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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Infrastructure Gets More Play With Two New ETFs
October 16, 2008 – Investors are getting two new ways to gain exposure to the infrastructure sector with a pair of exchange traded funds (ETFs). First Trust launched the ISE Global Engineering and Construction Index Fund (FLM) on Wednesday, while... Continue Reading »

New Index Covers Vietnam; ETF Still In Registration
September 24, 2008 – There’s no Vietnam exchange traded fund (ETF) yet, but there’s already one in registration, and now there’s another index. Standard & Poor’s has launched the first index tracking the largest and most liquid companies in Vietnam.... Continue Reading »

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

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 »

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

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

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

New Currency ETN Tracks Asia, While U.S. Economy Shows Signs Of Life
September 5, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors is listing an Asian currency-focused exchange traded note (ETN). The note will give investors access to new currencies previously unavailable to exchange traded fund (ETF) and ETN investors: the Philippine peso, Chinese... Continue Reading »

New ETF Rides, Flies, Sails Into Greener Transportation Pastures
September 4, 2008 – Taking two great ideas and combining them together in one exchange traded fund (ETF) is what PowerShares does with their forthcoming transportation fund. The PowerShares Progressive Transportation Portfolio (PTRP) is expected to list on NASDAQ on... Continue Reading »

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

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 »

Frontier Market ETFs Are a Matter of Definition
September 2, 2008 – As exchange traded funds (ETFs) expand into “frontier markets,” the credentials or definition of a frontier economy is somewhat unclear. Marc de Luise of IndexUniverse recently discussed frontier markets and examined a classification system in which... 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 »

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 »

New Global ETF Gives Exact Exposure To Asia
August 20, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors has expanded on the Asian invasion within equity markets with a new exchange traded fund (ETF) that takes investors deeper into the continent. The iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan Index Fund is... Continue Reading »

Pimco’s Entry Into ETFs: Will It Be Much Ado About Nothing, Or a New Trend?
August 12, 2008 – Some of the biggest names in the mutual fund industry have so far seemed reluctant to really put their arms around exchange traded funds (ETFs). A case in point is Fidelity, which has just one lone... Continue Reading »

New Line of ETNs Pay Homage to Benjamin Graham
August 12, 2008 – Benjamin Graham, the forefather of value investing, is the inspiration for a few exchange traded notes (ETNs) based on his beliefs. The ETNs will seek to track companies with strong, liquid balance sheets, and must... Continue Reading »

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

Increased Shipping Costs to Restrict Globalization and Eventually ETFs?
August 5, 2008 – As oil prices continue to soar and show an uptrend, shipping costs have increased dramatically as of late, and seem to have an adverse affect on globalization, eventually, exchange traded funds (ETFs). Many economists argue that... 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 »

Pimco Readying to Get Into Bond ETF Market Space
July 29, 2008 – The world’s largest bond fund manager is finally getting into the bond exchange traded fund (ETF) market. Pacific Investment Management Co., better known as Pimco, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a line... Continue Reading »

Ireland Gets New Index, Soon to Be Followed By ETF
July 29, 2008 – Ireland is going to have another index and soon, another exchange traded fund (ETF) to back it. Elizabeth Rauber for San Francisco Business Times reports that the Nasdaq OMX Ireland Index will launch on July 28. PowerShares... Continue Reading »

Van Eck Dives Into The Gulf With New ETF
July 25, 2008 – Van Eck is trekking out into frontier markets with the launch of their exchange traded fund (ETF). Market Vector Gulf States (MES) gives easy access to the gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Katar and... Continue Reading »

SPDRs Weave An International Web With Sector ETFs
July 24, 2008 – The options for international sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) doubled overnight as State Street Global Advisors announced the addition of ten such funds to their SPDR lineup. This brings the Spider line to include 80 ETFs,... Continue Reading »

WisdomTree ETF Travels To The Middle East
July 17, 2008 – WisdomTree has edged their way into the Middle East exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of a new fund. The WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund (GULF) covers the same region as S&P’s GCC40 Index,... Continue Reading »

