ETF 101
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 »
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 »
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 »
Did Your ETFs Take a Hit? It’s Time for Harvest
November 19, 2008 – As Uncle Sam extends his long tax collecting arm, people are looking into tax-loss harvesting as another perk of investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs).
If you have an investment to cover U.S. large-cap stocks, assuming... 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 »
Tom Lydon’s Amazon.com ETF Podcast
November 17, 2008 – Listen to Tom Lydon talk about exchange traded funds (ETFs) and his book iMoney: Profitable ETF Strategies for Every Investor.
Then, while you’re there, why not buy a copy of the book and for someone who... 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
If Your Mutual Fund Is Costing You, Look At ETFs
November 10, 2008 – One of the many advantages of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is that they’re, on average, cheaper than most mutual funds.
How does that happen? Easy - ETFs are passive investment tools, meaning that there’s no manager... 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 »
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 »
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ETFs*
November 6, 2008 – Did you know we have an education section on exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) right here on this site?
We’ve compiled some of the most educational and informative articles that have ever... 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The $64K Question: What Do I Do Now?
October 28, 2008 – We received this question from an ETF Trends reader this weekend:
What do you suggest for right now? Our portfolio is down to almost half its value and everything seems to be trading below the trend... 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 »
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 »
ETFs With a BuyWrite Strategy Gain Popularity
October 27, 2008 – As the markets have turned, many investors are looking at possible opportunities and different strategies to approach the market with exchange traded funds (ETFs).
A BuyWrite fund is a strategy that has been most commonly utilized... Continue Reading »
Reasons There’s Hope Yet for a Global ETF Recovery
October 24, 2008 – It’s ugly out there for global exchange traded fund (ETFs), and today it got even uglier. Look at Japan’s Nikkei: it’s now below its 1985 level.
That means if you had bought the index back than... Continue Reading »
Stay On Top of the Latest Trends With Our New ETF Analyzer!
October 24, 2008 – You’ve been asking for more tools to analyze your exchange traded funds (ETFs) here at ETF Trends, and we’re pleased to announce that we’re giving them to you.
Have a look at our brand-new ETF Analyzer,... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Need to Watch and Wait
October 24, 2008 – We’re in interesting and unprecedented times, and many investors have questions about their exchange traded funds (ETFs) and what to do now that many of them are 40% and even 75% off their highs.
There’s no... Continue Reading »
Global ETFs Hit Especially Hard In Slowdown - Now What?
October 23, 2008 – Global exchange traded funds (ETFs), for the most part, have been hit harder than any other area. Most are at least 50% off their highs, while some are a full two-thirds or even more.
As the... Continue Reading »
ETFs Perfect for the Indecisive Type
October 23, 2008 – Why would an investor pick one stock, when he or she could instead pick 75 in an exchange traded fund (ETF)? Beats us.
Sector investing has become the norm with the advent of the mutual fund... Continue Reading »
Mutual Funds Can Have Tax Shocker; ETFs Don’t
October 22, 2008 – Both mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken their licks in the downturn, but mutual funds are about to start adding insult to investor injury.
Even though the average U.S. diversified stock fund is... Continue Reading »
Obscure Index Helps Measure ETF Investor Sentiment
October 21, 2008 – The stock market has been through a few nosedives, free-falls and sharp reversals, sending stocks, investors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a wild ride.
Whatever you want to call the swings, there is a way... Continue Reading »
Our Daily ETF Newsletter Is Available
October 21, 2008 – Do you get our daily newsletter about exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
If not, here’s what you’re missing:
Daily summaries of all the stories we have here on ETF Trends
Our weekly market update, in which we discuss the... Continue Reading »
Bear Market Mistakes with ETFs to Avoid
October 21, 2008 – As the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) remain decidedly bearish, investors often wonder if there’s anything they can do.
