Turkey ETF May Not See Benefits of Rate Cuts
November 21, 2008 – Turkey’s central bank pulled a fast one as it lowered interest rates, which may prove deleterious to Turkey’s economy and exchange traded fund (ETF). The central bank lowered lending rate by 1% to 18.75% and cut... Continue Reading »

Housing Market Infects Industrials ETFs
November 21, 2008 – Heavy equipment holders are selling their products at auction for less than expected, and items such as excavators, backhoes, or heavy construction machinery are being sold due to too much idle time. Sellers said they were... Continue Reading »

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 »

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 »

Two Hurting Auto Industries and ETFs, Two Approaches
November 21, 2008 – The Big Three in the United States aren’t the only car makers feeling the economic slowdown: the same crisis is taking place in China, not great news for related exchange traded funds (ETFs). But the... 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 »

Wind Technology Could Propel ETFs Forward
November 21, 2008 – There is good news for those eco-friendly advocates and wind-related exchange traded funds (ETFs), as two Cal State Long Beach professors have developed a new electricity-generating wind turbine. Conventional pinwheel wind turbines are large, crowded together... 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 »

Financial ETFs, Stocks Walloped, and It Could Get Worse
November 20, 2008 – Citigroup’s (C) descent to 13-year lows has only contributed to the woes that financial exchange trade funds (ETFs) have seen all year. The banking giant’s stock is now trading around $5, and it may only be... Continue Reading »

Dollar ETF Rally Could Be Over
November 20, 2008 – Despite concerns that an eighth-month rally of the U.S. dollar may be dissipating, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that make dollar bets continue to perform. In the last two weeks, the PowerShares DB... Continue Reading »

Download Savings for Retail ETFs
November 20, 2008 – Online retailers are increasingly becoming the shopping destination of choice, and an all-out price war could help retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) this holiday season. Malls and department stores are empty, and to compete for customers’... 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 »

Reliance on Oil Depresses Russia, ETF
November 20, 2008 – Economic growth for Russia is weak as forecasts have just been lowered, causing distress for shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Continued weakness in the Russian ruble also is inevitable, as macroeconomic fundamentals are pointing... Continue Reading »

Can Fundamental Indexes, ETFs Calm a Bear? It Depends
November 20, 2008 – Is there anything an exchange traded fund (ETF) investor can do in a down market such as this besides grin and bear it? Investment strategies such as stock picking and bond investing are all in the... Continue Reading »

ETFs May Benefit from Retailers’ Desperate Measures
November 19, 2008 – In an attempt to gain momentum and show some sign of hope, retailers are offering huge discounts allowing shoppers to get great bargains.  One could only wonder if stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and other securities are mimicking... Continue Reading »

Stock, ETF Slump Drives China to U.S. Treasuries
November 19, 2008 – As stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and other securities plummeted in September, the Chinese turned to the safe haven of government debt and became the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries. It appears that most foreign... Continue Reading »

Ways to Protect Your ETF Portfolio Now
November 19, 2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average has tumbled to lows not seen since 2003, and many must be wondering how they can protect their exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolios in times like these. Much of today’s weakness... 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 »

Malaysia, ETF Keep the Faith In Turmoil
November 19, 2008 – Current global economic turmoil has affected Malaysia’s exchange traded fund (ETF), but the country’s leadership is adamant that no recession will be seen and the currency will rise. Further, the central bank is ready to adjust... 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 »

ETF Prospects On a Market Rebound
November 19, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are set to be one of the best-kept market bets when the stock market decides to rebound. So far, the ETFs that are tied to worldwide market indexes have gone through a... Continue Reading »

Angry Investors Call for 401(k) Overhaul, More ETFs
November 18, 2008 – With the financial market meltdown and the plunging value of the average worker’s retirement portfolio, an overhaul of the 401(k) retirement savings plan option, which may even include the use of exchange traded funds (ETFs), has been... Continue Reading »

Sluggish Growth Leaves Tech ETFs Listless
November 18, 2008 – The impact of global slowdown resulted in businesses cutting back, which ultimately resulted in a decline in technology stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Within the past few weeks, orders for business and consumer tech products... Continue Reading »