No Safari Needed For African ETF Access
July 16, 2008 – Van Eck launched the anticipated Africa focused exchange traded fund (ETF), launched on the NYSE Arca. Market Vectors Africa Index (AFK) allows investors easy, one-stop access to the ever-growing, untapped market in Africa. The ETF tracks... 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 »

Down Market Doesn’t Delay ETF Liftoffs in June
July 10, 2008 – Despite a month in which we officially entered a bull market, exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to sprout up. According to Simon Maierhofer for ETFGuide, the number of ETF and exchange traded note (ETN) launches is... Continue Reading »

The Frontier Becomes More Vast With PowerShares’ ETF
July 9, 2008 – Invesco PowerShares announced the listing of its frontier countries exchange traded fund (ETF). The PowerShares MENA Frontier Countries Portfolio (PMNA) began trading this morning. The fund was designed to give access to the Middle East and... Continue Reading »

New PowerShares Wind ETF and FAN - Same Commodity, Different Construction
July 1, 2008 – Just two weeks after the first wind exchange traded fund (ETF) blew into the market, PowerShares now has its own offering. The PowerShares NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index (PWND) is a fund... 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 »

Vanguard’s New ETF Covers The World
July 1, 2008 – Vanguard is becoming more worldly, as the provider has launched an all-world  exchange traded fund (ETF) on NYSE Arca. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is based on the FTSE All-World Index, and tracks... Continue Reading »

New Index Rates Better Than OK, With An ETF To Track It
June 29, 2008 – SPADE Indexes has published the SPADE Oklahoma Index, which will serve as the basis of the upcoming Oklahoma exchange traded fund (ETF). The index is designed to track companies that have corporate headquarters within the... 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 »

ETF Banks On Chinese Currency To Be Number “Yuan” Against U.S. Dollar
June 26, 2008 – Many believe that the Chinese currency will eventually become number "yuan" to the U.S. dollar, so it’s fortunate for them that there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) to track it. WisdomTree Chinese Yuan Fund (CYB),... Continue Reading »

iShares Welcomes New Additions To ETF Family
June 26, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors made three new additions to the iShares exchange traded fund (ETF) family this week. iShares S&P Global Timber & Forestry Index Fund (WOOD) iShares S&P Global Nuclear Energy Index Fund (NUCL) iShares S&P Global... Continue Reading »

Spanning a New Frontier With ETFs
June 24, 2008 – Upon any new frontier, the possibilities for growth and prosperity are endless, so investors might be taking a liking to the new frontier exchange traded funds (ETFs) that take the "emerging markets" concept even... Continue Reading »

Wind ETF: We Hope You Like Puns
June 20, 2008 – The newest form of alternative energy to get the exchange traded fund (ETF) treatment is wind. The First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy Index (FAN) blew in on Wednesday. The index behind it is a... Continue Reading »

Let’s All Raise a Guinness for the New Irish ETF
June 19, 2008 – The long-awaited Irish exchange traded fund (ETF) is here, just in time for the routing of the L.A. Lakers by the mighty Boston Celtics for the NBA Championship. The NETS ISEX 20 Index Fund (IQE)... Continue Reading »

PowerShares, Deutsche Bank Team Up With Oil, Base Metal ETNs
June 19, 2008 – PowerShares and Deutsche Bank are teaming up again to launch eight base-metal and crude oil-linked exchange traded notes (ETNs). The notes will be linked to the performance of industrial metals and crude oil, through a... Continue Reading »

When Outperformance Isn’t Enough, The 130/30 ETN Can Take You Beyond
June 19, 2008 – A strategy that’s popular with hedge fund investors is now being applied to an exchange traded note (ETN). JP Morgan Chase & Co. ETN 130/30 (JFT) tracks the First Trust Enhanced 130/30 Large Cap Index and... Continue Reading »