While no one has the power to turn things back around or make a bear a... Continue Reading »
ETFs Can Help Families Pay College Tuition
October 19, 2008 – Families of college-age students are facing another struggle: the college tuition expense, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a solution.
Some families are pressing financial offices of higher learning institutions for thousands more through a... Continue Reading »
ETF Spotlight: CurrencyShares Japanese Yen (FXY)
October 17, 2008 – ETF Spotlight on CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust (FXY), part of a recurring series.
Assets
$843 million
Holdings
This fund seeks to track the price of the Japanese yen.
Brief summary of the sector or area the fund covers: This fund... Continue Reading »
Bond ETFs Trade At Discount to NAV
October 17, 2008 – The credit crisis has suddenly made certain areas a lot more interesting than they normally would be: just look at commercial paper and bond exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Record volatility in the markets has wound up... 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 »
Tom Lydon on Gaining An Edge With ETFs
October 13, 2008 – “iMoney” author Tom Lydon discusses the use of exchange traded funds (ETFs) in this volatile market to quickly access different asset classes.
Lydon also addresses what’s ahead for ETFs in the future, including actively managed funds,... Continue Reading »
iShares Waits for SEC Call on Lehman Index ETFs
October 12, 2008 – The iShares exchange traded fund (ETF) family is now tied to Lehman Brothers indexes, but this could be both a boon and a headache.
Fourteen iShares funds track Lehman indexes and these are some of the... Continue Reading »
Not All ETF Products Are Created Alike
October 10, 2008 – When commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) were on a bull run this summer, London-based ETF Securities was right there with its line of funds aimed squarely at the sector.
The provider, which actually runs products known... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Try to Cope With Crisis
October 10, 2008 – Everyone’s talking about the financial crisis, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and what’s to be done about it.
Americans’ retirement plans have lost as much as $2 trillion over the past 15 months. And while Money Magazine... Continue Reading »
ETF Spotlight: iShares Lehman TIPS Bond (TIP)
October 8, 2008 – ETF Spotlight on iShares Lehman TIPS Bond (TIP), part of a recurring series.
Assets
$8.1 billion
Holdings
This fund holds of a mix of U.S. Treasury bonds and notes.
Objective
TIP, which began on Dec. 4, 2003, seeks to correspond... Continue Reading »
There’s Hope for ETF Investors Nearing Retirement
October 8, 2008 – The financial crisis has wreaked havoc on Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs), and now there’s something else getting hit hard: retirement portfolios.
American’s retirement plans have lost around $2 trillion so far during the... Continue Reading »
Market Strains ETF Affordability
October 7, 2008 – The recent strain on the market is pushing the limits for the affordability factor concerning exchange traded funds (ETFs).
ETFs are touted for their low cost and, in fact, it is a major selling point for... Continue Reading »
S&P, ETF On Pace to Be a Loser This Decade
October 7, 2008 – This decade has the potential to go down in history as one of the worst for our economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Today the Dow Jones and S&P 500 extended their declines, and now the... Continue Reading »
Mutual Funds Deliver Surprises, But ETFs Don’t
October 6, 2008 – Few have been untouched by our financial crisis and our failing economy, but while exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Wall Street are getting hit, one mutual find giant may be getting the worst of it.
As... Continue Reading »
Active Mutual Funds Getting Beat Up Compared to Indexes
October 6, 2008 – Actively managed mutual funds sound like less and less of a good idea in the wake of the financial mess, and it could wind up driving investors to exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Matthew Hougan for Index... Continue Reading »
Preparing to Pick Your ETFs When Markets Turn
October 5, 2008 –
Many investors are sitting on the sidelines as the markets continue to zig and zag, but there’s going to come a time when they’ll want to get back in, putting exchange traded funds (ETFs) in... Continue Reading »
What ETF Investors Should Do In Market Turbulence
October 4, 2008 – Many exchange traded fund (ETF) investors of all types have been worried these last few weeks, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average has seen some of its biggest losses and most volatile days in history.
