Platinum ETN Not Enjoying Its Former Glory
November 21, 2008 – Precious metals and their exchange traded notes (ETNs) have seen some hard times these past months with platinum being the hardest hit. Investor concern over the effects of global economic downturn cut demand for platinum used... Continue Reading »

Freddie, Citi Contribute to ETF, Market Stress
November 21, 2008 – Mortgage lender Freddie Mac (FRE) could be de-listed from the NYSE, continuing the troubles that have plagued financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) for much of this year. Since the company’s share price has been under $1... Continue Reading »

Retail ETF Investors Help Fuel Gold Demand
November 20, 2008 – Gold demand is surging even as prices fall, and the largest gold exchange traded fund’s (ETF) increased holdings isn’t because of who you might think. Retail investors are sharply increasing their demand for more gold bars... Continue Reading »

Oil, Employment In the Tank, Taking ETFs With Them
November 20, 2008 – Oil has fallen below $50 per barrel on Thursday as the global contraction has gone deeper and fuel demand has waned, causing stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) to plummet. The tattered financial markets have lowered... Continue Reading »

Commodity Indicator, ETN Buck the Downtrend
November 19, 2008 – Commodities are still in a major correction period, so it is especially interesting when there’s any fund, index or indicator that’s not only outperforming, but is up year-to-date by double digits. The S&P Commodity Trends Indicator... Continue Reading »

Gas, Housing ETFs Spill With Economy
November 19, 2008 – The United States economy remains in a state of uncertainty and this apathy is reflected in the actions of investors and their stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The state of the nation’s Big Three automakers... Continue Reading »

Why Some Feel Sweet on Sugar ETNs
November 18, 2008 – As the demand for sugar outpaces supply and it trades at bargain prices, this commodity and the exchanged traded notes (ETNs) that track it may be a sweet deal. Relatively speaking, today sugar is cheap.  In... Continue Reading »

Getting Diversity with Hard Asset ETFs
November 17, 2008 – The relatively newly created Market Vectors-RVE Hard Assets Producers (HAP) is an exchange traded fund (ETF) which tracks the price and yield performance of the Rogers-Van Eck Hard Assets Producers Index (RVEI) has raised questions about what... Continue Reading »

Currency, Gold ETFs Do The Economic Dance
November 17, 2008 – The U.S. retail sales drop has spurred the Japanese yen to rise, tallying up gains for the week against the euro and the dollar, and helping out currency exchange traded funds (ETFs). Investors are speculating that... Continue Reading »

Eurozone Recession Undermines Oil’s Slip, ETFs
November 14, 2008 – October was a record month for sagging retail sales, proving further that consumers are tightening up their wallets, and not adding to a domestic economic boost for Wall Street or exchange traded funds(ETFs). The decline in auto... Continue Reading »

Bad Assets Bum Out ETFs
November 12, 2008 – Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced the government will not buy bank’s toxic mortgage assets after all, sending dismay to investors and Wall Street, which negatively affected exchange traded funds (ETFs). Much of Wall Street was excited about... Continue Reading »

Creaky Power Grid Could Black Out Solar, Wind ETFs
November 10, 2008 – A new industry report claims sun and wind energy may interrupt the power grid, creating a new set of obstacles for inventors, investors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) within the industry. By adding electricity generated by... Continue Reading »

China’s Plan Stimulates Global, Oil ETFs
November 10, 2008 – The world’s fourth-largest economy is delivering a shot to its own arm as a global slowdown continues to hurt its exchange traded funds (ETFs). China’s ETFs were among the top performers in 2007, before they began... Continue Reading »

Obama’s Sector To-Do List May Impact ETFs
November 9, 2008 – President-elect Barack Obama has his work cut out for him as he enters office with the weight of financial trauma, tumbling stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a gaping deficit. No question: there’s a lot... Continue Reading »

Cage-Free Law Ruffles Feathers, But Not ETFs
November 6, 2008 – The ballots have been counted and and Proposition 2 has passed, no doubt having implications for livestock exchange traded funds (ETFs). But what kind of implications is a matter of much debate. Californians voted yes on the... Continue Reading »

Umemployment Rate Vibrates Through Economy, ETFs
November 6, 2008 – The amount of unemployed Americans is rising, and unemployment benefits are being drawn from at record highs, possibly leaving a scar for the economy in the long run and stressing out Wall Street and exchange... Continue Reading »

Hunger for Food May Feed Commodity ETFs
November 5, 2008 – The hidden value in necessities may be the driving force in the attractiveness of certain exchange traded funds (ETFs). Let’s face it, everyone has to eat, regardless of economic conditions.  With population growths in emerging market countries,... Continue Reading »

Triple Leverage ETFs Maximize Market Directions
November 5, 2008 – If you need or want more leverage in your exchange traded funds (ETFs), today you’re going to have the choice. Direxion has launched eight ETFs that are leveraged bull and bear funds designed to seek 300%... Continue Reading »

Commodities, Credit Ding ETNs
November 4, 2008 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs) have seen some chinks in their armor this year, in the wake of the credit crisis and a commodities slowdown. ETNs, which are close cousins of exchange traded funds (ETFs), have been... Continue Reading »