Killer Fossil Fuel Prices Turn ETF Investors Green
June 16, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) weren’t the only winners today - record prices sent investors once again scurrying for alternative energy sources. The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid (QCLN) was up nearly... Continue Reading »

Single-Country ETFs: Will Different Construction Show Different Performance?
June 13, 2008 – Northern Trust has taken a different tack when it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on single countries. A new family of ETFs lets investors buy into 14 nation-based portfolios. This area of the... Continue Reading »

MacroShares ETFs Dip Into Housing Market
June 13, 2008 – MacroShares is taking another swing at the up/down market movement, this time with exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the upward and inverse movement of U.S. home prices. MacroShares Major Metro Housing Up (UMM)... Continue Reading »

Hedge Against Oil’s Wild Swings With New Long/Short ETFs
June 12, 2008 – Is the time nigh for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that short oil and gas? The answer seems to be mixed - while oil prices have retreated some today, down to $132 a barrel, gas... 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 »

ETFs Are Hoping to Start Blowin’ In the Wind
June 11, 2008 – As an exchange traded fund (ETF) investor, do you need a weather man to know which way the wind blows? PowerShares and First Trust Advisors don’t think so. They have recently filed with the... Continue Reading »

New Van Eck Currency ETNs Attempt To Lure Investors With Magnification
June 11, 2008 – Currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) have helped investors to cash in on the weakness of the U.S. dollar, while giving exposure to foreign currency in the process. So far this year, the U.S. dollar... Continue Reading »

Rydex Proposes Leveraged ETFs For The Market
June 10, 2008 – Rydex Investments is planning to add to its family of leveraged exchange traded funds (ETFs), this time with sectors. They’re scheduled to begin trading Thursday. The move is in hopes that it will put... Continue Reading »

New ETFs From PowerShares Announced
June 7, 2008 –   Indicative of the overall well-being of the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry, PowerShares announced the launch of two funds, due June 12. These two new ETFs will track Nasdaq indexes: PowerShares NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite Portfolio (PQBW) PowerShares... Continue Reading »

Claymore’s New Raymond James ETF
June 6, 2008 – Claymore Advisors is moving closer to convert the Claymore/Raymond James SB-1 Equity closed end fund into an exchange traded fund (ETF). The board for both the fund and the Claymore ETF Trust approved the conversion.... Continue Reading »

First 130/30 ETN Launches - Will It Take Off?
June 1, 2008 – JP Morgan is the first to market with a first-of-its kind exchange traded note (ETN). The First Trust Enhanced 130/30 Index (JFT) is a modified equal-weighted total return index that offers 130% long and 30%... Continue Reading »

As Israel Grows, and So Do ETF Options
May 29, 2008 – Israel’s economy is surpassing expectations, and if it continues this way, it could deliver solid performance to its exchange traded funds (ETFs). The country saw growth in the first quarter, even though it was... Continue Reading »

Portugal Now Accessible With New NETS ETF
May 29, 2008 – The Portuguese economy has experienced short-term inflation along with a slight slowdown because of the international credit crisis, but investors still find this country agreeable for investment and worthy of its own exchange traded... Continue Reading »

All-World ETFs: Just Add Water, Instant Diversification
May 28, 2008 – All-world exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the latest industry hot spot, and providers are lining up to launch them. The two-month-old Barclays fund iShares MSCI ACWI Fund (ACWI) holds 694 stocks from the 2,736-stock underlying... Continue Reading »

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

Proposed Leveraged ETFs Put the Pedal to the Metal
May 23, 2008 – An investment manager has plans for a new type of exchange traded fund (ETF) that may give Speed Racer a run for his torque. Direxion Funds has proposed the first turbocharged portfolio, that includes an... Continue Reading »

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

PowerShares Launches Line of ETFs of ETFs
May 22, 2008 – PowerShares has broken some new ground in the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry their launch of the first line of ETFs of ETFs in the United States. The new funds are: PowerShares Autonomic Growth NFA Global... Continue Reading »

