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 »

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

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 »

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 »

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 »

ETFs Down and Out? Don’t Count on It
October 15, 2008 – You’ve seen it several times this year: an exchange traded fund (ETF) shutters, and before long, the stories show up. “Are ETFs Dead?” “Was It a Case of Too Much, Too Soon With ETFs?” “Should We Say Bye-Bye... Continue Reading »

It’s Not Time to Celebrate with Stocks, ETFs Just Yet
October 14, 2008 – The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been on a roller coaster for the last several weeks, and many feel that there’s still more turbulence ahead. “In the last two to three weeks, the credit... Continue Reading »

Investors See Benefits of ETFs in 401(k) Plans
September 29, 2008 – Investors who seek their own retirement plans and or manage their own 401(k)s are increasingly choosing exchange traded funds (ETFs) as their investments of choice. Lisa Shidler for Investment News explains that self-directed accounts allow investors... Continue Reading »

Survey Shows There’s Room for Growth In ETFs Yet
September 25, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are moving on up. That’s the conclusion of a survey recently conducted by the SEI Knowledge Partnership. The survey sought the views of asset management executives when it came to exchange traded... Continue Reading »

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

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 »

SPA ETF Rebalances Higher In Energy, Lower in Financials
September 8, 2008 – The underlying index of the SPA Market Grader 100 (SIH) exchange traded fund (ETF) just got its semi-annual rebalance. The index is going marginally heavier in energy (from 23% to 25%) and lower in its... Continue Reading »

Global Shipping ETF: Investment in the Global Economic Infrastructure
August 25, 2008 – For investors who have been looking for exposure to the global shipping industry via an exchange traded fund (ETF), the search is over: Claymore launched the Claymore/Delta Global Shipping Index (SEA) this morning. Claymore President Christian... Continue Reading »

15 HealthShares ETFs to Close; Four Others Get a Revamp
August 22, 2008 – More exchange traded funds (ETFs) are set to close down, this time some of those focused on the healthcare industry. Fifteen of XShares‘ line of HealthShares ETFs will close down, and their last trading day will... Continue Reading »

Maritime Industry Growth to Ship Out New Indexes, ETFs
August 20, 2008 – One exchange traded fund (ETF) provider is setting its sights on a brand-new benchmark, the Delta Global Shipping Index (DGAGSI). This index has been licensed to Claymore Advisors, who plans on launching a corresponding global shipping... Continue Reading »

IPO ETF Is Designed To Hold Up In Quiet Times
August 15, 2008 – It’s been pretty quiet on the initial public offering (IPO) front, which leads one to wonder what it could mean for the exchange traded fund (ETF) that contains them. The First Trust IPOX 100 Index (FPX)... Continue Reading »

A Different Approach To Emerging Markets With ETFs
August 13, 2008 – Not all emerging market exchange traded funds (ETFs) are alike. Several can look at the same region, yet deliver some different results. Last week, we covered two of them that are based on market-cap weightings.... Continue Reading »

When It Comes to ETFs, Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves
August 7, 2008 – When Bev Sutton and her husband were splitting up in the mid-1970s, she did something that some might see as a little unconventional. “I said, ‘I’ll take the stock if you want to keep the house.’... Continue Reading »

ETFs Help You Act Local And Go Global
July 25, 2008 – Going global with exchange traded funds (ETFs) has never presented a better opportunity than now, and it has become so much easier and cost-efficient with the advent of these funds. MoneyShow.com interviewed us regarding the ETF... Continue Reading »

If Markets Stay Volatile, Tell ‘Em Large-Cap ETFs Sent Ya
July 23, 2008 – If the dollar remains weak and the markets stay depressed, large-cap exchange traded funds (ETFs) are poised to be sitting pretty. That’s according to Neil Michael, head of quantitative strategies for SPA ETFs. “I suspect that... Continue Reading »

ETF Securities Goes on Bull Run With Commodities
July 18, 2008 – For an exchange traded fund (ETF) provider that didn’t exist at this time five years ago, the story of ETF Securities is certainly an impressive one. The London-based provider, which deals in exchange traded commodities (ETCs)... Continue Reading »

Jim Rogers Creates Commodities Index for ETF; Sounds Off on Economy
July 10, 2008 – Investing legend Jim Rogers has put together a new index targeting commodity producers, which will soon underly an exchange traded fund (ETF). The Rogers Van Eck Hard Assets Producers Index (RVEI) gives investors a chance to... 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 »

New Up/Down Oil ETFs Open for Business
July 1, 2008 – Just as two exchange traded funds (ETFs) tied to the price movements of oil reached their termination triggers and closed on June 25, two more will be entering the market space to replace them. MacroMarkets... Continue Reading »

ETN Gives First Exposure to Carbon Credits Market
June 27, 2008 – iPath this week launched an array of exchange traded notes (ETNs), and one of the most interesting is the first such note linked to carbon credits. The iPath Global Carbon (GRN) is designed to provide investors with exposure... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on Fox Business
June 19, 2008 – Earlier this week, Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business to discuss U.S. inflation and commodity ETFs with hosts David Asman and Liz Claman as well as fellow guest Adam Bold. Below is video of that... Continue Reading »

