Tax Hit Is Another Reason to Switch to ETFs
November 21, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) may snatch up investors from mutual funds as investors see unsatisfactory returns in their mutual funds being taxed. The insult to industry may exacerbate the exodus that mutual funds have been... Continue Reading »

New Real Estate ETF Enters at a Challenging Time
November 21, 2008 – PowerShares is entering into the real estate market with the United States through a new actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) launched Wednesday. PowerShares Active Real Estate Fund (PSR) will trade on the New York Stock... Continue Reading »

Target-Date ETFs Want a Slice of 401(k) Pie
November 20, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is continuing to fight for the assets within the 401(k) retirement area, and the time is opportune as ever. Barclays Globlal Investors has introduced a series of target-date funds, something... Continue Reading »

Small-Cap Foreign ETFs Garnering Attention
November 12, 2008 – A foreign small-cap fund that isn’t an index mutual fund or exchange traded fund (ETF) has recently reopened its doors to new investors, but how does it stack up against ETF rivals? The Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) is... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Adds To Actively Managed ETF Lineup
November 4, 2008 – PowerShares is growing its family of actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) this month. The newest addition to the family will focus on U.S. real estate and will trade on the NYSE Arca. MarketWatch reports that... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs Making Strides
October 30, 2008 – The actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) didn’t fare as well as anticipated when they originally launched earlier this year. A primary reason for this is that there’s no back-tested data, so a track record... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on Gaining An Edge With ETFs
October 13, 2008 – “iMoney” author Tom Lydon discusses the use of exchange traded funds (ETFs) in this volatile market to quickly access different asset classes. Lydon also addresses what’s ahead for ETFs in the future, including actively managed funds,... Continue Reading »

Active Mutual Funds Getting Beat Up Compared to Indexes
October 6, 2008 – Actively managed mutual funds sound like less and less of a good idea in the wake of the financial mess, and it could wind up driving investors to exchange traded funds (ETFs). Matthew Hougan for Index... Continue Reading »

Mutual Fund Giants Are Taking To ETFs
October 2, 2008 – While exchange traded funds (ETFs) may not take the place of mutual funds anytime soon, they’ve proven themselves a force to be reckoned with. The mutual fund industry seems to be following the old saying,... Continue Reading »

The Future of Funds of ETFs
September 22, 2008 – The latest development in the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has been the so-called “fund of funds.” It is actually a mutual fund that is made up of ETFs, thus the name. This idea is still... Continue Reading »

Recent Markets Could Keep Active ETFs In the Headlines
September 16, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) have created many recent industry headlines since they have entered the market. Market strategists are calling the latest market fluctuations a perfect environment for the actively managed ETF to show... Continue Reading »

Global Currencies and ETFs: They All Tie Together
September 12, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) dealing in currencies have given investors exposure to this area of the market that was previously a challenge to gain access to. Many investors, however, lack familiarity with the mechanics of the... Continue Reading »

As New Active ETF Providers Gear Up, Bear Stearns Fund to Close
September 10, 2008 – Another entrant into the actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) realm is a few steps closer to reality: Grail Advisors LLC of San Francisco has its application in the comment phase with the Securities and... Continue Reading »

Is An ETF Better When Mixed With A Mutual Fund?
September 10, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are popular investment tools, no doubt, and now some of their newest fans seem to be one of their biggest rivals - mutual funds. More and more mutual funds are beginning to... Continue Reading »

Pimco Goes Active With Filing for Bond ETFs
September 4, 2008 – Pimco’s eagerly anticipated entree into the exchange traded fund (ETF) world will feature actively managed bond funds, among others. Their announcement in July that they had filed for ETFs with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETF Education is Key
September 2, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) world became more exciting with the recent introduction of actively managed ETFs this year. As ETF providers continue to offer successful and innovative products, the success of ETFs may depend... Continue Reading »

