fell, taking technology exchange traded funds (ETFs) with them. While the company reported... Continue Reading »

Casualties Of The Recession Will Not Include ETFs
March 27, 2008 – Could exchange traded funds (ETFs) be the U.S. recession’s next victim? Currently, the crisis has already claimed a prestigious investment house, although Bear Stearns (BSC) was able to establish itself as the provider of... Continue Reading »

Barclays Throws Hat Into Foreign Currency ETN Ring
March 26, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors is set to roll out three new exchange traded notes (ETNs) that will track currencies in Asia, the Middle East and emerging markets. The ETNs have already acquired $150 million during... Continue Reading »

On Tight Supply, Gold Is Forecast to Top Records, ETFs Could Follow
March 26, 2008 – A London investment manager expects that tightness in the gold supply could send prices soaring to new records that could affect exchange traded funds (ETFs), particularly those that hold the precious metal. Gold has taken... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Want Visa To Be Where They Are, But They’ll Have to Wait
March 26, 2008 – Visa is a multi-billion dollar global credit card business and despite the initial public offering, the largest in U.S. history, the company will not be jumping into any financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) just... Continue Reading »

New Home Sales Report Leaves Real Estate ETFs Glum
March 26, 2008 – Real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a hit today on the news that new home sales fell for the fourth consecutive month. The Commerce Department says that sales were down 1.8%, the slowest pace in... Continue Reading »

Motorola to Split In Two - Technology ETFs Are Mum For Now
March 26, 2008 – Motorola (MOT) announced today that it was going to split itself in two, but so far the impact on technology and networking exchange traded funds (ETFs) doesn’t seem apparent. The company’s stock has fallen 45%... Continue Reading »

ETF Tracking Error Is Sometimes a Necessary Evil
March 26, 2008 – Logically, exchange traded funds (ETFs) should have minimal tracking error. That’s because they track an index, and in theory, if the index zigs, so does the ETF - and vice versa. It’s not always... Continue Reading »

It’s Tempting to Panic, ETF Investors, But Resist the Urge
March 26, 2008 – We’re only human: in the midst of all the ups and downs of the market in recent months, it’s natural to consider doing something rash, like dumping all of your exchange traded funds (ETFs)... Continue Reading »

Credit Default Swap ETFs Met With Skepticism
March 26, 2008 – Four exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in the making that will track credit default swap contracts, according to CCM Partners of San Francisco, who does business with California Investment Trust Fund Group. The funds... Continue Reading »

Commodity ETFs Shine On a Gloomy Day
March 25, 2008 – Metal and agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) retained their bounce today, refusing to be brought down in the wake of bad news from other sectors such as financials, consumer and housing. Last week, there was... Continue Reading »

The Debate Over the SEC’s ETF Rule Changes Is In Full Force
March 25, 2008 – Now that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed its rules changes for the way exchange traded funds (ETFs) are brought to market, a two-month period for public comment is under way. Murray Coleman for... Continue Reading »

Baby Boomers Might Consider Dividend ETFs
March 25, 2008 – The first crop of baby boomers are reaching the age of retirement and will most likely shift their investment focus to fixed-income products, including bond exchange traded funds (ETFs). While fixed-income products provide... Continue Reading »

Financial and Real Estate Numbers Keep Markets, ETFs Busy
March 25, 2008 – A flurry of activity and reports on Wall Street today sent exchange traded funds (ETFs) moving in every direction. Financials took a hit on the news that Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (MER) had its... Continue Reading »

Amid Turmoil, Bear Stearns Launches the First Actively Managed ETF
March 25, 2008 – The race has been won: amid a collapse and a possible buyout, Bear Stearns (BSC) actually found time to launch the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). The Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY)... Continue Reading »

Transportation ETF Thinks It Can, It Thinks It Can
March 25, 2008 – The transportation exchange traded fund (ETF) appears to be chugging along, and some are taking the movements as a good sign for the rest of the economy. Gary Gordon for ETF Expert believes this sector... Continue Reading »

Agriculture ETFs Rebound After Last Week’s Selloff
March 25, 2008 – Last week, agriculture and other commodities experienced a selloff and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took the hit with them. Today, the bargain hunters were alive and well, looking for wheat, corn and soybeans at bargain... Continue Reading »

February Was Rough for ETFs - Maybe March Will Be Better
March 25, 2008 – U.S.-listed exchange traded funds (ETFs) had an inflow of about $25 billion last week. It’s a turnaround from the week before, during which there were outflows totaling about $3.7 billion. Equity mutual funds had $13.3 billion... Continue Reading »