ETFs In Trend-Setting Mode
November 18, 2008 – Studies suggest that the economic downturn has fueled the acceleration of investors who are shunning mutual funds and moving to certificate of deposits (CDs), variable annuities and exchange traded funds (ETFs). In particular, a study by... Continue Reading »

Pharma, ETFs Give in to Emerging Markets Lure
November 18, 2008 – Along with the broader economy, the pharmaceuticals industry and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are falling on hard times. Some patients have stopped taking their drugs - even the necessary ones - which could damage the... Continue Reading »

Why Optimism Rules In India, ETF
November 18, 2008 – Local demand may be enough to support India’s economy in the next year, while floating their exchange traded funds(ETFs). Trade Minister Kamal Nath says that the country may announce a trade assistance package for exporters later... Continue Reading »

Big Three Await Big Help As ETFs Hold Breath
November 18, 2008 – While there’s no automobile exchange traded fund (ETF), the implications for the economy and other ETFs are large if the Big Three fail are wide-reaching. Congress will begin their debate over how to help General Motors (GM),... Continue Reading »

Shipping ETFs Could Deliver Green Energy
November 18, 2008 – The shipping industry is seeing new applications in cost-cutting and environmentally-friendly technologies that may help its exchange traded funds (ETFs). Even if the goliaths of the shipping lanes are packed with sophisticated technologies, the ships still... Continue Reading »

Unhealthy Coverage for Employees and ETFs
November 17, 2008 – It’s open enrollment time for health care, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) might feel the pinch of limited menu options many employers are providing. Many employees are looking at their possibilities and finding that their options... Continue Reading »

G20 Summit’s Economic, ETF Impact Won’t Be Immediate
November 17, 2008 – Saturday’s G-20 Summit received favorable reviews, but the long-term impact on exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the markets remains to be seen. Nothing really “new” was discussed, however, and none of this had to be done... Continue Reading »

Pimco On Track to Enter ETFs in the Race
November 17, 2008 – Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO) has taken a different angle upon entering into the exchange traded fund (ETF) market. By filing a prospectus for its first ETF, it has taken the next step. As of  July... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETFs Can’t Build Up
November 17, 2008 – Slow consumer spending has gotten the best of Lowe’s (LOW) and homebuilder exchange traded funds (ETFs) as third quarter profits fell 24%. Nevertheless these ho-hum figures are better than Wall Street’s expectations. It is obvious many consumers... Continue Reading »

Land Of The Rising Sun, ETF, Stall
November 17, 2008 – Japan is experiencing a recession for the first time in seven years, and there is little hope for a soft landing as the global boom has triggered the pullback, with shares and exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »

Russian Currency ETF Launches
November 17, 2008 – Currency traders rejoice for the recent addition of the Russian Ruble exchange traded fund (ETF) to the growing family of currency funds. Rydex Investments recently launched the CurrencyShares Russian Ruble Trust (XRU), a first for Russian... 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 »

Middle East ETFs, Indexes Attract Global Interest
November 17, 2008 – Areas of emerging markets displaying potential for continued rapid growth (at least, after the global economic downturn finally abates) include the Middle East, and Dow Jones Indexes has launched two new indexes for exchange traded... Continue Reading »

ETF Industry Continues to Innovate
November 16, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors has gotten the green light from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to build an exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in other ETFs. Naturally, this will pave a path for other providers... Continue Reading »

Spain’s Economy, ETF Stagnate
November 16, 2008 – With the end of an extraordinary growth spurt a recession in Spain is inevitable. But to what extent will it affect Spain and its exchange traded fund (ETF)? It seemed like it was just yesterday that... Continue Reading »

ETFs, Financials Feel Pain of Credit Swap Market
November 15, 2008 – The failure of big banks has been detrimental to the credit default swap market, but how has it influenced the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the big insurers that create these swaps? In layman’s terms, a credit... Continue Reading »

A Narrow ETF Focus Can Amplify Risk
November 15, 2008 – Yet another example of how diversification can help an exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio from getting hit rather than completely drained is evidenced in the transportation sector. Diversification across an economic segment lessened the negative impact... Continue Reading »

Fast Food Restructure Could Add Value to ETFs
November 14, 2008 – We’re living in lean times in which everyone is scaling back and rethinking their old strategies; food and beverage exchange traded fund (ETF) components are no exception. YUM Brands (YUM), which operates KFC, Taco Bell and... Continue Reading »

