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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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

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 »

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

Bond ETFs React to Credit Crisis
October 13, 2008 – Fixed income exchange traded funds (ETFs) are of interest in these uncertain times as investors make a flight to quality in treasuries. Murray Coleman of Index Universe talks to bond executive Matthew Tucker for Barclays’ fixed... 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Get Hip to Fees, and Save Your Retirement With ETFs
September 23, 2008 – Are you aware of the fees you’re paying when it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds or your retirement account? A new study shows: probably not, reports Lisa Shidler for Investment News. In a survey... Continue Reading »

Promising Signs Exist As ETFs Expand into 401(k)s
August 20, 2008 – As exchange traded funds (ETFs) expand into the retirement and 401(k) market, promising signs exist despite extreme market volatility. According to the staff at mmexecutive, American investors have held steady when contributing to their 401(k) plans... 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 »

Deadline for Fee Disclosures Needs to Stick to Get ETFs Into 401(k)s
August 5, 2008 – A fee-disclosure rule could lead to more exchange traded funds (ETFs) being incorporated into 401(k) plans. But the retirement industry says it’s taken aback by the deadline for such disclosures, put in place by the Department... Continue Reading »

ETFs Keep Knock, Knock, Knockin’ On 401(k)’s Door
July 30, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have long been knocking on the doors of 401(k) providers, so what is taking so long? The total pension plan business is at $4.5 trillion, and ETF providers consider this area to... Continue Reading »

401(k) Fees On A Downward Trend Giving ETFs A Better Place In the Industry
July 28, 2008 – It appears 401(k) plan sponsors are listening, as the fees associated with them are trending on a downward momentum, leaving more opportunity for exchange traded funds (ETFs) to find their niche in this market. A recent... 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 »

TDAX ETFs Get A Name Change
July 18, 2008 – Some exchange traded funds (ETFs) are going a bit P. Diddy on us. Or is it Puff Daddy? Or Sean Combs? We’ve lost track. The TDAX exchange traded funds (ETFs) has changed their name. The new... 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 »

The ETF Cycle Has Brought Life-Cycle Funds
July 12, 2008 – Life-cycle exchange traded funds (ETFs) have joined up with life-cycle or target-date mutual funds to offer retirement savings for investors, the closest thing that many ETFs have gotten toward inclusion in retirement packages. The same theory... Continue Reading »

401(k)- the Final Frontier for ETFs?
July 8, 2008 – When it comes to social graces and utilizing efficiency, Europe seems to take first place, and now they are leading the incorporation of exchange traded funds (ETFs) into pension plans. European pension funds have... 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 »

Bond, Junk Bond ETF, That Is
June 21, 2008 – The bond exchange traded fund (ETF) market has a life of its own, under the cover of equities, similar to their smoother counterpart James Bond. Investors have been avoiding the riskier areas of the credit market... Continue Reading »

Target Date ETFs Need to Make a Bigger Push for Education
June 10, 2008 – While target-date products, including exchange traded funds (ETFs), are seeing big growth, it’s been found that many investors still don’t understand quite how they work. Kevin Burke for Ignites points out that this lack of understanding... Continue Reading »

Bond ETFs Are Still Fair Despite Closings
June 4, 2008 – The fixed-income exchange traded fund (ETF) market has grown as new ways to access bonds have become appealing to investors. Last week, though, investors received a reminder that not every product can be a... Continue Reading »

Open-Ended Funds of ETFs Slow to Grab Hold
June 3, 2008 – The concept of an open-ended "fund of exchange traded funds (ETFs)" has yet to gain any momentum. Could it be that the right time has simply not yet arrived? Most of these types of funds... Continue Reading »

Planning for Your Golden Years With ETFs
May 21, 2008 – When it comes to individual money management, the first item on your list should be your retirement, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are just one option to help get you started. Managing your money and saving... 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 »

Are Bond ETF Investors Giving a Thumbs-Up to the U.S. Economy?
May 19, 2008 – Are exchange traded fund (ETF) investors giving a vote of confidence to the U.S. economy by moving their money away from Treasury bonds and back into corporates? Since mid-March, yields on 10-year Treasury notes have... Continue Reading »