ETFs Give Sigh of Relief As Election Day Finally Arrives
November 4, 2008 – It’s finally Election Day, and the markets and exchange traded funds (ETF) are hopping on investor optimism and eagerness to have the elections over with. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has surged by as much as... Continue Reading »

Gold ETFs Falter As Gold Rush Ends
November 3, 2008 – Threat of deflation has gold and gold-related Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) reeling. After reaching a record $1,033.90 an ounce in New York on March 17, gold has declined 31%, according to The Straits Times. The worst... Continue Reading »

October ETF Performance Report
October 31, 2008 – October was a spooky month for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), and we saw things that haven’t been seen in decades. The two strongest areas, and one of the few to end the month... Continue Reading »

Gas Prices, ETFs Tumble, Consumers Resume Leisurely Drives
October 31, 2008 – The falling prices of gasoline have lead to some consumers to return to their gas-thirsty habits, but what effect has it had on exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Consumers have started to shun conservation and have started... Continue Reading »

Precious, Base Metals ETFs Garner Attention In Turmoil
October 30, 2008 – Precious metals and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been all over the map lately; demand is up for some, down for others and prices are struggling to find their way amid the market volatility. One... Continue Reading »

Consumer Spending Shrinks Economy, ETFs In Third Quarter
October 30, 2008 – Consumers are scaling back more than they have in decades, and it’s having a ripple effect on exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the economy’s gross domestic product. GDP shrank in the third quarter by 0.3%, the... Continue Reading »

Obama, McCain Will Impact Market, ETFs in Different Ways
October 29, 2008 – Only one thing is this election is for certain: the outcome will have an effect on the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in one way or another. This is the first time in 76 years... Continue Reading »

ETFs Watch, Wait for Federal Reserve’s Next Move
October 29, 2008 – Today is the day of anticipated rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) seem to be holding their breath while they wait for the 2:15 p.m. ET announcement. The markets expect the... Continue Reading »

Gold Defies Fundamentals, Confuses ETF Investors
October 27, 2008 – Typical wisdom when it comes to gold and exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the metal is that when the markets go down, gold goes up. That’s why for ages, it’s been seen as a safe-haven... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Seem Cool to Positive Reports
October 27, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are see-sawing this morning as investors weigh the economy in the wake of mixed news. New home sales in September posted a surprise increase of 2.7% while prices fall, reports... Continue Reading »

There Are Resources for ETF Investors, But Trends Aren’t There Now
October 26, 2008 – When it comes to investing, whether it’s exchange traded funds (ETFs), stocks or something else entirely, it’s not pretty out there. One of the biggest culprits has been commodities, and a problem of both real and... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Shine As Colleges Catch Solar Waves
October 25, 2008 – If the steps California’s colleges are taking to incorporate solar power become the hot new trend, solar exchange traded funds (ETFs) could begin to heat up. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a public-private partnership to bring solar... Continue Reading »

ETF Outlook After Markets Recover Is Positive
October 24, 2008 – As bulls stormed through the markets, exchange traded funds (ETFs) were right there with them, delivering big returns and becoming something of a household name. At the end of 2007, there were 629 domestic ETFs with... Continue Reading »

Few Markets, ETFs Spared As Recession Fears Spread
October 24, 2008 – The morning’s troubles began before even a single exchange traded fund (ETF) could trade: losses in Asia and Europe combined with fears of a deep global recession led to the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s plunge... Continue Reading »

UltraShort Oil ETF Offers Opportunity As Price Falls
October 22, 2008 – Oil keeps heading lower most days, but that doesn’t mean investors don’t have a change to profit with exchange traded funds (ETFs). Oil is heading toward $50 per barrel and there’s sentiment that any OPEC production... Continue Reading »

Alternative Energy And ETFs Vulnerable To Market Winds
October 22, 2008 – Proponents of alternative energy and the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the few rejoicing at the higher cost of oil. But now that prices are less than half of what they were at... Continue Reading »

Congress May Consider Stimulus for Economy, ETFs
October 21, 2008 – The idea of another economic stimulus bill is gaining traction, but what it will mean for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) down the road is still a question market. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke... Continue Reading »

Going for the Gold ETFs
October 20, 2008 – In the middle of an economic crisis, it starts to look like 1849 all over again as investors run for gold exchange traded funds (ETFs). Depending on your portfolio, gold can either be a tool used... Continue Reading »

ETFs Are Changing the Investment Landscape
October 17, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) first came to the public in 1993 in an effort to transform the typical, everyday monotony of the mutual fund. And the ETF came to us in a perfectly bundled basket of... Continue Reading »

Dow, ETFs Recover, But VIX Says This Isn’t Over
October 16, 2008 – It was an impressive finish for Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) after the way things were looking this morning. After falling 380 points at the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed more than... Continue Reading »

While Oil Prices Are Grounded, Airline ETF Isn’t Soaring
October 16, 2008 – First, rising oil burns the airlines and transportation exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now, one airline is getting burned by falling oil prices. How does that work? For the first time in 17 years, Southwest (LUV) has... Continue Reading »