An Uncertain Future for Active Bond ETFs
September 2, 2008 – In the world of active exchange traded funds (ETFs), the interesting area of portfolios consisting of bonds has emerged. The first actively managed ETF, the Bear Stearns Current Yield (YYY), was actually a bond fund and... Continue Reading »

ETF Closures A Symptom Of Rapid Growth
August 28, 2008 – The markets are feeling challenged right now, and it’s likely that we won’t see a ton of new assets flowing into the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) until we’re in bull territory once... Continue Reading »

Like Makeup, Eaton Vance’s Rumored Move to ETFs Is Meant to Enhance
August 26, 2008 – The success of the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has caught the eye of a long time player in the closed end fund industry. Eaton Vance Corp. has apparently been talking to consultants regarding the possibility... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds Aren’t Putting Up the Numbers, So Why Aren’t You In ETFs?
August 22, 2008 – As the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry continues to grow, the question arises as to whether ETFs will be able to replace mutual funds, which have long been believed to be a smart place to... Continue Reading »

iMoney, Tom Lydon Appear in Advisor Perspectives
August 19, 2008 – Tom Lydon talks about iMoney: Profitable ETF Strategies for Every Investor, as well his top ETF investing trends. Visit Advisor Perspectives to get Tom’s thoughts on where ETFs have been headed so far in 2008. Continue Reading »

After Three Months Since Inception, Active ETFs Look Promising
August 6, 2008 – After recently passing their three-month anniversaries, the first active stock exchange traded funds (ETFs) have shown better results than their rival indexing funds. Murray Coleman for IndexUniverse acknowledges that it has been a short period of... Continue Reading »

ETFs Still Growing as Analyst Feels More is Still to Come
August 2, 2008 – Although exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a product of relatively recent financial innovation, senior analyst at Wachovia, Mariana Bush, sees new markets opening for ETF investors. Heather Bell for IndexUniverse discussed with Bush the direction she... Continue Reading »

Predictions: ETFs In 401(k) Plans Is The Next Big Move
July 17, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors conducted a survey in June which determined that financial advisors think the biggest growth area for the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is within 401(k) plans. Of the 840 respondents, 43% felt... Continue Reading »

The ETF Cycle Has Brought Life-Cycle Funds
July 12, 2008 – Life-cycle exchange traded funds (ETFs) have joined up with life-cycle or target-date mutual funds to offer retirement savings for investors, the closest thing that many ETFs have gotten toward inclusion in retirement packages. The same theory... Continue Reading »

ETFs-Who Ya Callin’ Cheap?
July 9, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are touted for their low costs, however, many are becoming noticeably more expensive as time goes on. Eleanore Laise for The Wall Street Journal reports that the average ETF now charges an... Continue Reading »

Not All ETFs and Mutual Funds Are Created Alike; Know the Differences
June 18, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are gunning for the mutual fund throne. But as investors try to figure out what’s right for them, it’s important that they know what the differences between the various types of... Continue Reading »

Small Companies Might Be Dinged By Active ETFs
June 18, 2008 – While the disclosure rules for actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) might benefit the investor who still craves transparency, the rules could inadvertently hurt small-company stocks. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules mandate that... Continue Reading »

With Advent of Active ETFs, Will We See More CEF Conversions?
June 13, 2008 – Now that actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a reality, closed-end funds (CEFs) could begin seeing evolution in greater numbers. Since the approval of the actively managed ETF, the CEFs that are trading below... Continue Reading »

Future Success of ETFs
June 6, 2008 – Although actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) have hit the market, there is still debate as to whether or not they will succeed. In their infancy, these ETFs don’t have a track record, which... Continue Reading »

What Exactly Is an ETF?
June 5, 2008 – When it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs), are there industry posers who are trying to disguise themselves? Dan Dolan of the Select Sector SPDRs ETF family thinks so. Among the newer ETFs, a pure... Continue Reading »