Protecting Your Retirement In Turmoil
November 14, 2008 – The dramatic drop in the value of securities, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the overall economy has tarnished retirement portfolios. Better living conditions, superior healthcare, and advancements by the pharmaceutical and drug industry have lead to... Continue Reading »

Bailout Bungled; ETF Investor Trust Is Lost
November 14, 2008 – The U.S. Treasury is gearing up to deliver capital injections to 20 more banks, large and small, which could encourage financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) to move in the right direction. The Treasury has allocated $250... Continue Reading »

Telecom ETFs on Hold for Consumer Trust
November 14, 2008 – Innovation is typically a good sign that will induce growth, but recent applications in wireless technologies may prove otherwise for telecommunications companies in exchange traded funds (ETFs). After striking a potentially lucrative deal with Verizon Wireless... Continue Reading »

Domestic Housing Market, ETFs Seek Help
November 14, 2008 – Real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the housing market need a helping hand. The FDIC is breaking with the Bush Administration and is now proposing a $24 billion plan to help 1.5 million Americans stay... 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 »

Recession Could Change Game for Technology ETFs
November 14, 2008 – Some of the company heavyweights within the technology sector are going to have to step things up in a big way if they are going to survive and help boost the sector at large and... Continue Reading »

RevenueShares Expands ETF Family
November 14, 2008 – RevenueShares has launched its first sector exchange traded fund (ETF), and that’s not all the provider has got in the works. RevenueShares Financial Sector Fund (RWW) began trading this week. Eric Rosenbaum for Index Universe says... Continue Reading »

Biotechnology ETFs Tough It Out
November 13, 2008 – The biotechnology sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken their licks along with the rest of the market, but the sector based on innovation and life-saving technologies has been demonstrating strength in spite of... Continue Reading »

ETFs May Steal Fee Revenue
November 13, 2008 – As investors become better educated and informed, they are shunning actively managed mutual funds and moving toward other investments, such as exchange traded funds (ETFs). Researchers from the Boston Consulting Group found that actively managed funds generated $147... Continue Reading »

ETF Strategies in Volatile Markets
November 13, 2008 – The markets are as volatile as ever today, making it a good one for an article I wrote to appear in Investment News, outlining our strategy when it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs). Many advisors... Continue Reading »

Big Banks in ETFs Say Bailout Won’t Go to Salaries
November 13, 2008 – As major components of financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), there was a lot of concern in the investment community and the country at large about how banks would be using their bailout funds. Executives for some... Continue Reading »

Short ETFs Popular Now, But Be Cautious
November 13, 2008 – Long-short exchange traded funds (ETFs) are attracting more interest than ever it seems, especially on days such as this one where the markets are poised to break through new lows. Investors still want to earn... Continue Reading »

Numbers Paint a Bleak Picture for Markets, ETFs
November 13, 2008 – The Labor Department has reported the number of jobless claims has reached a new level not seen since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as the slowing economy has Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs)... Continue Reading »

Stocks, ETFs Threaten to Slide to New Lows
November 13, 2008 – There could be a new low awaiting the S&P 500 this year as Wall Street is taking the third consecutive day of stock losses on Wednesday, no doubt dragging many exchange traded funds (ETFs) along... Continue Reading »

Dour Climate Puts Real Estate ETF Auction on Hold
November 13, 2008 – The first-ever initial public offering open auction launch of exchange traded funds(ETFs) was set for Wednesday, but has been delayed as MacroMarkets deemed the real estate market conditions unhealthy. Blame the severely slumping real estate market rather than... Continue Reading »

Microcap ETFs Might Be Poised to Look Upward
November 12, 2008 – Have microcap exchange traded funds (ETFs) found the elusive bottom in what is a seemingly bottomless pit? Recent selloffs in the markets have diminished iShares Russell Microcap Index Fund (IWC), leaving it more than 50% off... Continue Reading »

German ETF Halts With Auto Industry
November 12, 2008 – Germany’s economy depends heavily on its exports and with the slump in auto sales, the economy and exchange traded fund (ETF) are looking bleak. As the world’s number one exporter, Germany has relied for years on the sale of... Continue Reading »

Lack of Gift Card Enthusiasm Could Spread to ETFs
November 12, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be hurting for the holidays, and gift cards might be the victim. As more retailers go bankrupt, many consumers could be left holding the bag in the form of unspent... Continue Reading »