Natural Gas and ETF Could Rise This Winter
October 16, 2008 – Natural gas has been the choice among exchange traded fund (ETF) investors, as call options have been put into place in anticipation of the prices going up. Doris Frankel for Reuters reports that shares of United... Continue Reading »

Commodity ETFs Go for a Ride
October 15, 2008 – The commodities market has done a complete 180, and the market for the bare ingredients that make the world turn have fallen, taking related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a downward slide. The commodity... Continue Reading »

ETF Alternatives That Respond to Energy Needs
October 15, 2008 – The need for change is in the air, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting this as alternative energy creeps into the consciousness of the mainstream. Many investors are betting on which alternative energy funds and... Continue Reading »

Dow Soars While Investors Leave Gold ETFs
October 13, 2008 – After the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s record one-day point gain today, though, gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be losing some of their luster as a safe haven. Gold lost $2 in trading today, reports... Continue Reading »

ETFs Weather the Market Turmoil Well
October 13, 2008 – Is there actually a “safe investment” in all of this chaos that investors can turn to when CDs, money markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) all seem to be vulnerable? In general, the money invested in... Continue Reading »

Government Considers Plan B to Jump-Start Markets, ETFs
October 13, 2008 – The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rocketed higher at the opening today on optimism over the government’s latest plan to prop up the crumbling economy. Central banks around the world are opening their wallets to... Continue Reading »

Short ETFs One of the Few Movers This Week
October 11, 2008 – As the market continues its sharp declines, there is still a way that investors can profit from exchange traded fund (ETF) investing. Short-selling, or betting against the market, has become a strategy for many who... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Have Good Energy Alternatives
October 10, 2008 – Although oil prices have fallen back from their record highs, the shock was enough to make many investors consider the advantages of alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs). As a result, many new alternative energy stocks... Continue Reading »

As ETFs, Markets Fall, Government Digs In Toolbox
October 9, 2008 – It seems like every day, a new weapon in the fight to save our economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) is unleashed. So far, little seems to impress the markets. Since the $700 billion bailout was... Continue Reading »

Commodity ETFs On Ice for Now
October 9, 2008 – The hot streak commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) saw this year is now on a cooling trend, as values have dropped 26-44% in the three months leading to Tuesday. The commodities slide is vast, and mutual... Continue Reading »

Gold ETFs Lure Investors
October 9, 2008 – As the financial roller coaster rolls on, gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) are pulling in new fans at a historical rate. Investors seek out the metal as a safe haven, because it always has value, no... Continue Reading »

Rate Cut Doesn’t Spur ETFs or Ease Recession Fears
October 8, 2008 – The Federal Reserve met this morning to deliver a surprise half-point rate cut, but so far, recession fears still rule over exchange traded funds (ETFs). The cut is part of a coordinated global effort to make... Continue Reading »

Federal Reserve Takes First Steps to Revive Markets, ETFs
October 7, 2008 – A plan to address the many issues our economy is having right now is taking shape, much to the liking of the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Federal Reserve has announced a plan to... Continue Reading »

Yen, Gold ETFs Surge While Commodities Tumble
October 6, 2008 – The tide has turned for the Japanese yen as the credit market collapse is sending the currency way back up, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) will follow. This same credit market collapse that sent Lehman Brothers... Continue Reading »

Dow, S&P, ETFs Plummet Amid Global Selloff
October 6, 2008 – Wall Street opened this morning and resumed its descent as stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors remain worried about the global credit crisis and what looks like a broad global selloff, despite the passage... Continue Reading »

Water ETFs Outperform Alternative Energy
October 6, 2008 – Water exchange traded funds (ETFs) do not need a life preserver amid the market turbulence - while they might be down, they’re still managing to swim ahead of the broader alternative energy markets. Water ETFs focus... Continue Reading »

Commodities, ETFs Close Up Bad Week
October 3, 2008 – Commodities and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are on pace for their worst week in nearly 50 years. Commodities, as measured by the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials, have lost 9.9% this week... Continue Reading »

Demand for Gold ETF Could Wane As Bailout Is Approved
October 3, 2008 – The world’s largest gold exchange traded fund (ETF) has been getting a lot of attention amid the market turmoil, but the newly approved bailout plan could dampen enthusiasm for the safe haven investment. The House gave... Continue Reading »

Twists and Turns In Banking Saga Impacts ETFs
October 3, 2008 – In a twist that could affect regional bank exchange traded funds (ETFs), Wachovia (WB) has agreed to be snatched up by Wells Fargo (WFC) in a $15.1 billion all-stock deal. But Citibank (C) is insisting that... Continue Reading »

Despite Bailout Optimism, Investors Flock to Gold ETFs
October 1, 2008 – Optimism about the upcoming vote on the $700 billion bailout has been giving way to stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) fluctuations for much of the day today. The package is in the Senate, and would... Continue Reading »