Open-Ended Funds of ETFs Slow to Grab Hold
June 3, 2008 – The concept of an open-ended "fund of exchange traded funds (ETFs)" has yet to gain any momentum. Could it be that the right time has simply not yet arrived? Most of these types of funds... Continue Reading »

Active ETFs and Mutual Funds Are Drawing the Battle Lines
June 2, 2008 – All is not quiet on the Western front when it comes to the battle between actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. One clear advantage active ETFs have over mutual funds is cost,... Continue Reading »

New ETFs Are Reaching Untapped Markets, Offering Innovative Strategies
May 23, 2008 – So far, 2008 has been an interesting year for exchange traded funds (ETFs). Between Dec. 28, 2007, and May 16 of this year, 50 new ETFs have launched. Matthew Hougan for Index Universe counts... Continue Reading »

Active ETFs Gaining a Tepid Response So Far
May 22, 2008 –  After all that talk, actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are so far bringing passiveness from investors now that they’re here. Ian Salisbury for the Wall Street Journal reports that these funds, after years of anticipation... Continue Reading »

WisdomTree Files for Growth Funds, Launches Actively Managed Currency ETFs
May 17, 2008 – Fundamentally weighted exchange traded funds (ETFs) tend to be tilted toward the value end of the spectrum. But WisdomTree has filed for two growth funds, since demand for growth is picking up after having outperformed... Continue Reading »

As ETFs Have Evolved, So Have Investors
May 14, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are such phenomenal investing tools they are actually changing the way investors invest. They’ve come a long way since they first landed on the scene in 1993. Billy Fisher for The Street... Continue Reading »

Dipping Your Toes In the Water With Funds of ETFs
May 12, 2008 – If you are too timid to try your luck with an exchange traded fund (ETF) but have heard about all of their benefits, there are now funds-of-ETFs to quell your curiosity while giving you... Continue Reading »

Future Webcast Sheds Light on Active ETFs; Register Now
April 28, 2008 – This Wednesday, listen and look in on a live webcast about actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs). Active ETFs are something you might want to learn more about, as they’re an entirely new breed of ETF.... Continue Reading »

Can Actively Managed ETFs Beat the Market?
April 25, 2008 – The actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) doesn’t seem to be turning any heads. After all, we’ve heard it all before. First, actively managed mutual funds can be the market. Then, hedge funds can... Continue Reading »

Will the Active ETFs Do a Belly Flop or Fly? You Will Decide
April 21, 2008 – Was the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) a good idea after all? Chuck Jaffe doesn’t think so. The Bear Stearns Current Yield (YYY) debuted on March 25, and it’s not going to look... Continue Reading »

The Actively Managed ETF Is A Kick In The Pants For Mutual Funds
April 21, 2008 – The advent of the actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) is a kick in the pants for traditional mutual funds, as the market competition for market share will continue to heat up. PowerShares’ four actively... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Launches Its Actively Managed ETF Line
April 11, 2008 – The long-awaited actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) from Invesco PowerShares are here. They’re billed as the industry’s first three actively managed equity ETFs, and they began trading on the NYSE Arca today. All of... 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 »

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 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 mutual funds are investing substantial assets into ETFs. To be... Continue Reading »

Burden of Proof Is on Providers for Actively Managed ETFs
March 4, 2008 – Providers of actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) will have their work cut out for them as they try to sell them to investors. The challenge for them, says Marvin Appel for Investment News, will... Continue Reading »

SSGA Files for Line of Target-Date Active ETFs
March 2, 2008 – Now that actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are just around the bend, investors can expect a slew of filings. State Street Global Advisors on Wednesday filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission... Continue Reading »

Now That Active ETFs Are Here, It’s Up to Investors to Bite
February 28, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are just about here, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted exemptive relief to PowerShares, the first fund provider to receive it. And PowerShares President Bruce Bonds believes... Continue Reading »