ETF Options Can Be A Predictive Tool
March 24, 2008 – Put/call options ratios are high for certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks right now. Mark Fightmaster for Schaeffer’s Research reports that the Select Sector SPDR Health Care Fund(XLV)  has a put/call volume ratio... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on Fox Business Network
March 24, 2008 – Tom Lydon was a guest on Fox Business Network earlier today and discussed some of the basics of exchange traded funds one-on-one with host Dagen McDowell. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Backtests Put ETF Metrics To the Challenge, But Consider Them Objectively
March 24, 2008 – One thing many exchange traded fund (ETF) providers do is "backtest" their investment strategy. They’ll use historical data, apply their strategy and measure the returns against a comparable benchmark. Thaddeus Malley for ETF Guide wonders if... Continue Reading »

As Gold Price Dips, Short ETNs Let Skeptics Capitalize
March 24, 2008 –   Commodity prices corrected after a lengthy rally driven by the Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, sending exchange traded notes (ETNs) that short gold up 7% in two days. DB Gold Double Short ETN (DZZ) gained 7% as... Continue Reading »

Tiffany’s Good News Eases the Mean Reds In Retail ETFs
March 24, 2008 – Jewelry purveyor Tiffany & Co. (TIF) put up strong results on Monday, delivering a dose of positivity to retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the overall sector. It’s was sitting at 7-week highs this... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs React Positively to JP Morgan’s Increased Bear Stearns Offer
March 24, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are showing renewed vigor after J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) raised its Bear Stearns (BSC) offer from a paltry $2 a share to $10 a share. J.P. Morgan also... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETFs Stage a Turnaround
March 24, 2008 – Two exchange traded funds (ETFs) in one of last year’s weakest sectors, home construction, are beginning to show renewed vigor. In the last two weeks, both SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) and iShares Dow Jones... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Discusses Taiwan Economy on “ETF Tracker”
March 24, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s "ETF Tracker" segment last Thursday to discuss the Taiwan economy. While global markets around the world have been declining recently, there is one area — Taiwan — which has been... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Foreign Currency ETFs on “ETF Tracker”
March 24, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s “ETF Tracker” segment last Tuesday and discussed how the falling USD is opening opportunities for individual investors to buy foreign currencies as a way to hedge against low yields in... Continue Reading »

Chinese ETFs - Yin Yang For The Market
March 24, 2008 – The China bubble is continuing to correct itself if its exchange traded funds (ETFs) are any indication. With the Olympics just around the corner, many felt that the growing country’s performance would stay solid... Continue Reading »

New Bond ETF From State Street
March 24, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors unveiled their first International Inflation-Protected Bond exchange traded fund (ETF). The SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond (WIP) began trading on the American stock exchange March 19. The index, DB... Continue Reading »

Target-Date ETFs Can Be a Solid Addition to Any Portfolio
March 23, 2008 – If you’re thinking about retirement, whether it’s in two years, 12 years, 22 years or beyond, there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) for you. XShares Advisors launched a series of target date ETFs that definitely... Continue Reading »

Easter Baskets Of ETFs
March 23, 2008 – While you are egg-hunting today, your mind may not be on your exchange traded funds (ETFs). However, you may want to consider how your nest eggs are doing at his point in time. ETFs... Continue Reading »

ETF Investing in Volatile Times
March 22, 2008 – If you’ve got nervous hands as your exchange traded funds (ETFs) swing up one day and down the next, the best thing you could do is to just sit on them. Matthew Hougan for... Continue Reading »

Coal Has a Smudged Reputation, But Can KOL ETF Rise Above It?
March 22, 2008 – Coal is hardly glamorous - it’s got a bad reputation as a dirty pollutant, but it can be a smoking bet in an exchange traded fund (ETF). Gold is taking the limelight at the moment,... Continue Reading »

Effects of the Price of Gold, Platinum Isn’t Just Limited to ETFs
March 21, 2008 – We all know that the price of gold and gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been on an upward trend for awhile now, but not everyone knows why this matters and how it works. David... Continue Reading »

iMoney: Profitable Exchange-Traded Fund Strategies for Every Investor
March 21, 2008 – "iMoney: Profitable Exchange-Traded Fund Strategies for Every Investor" by Tom Lydon and John Wasik will be published this summer by Prentice Hall. ETFs are the hottest thing going right now for investors, and we’re living in... Continue Reading »

Costly Oil Could Hurt Two ETFs
March 21, 2008 – Could one of the more innovative exchange traded funds (ETFs) become a casualty of the rising oil prices? MacroShares Tradeable Oil Shares (UCR) and (DCR) have had a hard time proving themselves since their inception... Continue Reading »