Things You Oughta Know About ETFs
May 18, 2008 – Are you one of the many investors who each day are discovering exchange traded funds (ETFs)? You might know about their advantages and how they work, but there may still be a lot you... 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 »

Could ETFs Save The Baby Boomers’ Retirement?
May 12, 2008 – A recent study released by Barclay’s Global Investors tells that baby boomers set to retire may not be as well-prepared as they think, possibly causing some to reconsider how they use their exchange traded... Continue Reading »

Why Aren’t ETFs In Your 401(k) Plan? The Answer Is Simple!
May 5, 2008 – The debate over exchange traded funds (ETFs) in 401(k) plans is intensifying. Many people want, even demand, a law that balances the cost and benefits of the transparency of investment and transaction fees. Experts... 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 »

Rising Interest Rates In Bond ETFs Signaling Strength As Fed Meets?
April 29, 2008 – Rising interest rates within the bond market are signaling a change within investor sentiment that could possibly boost stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the coming months. It appears that the financial sector... Continue Reading »

Fundamentally Weighted Bond ETF Index In The Works
April 28, 2008 – Fundamental indexes tracked by exchange traded funds (ETFs) are nothing new under the sun. Now the father of fundamental weighting is looking to do the same thing for bonds. Robb Arnott, chairman of Research Affiliates, says... Continue Reading »

Bond ETFs: Just Add Water, Instant Portfolio
April 19, 2008 – Bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a solid way to take the hassle out of buying individual bonds, which can be costly and time-consuming for individual investors. Heather Bell for Index Universe sat down... Continue Reading »

TIP ETFs Can Be a Savior In Inflationary Periods
April 18, 2008 – Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS, have made their way into exchange traded funds (ETFs). These U.S.-government issued bonds are issued by the Treasury and they are sellable in the "after" market. Designed in terms... Continue Reading »

Bond ETFs Are A Sign Of The Times
April 14, 2008 – Bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) have sparked investor interest across the board. It’s largely a by-product of the world we’re living in these days, since people turn to bonds during volatile times. Just look... 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 »

Dividend ETFs Have a Range of Applications
April 4, 2008 – The choices and types of dividend stocks available are numerous, and there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) for many of them. A dividend is a payment that a company makes to you as a shareholder.... Continue Reading »

Playing the Waiting Game With ETFs
March 28, 2008 –   Some believe we’re in a full-blown recession, but no matter what they believe, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors shouldn’t panic. Chris Fichera for Consumer Reports suggests staying put and weathering the storm, while making some... Continue Reading »

When Markets Turn Around, Could High Yield Bond ETFs Benefit?
March 28, 2008 – Once the Federal Reserve decides it’s done making interest rate cuts, junk bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be a beneficiary. The appetite for risk goes up with economic recovery. Gary Gordon for ETF Expert says... 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 »

Target-Date ETFs Can Be a Solid Addition to Any Portfolio
March 23, 2008 – If you’re thinking about retirement, whether it’s in two years, 12 years, 22 years or beyond, there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) for you. XShares Advisors launched a series of target date ETFs that definitely... Continue Reading »

Easter Baskets Of ETFs
March 23, 2008 – While you are egg-hunting today, your mind may not be on your exchange traded funds (ETFs). However, you may want to consider how your nest eggs are doing at his point in time. ETFs... Continue Reading »

Investors Turn to Bond ETFs As Commodities Get Rocky
March 20, 2008 – Investors, feeling more skittish than ever in these "what’s going to happen next?" times, are showing signs that they’re moving money away from commodities and metals exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks, and into... Continue Reading »

With Rising Inflation, TIPS ETFs Come On Strong
March 13, 2008 – Fixed-income exchange traded funds (ETFs) are fast becoming the investment of choice for those concerned with the market’s recent direction. TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) are a special type of note or bond that offers... Continue Reading »

Fixed-Income ETFs Forecast to Have a Growth Spurt
March 12, 2008 – The fixed-income exchange traded fund (ETF) market still has plenty of room to grow. In fact, iShares predicts that the area is primed to grow by 200% over the next three years. Globally, fixed-income ETFs... 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 »

Scouting for Yield In Your ETFs
March 10, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have different ways of generating returns for investors, and one way is through bond funds. They buy a relatively static pool of securities based on an index, and they’re attractive for... 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 »