Rumors of Target-Date ETFs’ Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
February 28, 2008 – Let’s get this straight: No target-date exchange traded funds (ETFs) are closing. However, portfolio provider XTF Advisors is shutting down its lineup of target-date ETF portfolios. Since Claymore’s announcement that it’s booting 11 of its weakest-performing ETFs,... Continue Reading »

They’re Here: the First Batch of Actively Managed ETFs
February 27, 2008 – A new era of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is here: PowerShares got the go-ahead from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an actively managed fund. Make that four of them. The anticipated names, according... Continue Reading »

Investors Growing and Evolving Along With ETF Industry
February 22, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors‘ Tony Rochte is the head of the firm’s exchange traded fund (ETF) distribution. He’s got a few thoughts on the current state of the ETF industry. As ETFs make gains... Continue Reading »

Ultimately, Market Forces Will Decide Where Active ETFs Go
February 21, 2008 – Since 2001, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been considering the actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). Slow-forward seven years, and the SEC is now comfortable with the concept. But in the end,... Continue Reading »

What Stands Between Active ETFs and Their Launch? You.
February 16, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider PowerShares has been given the green light to launch the first group of actively managed funds. But there’s a catch, reports Murray Coleman for Index Universe. The Securities and Exchange Commission... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs vs. Regular ETFs
February 13, 2008 – In our recent post on actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) being closer to a reality than ever before, reader Marketworth wanted to know the difference between an actively managed ETF and a traditional one. We’re... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds Finding ETFs Harder to Ignore
February 10, 2008 – How long can mutual funds hold back the rising tide of exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Now that actively managed ETFs are closer to reality, Kevin Burke for Ignites says that mutual fund companies are going... Continue Reading »

No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, Even with Active ETFs
February 8, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) are just around the bend. But the old adage "You’ve got to give something to get something" holds true with them. Ian Salisbury for the Wall Street Journal notes... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs Inch Closer to Reality
February 5, 2008 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cleared another step in the path to an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). On Friday, reports Diya Gullapalli for the Wall Street Journal, gave "close-to-final" approval to... Continue Reading »

ETFs Gaining Market Share
February 4, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are closing in on their counterparts, the actively-managed mutual fund and the hedge fund. Experts are reporting that the global market for ETFs will grow to $2 trillion in 2011... Continue Reading »

ETFs Are On the Front Burner
February 1, 2008 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is putting exchange traded funds (ETFs) on the front burner. At a San Diego conference recently, says Joe Morris for Dow Jones Newswires, Andrew Donohue said that faster... Continue Reading »

Potential Rule Changes Could Benefit ETFs
January 27, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could benefit from a proposed new set of rules from mutual fund industry regulators. Andrew Donohue of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said he hoped to address changes to 12b-1... Continue Reading »

Active Fund Managers Losing To ETFs
January 25, 2008 – The index-based and exchange traded fund (ETF) community are a threat to active management-based investment products. Active managers stand to lose $12 billion a year in potential management fees, and hedge fund replication strategies... Continue Reading »

ETFs or MFS? That Is The Question
January 22, 2008 – An advocate of actively managed mutual funds invested in two exchange traded funds (ETFs) and now lives to talk about the experience. Remember, this is a skeptic’s point-of-view, reported by Murray Coleman on Seeking Alpha.... Continue Reading »

WisdomTree Could Launch Money Market ETFs
January 19, 2008 – WisdomTree filed for 12 new money market exchange traded funds (ETFs) to cover 17 different foreign and emerging markets. The new funds are similar to the Rydex CurrencyShares funds with two major differences:  (1) They... Continue Reading »

Active ETFs - Is There Enough Demand?
January 18, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is raving about the actively managed fund premiering, but it appears most of the raving is from potential issuers. A conference sponsored by Index Publications and Financial Advisor... Continue Reading »

Picking And Choosing From All The ETFs
January 17, 2008 – With a total of 612 exchange traded funds (ETFs) sponsored by 19 managers, how do you choose among them? Because ETFs track an index passively, past performance is not useful. Michael Maiello for Forbes reports... Continue Reading »