Emerging Markets ETF Weighs In On the Small Caps
May 22, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider State Street Global Advisors delivered the first cap-weighted, small-cap emerging markets ETF last week. The SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap (EWX) tracks an index of 1,660 holdings, reports Heather... Continue Reading »

Northern Trust Delivers Three More Single-Country ETFs
May 21, 2008 – Northern Trust continues apace with its exchange traded fund (ETF) launches with three new launches this week, this time covering China, Belgium and the Netherlands. The funds are: NETS Hang Seng China Enterprises Index Fund (SNO) NETS... Continue Reading »

WisdomTree Enters Into The Money Market With ETFs
May 21, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider WisdomTree has stepped into the actively managed fund ring with a money market ETF. The WisdomTree U.S. Current Income Fund (USY) launched on the NYSE Arca on Tuesday, reports the... Continue Reading »

Taking the Okie out of Oklahoma With An ETF
May 21, 2008 – When you think of Oklahoma, does your mind conjure images of farmland and dust as far as the eye can see, or large companies with great market capitalizations and potential for a winning exchange traded... Continue Reading »

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

Good Morning! A Vietnam ETF Is In Registration
May 15, 2008 – There seems to be great interest in a Vietnam exchange traded fund (ETF), if the search engines are any indication. Week after week, "Vietnam" turns up as one of our top ten search words. Market... Continue Reading »

State Street Goes Down The International ETF Road
May 15, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors is going down the real estate and mid-cap road on an international scale, with new exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest overseas. The new funds, according to Reuters, are: SPDR DJ... Continue Reading »

Northern Trust Launches Three More International ETFs
May 14, 2008 – Northern Trust is providing more choices for investors who want international exposure in their exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolios with the launch of three more funds. The new funds, which cover Italy, South Africa and... Continue Reading »

Middle East Is the New Frontier for ETF Providers
May 12, 2008 – The Middle East is the latest hot spot for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. WisdomTree has filed for a Middle East Dividend Fund, which includes exposure to Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt, Jordon, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco,... Continue Reading »

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

New ETF Provider Comes Bearing International Real Estate Fund
May 9, 2008 – A new global real estate exchange traded fund (ETF) is in town, along with a new ETF provider. The Cohen & Steers Global Global Realty Majors (GRI) from ALPS Advisors provides exposure to the global... Continue Reading »

Morgan Stanley’s New ETNs Go Long Or Short On The Euro
May 8, 2008 –   Morgan Stanley has joined the exchange traded note (ETN) game, with the announcement of two new notes, based on the euro. They’re both now trading on the NYSE Arca. The new notes are: Market Vectors Double Short Euro... Continue Reading »

Investors Might Take a Shine to New Platinum ETNs
May 8, 2008 – Investors have been salivating for an exchange traded product that gives access to platinum, and now UBS is granting it with two new exchange traded notes (ETNs). The E-TRACS UBS Long Platinum (PTM) and the... Continue Reading »

ProShares Wins The Race To Market With Inverse Bond Fund
May 4, 2008 – ProShares wins the race to be the first inverse bond exchange traded fund (ETF) in the world. Deutsche Bank was hot on their heels, after announcing plans a day earlier to issue a new... Continue Reading »

Global Asset Allocation Wrapped In An ETF
May 3, 2008 – Asset allocation is an important factor within a portfolio, and now Invesco PowerShares offers this strategy all wrapped up in an exchange traded fund (ETF). Their latest ETFs are designed to give investors access to... Continue Reading »

New ETN Line Gives Broad Range of Commodity Exposure
May 3, 2008 – UBS rolled into the exchange traded note (ETN) business last month with a line of commodity notes. The UBS E-TRACS CMCI Total Return (UCI) is designed to track the UBS Bloomberg Constant Maturity Commodity Index... Continue Reading »