Why Investors Are Ostracizing ETNs
November 12, 2008 – The disposition of assets and market losses have resulted in exchange traded notes (ETNs) to be ostracized. ETNs are debt instruments that promise to yield a rate of return equal to an index, less applicable fees.  They are similar... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Wilt As Bailout Costs Racked Up
November 12, 2008 – The cost of bailing out the auto industry and our financial institutions, many of which are major components in exchange traded funds (ETFs), is nearing $3.5 trillion. And that’s just the beginning. Although Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and... 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 »

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 »

Taiwan, South Korea Soothe ETF Pain With Rate Cuts
November 12, 2008 – Both Taiwan and South Korea are seeing cuts in their key interest rates, in hopes of jump-starting their economies and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Taiwan’s central bank on Sunday cut its key interest rate for the... Continue Reading »

Study Looks At Bond ETF Creations, Redemptions
November 11, 2008 – During the market meltdown, trading problems in bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) left huge discounts relative to net asset values (NAVs). To find an answer to this phenomenon, Citi Investment Research generated a report focusing on specific... Continue Reading »

As Energy Tanks, Russia, ETF Scale Back
November 11, 2008 – Russia was one of the biggest winners in the runup in oil prices, but now the country and its exchange traded fund (ETF) are falling back on hard times. The country is becoming no stranger... Continue Reading »

Unlike ETFs, Bailout Plan Sorely Lacks Transparency
November 11, 2008 – The financial landscape is shifting and changing, and the truth is, no one knows where it or the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are going to wind up when all is said and done. As efforts... Continue Reading »

Economy Takes a Toll on Luxury Housing, ETFs
November 11, 2008 – The largest luxury homebuilder in the United States, and a major component in homebuilder exchange traded funds (ETFs), predicted a 41% drop in fourth-quarter revenue. Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL) reported preliminary results for the quarter ended Oct.... Continue Reading »

ETFs Trade on for Veteran’s Day
November 11, 2008 – Veteran’s Day is upon us and markets will remain open, with stocks and exchange traded funds (ETF) trading,  so let’s take some time and honor those who protect our freedom and this country. This day is... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Look Ahead to Mortgage Rescue Plans
November 11, 2008 – Major banks held in exchange traded funds (ETFs) are targeting at-risk borrowers with Citigroup Inc. (C) taking the lead. They and other banks are adopting initiatives aimed at keeping borrowers in their home and money in... Continue Reading »

Mutual Fund Industry Feeling the Shift
November 11, 2008 – The market shakeup has resulted in a number of changes to the mutual fund and exchange traded fund (ETF) industry, with even more waiting in the wings. One of them is how managers are perceived... Continue Reading »

Aerospace And Defense Stocks And ETFs Wait Patiently
November 11, 2008 – U.S. aerospace and defense stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) weren’t able to dodge the post-election drop on Wednesday, and long-term prospects are still not clear. Uncertainty is a good word to describe what looms over... Continue Reading »

Brazilian ETF Mirrors Financial Distress
November 10, 2008 – As the good old days of record commodity and credit growth are gone for the moment, Brazil and its exchange traded fund (ETF) face the stark reality of global economic unrest. Credit is scarce and banks... Continue Reading »

Golden Arches Shine, But Food ETF Still Hungry
November 10, 2008 – McDonald’s (MCD) Dollar Menu must be appealing in tight times, but the food and beverage exchange traded fund (ETF) does seem to be eating it up. The world’s largest purveyor of fast food reported that same-store sales... Continue Reading »

European ETFs Gain Ground On Summit Hopes
November 10, 2008 –  In an era where time is money, the European Union (EU) and its leaders are holding a summit meeting in Washington this week to help repair their economies and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The 27 member countries met in... 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 »

Barclays’ New ETFs Focus On Fixed Income
November 10, 2008 – The volatility in the market has placed a new focus on fixed-income products such as exchange traded funds (ETFs) offering access to municipal and agency markets. Barclays Global Investors launched two new ETFs that respond to... Continue Reading »

Jury Still Out on Obama’s Effect on Solar ETFs
November 10, 2008 – It’s eagerly anticipated that solar exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the industry at large will get a boost from Obama’s election last week as president. However, some are cautioning that while there might be euphoria over... Continue Reading »