Asset Managers, Like Investors, Turn to Safe Haven ETFs
October 1, 2008 – Asset managers that deal heavily in exchange traded funds (ETFs) are taking defensive stances on the current market and buying hard, tangible assets like gold and commodities. Gold is, and has always has been the most... Continue Reading »

September ETF Performance Report
September 30, 2008 – Today brings to a close one of the most volatile months and quarters for exchange traded funds (ETFS) in stock market history. Several of the country’s largest financial institutions failed, some others merged and others... Continue Reading »

Looking for ETF Opportunities Today and Tomorrow
September 29, 2008 – Smart exchange traded fund (ETF) investors not only look for opportunities in areas that are currently moving up, but they also look for opportunities that may develop in the future, long before they’re actually here. The... Continue Reading »

Dow Jones Loses Nearly 800 Points In Volatile Session
September 29, 2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its largest one-day loss ever, leaving few bright spots in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Dow today plunged 777 points, by far surpassing the previous record of... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending
September 29, 2008 – Consumer spending became even weaker in August as back-to-school shopping failed to deliver a boost to the sector, even though retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed small gains for the month. Spending was the weakest it’s... Continue Reading »

House Votes No On Bailout; ETFs, Stocks Sink
September 29, 2008 – As the government’s $700 billion bailout plan failed to pass in the House, fear tore through Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs). As the vote was shown on TV, stocks plunged as investors worried that... Continue Reading »

Gold ETF Hits Record Holdings
September 25, 2008 – The world’s largest gold exchange traded fund (ETF) hit a record number of holdings on Tuesday. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) jumped 2% to a high of 724.94 tons, an uptrend that gathered steam when Lehman... Continue Reading »

Reports: Rescue Plan for Economy, ETFs, Markets Is Near
September 25, 2008 – Lawmakers are working fast and furious to craft a rescue plan that will save the economy, our beat-up stock markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) - at least, that’s the hope. Reports are that a deal... Continue Reading »

Oil and Gas Exploration ETFs: The Wave of the Future?
September 24, 2008 – The market is down, no doubt, and exchange traded fund(ETFs) have followed, but one thing is for certain that the market will turn around and financial markets will recover. Stocks all recover from bear markets, and... Continue Reading »

Oil Price Jump Shows Inner Workings Of ETF
September 23, 2008 – The price of oil rose 15.7% yesterday, so why didn’t the related exchange traded fund (ETF) shoot up accordingly? John Hyland, chief investment officer at the U.S. Commodity Fund, the firm behind the United States Oil... Continue Reading »

Safety Net Hunt Leads Investors to Gold ETFs
September 22, 2008 – Investors nervous about the government’s plan to extend a lifeline to embattled financials flocked to safe havens today, including gold and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs). The price of the precious metal jumped nearly 4%... Continue Reading »

Oil, ETFs Spike As Investors’ Nerves Frayed By Fed’s Plan
September 22, 2008 – Bailout anxiety today led to the biggest one-day spike in the price of oil as the dollar weakened and crude futures contracts expired. Oil jumped by $25 a barrel, which more than shattered the previous record... Continue Reading »

Barclays Said To Be Staying Away from Lehman ETNs
September 22, 2008 – According to a source at Barclays, the bank won’t be assuming the obligation of exchange traded notes (ETNs) issued by Lehman Brothers. When Lehman filed for bankruptcy last week, industry experts speculated that because Barclays had... Continue Reading »

Safe Haven Buying Sends Gold and ETFs On a Two-Day High
September 19, 2008 – Gold and the metal’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) jumped for a second straight day yesterday on a rush of safe-haven buying. The metal closed above $900 an ounce after a rush of save-haven buying took place... Continue Reading »

PowerShares’ ETF Family Grows With Biotech, Commodities
September 18, 2008 – The PowerShares exchange traded fund (ETF) family is adding a slew of new members this week. The PowerShares Global Biotech Portfolio (PBTQ) covers the growth of this industry. The biotech industry has seen increasing growth and... Continue Reading »

Getting Back To Our Roots With Wood and An ETF
September 18, 2008 – After reeling from the high gas and energy prices, city dwellers are getting back to their roots and collecting and burning wood for stoves and heating, leaving the timber-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) with another... Continue Reading »

Investors Run In Droves to Gold, ETFs; Dollar Dips
September 17, 2008 – Gold prices and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are soaring after the government bailed out American Insurance Group (AIG) and the dollar fell. The largest gold ETF shot up 11.6% along with prices - the biggest one-day... Continue Reading »

Are You An ETF Hater? This May Change Your Outlook
September 17, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the latest investment hot spot, but as with everything in the spotlight, there are going to be nay-sayers and haters. The even the investors who love to hate ETFs know that... Continue Reading »

Lehman Failure Illustrates Risks of ETNs
September 16, 2008 – One of the ways in which exchange traded notes (ETNs) differ from exchange traded funds (ETFs) is that they’re debt instruments. This means that you’re taking on the credit risk of the issuer, and if... Continue Reading »

Fed Holds Rates Steady - Where Do ETFs Go From Here?
September 16, 2008 – The Federal Reserve kept interest rates the same, leaving many to wonder what the implications are going to be for the broader markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The decision keeps the interbank overnight federal funds... Continue Reading »