March Madness With ETFs: All Bets Are On
March 20, 2008 – The March Madness Tournament’s first round begins today, a possible chance for the media focused exchange traded fund (ETF) to dribble in some earnings. PowerShares Dynamic Leisure and Entertainment (PEJ) holds 4.89% in CBS... Continue Reading »

Caterpillar Down, But Big Growth Is Predicted; Will Industrial ETFs Feel It?
March 20, 2008 – Shares of Caterpillar (CAT), a major component of the DIAMONDS Trust, Series 1 (DIA), pulled back from five-month highs yesterday. Caterpillar is 4.6% of the fund. For two months, the company had been bulldozing to... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Jump As Investors, Like Shoppers, Look for Bargains
March 20, 2008 – Battered and bruised retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are springing back to life today as investors invade the market, looking for a bargain or two. The sector tends to take a beating when times are... Continue Reading »

Latin America, Brazil ETFs Are Bucking the Trend
March 20, 2008 – Most single-country exchanged traded funds (ETFs) are sitting below their 200-day moving averages. Many, particularly those in Asia, are in the double digits in their positions below their trend lines. Two funds are above, and they’re... Continue Reading »

Investors Turn to Bond ETFs As Commodities Get Rocky
March 20, 2008 – Investors, feeling more skittish than ever in these "what’s going to happen next?" times, are showing signs that they’re moving money away from commodities and metals exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks, and into... Continue Reading »

Rydex Puts ETFs to Work In a New Mutual Fund
March 20, 2008 – Rydex is proving that it’s possible for mutual funds to be creative in how they use exchange traded funds (ETFs). The provider is launching a new long-short index mutual fund that takes a fund-of-funds approach,... Continue Reading »

Signs the Bottom for Stocks and ETFs Has Been Reached
March 20, 2008 – There have been some bright days here and there, but overall, it’s been a rough year so far for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). When things have been this way for so long,... Continue Reading »

Sign of the Times: UltraShort QQQ ETF Is Top Fund So Far This Year
March 20, 2008 – One sign of the turbulence in our markets: the top performing fund year-to-date is an ultra short. The ProShares UltraShort QQQ (QID), which holds some of the biggest stocks in the Nasdaq 100, is... Continue Reading »

New ETNs Track Chinese and Indian Currency
March 19, 2008 – Two new exchange traded notes (ETNs) will give access to the Chinese and Indian currency, the first of their kind. The funds, Market Vectors Indian Rupee (INR) and Market Vectors Chinese Renminbi (CNY), are issued... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Look Different In the Afternoon
March 19, 2008 – It just goes to show: these days, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the market can turn on a dime, and today was a perfect case in point. This morning, things kicked off nicely off... Continue Reading »

If Yahoo Finds a Taker, Some ETFs Could Take Notice
March 19, 2008 – Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) delivered a rosy outlook for 2009 and 2010, but will the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that count the company as a major holding buy it? The disclosure, which was not scheduled, is... Continue Reading »

Wait - Financial ETFs Are Up and Commodities Are Down? What’s Wrong With This Picture?
March 19, 2008 – Have we entered a bizarro exchange traded fund (ETF) world? First, financials and internet are staging a turnaround for the better. Now commodities are turning lower after being on a bull run in recent months.... Continue Reading »

South Africa Needs to Fix Up Infrastructure for ETF to Take Off
March 19, 2008 – South African markets are growing, and once the country irons out its infrastructure problems, its exchange traded fund (ETF) could begin seeing consistently strong performance. For now, power outages continue to plague the country and... Continue Reading »

Broker-Dealers and Internet ETFs Were Stars Yesterday
March 19, 2008 – It was a good day for the markets overall, but two exchange traded funds (ETFs) in particular stood out head and shoulders above the rest yesterday: iShares Dow Jones US Broker-Dealers (IAI) and the Internet... Continue Reading »

Leveraged ETFs Can Help You Keep Earning, But Don’t Come Up Short
March 19, 2008 – Investors are increasingly less content do just sit there holding cash while the market tumbles, giving short exchange traded funds (ETFs) a measure of popularity. The trend has been especially popular this year as... Continue Reading »

Investors Gravitate to ETFs in Rocky Times for Many Reasons
March 19, 2008 – When the market appear unstable and gloomy investors need to look at protective measures such as exchange traded funds (ETFs). Do not abandon your reasons for being in the stock market in the first... Continue Reading »

Emerging Market ETFs Could Be Worth a Look In Rough Times
March 18, 2008 – Is it time for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to take a trip to emerging markets - or anywhere other than the United States for now? While some stocks are beginning to stir and the... Continue Reading »