Mary... Continue Reading »
First Nine Months of Year Have Lessons for ETF Investors
October 3, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in the homestretch of 2008, and the last nine months have got us reflecting on where we’ve been and where we’re going from here.
The big question is: can it get... Continue Reading »
Buy-and-Hold ETF Investors Don’t Have to Sit Back
October 2, 2008 – Most investors and advisors had an idea that the bear was coming to Wall Street, so this gave most fair warning to shore up and be prepared, taking necessary steps to protect shares and exchange... Continue Reading »
Lehman In Your ETF’s Name Is Not a Worrisome Thing
October 2, 2008 – A number of exchange traded fund (ETF) investors are left wondering, “What is in a name, particularly those funds with Lehman in the title?”
At times like these, you can forgive those who see a name... Continue Reading »
ETNs Fall Under Scrutiny Amid Credit Crisis
October 2, 2008 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs) have been under increasing scrutiny with the current market conditions, and the recent sinking of Lehman Brothers had investors scrambling for answers concerning the default debt associated with notes.
John Spence for... Continue Reading »
Havoc In Magellan Could Steer More Assets to ETFs
October 1, 2008 – Along with the general market turmoil, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds have been getting hit. But one of the oldest and most venerable mutual funds in particular is facing big losses as a... Continue Reading »
Short ETFs Were Monday’s Winners
October 1, 2008 – Short exchange traded funds (ETFs) are especially of interest right now, given the market conditions and circumstance.
Short ETFs give investors the opportunity to profit in down markets, and they also allow maximization of returns in... Continue Reading »
ETN Investors Shun Funds In Favor of ETFs
September 30, 2008 – Market volatility and the precariousness of our financial institutions are making some exchange traded note (ETN) investors a little nervous.
The recent failure of Lehman Brothers has highlighted the risks of ETNs, which are credit instruments.... Continue Reading »
Good News for Bear Markets, ETFs In Volatility Index
September 30, 2008 – If we’re going solely by indicators to tell us that our exchange traded fund (ETF) and economic troubles are nearing a close, one offers a ray of hope.
The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, otherwise... Continue Reading »
What ETF Investors Have On Their Minds
September 30, 2008 –
With all the news and uncertainty going on in the markets, many investors are wondering what to do with their exchange traded funds (ETFs) and their portfolios. Here are some questions that we’ve received from... Continue Reading »
Funds Scramble to Deliver Transparency ETFs Offer
September 30, 2008 – Investors who want to know what they own need to look no further than exchange traded funds (ETFs), something that has become increasingly apparent.
After the last few tumultuous weeks we’ve had, it’s no shock that... Continue Reading »
Bond ETFs Take A Detour Off Track In Wild Markets
September 29, 2008 – Bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) have had a difficult time of late, as at times they’ve not traded at prices that match their underlying values - one of the main purposes of these funds.
For example,... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Need To Buckle Up And Hang On
September 28, 2008 – The market’s meltdown has stock, mutual fund and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors wondering where to go.
Katy Marquardt for US News & World Report put the question to experts in each area. Overall, the consensus... Continue Reading »
ETFs Increasingly Popular With Mutual Fund Managers
September 28, 2008 – While the exchange traded funds (ETFs) work to make their mark with investors and get a bigger slice of the mutual fund pie in terms of assets, fund managers don’t appear to have to be... Continue Reading »
Bargain Hunters Descend on Hard-Hit ETF Sectors
September 25, 2008 – Many investors are holding off for a market turnaround before they get back in to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and assorted other securities.
But some Wall Street players are already looking around to be the first... Continue Reading »
Financial Crisis Brings ETNs Under Scrutiny
September 24, 2008 – Earlier this year, the exchange traded note (ETN) market really began to take root, but now the $6.8 billion market is on shaky ground as the credit risk keeps revealing new obstacles to overcome.