The Year Of the Actively Managed ETF?
January 15, 2008 – A new listing for an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) was filed last week, making 2008 the year investors may get to invest in one. AdvisorShares Investments filed with the Securities and Exchange... Continue Reading »

ETFs Growing in Their Complexity
January 15, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are becoming more popular and as this happens, they are becoming more complex. The line between the 15-year old industry and mutual funds is blurring as providers are jockeying to... Continue Reading »

Fidelity is Showing Some Vigor, but What Does It Mean for ETFs?
January 9, 2008 – It appears there are definite signs of life over at Fidelity Investments, the mutual fund giant that has so far resisted throwing itself fully into the exchange traded fund (ETF) arena. Last year, many... Continue Reading »

Survival of the Fittest ETF
January 8, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is buzzing with talk about "second-generation ETFs." These are funds that are actively managed by a money manager instead of the original passive ETFs.  Diya Gullapalli for The Wall Street... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETF: The Race Is On
January 3, 2008 – Despite the obstacles, exchange traded fund (ETF) providers are on a mission to make stock picking expertise available through these funds. An actively managed ETF will be the main push on providers’ lists in... Continue Reading »

Mutual Fund Companies Diverge on ETFs
January 3, 2008 – As the mutual fund industry faces a fork in the road — continue as they have been, or start giving serious consideration to exchange traded funds (ETFs) — they really only need to look... Continue Reading »

ETFs Becoming a Household Name
December 31, 2007 – Actor Sam Waterston of "Law and Order", the television show on which he plays a district  attorney, is making a case for exchange traded funds (ETFs) on ads for online broker TD Ameritrade. This... Continue Reading »

ETF Providers Test the Limits with Active Management
December 28, 2007 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) providers are stepping closer to putting together the first truly actively managed fund. Several firms have filed for active ETFs, and now the SEC is starting to come back with... Continue Reading »

Our 2008 ETF Predictions
December 27, 2007 – It was a busy, exciting year in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs) in 2007. But it’s not time to rest on our laurels just yet, because all indications are that 2008 is... Continue Reading »

Our 2007 ETF Predictions: How Did We Do?
December 18, 2007 – Early this year, we boldly stepped forward and made our predictions for what we foresaw as the top exchange traded fund (ETF) trends of 2007. So, how did we do? (more…) Continue Reading »

PowerShares ETF Review with CEO
December 17, 2007 – Bruce Bond, the founder and CEO of PowerShares, one of the fastest-growing exchange traded fund (ETF) providers, gave an interview recently about how he sees the ETF marketplace.  In his interview with Heather Bell... Continue Reading »

Check Out the Big Brain on These ETFs
December 5, 2007 – As exchange traded funds (ETFs) become more commonplace around the world — the number available globally has surpassed 1,000 — they need to do more and more to distinguish themselves from the herd. PowerShares... Continue Reading »

One Step Forward For An Actively Managed ETF
November 29, 2007 – PowerShares takes a step forward toward an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). Once it’s approved, it will represent the first stock ETF able to invest outside of pre-set benchmarks. Murray Coleman for MarketWatch... Continue Reading »

Still Waiting For An Actively Managed ETF…
November 12, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been building up to become one of the hottest investment tools available. Active management seems like it is the next phase of development on their upward journey. Product providers... Continue Reading »

Active ETFs - Who Will Be the First?
October 26, 2007 – The elusive goal of bringing an actively-managed exchange traded fund (ETF) to market is still a futuristic ideal, but six managers believe they have the formula. Raquel Pichardo for Investment News says that Vanguard,... Continue Reading »

Do Mutual Funds Have Skeletons in the Closet? Try ETFs Instead
October 26, 2007 – One of America’s biggest financial advisers Ric Edelman wants investors to sell their mutual funds and invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs) instead. On the surface, it’s easy to see why: ETFs are transparent,... Continue Reading »