The Actively Managed ETF Premiere Looms Large
March 18, 2008 – PowerShares is officially the unofficial provider of the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF), tentatively schedule to hit the market in April. Bear Stearns, for a time, looked like it was going to... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Be Golden on One Analyst’s Price Prediction
March 18, 2008 – One analyst predicts that the price of gold will skyrocket to $1,800 an ounce within the year, a forecast that could have owners of gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) drooling profusely. Analyst Don MacClean... Continue Reading »

The Fed Makes Another Cut - Will It Boost ETFs and the Economy?
March 18, 2008 – The Federal Reserve met today to cut interest rates by 0.75% in the hopes that it will ignite a turnaround in our economy, markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now that most analysts and economists believe... Continue Reading »

Prices Up, Home Construction Down, But ETFs Don’t Get the Memo
March 18, 2008 – If you were just going by the performance of certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) in intraday trading, you wouldn’t think some bad news about the housing and retail sectors had just come out. First, wholesale... Continue Reading »

Is Canadian ETF & Economy Unstoppable?
March 18, 2008 – Canada is strong enough to weather a U.S. economic slowdown, says one official - does that mean its exchange traded fund (ETF) is, as well? Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney says that while our... Continue Reading »

Foreign Worker Program Could Lift Austrian Economy and Maybe Its ETF
March 18, 2008 – An Austrian program that brings unpaid, experienced foreign workers to the country could spur its economy and, in turn, its exchange traded fund (ETF). The program, called Amadeus, brings bright, young things to work in... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns’ Active ETF? Not Today
March 18, 2008 – As we suspected might happen, the Bear Stearns Current Yield (YYY) exchange traded fund (ETF) will not be launching today. Had the fund gone ahead as planned, it would have been the first actively managed... Continue Reading »

Now That More ETFs Could Be Available to Mutual Funds, Will They Bite?
March 17, 2008 – Thanks to a proposed rule by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) , it will become easier for mutual funds to invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs). But the question is, will they? After all, these... Continue Reading »

Are Oil Prices and ETFs On a Slippery Slope?
March 17, 2008 – The price of oil took a step back on Monday, causing its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) to head south along with it. John Wilen for the Associated Press reports that oil dropped $4.17 to $106.04... Continue Reading »

Gold ETFs Lie At the End of the Rainbow
March 17, 2008 – Aye, laddie. Lookin’ for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow via an exchange traded fund (ETF) this St. Patrick’s Day, are ye? Okay, we’ll stop with the accent. It turns out that... Continue Reading »

The SEC Suspends 26 Microcaps, But ETFs Don’t Feel It
March 17, 2008 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suspended trading of 26 microcap companies, but the microcap exchange traded funds (ETFs) don’t appear to be affected. The suspensions will be in effect until March 27, and they’re... Continue Reading »

U.S. Credit Crisis Delivers a Punch to Some Global ETFs
March 17, 2008 – The problems aren’t just here in the United States: the credit crisis is also hitting markets in other countries and taking some of their exchange traded funds (ETFs) down with it. Investors are wary of... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns’ Collapse Is Felt Throughout Market and ETFs
March 17, 2008 – The Bear Stearns (BSC) implosion is causing shock waves throughout Wall Street, global markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). While Bear’s stock sank 86% in intraday traded, financial and broker-dealer ETFs took hits, too: iShares... Continue Reading »

Broker-Dealer ETF Hits Low In Bear Stearns’ Wake
March 17, 2008 – The iShares Dow Jones Broker-Dealer (IAI) exchange traded fund (ETF) tumbled to an all-time low on Friday, another victim of Bear Stearns’ (BSC) woes. It lost 4.2% in trading at the end of last... Continue Reading »

February Was a Strong Month for Natural Resource ETFs
March 17, 2008 – February turned out to be the month of energy and natural resources exchange traded funds (ETFs), beating out the juggernaut that is precious metals. Richard Widows for The Street says funds that included an... Continue Reading »

Boeing Orders Are Up; Transportation ETF Cleared to Take Off?
March 16, 2008 – The PowerShares Aerospace & Defense (PPA) exchange traded fund (ETF) could benefit from news that Boeing (BA) shares rose Friday. Boeing is a major component in the fund at 6.8%. The company reported orders... Continue Reading »

Agriculture ETFs Are Mooooo-vin’ Right Along
March 16, 2008 – The agriculture sector was once a real yawner, but these days, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are livening things up. Market Vectors Global Agribusiness (MOO) is up 36.6% since its Sept. 5 launch, and it was... Continue Reading »