Those unsure... Continue Reading »
Looking Under The Hood Of Your ETF Is Easier Than You Think
September 24, 2008 – When it comes to exchange traded fund (ETF) investing, transparency is often touted as an advantage. But do you know where to look?
There are many websites to go to, and they usually have a list... Continue Reading »
What Happens After The Financial Sector And ETF Meltdown?
September 23, 2008 – The government of the leading nation in the financial sector is spinning out of control, and taking the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks with it, but can there be a recovery after rock... Continue Reading »
U.S. Treasury Seeks ETF And Other Fund Managers For Help
September 23, 2008 – The United States Treasury is looking to hire fund managers, including exchange traded fund (ETF) managers, to help implement moves within the market rescue plan. Asset managers charged with buying distressed assets are first up,... Continue Reading »
Infrastructure As an Asset Class Might Build Up ETFs
September 21, 2008 – The investment industry is pondering whether infrastructure should be its own asset class, and with the launch of some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in such companies, the idea is carrying some weight.
Companies involved... Continue Reading »
ETF and Market Definitions For More Clarity
September 20, 2008 – Due to the nature of the markets at the moment, there is a lot of confusion when researching and talking about your portfolios and exchange traded fund(ETF) investments.
Nilus Mattive for Money and Markets has some... Continue Reading »
One for the History Books This Week With ETFs
September 19, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been making history this week, as Monday gave way to one of the biggest volume trading days ever. This comes after markets have plunged to three year lows and then,... Continue Reading »
Understanding Money Markets and Safe Haven ETFs
September 19, 2008 – After the credit crisis began to spread earlier last year and kicked financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) left and right, investors increasingly began to look toward traditionally “safe” investments - including money markets.
But this week,... Continue Reading »
Central Banks Pull Together to Give Markets, ETFs An Assist
September 18, 2008 – After three days of staggering volatility, all eyes remain on financials and the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) to see what they’ll do next.
The Federal Reserve and the world’s other major central banks stepped up... Continue Reading »
Some ETFs Suspend Trading In Europe; Could It Happen Here?
September 17, 2008 – Trading in exchange traded productions known as exchange traded commodities (ETCs) was halted on Tuesday after market makers stopped offering prices in commodity securities backed by matching contracts from American International Group (AIG).
In a statement... Continue Reading »
Home Construction Report Tears Down ETFs
September 17, 2008 – Home construction exchange traded funds (ETFs) are feeling some pain today after housing construction fell to its lowest point in 17 years.
The building of new homes and apartments fell by 6.2% in August, a shock... Continue Reading »
Barclays, Lehman Deal Could Be a Headache for Some iShares ETFs
September 17, 2008 – The iShares line of exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be getting a bit of a headache from Barclays‘ acquisition of Lehman Brothers’ (LEH) banking division.
Barclays will take over the division for what amounts to a... Continue Reading »
The Past, Present and Future of Financials and ETFs
September 17, 2008 – After months of turmoil in the credit markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), one can’t help but wonder: what’s next?
What’s Happened So Far
The markets were mostly down this morning ahead of the anticipated Federal Reserve... 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 »
Why More ETF Trades Benefit You
September 16, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have seen lots of trading activity lately, and this is a great thing for those of you who own these funds.
More activity equals less expensive market exposure, more tax efficiency, and... Continue Reading »
Dow Down 500 Points - ETFs Have Ugly Day
September 15, 2008 – Lehman Brothers (LEH) filing today certainly affects some of the exchange traded funds (ETFs) you may have in your portfolio, but does it affect you personally?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 500 points... Continue Reading »
Another ETF Lesson to Know What You Own
September 14, 2008 – Every so often, there comes a reminder to look at the holdings in an exchange traded fund (ETF), along with their weightings.
iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REIT (REM) holds a basket of real estate investment trusts... Continue Reading »
Greed Can Be Death to Your ETF Portfolio
September 14, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are touted for their transparency, but does transparency matter when fear or greed rules the markets?