Decision to Go for More Natural Gas Could Weigh on ETF
September 15, 2008 – The Department of Energy met last week to discuss whether it’s worth going after more natural gas, and the answer to their question will have implications for the related exchange traded fund (ETF). The Department estimates... Continue Reading »

With ETFs, There Are Ways to Play Lower Industrial Output
September 15, 2008 – Industrial output has broad implications for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs), so it isn’t good that it plunged by the largest amount in three years. Output fell by 1.1% last month, and economists were... Continue Reading »

The Answer for ETFs Could Be Flowing In The Rainwater
September 15, 2008 – Civilizations have been collecting rainwater for decades, but for the United States, it’s relatively rare, but if the notion gathers steam, exchange traded funds (ETFs) wouldn’t be the only thing affected if the technology to... Continue Reading »

MacroMarkets Tries Their Hand At Housing Market With ETFs
September 13, 2008 – MacroShares, the name behind a series of paired exchange traded funds (ETFs) tied to the price of oil, is now going to get into real estate. S&P said it has now licensed MacroMarkets to create products... Continue Reading »

Food Shortages Provide Opportunity For Agriculture ETFs
September 12, 2008 – Oil is down, natural gas has done a nosedive - now agriculture could be the next commodity to explode, mostly because of rising food costs and increased demand, giving agriculture-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs)... Continue Reading »

While Gold and ETFs Sink, Some Analysts Call a Bottom
September 12, 2008 – Gold futures dropped below a psychologically significant barrier yesterday, adding to its losing streak and taking exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower with it. The yellow metal dropped below $750 an ounce for the first time in... Continue Reading »

Oil Prices, ETFs Are Down; Gas Is Up on Ike’s Approach
September 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the general markets are off slightly after the trade deficit rose to a 16-month high and oil continued to head south. Oil imports hit an all-time high this summer, which offset... Continue Reading »

Stronger Dollar Trounces Gold, Silver, Platinum ETFs
September 9, 2008 – The rising value of the U.S. dollar is making precious metal exchange traded funds (ETFs) look a little less appealing. Gold has now slumped to its lowest price in more than a year, following the government’s... Continue Reading »

Solar ETFs Drop Sharply After Reports of Panel Glut
September 9, 2008 – Solar stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) plummeted after oil prices fell lower and investors worried about an oversupply of solar panels. One analyst at Lehman says the sell-off could be because of a misinterpretation of... Continue Reading »

ETFs Tumble After Pending Home Sales Fall, Lehman Solvency Questioned
September 9, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a step back early this morning after a few worrying developments. The stability of Lehman Brothers (LEH) came into question, sending their shares as much as 40% lower.... Continue Reading »

Dusting Off the Coal ETF After Prices Burn Out
September 9, 2008 – The coal-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) Market Vectors Coal (KOL) was one of the biggest losers last week, as it fell 17.2%. This week, it hasn’t gotten off to the strongest of starts, as it... Continue Reading »

It’s Early Yet to Tell If Tiny Turbines Will Help Wind ETFs
September 8, 2008 – While many are working to make the switch to alternative energy that could boost exchange traded funds (ETFs), some wonder if the cost of doing so will pay off down the line. For example, one man... Continue Reading »

Oil ETFs Are Up, Down, And All-Around The News
September 8, 2008 – Energy and oil are slippery topics right now, as analysts are trying to call a direction with natural disasters and economic factors to weigh in on the health of related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Hurricane Gustav... Continue Reading »

International ETFs are Appealing, but Diversification is Key
September 8, 2008 – Until recently, foreign stocks have outperformed U.S. markets, but when considering exchange traded funds (ETFs), global diversification remains essential. According to the Mole for CNN Money, U.S. stock funds have earned only 82% from 2003 through... Continue Reading »

The Lunch Lady Gets Pinched By Food Prices, But ETFs Won’t Be
September 5, 2008 – The high cost of food that has sent agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) into the stratosphere this year has touched another area: the school lunch. School cafeteria budgets are getting squeezed, and as evidence that no... Continue Reading »

As World Cleans Up Its Act, So Could Carbon Trading ETFs
September 5, 2008 – Carbon trading has the potential to become a hot market, making now a good time for the launch of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and indexes that have the potential to give investors access. Sue Asci for... Continue Reading »

Breaking Up With ETFs Is Hard To Do
September 5, 2008 – After a rough day for the markets like Thursday, many investors might wonder when it’s time to let go of their exchange traded funds (ETFs). Breaking up is hard to do, as the old song so... Continue Reading »

Heating Oil Prices Could Warm Up Related ETFs This Winter
September 5, 2008 – Be sure to sit down when you open that heating bill in a few months: heating oil costs are expected to skyrocket this winter and it might benefit the exchange traded fund (ETF). People are already... Continue Reading »

Natural Gas Rundown Has ETF Set To Benefit
September 5, 2008 – Take that, oil: natural gas and its exchange traded fund (ETF) can grab its own headlines. Turkey is concerned about the customs procedures between itself and Russia, which threaten gas and petroleum trades and sales. Turkey... Continue Reading »