Two Regulatory Agencies Team Up for ETF Reviews
March 15, 2008 – The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have signed a mutual cooperation agreement designed to help both agencies work in sync when it comes to bringing new exchange... Continue Reading »

Get Serious With Currency ETFs As Dollar Hits New Lows
March 15, 2008 – As the dollar hits new lows, currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) are getting more attention than ever. Rydex Investments, home of the CurrencyShares lineup, and the first family of currency ETFs, introduced CurrencyShares the website... Continue Reading »

Follow the Yellow Brick Road With ETFs
March 14, 2008 – The futures price of gold soared to a record $1,009 an ounce, but related exchange traded funds (ETFs) appeared unmoved by the news. A dollar that plunged to record lows against the euro in... Continue Reading »

Presidential Elections in Taiwan Could Lift ETF and Economy
March 14, 2008 – Changes are afoot in Taiwan that could impact its exchange traded fund (ETF) in a postive way. A presidential election is going to take place on March 22, and the odds-on favorite to win is... Continue Reading »

U.S. World Series of ETFs in Miami
March 14, 2008 – On March 26-27 in Miami, the longest-running and best-attended exchange traded fund (ETF) conference will kick off: the U.S World Series of ETFs. The conference is designed to educate financial advisors and planners about... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns’s Troubles Take Down Financial ETFs and the Dollar
March 14, 2008 – The Bear Stearns (BSC) mess is weighing on the dollar and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). The investment bank sought and received emergency funding today from the federal government and JPMorgan Chase & Co., reports... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders Shares And ETFs Rally Off Fed’s New Plan
March 14, 2008 – Shares of homebuilders and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) rose on news of the government’s new plan to stop the significant mortgage foreclosures. iShares Dow Jones US Home Construction (ITB) jumped up 7% yesterday, while... Continue Reading »

Clean Energy ETFs Falter; Green Investing on Hold
March 14, 2008 – While clean energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) may have gotten socked hard in the recent market correction, it doesn’t mean the fad is over. Most sectors are taking a hit these days, and alternative... Continue Reading »

Three-Fourths of Affluent Investors Like “Alternative” Products - Including ETFs
March 14, 2008 – A recent study found that affluent investors like their mutual funds, but they’re also fond of alternative investments, too. Research conducted by The Phoenix Company reported that 81% of affluent respondents said they owned at... Continue Reading »

Health Care ETFs Looking A Little Wan
March 14, 2008 –   How healthy are exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused on the medical world for your portfolio? Many of the ETFs from this field have experienced the ups and downs of the broader market of late... Continue Reading »

New ETF Committee Hopes to Bridge the Gap
March 13, 2008 – One year ago, there were no major committees to explore and address the unique issues of the rapidly growing exchange traded fund (ETF) market. Now there are two. The Security Traders Association of New York (STANY)... Continue Reading »

With Rising Inflation, TIPS ETFs Come On Strong
March 13, 2008 – Fixed-income exchange traded funds (ETFs) are fast becoming the investment of choice for those concerned with the market’s recent direction. TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) are a special type of note or bond that offers... Continue Reading »

Consumer Spending Drops In February, Dragging ETFs
March 13, 2008 – Retail sales and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took another hit today. The Commerce Department reported that the numbers were down by 0.6% - much worse than the expected 0.2%. The slow sales affected all corners... Continue Reading »

Ugly Prices for Gold and the Dollar Are Pretty for ETFs
March 13, 2008 – Gold-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) were higher in intraday trading as gold futures seemed to be trying out for high jumping in the Olympics. April futures reached a record $1,001.50 an ounce, continuing its steady... Continue Reading »

After All Is Said And Done, the Industry Lost One ETF in February
March 13, 2008 – So far, the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have gotten off to a slow start in 2008. Ten new ETFs were added to the market in February. However, 11 were liquidated, bringing the total... Continue Reading »

India ETFs Might Focus on the Same Country, But That’s Where Similarity Ends
March 13, 2008 – Two new exchange traded funds (ETFs) finally give investors the passage to India they had been looking for. The country has been in the spotlight lately, with its 9% annual GDP growth and strong... Continue Reading »

Not All the Good Ideas Are Taken With ETFs
March 13, 2008 – W.P. Thatcher for Stocks For All Seasons has 10 exchange traded funds (ETFs) in mind that he’d like to see come to market. Long gone are the days of only the plain vanilla fund,... Continue Reading »

The Actively Managed Race Is On: PowerShares Or Bear?
March 13, 2008 – The actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) race is on, and it couldn’t be more heated at this point. Whenever there is more than one provider gearing up to launch a new product into... Continue Reading »