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 »

Capital Markets ETF Does Turnaround
February 26, 2008 – Some positive news in the financial sector gave a lift to the KBW Capital Markets (KCE) exchange traded fund (ETF). Two of the biggest bond insurers, MBIA Inc. (MBI) and Ambac Financial Group (ABK), avoided... Continue Reading »

Just Two ETFs Can Give You Diversification
February 22, 2008 – These days, the investment world is all about diversification to minimize risk, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) can help you get the necessary exposure. ETFs are a great diversification tool that can help buy-and-hold... Continue Reading »

Fidelity Faces Radiating Central Fund Losses
February 21, 2008 – Some trouble in a Fidelity fund can be ill-afforded as the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry gains on mutual funds. Fidelity is facing subprime losses in a central fund, an internal fund that only other... Continue Reading »

Five ETF Sectors To Recession-Proof Your Portfolio
February 14, 2008 – The signs are all there that we’re in a recession: many exchange traded fund (ETF) sectors have taken a hit, Congress is calling hearings, the Federal Reserve is talking about more rate cuts, housing, retail... Continue Reading »

Muni Bond ETF Yields Safer as Buffett Bails Out Insurers
February 12, 2008 – Municipal bonds and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in a bit of a pickle, but billionaire Warren Buffett has stepped in to help. As we wrote yesterday, while municipal bonds are currently offering attractive yields,... Continue Reading »

Municipal Bond ETFs Have Attractive Yields
February 11, 2008 – Competitive yields are suddenly giving municipal bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) a new level of attractiveness to investors. Muni bond ETFs are the new kids on the block; the first ones didn’t appear until last... Continue Reading »

Bonds and Related ETFs Dip After Foreign Banks Hold Back
February 10, 2008 – The bond market isn’t too happy as exchange traded funds (ETFs) fell in response to bond auctions held by the U.S. Treasury. The auctions have foreign and domestic banks submitting offers for bonds. The "indirect" bid... Continue Reading »

Indexing and ETFs Get a Fresh Perspective in Outsider’s Report
February 8, 2008 – The indexing and exchange traded fund (ETF) industry recently was privy to the observations of an outside observer. Adam Sussman, a senior analyst for the TABB Group, wrote an exhaustive report titled "Performance Anxiety: A... 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 »

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 »

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 »

Are Your ETFs Keeping You on Track for Retirement?
January 15, 2008 – Quick: will your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio take you into your golden years? Not sure? Yahoo! has a nifty calculator you can use to see if you’re on track. Be aware, though, that saving for... Continue Reading »

TIP ETF Gains Foreign Ground
January 12, 2008 – iShares Lehman Bond ETF (TIP) has been a popular exchange traded fund (ETF) choice for investors all around the world. Carl Delfeld at ETF XRAY explains that these Treasury-inflation protected securities (TIPS) are a... Continue Reading »

Funds of ETFs Come in Threes
January 10, 2008 – Hennion Walsh Asset Management has come out with a mutual fund of exchange traded funds (ETFs). This presents a diversified, low-cost alternative for investors and is set up as a target-date fund. Thanks to the varying... Continue Reading »

Yet Another Reason ETFs Should Be In 401(k) Plans
January 7, 2008 – Investors have been pleading for exchange traded funds (ETFs) to be available in 401(k) retirement plans for quite some time now. Some feel like they are getting burned with hidden fees found in many... Continue Reading »

Make Your ETF Resolutions, and Stick to ‘Em
January 2, 2008 – Some people hate making resolutions (especially because some of you have been writing variations on the "get in shape" theme since college, but this year, you’re serious. We know you are.), but now is... Continue Reading »

ETFs Becoming a Household Name
December 31, 2007 – Actor Sam Waterston of "Law and Order", the television show on which he plays a district  attorney, is making a case for exchange traded funds (ETFs) on ads for online broker TD Ameritrade. This... Continue Reading »

Fixed Income ETFs Explode in 2007
December 19, 2007 – The number of fixed-income exchange traded funds (ETFs) ballooned in 2007. In total, says Ray Hendon at Seeking Alpha, 41 new funds were brought to the market. That’s up from about six funds in... Continue Reading »