XShares Looks for SEC Approval on Actively Managed ETF
October 22, 2007 – Xshares has filed with the SEC for exemptive relief to launch actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs), reports Erin Kello for The Mutual Fund Wire. However, building an actively managed ETF isn’t the hard... Continue Reading »

Different Investment Strategies to ETFs
September 24, 2007 – Traditional exchange traded funds (ETFs) track indexes, come in an array of varieties and tout many features: low cost, low turnover, broad diversification and lower expense ratios. The ETF world is dominated by passive... Continue Reading »

Back to School: ETF Review
August 6, 2007 – There’s been a lot of information on the pros and cons or similarities and differences between exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds recently. It’s such an important topic that there can never be... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds or ETFs? You Decide
August 5, 2007 – With index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) so much cheaper than actively managed funds, why would anyone still choose an actively managed mutual fund? Many ETF expense ratios are 0.2% or less per... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs - The Search Continues
July 22, 2007 – The wait for the first true actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) continues … Looks like Vanguard and Bear Stearns are trying to be the first to market.  In Vanguard’s case, the ETF will... Continue Reading »

Blur Between Indexing and Active Management Causes Concern for ETFs
July 9, 2007 – Recently Chester Spatt, chief economist at the SEC, stated his support for indexing, which is the tracking strategy that exchange traded funds (ETFs) follow. While Spatt’s support is definitely encouraging news, Jim Wiandt of... Continue Reading »

Indexed ETFs Are Actively Managed
July 7, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) follow an index, and although there have been several filings with the SEC to launch actively managed ETFs, none have been approved yet. What is the difference between following an... Continue Reading »

Vanguard Adds Filing for Actively Managed ETF
June 27, 2007 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) heavyweight, Vanguard Group, put in its second regulatory filing for an actively managed ETF. In February, Vanguard filed for an active ETF as a share class of its Vanguard Inflation-Protection... Continue Reading »

ETF Popularity Highlighted In Worth Magazine
June 21, 2007 –    Worth Magazine reached out to us in response to reader’s interest in exchange traded funds (ETFs).  In the July issue, our article, Spinning the SPDRs, addresses the growing popularity of ETFs and takes a... Continue Reading »

Are Small-Cap ETFs As Lucky As Actively-Managed?
May 31, 2007 – Do small-cap stock pickers actually possess certain insight, or do they just have a better chance of beating their benchmarks than large-cap stocks. Could this be true of small-cap exchange traded funds (ETFs) too? Eleanor... Continue Reading »

Patent Brings 1st Actively Managed ETF Soon
May 8, 2007 – The American Stock Exchange has patents for software that could lead to the launch of the first true actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) this year. John Spence for MarketWatch.com reports the patented software... Continue Reading »

New Proof - ETFs Trump Mutual Funds
May 1, 2007 – A new study concludes that an investor shouldn’t consider owning an actively managed mutual fund unless they are willing to trade often; instead, simply buy and hold an index fund. Mark Hulbert for The... Continue Reading »

Will Vanguard be First with Actively Managed ETF?
April 30, 2007 – It looks as if Vanguard may be the first to offer an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). As of February, they were the second fund firm to file for an active bond ETF... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds Slow to Embrace ETFs
April 27, 2007 – There are some mutual fund companies who may not appreciate the competition from exchange traded funds (ETFs) but realize they can’t be ignored.  They are the minority, as 99% don’t offer ETFs, nor do... Continue Reading »

Claymore’s Blue Chip ETF
April 12, 2007 – One of the new exchange traded funds (ETFs) brought to market recently by Claymore holds large-cap growth companies with at least five-years of double-digit growth. The Claymore Great Companies Large-Cap Growth Fund (XGC) launched... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs A Hot Topic
April 7, 2007 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) is a hot topic on investor’s minds’ right now. Currently, providers are addressing the issue in many different ways. Rich Furlin of Best Independent Research says the quasi-active... Continue Reading »