Precious Metals ETFs Melt In the August Heat
September 5, 2008 – The double-digit losses in one month for precious metals exchange traded funds (ETFs) is yet another example of how jumping into hot markets can leave you burned when you don’t stick to the plan. Over the... Continue Reading »

School Not Off to a Peachy Start for Retailers, ETFs
September 4, 2008 – Glum economic news sent the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower in trading, especially in the retail sector. It’s the time of year for back-to-school shopping, but retailers’ numbers seemed to show that many kids... Continue Reading »

August Had Alternative Energy ETFs Seeing Green
September 4, 2008 – Anyone on the fence about green and alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) might find themselves converted by gains in August. Advances within the alternative energy sector symbolized major reversals from previous setbacks that were suffered... Continue Reading »

ETFs Full of Hot Air If Our Power Grid Doesn’t Get An Upgrade
September 3, 2008 – When it comes to making advances in alternative energy and giving some life to those exchange traded funds (ETFs), we could be ahead of our time. About 100 years too far. Our nation’s aging power grid... Continue Reading »

Factory Orders Jump On Overseas Demand; ETFs Could, Too
September 3, 2008 – U.S. factory orders saw a big jump in July that could pay dividends down the line for related exchange traded funds (ETFs). New orders for items such as commercial aircraft, heavy machinery, iron and steel rose... Continue Reading »

ETNs Are a Relative of ETFs, But They Aren’t Clones
September 2, 2008 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs) are beginning to gain popularity, as they allow financial advisors and investors to reach areas of the markets that were previously difficult to access. The ETN offers access to exotic markets that... Continue Reading »

Gustav Gives Relief to Oil and ETFs
September 2, 2008 – Hurricane Gustav spared oil facilities in the Gulf Coast this weekend, easing investor concerns, sending oil prices lower and exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher.  Crude oil fell to $108.77 a barrel in mid-day trading today, reports... Continue Reading »

Is Death of Commodity ETFs Greatly Exaggerated?
September 1, 2008 – Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) may not be in such bad shape - despite July being the worst month in 28 years, in which they lost 10%. As this slide continues, an article from The Economist... Continue Reading »

Heating Oil Could Heat Up ETFs and Your Bills
August 31, 2008 – While crude oil prices may begin to come down, heating oil could heat up your bills and related exchange traded funds (ETFs). While prices are down to their lowest levels in months, the nation’s heating oil... Continue Reading »

High Costs, Falling Prices Threaten to Dull Nickel ETF
August 30, 2008 – Nickel is on a downward slide that may be greased up by slick oil prices and scaled-back production that could halt growth in exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the time being. This year, there has been... Continue Reading »

Five ETFs That Are Waiting To Shine
August 29, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) world has exploded, and there are hundreds of funds to choose from. But there are a few that are great ideas that don’t seem to have taken off yet. Matthew Hougan... Continue Reading »

While Cotton Industry Shrinks in Australia, ETN Might Stretch
August 29, 2008 – There’s a battle over cotton that could affect its exchange traded note (ETN), and it’s anything but soft and fluffy. The United States and Brazil have been in a war over cotton subsidies for around six... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Harness the Wind With Advent Of Underground Storage
August 28, 2008 – Wind energy is not just a bunch of hot air, as many companies are looking to this as a legitimate power source, blowing new life into related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.... Continue Reading »

GDP Up, Joblessness Down, But While ETFs Might Rebound, Make Sure It Sticks
August 28, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) received a breath of fresh air today after it was announced that the U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter. Economists had called for a 2.7% growth... Continue Reading »

Of the Top Ten Funds In July, Seven Were ETFs
August 28, 2008 – July was a notoriously troubled month for the markets, but not all exchange traded funds (ETFs) were suffering. John Spence for MarketWatch notes that there were 708 U.S.-listed ETFs in July, with 24 managers at the... Continue Reading »

Coffee, Cocoa and Sugar Production Make Investors Hungry for Soft ETFs
August 27, 2008 – Cocoa exports from Nigeria doubled in the second quarter, making investors coo-coo for the cocoa exchange traded note (ETN). Nigeria is the world’s fourth-largest producer of the key chocolate ingredient, reports Dulue Mbachu for Bloomberg. The... Continue Reading »

Despite Price Plunge, Silver and Its ETF Gain Assets On Continued Demand
August 27, 2008 – iShares Silver Trust (SLV), the largest silver-backed exchange traded fund (ETF), has somehow defied the price of silver dropping. While silver has lost 40% of its value, the holdings within SLV have only gone up to... Continue Reading »

Coal Industry Rallies for Clean Coal At Conventions, Supporting Their Cause And ETFs
August 27, 2008 – The Democratic and Republican conventions might be “green,” but it’s nothing the coal industry and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are afraid of. Instead, they have brought the coal supporters out in full force in an effort... Continue Reading »