Our 2007 ETF Predictions: How Did We Do?
December 18, 2007 – Early this year, we boldly stepped forward and made our predictions for what we foresaw as the top exchange traded fund (ETF) trends of 2007. So, how did we do? (more…) Continue Reading »

Congressman Leads Charge to Get ETFs Into 401(k) Plans
December 12, 2007 – A fired-up congressman could be leading the charge to get exchange traded funds (ETFs) and other index funds into all 401(k)s, reports Sara Hansard at InvestmentNews. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller,... Continue Reading »

401(k) Plans Need Disclosure Standards and ETFs
December 6, 2007 – The reasons for using exchange traded funds (ETFs) in a retirement portfolio go on, and here is another. Passing 401(k)-fee-disclosure legislation should be a top priority for Congress, a New York Times editorial informs,... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Guidance Help Growth in Retirment 401(k) Plans
December 4, 2007 – Saving for retirement is a goal for many investors, whether using exchange traded funds (ETFs), stocks, mutual funds or bonds.  Many companies offer 401(k) plans, where employees can make contributions as well as participate... Continue Reading »

One Small Step for ETFs, One Giant Leap for 401(k) Plans
November 28, 2007 – XShares, perhaps best-known for its line of HealthShares exchange traded funds (ETFs), is now broadening its horizons even further. According to Jesse Emspak at Investor’s Business Daily, the fund provider has joined forces with... Continue Reading »

The Latest on ETFs in 401(k) Plans
November 21, 2007 – It looks like target date exchange traded funds (ETFs) could make their way into the market share dominated by traditional mutual funds. Retirement and the $2.5 trillion 401(k) business is the place providers all... Continue Reading »

First VRDO ETF From PowerShares
November 9, 2007 – It appears that fixed-income exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the investment type du jour. PowerShares has three new fixed-income ETFs set to launch November 15. The most creative of the three is a VRDO,... Continue Reading »

Target Date ETFs: Both Sides Of The Coin
November 9, 2007 – As billions flow into target date exchange traded funds (ETFs), do investors have the staying power? These types of investments are meant to be purchased and forgotten about until the desired date. How do... Continue Reading »

ETF-Based 401k Provider ShareBuilder Sold To ING
November 7, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are loved by small business owners and the financial advisors that help them. ShareBuilder 401(k) has sold over 1,250 ETF-based 401(k) retirement plans in only two years. Small business owners... Continue Reading »

Lifecycle or Target-date ETFs Could Be the Next Big Thing
October 24, 2007 – The new lifecycle exchange traded funds (ETFs), also known as target-date ETFs, recently received some good news. In the next five years, target-date and target-risk funds are predicted to pull in $920 billion in... Continue Reading »

Will Lifecycle ETFs Be the Key to the 401(k) Market?
October 16, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have enjoyed success with more than $500 billion in assets, so will lifecycle ETFs be their best ticket into the retirement market dominated by mutual funds? At the end of... Continue Reading »

A Closer Look at Lifecycle ETFs
October 15, 2007 – A fast-growing mutual-fund investment strategy is seeping into the exchange traded fund (ETF) community. Earlier this month, XShares and Amerivest Investment Management collaborated to launch the first lifecycle ETFs. Lifecycle funds are designed to... Continue Reading »

Variable Annuities Want in on ETF Action
October 9, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have become so popular that 401(k) plan providers and variable annuities want to include them. Variable annuities are contracts sold by an insurance company designed to provide payments to the... Continue Reading »

ETF Provider WisdomTree Jumps on the Retirement Plan Bandwagon
October 8, 2007 – WisdomTree Retirement Services, a subsidiary of the exchange traded fund (ETF) provider WisdomTree Investments, announced today the launch of a 401(k) platform. This is one of several ways companies are trying to set up... Continue Reading »

ETFs in 401(k)s - What’s the Hold Up?
October 4, 2007 – Despite the success and increasing popularity of exchange traded funds (ETFs), these versatile funds have had a difficult time getting into many retirement accounts. Why? For one, cost-effective trading software that allows participants to track... Continue Reading »