China’s ETFs Take a Hit After CPI Numbers Released
March 12, 2008 – China’s rising inflation is waving a red flag at the country’s exchange traded funds (ETFs). Wages have been running high, energy prices are high, and food costs and demand are exploding. Sounds a lot... Continue Reading »

Track Records, Not Intellectual Capital, Will Determine Success of Actively Managed ETFs
March 12, 2008 – Could the proposed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule that speeds up regulatory approval of index products, including actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs), reduce the value of a manager’s intellectual capital by disclosing... Continue Reading »

Even In These Markets, You Can Still Find ETF Movers and Shakers
March 12, 2008 – Yesterday, the markets delivered outstanding performance and some exchange traded funds (ETFs) finished up in the double digits. But one good day doesn’t mean we’re out of the slump yet. It’s still time to take... Continue Reading »

There’s Plenty of Blame to Go Around for Run-Up In Commodity ETFs
March 12, 2008 – Since August 2007, the most commonly traded commodity-centric exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up about 50%. The spiking commodity prices are shouldering much of the blame for the inflationary threat to the economy. But those... Continue Reading »

Gold Inventory In ETF Hits a New High - Looking for Storage Space?
March 12, 2008 – Gold inventory in the streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) exchange traded fund (ETF) are at an all-time high. The new high of 655 tonnes passes the previous record, set on Jan. 15 with 653 tons, reports... Continue Reading »

Investors Go Bearish On Oil and Snap Up Puts on ETF
March 12, 2008 – Investors are feeling bearish on oil and are snapping up puts on the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a result. Apparently, investors believe that yesterday’s record $108.75 a barrel is the top, reports Reuters.... Continue Reading »

New Index Measures Whether Companies Can Deliver - Will An ETF Track It?
March 12, 2008 – Dow Jones Indexes has launched a new series - could an exchange traded fund (ETF) be far behind? Dow partnered with Transparent Value LLC to deliver the Required Business Performance Index series, which measures the likelihood... Continue Reading »

Fixed-Income ETFs Forecast to Have a Growth Spurt
March 12, 2008 – The fixed-income exchange traded fund (ETF) market still has plenty of room to grow. In fact, iShares predicts that the area is primed to grow by 200% over the next three years. Globally, fixed-income ETFs... Continue Reading »

Will The “Red Ring” Penetrate Your ETF?
March 11, 2008 –   The "Red Ring Of Death" may be glowing around Microsoft (MSFT), so is it going to penetrate the technology-oriented exchange traded funds (ETFs) as well? More than 18 million Xbox 360’s have sold since... Continue Reading »

Which ETFs Are On First Today?
March 11, 2008 – After a big day for the markets, you can’t help but wonder which exchange traded funds (ETFs) stood out head and shoulders above the rest. If you scroll through ETF Screen’s breakdown of fund performance,... Continue Reading »

A Banner Day for Financial ETFs As Fed Unveils Latest Plan
March 11, 2008 – What a difference 24 hours makes: Bear Stearns’ shares were downgraded by Moody’s on Monday, a move that weighed heavily on financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). It sent the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) down... Continue Reading »

Oil ETF Isn’t Necessarily Raking In the Assets As Prices Rise
March 11, 2008 – One would think with the ever-rising cost of a barrel of oil, the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) would be hitting new heights, too. But one would be wrong. This isn’t to say the funds are... Continue Reading »

Commodities ETFs Could Make for a Delicious Portfolio Recipe
March 11, 2008 – When you think of your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio as a recipe that calls for various ingredients, things can take on a new meaning. To give a recipe a twist, sometimes there’s the "secret... Continue Reading »

Options Trading With ETFs Gets Popular In Wacky Markets
March 11, 2008 – Options trading with exchange traded funds(ETFs) has been surging lately, with the most recent spike taking place last month. It appears people were getting defensive, according to Joe Cusick, market analyst for optionsXpress. Options... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Your Wallet Feel Those Grocery Store Prices
March 11, 2008 –   Have you ever wondered what the drought in Australia has to do with your dinner table and your exchange traded funds (ETFs)? In every aisle, prices at the grocery store are higher. From chicken (up... Continue Reading »

Gold And ETF Steadies, Platinum And Silver Slip
March 11, 2008 – Investors’ interest in gold-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) has remained solid, while analysts are calling the sentiment bullish with gold coming out ahead of the rest. However, the dollar showed some signs of life... Continue Reading »

Basic Materials ETFs Could Spike From Commodities Bull
March 11, 2008 – At the moment, it doesn’t appear that raw materials stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are crumbling under the weight of a struggling market and rising oil prices. Don Dion for Seeking Alpha says that... Continue Reading »