If Commodities Are Indeed At the Bottom, It Could Be ETFs’ Gain
August 27, 2008 – Despite the recent correction, commodities are in their seventh year of gains, which has led exchange traded funds (ETFs) embarking on one of their largest growth spurts. Some now think the bottom is in sight,... Continue Reading »

Rio Tinto’s Profit and ETFs Are Strengthened by China
August 26, 2008 – The world’s third-largest mining company said its half-year profit has more than doubled to a record, news that could potentially lend some strength to exchange traded funds (ETFs). Rio Tinto said its record profit owes much... Continue Reading »

Falling Gas Prices Make Consumers and Retail ETFs Happy
August 26, 2008 – What do you know? Falling gas prices this month lifted the collective mood of consumers and exchange traded funds (ETFs). It’s had quite an effect, too: the increase in confidence is the biggest in two years,... Continue Reading »

Solar Industry, ETF Prospects Shine As More Adopt Alternative Technology
August 25, 2008 – Solar company LDK (LDK) predicts it will put up numbers this year that could shine a light on exchange traded funds (ETFs). The company offered an upbeat 2009 revenue outlook, because its expansion of wafer production... Continue Reading »

Silver Takes Home the Gold When It Comes to Medals, But Not ETFs
August 25, 2008 – We know who took home medals at the Olympics, but did exchange traded funds (ETFs) come out a winner? The final tally for U.S. medals is 36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze. Not bad! Sorry Michael... Continue Reading »

Short, Financial ETFs Stand Tall As Investors Back Away From Oil, Commodities
August 24, 2008 – The last week notwithstanding, there has been a trend away from commodities and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them as the price of oil takes a step back. It’s led to a rebound for... Continue Reading »

When It Comes to Taxes, Commodity ETFs Are a Different Breed
August 22, 2008 – Now that commodities have come down from their recent highs, are you tempted to go in on a market dip with a focused exchange traded fund (ETF)? Commodity ETFs are popular, no doubt, especially given the... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Broadband, Water ETFs on Fox Business
August 22, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business earlier today and discussed broadband and water ETFs. Video of the segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Drought Has Cut Iran’s Wheat Production, Growing Our ETFs
August 22, 2008 – Agriculture and grains-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) could get a lift from a new customer buying wheat from the United States: Iran. After a 27-year break, the country has started buying our wheat again. It’s a... Continue Reading »

Water ETF Tanks the S&P For Returns
August 22, 2008 – Water and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks have been freestyling the markets faster than the S&P 500. As almost half of the world is experiencing drought-like conditions, the shortages are not a mirage... Continue Reading »

Interested in Gold and Related ETFs? You Might Like This Book
August 22, 2008 – If you’ve always wanted to go beyond the headlines and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) and learn more about gold, there’s a great new book for you to check out: The Goldwatcher, by John Katz... Continue Reading »

Platinum ETFs In for a Challenge In Market Recovery
August 21, 2008 – Platinum exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be in for some tough times ahead. Platinum Today reports that the metal, along with other precious metals, could face challenges as the market begins to recover and the dollar... Continue Reading »

New York’s Plan Could Be Breath of Fresh Air to Wind ETFs
August 20, 2008 – Mayor Bloomberg’s plan could make New York City the new Windy City while it helps power up wind-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). His proposal to generate more renewable energy for the city involves putting windmills on... Continue Reading »

Base Metal Prices Are Boosting ETFs
August 19, 2008 – You could be carrying some of the day’s biggest exchange traded fund (ETF) rallies right in your pocket. Copper, nickel and other base metals surged today as the dollar weakened and oil prices crept back up,... Continue Reading »

Oil Giants’ Past Mistakes Could Make ETFs Pay Later
August 19, 2008 – Oil companies have more money than they know what to do with, and while it helps the related exchange traded funds (ETFs), they’re finding themselves struggling to spend it. Much of the reason has to do... Continue Reading »

Commodity ETFs Become Portfolio Staples
August 19, 2008 – When it comes to commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs), choosing among the many available isn’t always a simple task. Investors have realized that prices for things like oil and corn can surge even as the rest... Continue Reading »

Just Because Agriculture Prices Are Lower Doesn’t Mean Demand Is Gone
August 18, 2008 – Grain prices have been falling along with exchange traded funds (ETFs), but that could soon change if demand keeps ticking up. There has been a commodities selloff in recent weeks, but analysts say that this may... Continue Reading »

Should ETFs Steel Themselves for Continued Commodities Demand?
August 18, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) for Australia and steel could benefit from BHP Billiton’s banner year of record profits. The world’s largest mining company said that its net profit for the year ending June 30 rose 14.7%... Continue Reading »

Oil and Gas ETFs Will Likely Continue to Fluctuate
August 18, 2008 – Oil and oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs), like Jimmy Stewart in “Vertigo,” look up. Then they look down. They look up. Then they look down. What’s going on? Early this morning, the situation was no different.... Continue Reading »

Carbon Credit ETN Gains as Oil ETF Slides
August 15, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) U.S. Oil Fund (USO) has slipped nearly 10% since late July and the exchange traded note (ETN) iPath Global Carbon (GRN) has gained almost that same amount.  As mentioned in... Continue Reading »