Howard Lindzon says people wanted Russia, Brazil, oil, China, coal and agriculture, and all the transparency... Continue Reading »
When Emerging Markets Turn, One ETF Could Be Worth Watching
September 11, 2008 – Emerging market exchange traded funds (ETFs) haven’t been anyone’s darling lately, but there will come a time when they make a turnaround, and it could wind up even being more robust than our own turnaround.
For... Continue Reading »
There Are ETFs You Can Use to Hide From the Bear
September 11, 2008 – The markets are ugly, and many exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting that. But as we always say, even as some areas are down, there are other areas that are performing well. You just have... Continue Reading »
Municipal Bond ETFs Offer Attractive Rates
September 10, 2008 – One beneficiary of the Treasury’s takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is Treasury bond exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Treasuries advanced on Tuesday, pushing yields down, as concerns about the health of the banking system here... Continue Reading »
Is An ETF Better When Mixed With A Mutual Fund?
September 10, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are popular investment tools, no doubt, and now some of their newest fans seem to be one of their biggest rivals - mutual funds.
More and more mutual funds are beginning to... Continue Reading »
Tom Lydon on CNBC Special “ETF 101″
September 8, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared as a featured guest on CNBC’s special ETF 101 episode that aired last Friday evening. Video of Tom’s segment appears below:
Continue Reading »
Insider News: ETF Guru Deborah Fuhr Lands At Barclays
September 8, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) guru and research pioneer Deborah Fuhr has been appointed the Global Head of ETF Research and Implementation Strategy at Barclays Global Investors.
Fuhr had been part of the research team at Morgan... 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 Middle East Could Be Too Mysterious for Some ETF Investors
September 6, 2008 – The Middle East is shrouded in mystery and investors who want to dabble in those economies should do so with a bit of caution, say advisors, as exchange traded funds (ETFs) are allowing access 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 »
ETFs Around the World Sneeze After Dow Sinks
September 5, 2008 – Wall Street coughed yesterday, and Europe and Asia’s markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) caught a cold.
After the Dow Jones lost more than 340 points, Europe’s FTSE-100, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC all fell by... Continue Reading »
Hard Assets ETF Based on Jim Rogers’ Index Launches Today
September 3, 2008 –
Van Eck is the first exchange traded fund (ETF) provider to market with a fund tracking global hard assets. Market Vectors-RVE Hard Assets Producers ETF (HAP) will begin trading Wednesday morning, on... Continue Reading »
ETF Selecting Doesn’t Have To Be Like A Box Of Chocolates
September 3, 2008 – When it comes to selecting your exchange traded fund (ETF), it doesn’t have to be like a box of chocolates.
Unlike Forrest Gump, investors do not have to choose an ETF and never know what they... 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 »
Actively Managed ETF Education is Key
September 2, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) world became more exciting with the recent introduction of actively managed ETFs this year. As ETF providers continue to offer successful and innovative products, the success of ETFs may depend... Continue Reading »
When ETFs Keep Holdings Out In the Open, Everyone Benefits
September 2, 2008 – One of the main benefits of exchange traded fund (ETF) investing is transparency, among other things.
Matthew Hougan for Index Universe says this is one aspect of ETFs that gets glossed over too quickly.
Getting to heart... 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 »
Tortoise and Hare: Growth ETFs Outpace Value
August 29, 2008 – For those investors seeking profit now, rather than after a market recovery, growth-oriented exchange traded funds (ETFs) appear to be outpacing the value. One of the biggest reasons this is happening is because of inflation.... Continue Reading »
Misbehaving Mutual Funds Give ETFs a Leg Up
August 29, 2008 – As the market for exchange traded funds (ETFs) continues to expand, problems with the mutual fund market contributed greatly to this growth.
Chuck Jaffe for the Boston Herald examines the mutual fund world and how... 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 »
Mutual Funds Aren’t Putting Up the Numbers, So Why Aren’t You In ETFs?