Riding Out ETF, Market Turmoil in Money Markets Could Trade One Problem for Another
March 10, 2008 – When the bear comes storming through the markets and stomps on stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs), many investors turn to money market funds to wait it out in the short term. But are they... Continue Reading »

ETF Trends Hits One Million Visitors
March 10, 2008 – Way back in August 2005, we thought it would be a hoot to start a little site about exchange traded funds (ETFs). It would be a place where people could go to get the... Continue Reading »

Three’s Company With India ETFs
March 10, 2008 – First, WisdomTree and PowerShares launched their India exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now iShares wants to join in the party, too. It filed a registration form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week.... Continue Reading »

The SEC Ruling Likely Means More ETFs, But Is That Really So Bad?
March 10, 2008 – It seems like exchange traded funds (ETFs) are having their chops busted a little these days. Charles Jaffe for MarketWatch says the recent Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) ruling on the ETF approval process is... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns Enters the Active ETF Game on March 18
March 10, 2008 – Bear Stearns is going to launch the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). The Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY), or the Triple Y, will be made up of a variety of short-term fixed... Continue Reading »

Scouting for Yield In Your ETFs
March 10, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have different ways of generating returns for investors, and one way is through bond funds. They buy a relatively static pool of securities based on an index, and they’re attractive for... Continue Reading »

Market Volatility Has Unearthed Some ETF Buying Opportunities
March 10, 2008 – Research firm MarketGrader compiles the indexes that underly the Spa Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). MarketGrader’s latest fundamental research indicates that the U.S. market is largely oversold in the wake of volatility, reports ETF Express. Buy opportunities... Continue Reading »

A Belated Valentine’s Day Present for ETF Data Geeks
March 9, 2008 – Are you a nerd for exchange traded fund (ETF) data? So far this year, the ETF industry’s assets are down, dropping from a peak of $625 billion to around $560 billion. The fall is mostly... Continue Reading »

Don’t Expect Active ETFs to Be An Overnight Sensation
March 9, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been the talk of the town, however, assets will take time to gather and success will not happen overnight. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is closer... Continue Reading »

Going Ultra Short With ETFs Can Protect In a Down Market
March 9, 2008 – Trading volume has been exploding with short and ultra-short exchange traded funds (ETFs). With the state of the market, it’s no surprise: many investors are investing short to ensure their long-term survival while they... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Index Funds Are Growing Like Weeds
March 8, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) usage was recently explored by the Advisor Perspectives Universe. The data, gathered on Feb. 28, was interesting: ETFs now hold twice the assets of index funds (70.3% vs. 29.7%).  ETF assets increased from... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed Mutual Funds Make ETFs Look Good By Underperforming
March 8, 2008 – Actively managed mutual fund enthusiasts say that a bear market is where active stock picking can beat index funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs). Jonathan Chevreau for Financial Post takes a look at the... Continue Reading »

North American Neighbors’ ETFs Holding Their Own
March 7, 2008 – How has the U.S. economic slowdown impacted North American neighbors and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs)? America is an important market for Canada and Mexico, and the United States is a major consumer of... Continue Reading »

The Truth About Surging Oil and ETFs
March 7, 2008 – Exactly why are the oil prices surging and sending related exchange traded funds (ETFs) through the roof? There are two European theories on this. One comes from Chris Skrebowski, the editor of Petroleum Review, and... Continue Reading »

Will a Vietnam ETF Ever See the Light of Day?
March 7, 2008 – A Vietnam-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) may not be so far off. The country continues to post strong economic growth despite the U.S. economic slowdown. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the country’s government... Continue Reading »

Gold Miner ETF Benefits from Price Surge
March 7, 2008 – Gold miner stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) ticked upward this week as gold futures spiked to record highs. April gold futures contracts settled at $991 after hitting an all-time high of $993.30 in... Continue Reading »

Lehman Brothers; The Newest Exchange Traded Product Provider Introduces Its Line of ETNs
March 7, 2008 – Lehman Brothers Holdings has jumped onto the exchange traded note (ETN) bandwagon, just as the tug-of-war between exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the notes heats up. John Spence for The Wall Street Journal reports that... Continue Reading »

Sorting Out Oil ETFs; What To Buy With Oil North of $100 a Barrel
March 7, 2008 – The worst-performing oil exchange traded fund (ETF) might be tops when distributions are factored in. Hard Assets Investor for Seeking Alpha took a look at oil-focused ETFs and ETNs and noticed that the PowerShares DB Oil... Continue Reading »