Question and Answer Session About ETFs and Why They’re So Likable
June 17, 2008 – You may have noticed that we love exchange traded funds (ETFs) over here. Tom Lydon recently had a Q&A session with Stan Choe of the Associated Press and talked about exactly why that is. Click here... Continue Reading »

New ETF Ventures Into New Frontiers
June 12, 2008 – Investors have been salivating for an exchange traded fund (ETF) that gives some exposure to frontier markets. Finally, it’s here. Claymore this morning is expected to launch the Claymore BNY/Mellon Frontier Markets ETF (FRN), the first fund... Continue Reading »

Oh Canada! Booming Economy Helps Their ETF
June 11, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on the ETF Tracker segment of Closing Bell on CNBC to discuss Canada’s booming economy, which is benefiting from the world’s rising energy costs. Canada is home to the world’s largest oil... Continue Reading »

The Closing of an ETF Is an Orderly Process
June 10, 2008 – Recently, a reader wrote in to ask us what happens when an exchange traded fund (ETF) you happen to own is closing. In the wake of a few closings this year, it’s a great... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Commodity ETFs on CNBC
June 6, 2008 – Tom Lydon discussed commodity ETFs and ETNs with Sue Herera on CNBC’s Power Lunch earlier today. Video of Tom’s segment is available below: Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on Cavuto; Politics and Wall Street
June 5, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on a panel on the Cavuto show with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business Network last night. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on Taiwan Stock Market
May 27, 2008 – Last Friday afternoon, Tom Lydon appeared on the “ETF Tracker” segment of CNBC’s Closing Bell to discuss the Taiwan economy. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Do You Trade Commodity ETFs? NPR Wants You
May 21, 2008 – Adam Davidson, economics correspondent for National Public Radio, is hoping to interview active commodity exchange traded fund (ETF) traders. He’d like to talk to a few people who have recently begun trading commodity ETFs.... Continue Reading »

401(k) Administrator In Talks With ETF Providers to Get the Funds In Plans
May 20, 2008 – Another company is stepping forward to aid in the push to get exchange traded funds (ETFs) into 401(k) retirement plans. Alvin Rapp, CEO of RPG Consultants in New York, tells us the firm is... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon on the Booming Mexican Economy
May 16, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s “ETF Tracker” segment of Closing Bell earlier today to discuss the booming Mexican economy and some possible ETF plays in the region. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Podcast: New Frontiers for ETFs
May 15, 2008 – Listen in as Tom Lydon joins in on a discussion about where exchange traded funds (ETFs) are headed. Also featured on the panel are PowerShares CEO Bruce Bond and author/CEO of Portfolio Solutions Richard Ferri. ... Continue Reading »

Bond Indexes Are Broke, and He Says His ETFs Can Fix It
May 15, 2008 – Ron Ryan says there’s a problem with bond indexes that are tracked by exchange traded funds (ETFs). In fact, the CEO of Ryan ALM says that there are several problems and he’s out to... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Discusses ETFs on CNBC
May 14, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s “ETF Tracker” segment of Closing Bell earlier this afternoon to discuss how different ETFs may become beneficiaries of new presidential policy with the inauguration of a new president in 2009.... Continue Reading »

ETFs Adapt To Ever-Changing World and Business Dynamics
May 9, 2008 – Mutual funds don’t seem to be stepping up to the challenge that a global economy presents, possibly creating a wide-open door for the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry. The power of global business has arrived, with... Continue Reading »

Northern Trust Enters ETF Arena With First ETFs To Track Major Foreign Market Indexes
May 5, 2008 – With its new line of exchange traded funds (ETFs), Northern Trust opted to stay true to their principles while traveling around the world. Is it a sign that ETFs are slowly entering the mainstream... Continue Reading »

Oil Down ETF Moves Up On Oil Price’s Slide
May 1, 2008 – As oil prices head south, one exchange traded fund (ETF) shot way up. MACROshares Oil Down (DCR) closed up 10.6% in trading today after oil speculators pulled out of the market. Crude settled at $112.52,... Continue Reading »

ETF Holdings’ Fundamentals Go Under the Microscope
May 1, 2008 – Michael Krause has ESP for ETFs (exchange traded funds). Instead of using a crystal ball, though, the president of AltaVista Independent Research looks at the fundamentals of every one of an ETF’s constituents. (more…) Continue Reading »

Energy-Focused ETFs Capitalize on a Booming Sector
April 30, 2008 – Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) have come a long way since Nov. 18, 2004. That’s when the first single-commodity ETF - streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) - was launched. (more…) Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon with Neil Cavuto
April 29, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Neil Cavuto’s show on Fox Business earlier this afternoon to discuss rising food prices. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