August 22, 2008 – As the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry continues to grow, the question arises as to whether ETFs will be able to replace mutual funds, which have long been believed to be a smart place to... Continue Reading »
Currency ETFs Offer A Way to Capitalize, But Know What You’re Getting
August 21, 2008 – There’s been a lot of talk lately about the value of the dollar - is it up? Is it down? - which has been sending investors on the hunt for currency exchange traded funds (ETFs).
ETFs... Continue Reading »
Contrarian Markets Can Be Tamed With ETFs
August 20, 2008 – As seen in the exchange traded fund (ETF) market, the U.S. stock market seems to be defying traditional elements of savvy investing.
Gary Gordon for ETF Expert points out that risk or risky investments are often... Continue Reading »
ETFs Hold Down the Lowest Expense Ratios
August 19, 2008 – The expense ratios for exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) for the third quarter have just been tallied up.
The findings were that in most funds, the increases were few. If there were... Continue Reading »
ETFs Have Got You Covered
August 17, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) fan club keeps on growing.
Brian Neill for the Bradenton Herald says that he’s staying away from most individual stocks. Instead, he’s spending more time on ETFs, and the more he... Continue Reading »
This ETF Buys Into Its Own Idea
August 16, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have given rise to a variety of unique funds, and one of them is one that buys into itself - literally.
The PowerShares Buyback Achievers Portfolio Fund (PKW) holds a basket... Continue Reading »
Brokers Lessen Dollar-Cost Averaging for ETFs
August 15, 2008 –
Dollar-cost averaging, or the expense of making regular investments, is becoming less of an issue for exchange traded funds (ETFs). As Joe Morris for Ignites explains, more brokerages are discounting ETF trades, or in some... Continue Reading »
There Are Questions To Be Asked, But ETFs Aren’t Really a Riddle
August 14, 2008 – Keeping your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio on the right track is a matter of asking some simple questions.
Gary Gordon of ETF Expert has the queries investors should think about:
Does a bad economy equal bad... Continue Reading »
ETFs to Form New Paths Into 529 Plans
August 14, 2008 – As the cost of a college education continues to climb each year, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are looking to develop new growth paths into 529 college savings plans.
Murray Coleman for IndexUniverse was able to catch... 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 »
Attention First Time Investors: Consider An ETF First
August 10, 2008 – If you are an investing newbie and considering buying some stocks for your first time, there is a better way to go: exchange traded funds (ETFs).
First consider who you are: Are you 30 and starting... 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 »
When An ETF Shuts Down, You Don’t Have To
August 4, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) is an invention that is a boon to most investors. But as something grows, naturally there are going to be discussions about whether it’s too much, too fast, too soon... Continue Reading »
Four Little Words Can Do Big ETF Portfolio Damage
August 4, 2008 – What four words could do the most damage to your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio?
“This time it’s different.”
Jonathan Burton for MarketWatch notes that fortunes have been made and lost on that one little phrase. Remember... Continue Reading »
U.S. News & World Report Talks ETFs and iMoney With Tom Lydon
August 3, 2008 – You had to go and ask - why should you invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
We talked to Katy Marquardt for U.S. News & World Report earlier this week about that very question. While ETFs... Continue Reading »
ETFs Still Growing as Analyst Feels More is Still to Come
August 2, 2008 – Although exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a product of relatively recent financial innovation, senior analyst at Wachovia, Mariana Bush, sees new markets opening for ETF investors.
Heather Bell for IndexUniverse discussed with Bush the direction she... Continue Reading »
New ETN Provider Jumps In With A 130/30 Stratgey
August 2, 2008 – A new exchange traded note (ETN) provider has popped up: WealthNotes, from Westport, CT. Their first offering is a play on the 130/30 strategy.
So far in 2008, the ETN industry has been outpacing the ETF... Continue Reading »
ETF Beginners Should Start Here
July 30, 2008 – Are you a novice to exchange traded fund (ETF) investing?