The Quasi-Active ETF
March 30, 2007 – The actively-managed exchange traded fund (ETF) remains an illusion due to several regulatory constraints. Although an actively-manged ETF is yet to be seen, providers are getting as close to active management as they can... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns Entering ETF Arena
March 23, 2007 – The interest in an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) is getting more involved, with Bear Stearns’ money management group the latest firm trying to launch one. Originally, ETFs were created to follow indexes,... Continue Reading »

Avoid Hidden Fees with ETFs
March 23, 2007 – Long-term investors have an option to cut their costs - exchange traded funds (ETFs). Back in time, mutual funds were the best option for diversifying long-term holdings - the predominance of mutual funds in... Continue Reading »

ETFs - A Main Offering in Mutual Funds
March 16, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have become a popular investment tool, even among mutual fund managers.  That’s right, there are mutual funds that use ETFs either as all or part of the portfolio.  Rob Wherry... Continue Reading »

ETF Conference Debates Definition of Index
March 8, 2007 – John McGuire of Morgan Lewis and Bockius LLP is sure investors in exchange traded funds (ETFs) will continue to see controversy over the definition of an index. This was brought up at the ETF... Continue Reading »

ETFs New and Exciting
February 26, 2007 – Two industry heavyweights spoke at Nisca’s 25th Annual Conference and Expo, mentioning exchange traded funds (ETFs) in their debate. Jack Bogle spoke of his dream for fund investors and Paul Haaga took aim at... Continue Reading »

ETFs-Actively Managed Coming Soon?
February 15, 2007 – According to a media report, The SEC may soon issue recommendations allowing the first actively-managed exchange traded fund (ETF). John Spence of Dow Jones NewsWires reports many industry insiders think ETFs as actively-managed... Continue Reading »

Mutual Fund Apology - Another Reason for ETFs
January 29, 2007 – While 2006 was a landmark year for exchange traded funds (ETFs), the actively managed mutual fund industry was left flagging. Proof is in an apology from Legg Mason manager Bill Miller, who sent... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds Invest In ETFs
January 27, 2007 – As we mentioned in the ETF (exchange traded fund) Trends for 2007, mutual funds, oddly enough are increasingly investing in ETFs. According to the fund tracker Morningstar, there are 39 funds that invest at... Continue Reading »

An ETF With Active Management?
January 8, 2007 – The latest exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken it up a notch, and in an effort to be noticed, they are entering the world of discretionary allocations/active management. The Claymore/Clear Spinoff (CSD) is composed... Continue Reading »

Emerging Market ETFs vs. Actively Managed Funds
November 29, 2006 – Emerging market exchange traded funds (ETFs) are beating actively managed funds this year.  iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) has returned 31% while actively managed funds averaged 29%.  One reason active managers may be under... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs?
November 28, 2006 – The creation of an actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) could change the path of many traditional asset managers. This would allow the portfolio managers to have a hand in the securities pickings. Managed... Continue Reading »

ETF Managers’ Investments
November 8, 2006 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are popular with investors, but not with the managers who run them. Filings show most fund managers at some of the biggest ETF providers don’t put their own money into... Continue Reading »

Actively Managed ETFs Coming Soon?
November 7, 2006 – Gary Gastineau is trying to free exchange traded funds (ETFs) from their reliance on indexes.  His company, ETFs LLC, is trying to develop an actively managed ETF - with a portfolio manager picking stocks. ... Continue Reading »

ETF Trends - Indexing Over Active Management
October 9, 2006 – Exchange traded funds are a basket of stocks that follow an index.  For example, the iShares S&P 500 Index (IVV) seeks investment results corresponding to the S&P 500 Index.  Merrill Lynch has now come... Continue Reading »

We’re Still Waiting for Actively Managed ETFs
November 8, 2005 – Actively managed ETFs still aren’t here. Morningstar calls them the Holy Grail of ETFs and recently outlined the pros and cons. In the end, will they be worth waiting for? One of the key advantages... Continue Reading »