The Long and Short of Long and Short ETFs
April 18, 2008 – Everyone knows about short and leveraged exchange traded funds (ETFs), but some might be wondering "How do they do that?" Michael Sapir, CEO of ProFunds, gave us a call and explained it. "The best way... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Oil ETFs on CNBC
April 16, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s "ETF Tracker" segment of Closing Bell earlier today to discuss how near-record oil prices has been making oil ETFs look pretty attractive lately. Video of Tom’s segment appears below: Continue Reading »

Just In Time for Warm Weather, Claymore Launches Solar ETF
April 15, 2008 – While there are several clean energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) out there, none of them have focused solely on one aspect of the sector until now. Claymore this morning launched the Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy... Continue Reading »

It’s Bond ETF Time - Munis Are Yielding More Than Treasuries
April 11, 2008 – It’s an event like Halley’s Comet, although with a little more frequency: municipal bond yields are higher than those of treasury bonds. For that reason, it makes more sense than ever to grab exchange... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks ETFs on Fox Business
April 9, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business Network earlier today with anchor Cheryl Casone. Tom discussed hot ETFs in Asia and Latin America as well as poorly performing ETFs in the retail sector. Video of Tom’s... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEC’s Proposed Rule Changes Could Lead to More ETFs, More Innovation
February 29, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) approval process could become streamlined, thanks to moves by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We caught up with John McGuire, partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and he... Continue Reading »

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

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

Tom Lydon on ETF Tracker Yesterday
February 15, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s "ETF Tracker" segment of Closing Bell yesterday to discuss the surge in demand for silver. Below is a video of Tom’s appearance: Continue Reading »

Video of Tom Lydon on CNBC’s ETF Tracker
February 12, 2008 – Tom Lydon was featured on CNBC’s "ETF Tracker" segment of Closing Bell earlier this afternoon, where he discussed gaming-related ETFs and the Sin Index. Continue Reading »

New Claymore ETFs Almost Have It All - Literally
February 12, 2008 – If you were looking for a one-stop shop to get access to the U.S. capital markets via exchange traded funds (ETFs), it’s here. Today, Claymore launched a group of Capital Markets ETFs on the American Stock... Continue Reading »

High Yield Bond ETFs Inviting During Dicey Market
February 7, 2008 – In troubled times, investors are on the hunt for safe havens, and one of those is bond exchange traded funds (ETFs). There is always the concern about interest rate risk, but with the possibility of... Continue Reading »

Video of Tom Lydon on FBN This Morning
February 4, 2008 – Tom Lydon was on Fox Business Network’s Opening Bell this morning and discussed silver ETFs, agriculture ETFs, and the advantages of ETFs versus mutual funds with hosts Connell McShane, Ray Hennessey, and Ashley Webster. Below... Continue Reading »

ICI’s New ETF Committee Under the Microscope
January 30, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry is finally getting more attention from the Investment Company Institute (ICI) - something it has been wanting for some time. But it has some in the industry wondering... Continue Reading »

Video of Tom Lydon on Squawk Box This Morning
January 28, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box this morning to discuss ETFs with host Becky Quick. A video of this morning’s segment with Tom is below: Continue Reading »

Coal ETF Mines the Opportunities
January 24, 2008 – Last week, a new exchange traded fund (ETF) covering a commodity that had many asking, "Wait, wasn’t there one for that already?" began trading on the American Stock Exchange. Market Vectors Coal (KOL), as you... Continue Reading »

Title of ‘Worst’ ETF is Up for Debate
January 10, 2008 – Uh-oh. There appears to be some fallout over a story about the worst exchange traded funds (ETFs) of 2007. Jeffrey Ptak of Morningstar took a look at his picks for the worst performers, singling out... Continue Reading »

Play the Oil Non-ETF Market Both Ways
January 9, 2008 – MacroShares Oil Up (UCR) and MacroShares Oil Down (DCR) are "paired" exchange traded securities - not exchange traded funds (ETFs). They don’t hold commodities or futures and they don’t track an index. But what... Continue Reading »

There’s More to Timber ETF Than Meets the Eye
December 12, 2007 – Andrew Corn, in his own words, is known as “a bleeding heart, tree-hugging person in real life.” So, the founder and CEO of Clear Asset Management was a bit taken aback when a friend... Continue Reading »

Tax-Loss Harvesting Made Breezy With ETFs
December 6, 2007 – One of the big fears investors have is that when they’re holding a losing position, as soon as they sell it, it’s going to turn right back around and start performing well. Dan Dolan,... Continue Reading »

S&P 500 Marks Its Golden Anniversary
December 5, 2007 – This year marked the anniversary of the index on which the first exchange traded fund (ETF) was based: the S&P 500. In March 1957, the index that would become the most widely used U.S.-linked index... Continue Reading »

Using ETFs to Track IPOs
December 4, 2007 – Getting in on an initial public offering (IPO) can be a hit-or-miss proposition — how do you know what’s going to take off and stay taken off vs. what’s going to peter out after... Continue Reading »

ETFs in 401(k) Plans: The Technology Is Here
October 5, 2007 – We spoke with Darwin Abrahamson, the CEO of Invest n Retire, and asked him about why ETFs should be in 401(k) plans and what his firm is doing to make it happen. Aside from the usual... Continue Reading »