Is Three Times Performance Going to Be a Charm for New ETFs?
May 2, 2008 – A firm better known for its leveraged index mutual funds has filed for 36 exchange traded funds (ETFs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that raise the stakes. The ETFs from Direxion Funds would... Continue Reading »

Four New ETNs Hit The Market, Thanks to Deutsche Bank
May 1, 2008 – Deutsche Bank launched four new exchange traded notes (ETNs) with a twist, coming out ahead of rivals such as ProShares. The new broad-based ETNs focus on agriculture and commodities, but come in long, double-long,... Continue Reading »

Foreign Currency ETF Offerings to Pour In Next Month
April 25, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) providers Dreyfus and WisdomTree are teaming up to offer five actively managed foreign currency ETFs next month. They will include the WisdomTree Dreyfus Euro Fund, Japanese Yen Fund, Indian Rupee Fund,... Continue Reading »

Take Off Your Shades And Look Directly At The Solar ETFs
April 25, 2008 – The recent rise in energy consciousness has given way to more solar energy-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). The latest slew of funds invest in specific technologies, and Matthew Hougan for Index Universe analyzes the... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Registers for Frontier Countries ETF
April 24, 2008 – The possible choices for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors interested in the Middle East/Africa region continues to grow. On Monday, Invesco PowerShares registered to launch a new ETF that would focus on companies domiciled... Continue Reading »

Is It Hot In Here, or Is It Just Solar ETFs? (Updated)
April 22, 2008 – A software glitch at the American Stock Exchange held up the launch of the newest solar exchange traded fund (ETF) today. When it does launch, the Market Vectors Solar Energy (KWT) will the Claymore/MAC... Continue Reading »

What’s Next for the MacroShares ETFs? Version 2.0
April 22, 2008 – Last week, the price of oil topped $111 for three consecutive days, setting off a termination trigger for two unusual exchange traded funds (ETFs). The last trading day for MacroShares Oil Down (DCR) and MacroShares... Continue Reading »

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

Menu of Agriculture ETFs and ETNs Expands
April 17, 2008 – Some crops might not be growing, but lots of agriculture-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) are sprouting up. Deutsche Bank launched a smörgåsbord of ETNs this week, just in time for the... 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 »

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

Everyone, Welcome the New ETF Provider Northern Trust (Hi, Northern Trust)
April 9, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has a new provider. It’s Chicago-based Northern Trust, and the launch of their funds have been anticipated since last winter. Murray Coleman for Index Universe reports gives the lowdown... Continue Reading »

New Heating Oil ETF Captures White-Hot Energy Sector
April 9, 2008 – There’s another entry in the category of energy commodities-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs), this one covering heating oil. The United States Heating Oil Fund (UHN) holds futures contracts for the commodity, reports Murray Coleman for... Continue Reading »

Core Index ETFs Have It All
April 9, 2008 – Summer is on the way, so isn’t it time to do some work on your core…core exchange traded funds (ETFs) within your portfolio, that is. The underlying indexes within these ETFs are blended with United... Continue Reading »

iShares Seeks to Continue Its World Travel With New ETFs In Registration
April 7, 2008 – Two weeks ago, iShares launched more single-country exchange traded funds (ETFs), but they’re not done traveling around the world just yet. According to Matt Hougan for Index Universe, the provider filed with the Securities and... Continue Reading »

UBS Enters Commodities Arena With ETN Line
April 7, 2008 – UBS is getting into the exchange traded game with commodities exchange traded notes (ETNs). Last week, the firm launched eight ETNs focused on commodities, and the plan is to venture into other asset classes,... Continue Reading »

The Newest Members Of PowerShares ETF Family
April 7, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider PowerShares announced two new funds to be listed on NASDAQ. The company states that this will bring the ETF family to more than 110. The new ETFs are: PowerShares NASDAQ... Continue Reading »

Vanguard Wants to Put Its Arms Around the World With New ETF
April 3, 2008 – On the heels of iShares‘ new all-world exchange traded fund (ETF), Vanguard is trying to enter the fray with its own similar kind of fund. They’ve registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for... Continue Reading »