ETFs In ‘09: Will They Be Half Empty Or Half Full?
November 9, 2008 – When it comes to the stock market and exchange traded funds (ETFs), is the glass half empty or half full? Janice Revell for CNN Money asked big money brains for their take on the economy and... 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 »

Turmoil Could Spawn Opportunity In High-Grade Bond ETFs
November 8, 2008 – Current market conditions may ultimately translate into a brighter future for corporate bond and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The high-grade bonds are being priced with a highly pessimistic view of the future. Long-term maturity corporate bonds... Continue Reading »

ETF, Economy Drubbing Has Lessons to Be Learned
November 8, 2008 – The global economy is in the middle of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and vast efforts have been made to improve it, but what can be done to prevent or protect stocks, exchange... Continue Reading »

Germany May Not Find Stimulus Too Stimulating
November 7, 2008 – During a time of recovery for Germany and its exchange traded fund (ETF),  The German government has approved a stimulus packages to stem the effects of global slowdown. The stimulus package comes with a $29 billion price... Continue Reading »

Economy Coping Strategies With ETFs
November 7, 2008 – In the midst of staggering losses and the downfall of the market, stocks seem relatively cheap and some find relief in buying beaten down index funds as exchange traded funds (ETFs).  As the financial crisis still continues... Continue Reading »

ETFs Winning Global Popularity Contest
November 7, 2008 – All over the world, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are enjoying investor interest. Canadian ETFs are seeing record inflows of cash while their mutual funds are experiencing record sell offs, according to Investment Executive. It’s a situation... Continue Reading »

Russia’s Blame Game Could Hold Back ETF
November 7, 2008 – Russia doesn’t appear to be focusing on its own economic crisis and, left unchanged, could have long-term impact on its exchange traded fund (ETF). President Dmitry Medvedev finally addressed the nation a day after Barack Obama... Continue Reading »

Retailer, ETF Optimism Might Not Shrug Off Holiday Blahs
November 7, 2008 – While retailers in general are anticipating flagging sales reports, online shopping is expected to grow, up to a 15% increase from last year, giving relief to certain retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). However, the number... Continue Reading »

ETFs Reversing Two Bad Days Amid Gloomy Reports
November 7, 2008 – Two days of losses in the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are showing signs of reversal midday as bargain-hunters storm the house. The attraction of low stock prices has investors’ attention. A worse-than-expected unemployment report... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks About Obama’s Effect on ETFs
November 7, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business yesterday to discuss which exchange traded funds (ETFs) could benefit from President-Elect Barack Obama’s administration. Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETFs Await Federal Foreclosure Relief Plan
November 7, 2008 – Real estate and homebuilder-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are left waiting in the wings while the implementation of a federal foreclosure-prevention program is worked out. Disagreements on how to structure the program are complicating the details... Continue Reading »

Fundamental Indexes and ETFs Call Attention
November 7, 2008 – Last week, PowerShares cut expenses on its lineup of fundamental index exchange traded funds (ETFs). Murray Coleman for Index Universe interviewed Ed McRedmond, senior vice president, on the latest developments at PowerShares, including the decision to... Continue Reading »

How Obama’s Win Could Lift Muni Bond ETFs
November 6, 2008 – The election of Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States will help out certain exchange traded fund (ETF) sectors more than others. The municipal bond market could be one beneficiary, based... Continue Reading »

Mixed Blessing for Financial ETFs
November 6, 2008 – Finance and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) can feel the impact of bank-to-bank lending rate cuts. But the impact may not be all that helpful. The London interbank offered rate (Libor) fell to 2.51% from 4.82%... 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 »

History Not on Side of Consumer Staples ETFs
November 6, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors have had small fortunes ravaged by the bear, sometimes seemingly overnight. The fear that surfaces in volatile markets usually drives an investor to make an emotionally charged decision, selling stocks... 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 »

Mexico’s ETF: A Tale of Two Economies?
November 6, 2008 – While Mexico and its exchange traded fund (ETF) have been hit in the global turmoil,  some of the country’s officials claim that they’ve sidestepped the worst of it. Others, however, seem to feel that more... Continue Reading »