If you would like to build an all-ETF portfolio, there are some things to consider.
We had a conversation with Katy Marquardt for U.S. News & World... Continue Reading »
Dividend ETFs Are Put Together In Different Ways
July 28, 2008 – Dividend investing with exchange traded funds (ETFs) has had enough time in the game to see which ones are the most successful.
Dan Caplinger for The Motley Fool reports that after the tech bubble in the... Continue Reading »
Are ETFs Poaching the Money Markets?
July 25, 2008 – With short duration funds being a recent trend in fixed-income exchange traded funds (ETFs), few of these ETFs actually invest like a real money market.
However, Murray Coleman for IndexUniverse reports that many industry observers believe... Continue Reading »
One Leap Forward For ETFs Incorporated Into 401(k) Plans
July 24, 2008 – Today, the Department of Labor issued its final regulatory proposal governing 401(k) fee disclosures, taking one giant step toward exchange traded funds (ETFs) becoming incorporated into retirement plans.
Under the proposal, the third of three for... Continue Reading »
Marketing a Niche ETF Can Involve Lots of Explanation
July 23, 2008 – Have you ever wondered how a firm markets and generates interest in a specific niche exchange traded fund (ETF) that does not associate itself with broad-based indexes?
Ed McRedmond, senior vice president of PowerShares, explains that... Continue Reading »
Animal Care ETF Seems to Be a Drool-and-Pant-Worthy Idea
July 21, 2008 – An animal care exchange traded fund (ETF) could be an idea whose time has come.
Anyone who has a pet is all-too-familiar with the vet and the worry that comes with each visit: What’s wrong with... Continue Reading »
Rewards Could Come With Risk In Emerging Markets ETFs
July 21, 2008 – Emerging market exchange traded funds (ETFs) are one of the best ways to diversify, and investors have found that they have generated exciting returns in recent years.
If you can stomach the risk that often comes... Continue Reading »
ETNs Wanting for Investor Attention
July 18, 2008 – So far, this has been the year of the exchange traded note (ETN). Investment banks and fund providers have been lining them up in the market in droves.
But how come investors haven’t been lining up... Continue Reading »
Predictions: ETFs In 401(k) Plans Is The Next Big Move
July 17, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors conducted a survey in June which determined that financial advisors think the biggest growth area for the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is within 401(k) plans.
Of the 840 respondents, 43% felt... Continue Reading »
Some iShares ETFs Are Calling It Splits
July 16, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors has announced they are splitting shares amongst 10% of their exchange traded fund (ETF) line, iShares.
There are more than 160 U.S.-based products within this fund family, and they represent $327 billion in... Continue Reading »
2008 Is The Year Of The ETF Launch
July 15, 2008 – As time flies on, so does the number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) being introduced to the industry. Last year there was a new launch almost daily, taking the number to around 700, with $600... Continue Reading »
It’s All In the Construction With Commodity ETFs
July 14, 2008 – When it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs), investment strategy can make all the difference.
Since the year is past the halfway mark, it is fair game to start comparing ETFs within the same sector, and... Continue Reading »
ETFs Can Be your Safe Haven
July 11, 2008 – Have you ever considered exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a safe haven for your money when markets get rough? Sure, there are the old standbys, such as gold, to offer investors a calm harbor, but... Continue Reading »
An ETF Trend-Following Plan For All Seasons
July 9, 2008 – It’s hard to believe that the S&P 500 Index has been flatter than a pancake for the past nine years. It’s had its ups and downs, but when you connect the dots, it went virtually... Continue Reading »
Do-It-Yourself Diversification With ETFs
July 9, 2008 – For any exchange traded fund (ETF) investor, diversification is key. One of the sole reasons people choose to use these funds is to get the instant diversification with one investment, while keeping risk and volatility... Continue Reading »
Don’t Let ETF Closings Give You a Case of the Mondays
July 7, 2008 – Another round of exchange traded funds (ETFs) are closing, and it’s got some asking if we’re on a death watch.