ETFs Have a Cultlike Following
March 7, 2008 – What do The Wire, director Ed Wood, the brilliant band Wilco and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have in common? They’ve all got cult followings. That is: all of the above are not fully ingrained... Continue Reading »

Stocks and ETFs Suffer as Indexes Hit 52-Week Lows
March 7, 2008 – The traumatic credit market and increase in home foreclosures are touching down on all areas of the market, including exchange traded funds (ETFs). Joe Bel Bruno for Associated Press reports that the Dow Jones... Continue Reading »

McNabb of Vanguard Plans To Venture In ETFs
March 6, 2008 – William McNabb III has taken charge at Vanguard, and he will stay true to the firm’s roots, while shifting some focus to international business and exchange traded funds(ETFs). McNabb is the current managing director and... Continue Reading »

Short ETFs Can Help If Handled With Care
March 6, 2008 – In a down market, short exchange traded funds (ETFs) gain popularity, but they need to be used with caution and education. ProShares UltraShort QQQ (QID) is one of the more popular ETFs of this... Continue Reading »

Get In The Commodities Super Cycle With ETFs
March 6, 2008 – The commodity super-cycle is in full force, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) can help you enter the market smoothly. In 2007, gold prices were up 36.6%, crude oil prices surged 70.8%, and agriculture commodities... Continue Reading »

Retailers Get a Break In February, But ETFs Don’t React
March 6, 2008 – Retailers got a break in February, but retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) so far today don’t appear to have gotten the memo. Overall, sales were sluggish, but the numbers reverse the downward slide sales... Continue Reading »

Housing and Financial ETFs Take Their Lumps
March 6, 2008 – Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) declined after shares of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (MER) fell to their lowest level in four-and-a-half years. The drop came after the bank said it was getting... Continue Reading »

Looking Under the Hood of Alternative Energy ETFs
March 6, 2008 –   Alternative energy is the thing, even in the exchange traded fund (ETF) arena. It’s so in right now, in fact, the venture capitalists have poured a record amount of money into the business. In... Continue Reading »

Semiconductor ETF Drags On Intel News
March 6, 2008 – Shares of Intel Corp. (INTC) are expecting a lower profit margin which weighed on investor sentiment toward the semiconductor exchange traded fund (ETF). Semiconductor HOLDRs (SMH) fell on Tuesday to $28.13 after hitting an... Continue Reading »

Six Reasons ETFs Are Better Than Mutual Funds
March 6, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can give your portfolio an edge and the excessive growth of the industry is proof of their success. Dan Wiener and Jim Lowell for Index Universe list six advantage that... Continue Reading »

ETF and Investing Advice for the Young
March 5, 2008 –   If you’re a young investor, whether your investment of choice is stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs) or, like a lot of young’ns, nothing, there’s someone out there with a message for you. Two charities, Citizens... Continue Reading »

Taiwan and ETF Are Going Through a Growth Spurt; Will It Keep It Up?
March 5, 2008 – The iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT) exchange traded fund (ETF) is up 3.8% year-to-date, leaving us wondering what is happening over there? The greater Taipei region’s real estate market beat the odds of a normally... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Dig for Platinum, Gold and Silver
March 5, 2008 – Yes, investors are flocking to gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) as the dollar weakens. Case in point is streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD): after gold surged to a record $992 an ounce earlier this week, the... Continue Reading »

Oil and Related ETFs Higher; Service Sector Numbers Are In
March 5, 2008 – Oil and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) just won’t quit. A surprise drop in the supply caused prices to hit yet another record, hitting $104.31 a barrel. John Wilen for the Associated Press says that analysts... Continue Reading »

SEC Gives the Go-Ahead to Speedy ETF Proposal
March 5, 2008 – Well, that was easy: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unanimously approved a plan to make it easier to bring exchange traded funds (ETFs) to the market. Under the proposal, reports Judith Burns for the Wall... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Launches Its India ETF Today
March 5, 2008 – PowerShares launched its India exchange traded fund (ETF) this morning, and it’s trading on the NYSE Arca. The PowerShares India Portfolio (PIN) will join the WidsomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) as the two ETFs dedicated... Continue Reading »

Fundamentally Indexed ETFs Need More Assets
March 5, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) based on fundamental indexes are proliferating, but they are having a difficult time garnering assets. Assets among 69 ETFs based on fundamental indexes totaled just over $7 billion at the... Continue Reading »

Your Mutual Fund Could Be Holding ETFs
March 5, 2008 – Did you know that even if you don’t directly invest in an exchange traded fund (ETF), you could still be owning one? Many traditional