Tallying Up October’s ETF Assets
November 6, 2008 – National Stock Exchange (NSX) released their monthly U.S.-listed exchange traded fund (ETF) and exchange traded note (ETN) report for the month ending October. Assets totaled almost $493 billion at the end of October, a decrease of... Continue Reading »

Active Mutual Fund Investors Head for Exits to ETFs
November 5, 2008 – According to one study, It appears that the actively managed mutual fund is out and other investment tools such as structured notes, 130/30 funds, separately managed accounts and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in. Financial Research... Continue Reading »

Emerging Markets Bond ETFs Put to the Test
November 5, 2008 – We’re hovering around the one-year anniversaries for two emerging market bond exchange traded funds (ETFs). While it’s been a challenging year around the globe, these funds have made their own contributions to ETF investing. Both the... Continue Reading »

How Manhattan Slowdown Hurts Real Estate ETFs
November 5, 2008 – The crumbling real estate market has spread from the residential housing sector and right on over to the commercial market, hitting some exchange traded funds (ETFs) where it hurts. New York City commercial real estate transactions... Continue Reading »

Middle Eastern ETFs May Push Pause
November 5, 2008 – The Middle Eastern countries have seen investors are scaling back, as the region and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lose capital flows. Arab Gulf capital inflows are essential for these economies to continue their growth spurt. As... Continue Reading »

Now That Obama Has Won, Which ETFs Could?
November 5, 2008 – In the post-election hangover we’ve all got, now investors are looking ahead to what sectors and exhange traded funds (ETFs) are best poised for success under an Obama administration. Agriculture and infrastructure are likely to benefit... Continue Reading »

Fear Adds to Volatility of ETFs, and VIX Measures It
November 5, 2008 – Fearful investors have added to the volatility and dramatic price swings of stocks, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the overall market. This volatility, which is used as a gauge in investor sentiment, can be measured by the Chicago... Continue Reading »

Understanding Why Target Date ETFs Feel the Pain
November 4, 2008 – Target date exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a different animal when it comes to investing. A recent story we did on the subject noted that one in particular, the TDX Independence 2010 (TDD), was demonstrating “acceptable”... 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 As A Core To Portfolio Building
November 4, 2008 – Studies show that the majority of active fund managers do not outperform the markets consistently, a fact that has more investors considering exchange traded funds (ETFs) and other index products instead. One of the best ways... Continue Reading »

Bogle, Shining Light for Vanguard ETFs?
November 4, 2008 – Amidst market unrest, exchange traded fund (ETF) critic and investing legend Jack Bogle of Vanguard has been elevated to the level of prophet. People are looking for advice from and listening to Bogle for his investment... Continue Reading »

World ETFs Respond to U.S. Presidential Election
November 4, 2008 – As the United States makes its way to the voting booths, European stocks could soon present an opportunity, giving some life back to overseas exchange traded funds (ETFs). European stocks have taken a beating over the... 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 »

Consumer Staples ETFs Outperform, But Still Are Down
November 4, 2008 – Despite a recession, financial pros are touting the consumer staples portfolios and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as good performers during the next few months. This year so far, some of the better performers are those funds... 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 »

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 »

Utilities ETF Is Sending Signals
November 3, 2008 – It’s been tough going for stock exchange traded funds (ETFs) lately Among other things, fear and greed tend to influence the markets more than anything and right now nobody knows if the “Big Money” is done... Continue Reading »

Bond ETFs Can Add Stability In Wild Times
November 3, 2008 – The Federal Reserve cut the key interest rate last week to 1%, and while it affects stocks, it also can have an impact on bond exchange traded funds (ETFs). Ron DeLegge for ETF Guide reports that... Continue Reading »

When It Comes to ETFs, Traders Have Options
November 3, 2008 – The options market, where the sophisticated traders hedge their bets, is taking to exchange traded funds (ETFs) rather than individual equities. Higher market volatility has ended up in higher costs for traders, especially with specific stocks.... Continue Reading »

The 411 on ETF Spreads
November 3, 2008 – Investors, be cautious when dealing with ETFs that have widened average spreads. Spreads are a common occurrence in any exchange-traded security, which includes individual stocks and ETFs, between the buying “bid” price and the selling “ask”... Continue Reading »