Rydex ETFs Team Up with INR for Retirement Plans
September 14, 2007 – Investors looking for exchange traded funds (ETFs) within a tax-deferred retirement plan now have more options. Earlier this week, Rydex Investments announced the availability of eight ETFs in Invest n Retire (INR) retirement plans.... Continue Reading »

When Will ETFs Hit 401(k) Plans?
September 12, 2007 – Somebody doesn’t want exchange traded funds (ETFs) in their retirement space. Although ETFs’ growth remains rapid, they’ve made little headway into the 401(k) marketplace. This access would give the ETF industry a huge new... Continue Reading »

Barclays’ iShares Managing Director Dishes on ETFs
September 7, 2007 – Michael Latham, the managing director and head of iShares, Americas, for exchange traded fund (ETF) provider Barclays Global Investors, has big plans for the company’s iShares ETFs. In an interview with Brook Southall for... Continue Reading »

The Age Factor in ETF Investing
September 4, 2007 – Financial planning is a personal matter, so when it comes to investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs), can an age-appropriate portfolio make a difference? Diversification and balance are two portfolio principles that David Bogoslaw... Continue Reading »

New Bill Moves ETFs Closer to Inclusion in 401(k) Plans
September 4, 2007 – The introduction of a new bill moves investors one step closer to having exchange traded fund (ETF) options available in 401(k) plans. In the HR 3185 bill revealed in late July by Rep. George... Continue Reading »

Why ETF Investors Need to Analyze Retirement Pitches
August 31, 2007 – Saving for retirement is one of many financial goals for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. When doing so, be wary of any "retire early" pitches. The old adage that if something seems to good... Continue Reading »

Could ETFs Save Retirement?
August 29, 2007 – Could exchange traded funds (ETFs) be the panacea to ease future retirees’ concerns about the current markets and retirement? According to a recent survey by Schwab Institutional, affluent investors are "anxious about retirement and... Continue Reading »

ETFs Poised to Play a Bigger Role in Your Retirement
August 20, 2007 – Will exchange traded funds (ETFs) have a large impact on baby boomers as they enter retirement? Probably. Boomers are busy. They want simple, easy and fair-priced investment opportunities and ETFs correspond perfectly to those demands.... Continue Reading »

ETFs Now More Important Than Ever for Retirement Plans
August 8, 2007 – As baby boomers and younger generations prepare for retirement, exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be needed now more than ever. ETFs would bring benefits such as transparency and low expenses to retirement plans that... Continue Reading »

ETFs Would Benefit Government Retirement Plans
August 7, 2007 – As exchange traded fund (ETF) providers search for ways to successfully integrate ETFs into retirement plans, the government could take a few notes. Although the government sponsors a decent 401(k) plan called the Thrift... Continue Reading »

ETFs Enter Retirement
August 2, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) still are not easily accessible in 401(k) plans, but there are firms out there trying to integrate them. Recently, CLS Investment Firm announced it will collaborate with a retirement plan... Continue Reading »

Retire with ETFs
July 28, 2007 – Most of the investor ownership of exchange traded funds (ETFs) has occurred outside of retirement plans. Retirement plan providers continue to seek ways to offer ETFs within retirement plans and 401(k)s. This market area... Continue Reading »

ETFs Grabbing Hold in Retirement Plans
July 20, 2007 – The time has come: Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are making their mark in 401(k) retirement plans. In June, BenefitStreet, a provider of retirement plans, began offering ETFs on their 401(k) platform in conjunction with... Continue Reading »

Vanguard ETF Enters Benefit Plan Market
June 27, 2007 – Recently, Vanguard Group filed to launch an institutional-only mutual fund, the Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund, and a sister exchange traded fund (ETF). This is an attempt to compete with rivals who... Continue Reading »

New ETF 401(k) Education Program
June 16, 2007 – BenefitStreet Inc. launched a new program designed to help advisors introduce exchange traded funds (ETFs) into 401(k) plans. This education program comes soon after Barclays and BenefitStreet joined forces to incorporate ETFs into retirement... Continue Reading »

ETF Providers at Odds Over 401(k) Plans
June 7, 2007 – Barclays Global Investors, the largest exchange traded fund (ETF) provider, has been trying to break into the 401(k) market. Most U.S. retirement plan providers won’t offer ETFs because they are concerned with intraday trading. ... Continue Reading »