New Carbon Emissions Indexes Join Clean Energy ETFs
April 3, 2008 – The green mentality has prompted Merrill Lynch to roll out a set of indexes focused on carbon emissions credits, in the hopes that someday an exchange traded fund (ETF) or exchange traded note (ETF)... Continue Reading »

Solar, Clean Energy ETF Investors Need to Take Long View
April 1, 2008 – There are two new exchange traded funds (ETFs) in registration that offer exposure to a fast-growing area of the clean energy market.  Van Eck and Claymore are in line to offer solar energy ETFs.... Continue Reading »

Nuclear Power’s Reputation Precedes It, But Will That Hurt ETFs?
March 31, 2008 – Nuclear power and nuclear-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been pushed to the forefront as concerns about the environment and the rising cost of energy pick up steam. But not everyone is so sure... Continue Reading »

First Actively Managed ETF Off to a Slow Start
March 29, 2008 – Now that the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) has debuted, let’s check in with it. On Tuesday, Bear Stearns (BSC) beat all other providers to market, with its Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund... Continue Reading »

iShares Breaks New Ground With Israel, Turkey and Thailand ETFs
March 28, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors is breaking new ground with their iShares exchange traded funds (ETFs): they’re the first to launch funds covering Israel, Thailand and Turkey. In addition to these funds, iShares has also launched two global... Continue Reading »

J.P. Morgan Could Inadvertently Find Itself In the Active ETF Game
March 27, 2008 – Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY), the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) to hit the market, began trading Tuesday.    If JP Morgan Chase (JPM) takes over Bear Stearns (BSC), the company would... Continue Reading »

Leveraged and Short Telecom ETFs Can Maximize Exposure On Both Sides
March 27, 2008 – Year-to-date, the iShares Dow Jones US Telecom (IYZ) and the iShares S&P Global Telecommunications (IXP) exchange traded funds (ETFs) are down 20.8% and 13.7%, respectively. So, it’s probably a good time for the new... Continue Reading »

Nuclear Energy Sector to Add a New ETF to the Fold
March 27, 2008 – PowerShares is getting in on the global nuclear energy sector with a new exchange traded fund (ETF). The anticipated launch date for the PowerShares Global Nuclear Energy Portfolio (PKN) is April 3. PowerShares President Bruce... Continue Reading »

Barclays Throws Hat Into Foreign Currency ETN Ring
March 26, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors is set to roll out three new exchange traded notes (ETNs) that will track currencies in Asia, the Middle East and emerging markets. The ETNs have already acquired $150 million during... Continue Reading »

Credit Default Swap ETFs Met With Skepticism
March 26, 2008 – Four exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in the making that will track credit default swap contracts, according to CCM Partners of San Francisco, who does business with California Investment Trust Fund Group. The funds... Continue Reading »

Amid Turmoil, Bear Stearns Launches the First Actively Managed ETF
March 25, 2008 – The race has been won: amid a collapse and a possible buyout, Bear Stearns (BSC) actually found time to launch the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). The Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY)... Continue Reading »

New Bond ETF From State Street
March 24, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors unveiled their first International Inflation-Protected Bond exchange traded fund (ETF). The SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond (WIP) began trading on the American stock exchange March 19. The index, DB... Continue Reading »

Rydex Puts ETFs to Work In a New Mutual Fund
March 20, 2008 – Rydex is proving that it’s possible for mutual funds to be creative in how they use exchange traded funds (ETFs). The provider is launching a new long-short index mutual fund that takes a fund-of-funds approach,... Continue Reading »

New ETNs Track Chinese and Indian Currency
March 19, 2008 – Two new exchange traded notes (ETNs) will give access to the Chinese and Indian currency, the first of their kind. The funds, Market Vectors Indian Rupee (INR) and Market Vectors Chinese Renminbi (CNY), are issued... Continue Reading »