Manufacturing Contracts, Has ETFs Fluctuating
November 3, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are back-and-forth following a weak manufacturing reading this morning. The Institute for Supply Management said that its index fell to 38.9, the lowest reading in 26 years, says Ellen Simon... Continue Reading »

Ireland, ETF May Have No Reason To Raise Mug
November 3, 2008 – The once expanding economy of Ireland is showing signs of slowed growth, leaving the short-term potential of its exchange traded fund (ETF) stunted. In 2004, Ireland opened its doors to immigrants from former communist states to... Continue Reading »

Tax-Loss Harvesting with ETFs Can Lessen the Pain
November 3, 2008 – The market meltdown has created an opportunity at tax time for exchange traded fund (ETF) users. John Spence for MarketWatch explains that when investors sell an ETF or mutual fund, any losses in excess of capital... Continue Reading »

Spain’s Economy, ETF Back-Pedal
November 2, 2008 – Spain’s economy is bordering on a recession as the country experienced its first quarterly decline since 1993, leaving exchange traded funds (ETFs) hanging. The estimate from the Bank of Spain on Friday showed gross domestic product... Continue Reading »

New Dividend Indexes May Raise Interest in ETF
November 2, 2008 – Perhaps an exchange traded fund (ETF) will emerge soon to track the newest entries into Standard & Poor’s stable of dividend-seeking indexes. The indexes cover areas such as Asia, Australia, Europe, Japan and other emerging markets. Index... Continue Reading »

ETFs Give Investors Choices In Any Climate
November 1, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors can play defense with their fund choices by focusing on areas of the market that hold up better in a downturn than other sectors. Many market analysts believe we are in... Continue Reading »

‘Use With Caution’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Avoid’ With Leveraged ETFs
November 1, 2008 – Many new exchange traded funds (ETFs) come in the short and leveraged variety, designed to help out educated investors. But the latest results have found that individual investors have had more trouble with leverage than... Continue Reading »

American Consumer Slowdown Impedes Retail ETFs
October 31, 2008 – Spender’s remorse has set in and retail-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are showing the aftermath of a less enthusiastic buyer. The most recent figures show that the American economy has shrunk by an annualized rate 0.3%... 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 »

Three Ways to Take Advantage of Market Decline
October 31, 2008 – As we wait for stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) to rebound, it’s a great time to help yourself and those that you care about. I have no clue about the short-term direction of the... Continue Reading »

Dollar, Yen ETFs On Pace for a Banner Month
October 31, 2008 – The dollar and yen exchange traded funds (ETFs) are gearing up to cap off a banner month, with their strongest one-month gain against the euro ever. Global recession fears are prompting investors to sell off their... 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 »

Consumers, ETFs Hurt While Oil, Gas Companies Win
October 31, 2008 – While the markets have seemed relatively calm in recent days, consumer confidence has taken a wallop. In October, it suffered its sharpest monthly drop on record, reports Chris Reese for Reuters. The reading plunged from 70.3... Continue Reading »

Halloween Indicator Could Be a Treat for ETFs
October 31, 2008 – Investors of stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may be feeling more tricked than treated, but one needs not get spooked, as daylight always shines. There’s lots of energy surrounding us, with Halloween upon us, elections... Continue Reading »

Target-Date ETFs: Are They On Target?
October 31, 2008 – Life-cycle funds or target-date exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a unique balance of fund in that they automatically adjust their allocation of equities and bonds. The closer you get toward your retirement date, the higher the... Continue Reading »

Investors Navigate New Frontiers; Can ETFs Give Direction?
October 30, 2008 – Mutual fund companies are bearing the brunt of the anger associated with the fallout of many retirees, and speculative retirees, retirement plans, giving exchange traded funds (ETFs) a chance to grab a share of the... 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 »

BRIC ETFs Put to the Test
October 30, 2008 – The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) economies are some of the fastest-growing in the world, but which focused exchange traded fund (ETF) is better? Once thought to be de-coupled form the rest of the world, BRIC... 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 »

India, ETFs’ Growth May Stunt In Crisis Conditions
October 30, 2008 – Around India, exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be feeling the impact of falling prices and a rash of political instability. India’s inflation rate fell below 11% for the first time since May, giving the central bank... 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 »

Investors Distrust Mutual Funds; Could ETFs Benefit?
October 30, 2008 – Investor distrust is plaguing the mutual fund industry, and perhaps we’ll find some of them jumping ship into the exchange traded fund (ETF) realm instead. The survey conducted by Ignites fund that 36% said increasing investor... Continue Reading »