The short answer is: no. It’s just the nature of things that when you have... Continue Reading »
Tom Lydon on CNBC Special ETF 101
July 5, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared alongside Lisa Dallmer of the NYSE and “ETF 101″ show host Bob Pisani yesterday to discuss the basics of exchange traded funds and future trends we may see.
Continue Reading »
Single-Country ETFs Are World Travelers
July 5, 2008 – Single-country focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) are well-recognized for their investment benefits and instant diversification. They are one of the most simple ways to gain foreign stock exposure across a range of sectors, with... Continue Reading »
Pairing Up ETFs May Be a Way To Head Off Volatility
July 4, 2008 – In an attempt to stave off market volatility, trading in pairs of exchange traded funds (ETFs), or pairs trading, can be an option for investors who want to hedge market downturns.
Pairs trading is... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs and ETNs Feel the Rising Demand
July 3, 2008 – Not only have returns in commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) been taking off this year, so have the number of available funds. They cover every conceivable commodity now, from gold and silver to coffee... Continue Reading »
Backtested Data Can Be Useful With ETFs, But Use With Caution
July 2, 2008 – When it comes to hypothetical returns for exchange traded funds (ETFs), is back-tested performance data misleading?
A slew of the newer ETFs are based on customized indexes that have no real-time performance history, so providers display... Continue Reading »
ETFs Proliferate Into Variable Annuities
July 1, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be considered part of the "in-crowd," and that may be part of the reason they are now finding their way into variable annuities.
Jesse Emspak for Investors Business Daily reports that... Continue Reading »
Looking for the ETF Silver Lining Amid the Clouds?
June 30, 2008 – With the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) getting socked by near-daily bad news, you might be wondering how Pollyanna did it. Wasn’t she exhausted?
How can you stay optimistic when:
Oil keeps hitting new... Continue Reading »
In Case You Needed Convincing, Morgan Stanley’s ETF Report Presents More Pluses
June 29, 2008 – Morgan Stanley’s research group, headed by Paul Mazzilli, released a report on an age-old debate: exchange traded funds (ETFs) vs. mutual funds.
The title of the document - "Exchange-Traded Funds: ETFs Provide Attractive Alternatives... Continue Reading »
Is There Any Magic In An ETF Share Split?
June 27, 2008 – When a share split among stocks and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) which hold them occurs, are investors any better off?
Earlier this month, Vanguard declared a 2-for-1 split of three ETFs in an... Continue Reading »
John Bogle Questions Sector and Leveraged ETFs
June 27, 2008 – Noted exchange traded fund (ETF) critic and Vanguard Group founder John Bogle recently shared his thoughts about sector and leveraged funds.
At a meeting before the Financial Planning Association, he praised ETFs for their endorsement... Continue Reading »
When It Comes to ETFs, Keep Your Eyes Open
June 27, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can have a number of objectives for the investor, aside from the immediately obvious ones.
Beyond the goal of building wealth for the investor, ETFs have several other functions, suggests Peter... Continue Reading »
Buy-and-Hold Portfolios Are Easy With ETFs
June 26, 2008 – One it comes to an exchange traded fund (ETF) buy-and-hold portfolio, it’s not a one-size-fits-all venture.
Studies have shown that the performance of investors who are in it for the long haul mostly rides on... Continue Reading »
Looking Forward When It Comes to ETF Research
June 24, 2008 – Your old system of rating exchange traded funds (ETFs) just isn’t cutting it anymore.
The ETF market is booming, and it’s leading research firms to take another look at how they analyze these funds.
Standard... Continue Reading »
Keeping Your Eye On the Double Inverse ETF
June 23, 2008 – Does a double inverse exchange traded fund (ETF) give clues to which direction the market sentiment will go?
Trading volume was on the thin side last week, although it was time for options to expire,... Continue Reading »