The Actively Managed ETF Premiere Looms Large
March 18, 2008 – PowerShares is officially the unofficial provider of the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF), tentatively schedule to hit the market in April. Bear Stearns, for a time, looked like it was going to... Continue Reading »

India ETFs Might Focus on the Same Country, But That’s Where Similarity Ends
March 13, 2008 – Two new exchange traded funds (ETFs) finally give investors the passage to India they had been looking for. The country has been in the spotlight lately, with its 9% annual GDP growth and strong... Continue Reading »

The Actively Managed Race Is On: PowerShares Or Bear?
March 13, 2008 – The actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) race is on, and it couldn’t be more heated at this point. Whenever there is more than one provider gearing up to launch a new product into... Continue Reading »

Track Records, Not Intellectual Capital, Will Determine Success of Actively Managed ETFs
March 12, 2008 – Could the proposed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule that speeds up regulatory approval of index products, including actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs), reduce the value of a manager’s intellectual capital by disclosing... Continue Reading »

New Index Measures Whether Companies Can Deliver - Will An ETF Track It?
March 12, 2008 – Dow Jones Indexes has launched a new series - could an exchange traded fund (ETF) be far behind? Dow partnered with Transparent Value LLC to deliver the Required Business Performance Index series, which measures the likelihood... Continue Reading »

Three’s Company With India ETFs
March 10, 2008 – First, WisdomTree and PowerShares launched their India exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now iShares wants to join in the party, too. It filed a registration form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week.... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns Enters the Active ETF Game on March 18
March 10, 2008 – Bear Stearns is going to launch the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF). The Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY), or the Triple Y, will be made up of a variety of short-term fixed... Continue Reading »

Don’t Expect Active ETFs to Be An Overnight Sensation
March 9, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been the talk of the town, however, assets will take time to gather and success will not happen overnight. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is closer... Continue Reading »

PowerShares Launches Its India ETF Today
March 5, 2008 – PowerShares launched its India exchange traded fund (ETF) this morning, and it’s trading on the NYSE Arca. The PowerShares India Portfolio (PIN) will join the WidsomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) as the two ETFs dedicated... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

Deutsche Bank Launches Three Gold ETNs as Metal Hits Record Prices
February 28, 2008 – Three more gold-focused products are hitting the marketplace - this time in the form of exchange traded notes (ETNs). Deutsche Bank’s new line of ETNs are linked to the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum... 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 »

New Municipal Bond ETF Joins the Growing Family
February 28, 2008 – The list of choices within the municipal bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) continues to grow. On Tuesday, Van Eck Global launched a new ETF on the American stock exchange, the Market Vectors-Lehman Brothers AMT-Free... Continue Reading »

The Second Clear Indexes Student ETF Contest
February 28, 2008 – Clear Indexes is holding their second student contest for best exchange traded fund (ETF) idea. The Second Clear Next Generation ETF Contest boasts a $5,000 prize and a paid internship, plus the chance to... Continue Reading »

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

First Gas ETF Launches, Just In Time for Record Prices at Pump
February 27, 2008 – It’s better late than never for a new exchange traded fund (ETF) that tracks the price of gas. The United States Gasoline Fund (UGA), from provider Victoria Bay Asset Management, began trading yesterday. It’s the... Continue Reading »

New ETFs Take Innovative Approach To S&P
February 27, 2008 – A trio of new exchange traded funds (ETFs) launched on Friday, taking a different twist on the Standard & Poor’s benchmarks. They will use the same stocks as the S&P but the ETF will... Continue Reading »

All Eyes on Two New India ETFs
February 22, 2008 – Two India-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been locked in a fierce race to the starting line, and one of them finally reached it today. The WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) began trading on the NYSE... Continue Reading »

Is the U.S. Falling Behind When It Comes to Innovative ETFs?
February 22, 2008 – The United States isn’t chopped liver when it comes to offering interesting and creative exchange traded funds (ETFs), but where do we stand when compared with the rest of the world? Matthew Hougan for Index... Continue Reading »