ETFs Higher With Consumers Mood
August 15, 2008 – The slowing of commodity prices eased cost pressures on households, companies and helped the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).  According to the Reuters/University of Michigan survey, consumers’ sentiment improved slightly in August.  Timothy R.  Homan and... Continue Reading »

Some Staying In Gold and ETFs, Hoping for a Turnaround
August 15, 2008 – Hope springs eternal: despite the retreating price of gold, some investors are still hanging on tightly to their exchange traded funds (ETFs). Mark Hulbert for MarketWatch reports that gold is posting a loss for the year-to-date,... Continue Reading »

Like the Beatles, Solar ETFs Will Follow the Sun
August 14, 2008 – The surge in alternative energy interest has shed some light on two solar stocks, both of which are assets in solar exchange traded funds (ETFs). LDK Solar (LDK) gave quarterly results that were so hot, they... Continue Reading »

The Numbers Show Where ETF Investors Are Going
August 14, 2008 – The numbers are telling us that equities are slumping, so where are exchange traded fund (ETF) investors putting all of their money? Through July 31st, ETF assets were heavy in equities, but over the past year,... Continue Reading »

Russia Reinforces Its Market and ETF Presence With U.S. Steel Buyout
August 13, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could reap the rewards as the Russians add to their presence in the U.S. steel industry. In the biggest takeover of the year within the global steel industry, Novolipetsk of Russia is... Continue Reading »

Are Certain ETFs Overlooked for Good Reasons?
August 13, 2008 – As the global economy experiences worldwide economic slowdown, different exchange traded funds (ETFs) do not seem to be drawing to much attention to themselves. Gary Gordon of ETF Expert points out that certain ETFs that are... Continue Reading »

Mild Weather a Double-Edged Sword for Crops and ETFs
August 12, 2008 – Some nice weather could mean lower prices for certain crops, but it might not do anything to add to the performance of agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs). After flooding this summer, farmers in the Midwest staged... Continue Reading »

Precious Metal Holdings and ETFs Decline Amid Selloff
August 11, 2008 – As the commodities pullback continues, investors are pulling their money out of precious metals and sending related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower. ETF Securities says the amount of metal it holds to back its physical platinum... Continue Reading »

Alternative Energy and ETFs: The Next Bubble?
August 11, 2008 – In the last decade, the spotlight has gone from tech, to real estate and then to oil, so will alternative energy the next hot spot for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to flock to? Chris Farrell,... Continue Reading »

Fuel Prices, ETFs Look Different In Second Half of Year
August 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that consistently found themselves at the head of the class with double-digit returns in the first half of the year are suddenly having a different view of things as fuel prices... Continue Reading »

Water ETFs: Is Water the Next Oil or an Infrastructure Play?
August 10, 2008 – As water-related investing gets more and more attention, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are looking to get a piece of this $400 billion global industry. With many media reports treating water as a scarce natural resource in... Continue Reading »

When A Bear Is On The Loose, Don’t Give Up On Your ETFs
August 9, 2008 – Many stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a mauling from the bear market, and commodities ETFs are doing their best to fight it off, but they may stumble just from sheer exhaustion. Financials were... Continue Reading »

ETF Securities Gets Approval for ETCs In the Middle East
August 8, 2008 – The Middle East continues to see product launches in exchange traded funds (ETFs) and now exchange traded commodities (ETCs). Reuters reports that ETF Securities will list five precious metal-backed ETCs in the region. They’ve been deemed... Continue Reading »

Larger Than Expected Fuel Inventories Have ETFs Hesitating
August 6, 2008 – The inventory numbers are in, sending fuel prices lower and energy-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) sputtering while they figure out where to go next. The supplies were larger than expected, an indicator that high prices are... Continue Reading »

Could the Supersizing of America Supersize Some ETFs, Too?
August 6, 2008 – In America, we’ve all heard of our cups running over in response to our hectic daily lives, but now statistics point to our dinner plates overflowing, contributing to a food shortage that affects exchange traded... Continue Reading »

ETNs: Just the FAQs, Ma’am
August 6, 2008 – The overall concept behind exchange traded notes (ETNs) isn’t exactly new, although the form they take today is. An ETN is a debt instrument the issuer promises to pay a specified return, based on the market... Continue Reading »

Do Emerging Market ETFs Help You Diversify?
August 6, 2008 – An interesting question has recently been brought up as to whether or not emerging market exchange traded funds (ETFs) truly help diversify one’s portfolio. Gary Gordon of ETF Expert points out that this depends on how... Continue Reading »

Good Numbers Raining Down on India’s Index, ETFs
August 5, 2008 – A recent end to India’s dry spell could have something brewing for the coffee exchange traded note (ETN). Wait, what? Yes, we said India. Among the coffee-producing countries in Asia, India is the third-largest. A drought last... Continue Reading »

Throwing Caution To The Wind ETFs
August 4, 2008 – Wind exchange traded funds (ETFs) are generating enough interest and returns to be more than just hot air. As oil prices are expected to stay high despite their retreat in recent weeks, investors have been considering... Continue R