Splitting Stocks With RevenueShares ETFs
October 30, 2008 – RevneueShares announced a stock split for three of their exchange traded funds (ETFs) that will take place on Nov. 3. The ETF provider is aiming at a per-share drop in price in an effort to... Continue Reading »

ETF Bulls, Bears Have Different Takes On Events
October 29, 2008 – Whether you’re an exchange traded fund (ETF) investor who’s bearish on the market or bullish on it, no doubt you’re finding your own way to interpret the recent market activity and what it all means. But... Continue Reading »

Rental Market, ETF Has Two Faces
October 29, 2008 – Layoffs and job losses aren’t just terrible for the housing market, it could also effect the correlation between a growing bunch of apartment vacancies, hurting related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and investments. Vacancy rates for houses... 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 »

Mark Cuban’s All-In-One ETF and Financial Crisis Solution
October 29, 2008 – It’s not “Dancing With the Stars” by any means, but Mark Cuban took a few minutes to answer some questions we had about his idea for an exchange traded fund (ETF). We first heard him discuss... Continue Reading »

ETFs For After The Rate Cut
October 29, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) across several sectors will feel the impact of the Federal Reserve’s decision today to cut rates by 0.5% in an effort to revive the economy and get the credit markets flowing... 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 »

Brazilian ETF and Currency Fight Inflation
October 29, 2008 – The Brazilian real strengthened on speculation that the central bank’s efforts to shore up the currency will help offset investor aversion to higher-yielding assets, giving the currency’s exchange traded fund (ETF) some vigor. The Central Bank... Continue Reading »

Market Vectors Drops the ‘Lehman’ Name from ETFs
October 29, 2008 – A line of exchange traded funds (ETFs) have undergone a “name simplification,” but behind the scenes, it’s business as usual. Market Vectors’ family of municipal bond funds have erased the Lehman name from its portfolios. Index... Continue Reading »

Let’s Get Ready to Rebound
October 28, 2008 – As the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared today to a nearly 900-point gain, the largest financial exchange traded fund (ETF) rode the top of the wave. The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) gained a one-day trading... Continue Reading »

ETF Assets Surge While Mutual Funds’ Leak
October 28, 2008 – If you think that exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been hemorrhaging assets along with mutual funds, you’d be completely wrong. The kind of inflows and trading volume ETFs have received this year might be enough... Continue Reading »

Consumer Staples ETF Could Be Hit By Slower Food Spending
October 28, 2008 – The consumer staples sector has typically been considered a defensive play in a down economy, but what’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) to do when families start cutting back on food, of all things? According to... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Pessimistic After Report, But Wall Street Prevails
October 28, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are lower in early trading on reports that consumer confidence is at its lowest point on record this month. The consumer confidence index plunged to 38, down from 61.4 in September... Continue Reading »

Two ETF Exchanges Team Up to Become One
October 28, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) previously listed on the American Stock Exchange are quickly shifting over to their new home on the NYSE Euronext. The move brings the total exchange traded product listings on the NYSE Euronext... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Cuts Expenses for 11 ETFs
October 28, 2008 – Everyone loves to see lower prices, especially when it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs). In an effort to keep up with the competition, PowerShares announced late last week that they are cutting expense ratios on... Continue Reading »

Chill Spreads Through Frontier Markets, Into ETFs
October 27, 2008 – Some of the world’s fastest-growing and smallest economies, as well as their exchange traded funds (ETFs), have been left reeling in the wake of the global financial crisis. One such country is Poland, which is struggling... Continue Reading »

Buy-and-Hold ETF Strategy Gets Burned
October 27, 2008 – The recent market and exchange traded fund (ETF) turmoil has investors and advisors alike rethinking the “buy-and-hold” strategy. One firm in Pennsylvania has moved 65% of its assets into cash positions, making it the largest cash... Continue Reading »

Why Yen, ETF’s Success Isn’t the Feel-Good Story of the Markets
October 27, 2008 – The Japanese yen and its exchange traded fund (ETF) have been on a tear lately, but not everyone is excited about the currency’s rapid ascent. The Group of Seven countries issued a statement saying they’re concerned... 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 »