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

New ETF Gives Global High Dividend Yield Exposure
February 19, 2008 – State Street Global Advisors began trading a new exchange traded fund (ETF) today: the SPDR S&P International Dividend (DWX). The fund tracks the S&P International Dividend Opportunities Index, which consists of 100 tradeable, exchange-listed stocks from... Continue Reading »

Lehman Brothers Introduces 3 New ETNs
February 19, 2008 – Lehman Brothers introduced their first commodity exchange traded notes (ETNs) and a listed private equity ETN on Friday. All three are expected to begin trading this week. Timing for the two commodities ETNs are... 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 »

The Everyman’s Way to Invest In Timber with ETFs
February 11, 2008 – Buying into timberland is a route to diversify away from financial markets trends, and a recent exchange traded fund (ETF) allows everyday investors to do so. Previously, you needed millions of dollars to invest... Continue Reading »

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

No ETF for Israel Yet, but You Can Still Get Exposure
February 8, 2008 – There’s no direct exposure to Israel via exchange traded funds (ETFs) - at least not yet. What’s an investor to do? Zack Miller for Israel Opportunity Investor says that the SPDR Emerging Middle East (GAF)... Continue Reading »

Barclays’ New Currency ETNs Evolve
February 8, 2008 – Barclays is expanding its line of exchange traded notes (ETNs) with three new currency-related filings. Despite the IRS ruling that these notes should be taxed as debt, and that gains from interest income and... 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 »

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

Two New India ETFs Should Hit This Month
February 4, 2008 – The challenge for PowerShares will be getting around India’s rules about foreign stock ownership with its new India-focused exchange traded fund (ETF). Instead of traditional ETFs, which use derivatives and/or notes that provide indirect exposure,... Continue Reading »

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

PowerShares Launches New Preferred ETF
January 31, 2008 – PowerShares has launched the newest exchange traded fund (ETF) of preferred stocks today. The PowerShares Preferred Portfolio (PGX) is based on the Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index and gives investors exposure to fixed-income securities. Preferred... Continue Reading »

New ETF Allows China Small-Caps To Shine
January 31, 2008 – Claymore has launched a new exchange traded fund (ETF), the AlphaShares China Small Cap Index ETF (HAO). The fund seeks results that correspond to the AlphaShares China Small Cap Index and measures the performance... Continue Reading »

New Islamic ETF Could Make Malaysia More Attractive
January 29, 2008 – Perhaps investors in the United States could see some benefit from an Islamic exchange traded fund (ETF) issued in another country. How’s that? Economists and industry experts are saying that a new Islamic ETF issued... Continue Reading »

Will This Be the Year for Designer ETFs?
January 29, 2008 – Last year might be known as one long coming out party for exchange traded funds (ETFs). And if that’s the case, says Murray Coleman for Index Universe, then 2008 is shaping up to be the... Continue Reading »

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

WisdomTree, Dreyfus Pair Up for New ETFs
January 25, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider WisdomTree announced that it’s teaming up with the Dreyfus Corporation on international cash and fixed income ETFs. The goal of the partnership is to provide investors with access to... Continue Reading »

Amex Lists Commodity Index With ETFs To Follow
January 25, 2008 – The American Stock Exchange announced they have launched trading in the Greenhaven Continuous Commodity Index Fund (GCC), as the company enters into the exchange traded fund (ETF) community. GCC tracks the performance of the Continuous... Continue Reading »

Game On for New ETF
January 24, 2008 – The Market Vectors Gaming (BJK) exchange traded fund (ETF) sprang out of the gate today on the American Stock Exchange. The fund tracks an index of 69 companies involved in the global gaming industry, including... 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 »

India ETN Replaced With ETF
January 24, 2008 –  The iPath MSCI India Index (INP) exchange traded note (ETN) was created to be a liquid investment tool that provided overseas investors with a passage to India. It was the only product that offered a... Continue Reading »

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

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