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

Tax Hit Is Another Reason to Switch to ETFs
November 21, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) may snatch up investors from mutual funds as investors see unsatisfactory returns in their mutual funds being taxed. The insult to industry may exacerbate the exodus that mutual funds have been... Continue Reading »

Freddie, Citi Contribute to ETF, Market Stress
November 21, 2008 – Mortgage lender Freddie Mac (FRE) could be de-listed from the NYSE, continuing the troubles that have plagued financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) for much of this year. Since the company’s share price has been under $1... Continue Reading »

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

New Real Estate ETF Enters at a Challenging Time
November 21, 2008 – PowerShares is entering into the real estate market with the United States through a new actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF) launched Wednesday. PowerShares Active Real Estate Fund (PSR) will trade on the New York Stock... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

Gas, Housing ETFs Spill With Economy
November 19, 2008 – The United States economy remains in a state of uncertainty and this apathy is reflected in the actions of investors and their stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The state of the nation’s Big Three automakers... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eurozone Recession Undermines Oil’s Slip, ETFs
November 14, 2008 – October was a record month for sagging retail sales, proving further that consumers are tightening up their wallets, and not adding to a domestic economic boost for Wall Street or exchange traded funds(ETFs). The decline in auto... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bad Assets Bum Out ETFs
November 12, 2008 – Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced the government will not buy bank’s toxic mortgage assets after all, sending dismay to investors and Wall Street, which negatively affected exchange traded funds (ETFs). Much of Wall Street was excited about... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

Creaky Power Grid Could Black Out Solar, Wind ETFs
November 10, 2008 – A new industry report claims sun and wind energy may interrupt the power grid, creating a new set of obstacles for inventors, investors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) within the industry. By adding electricity generated by... Continue Reading »

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

Obama’s Sector To-Do List May Impact ETFs
November 9, 2008 – President-elect Barack Obama has his work cut out for him as he enters office with the weight of financial trauma, tumbling stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a gaping deficit. No question: there’s a lot... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 »

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

PowerShares Adds To Actively Managed ETF Lineup
November 4, 2008 – PowerShares is growing its family of actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) this month. The newest addition to the family will focus on U.S. real estate and will trade on the NYSE Arca. MarketWatch reports that... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

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

October ETF Performance Report
October 31, 2008 – October was a spooky month for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), and we saw things that haven’t been seen in decades. The two strongest areas, and one of the few to end the month... Continue Reading »

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

Consumer Spending Shrinks Economy, ETFs In Third Quarter
October 30, 2008 – Consumers are scaling back more than they have in decades, and it’s having a ripple effect on exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the economy’s gross domestic product. GDP shrank in the third quarter by 0.3%, the... Continue Reading »

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

Obama, McCain Will Impact Market, ETFs in Different Ways
October 29, 2008 – Only one thing is this election is for certain: the outcome will have an effect on the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in one way or another. This is the first time in 76 years... Continue Reading »

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

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

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

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

ETF Investors Seem Cool to Positive Reports
October 27, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are see-sawing this morning as investors weigh the economy in the wake of mixed news. New home sales in September posted a surprise increase of 2.7% while prices fall, reports... Continue Reading »

There Are Resources for ETF Investors, But Trends Aren’t There Now
October 26, 2008 – When it comes to investing, whether it’s exchange traded funds (ETFs), stocks or something else entirely, it’s not pretty out there. One of the biggest culprits has been commodities, and a problem of both real and... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Shine As Colleges Catch Solar Waves
October 25, 2008 – If the steps California’s colleges are taking to incorporate solar power become the hot new trend, solar exchange traded funds (ETFs) could begin to heat up. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a public-private partnership to bring solar... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Continue to Feel Effects of Shifting Industry
October 24, 2008 – As are most exchange traded funds (ETFs) representing sectors and global areas of the market, financials continue to take hits as the effects of the bailout plan are slow to be seen. American International Group (AIG)... Continue Reading »

One ETF That’s Full of Garbage
October 23, 2008 – One thing that never goes out of fashion no matter how bad times get is garbage, giving a trash exchange traded fund (ETF) a chance to outperform the broader market in a recessionary period. Market Vectors... Continue Reading »

Earnings Down, But Transportation ETF Could Still Fly
October 23, 2008 – The transportation exchange traded fund (ETF) is at a fork in the road, and mixed earnings reports from components trickle in. UPS (UPS) reported a 9.9% drop in its quarterly profit, but it wasn’t as bad... Continue Reading »

ETFs Stay Strong in Face Of Jobless Claims, Foreclosures
October 23, 2008 – The labor market showed new weakness today as jobless claims rose, but early trading in exchange traded funds (ETFs) indicates that the markets aren’t too wounded by the report. The jump in applications for unemployment benefits... Continue Reading »

Worries Send Dow Down, Investors Clinging to Treasuries
October 22, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were battered today, starting off the morning on a down note and remaining there. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) came out with a downbeat report that didn’t help matters, saying... Continue Reading »

Alternative Energy And ETFs Vulnerable To Market Winds
October 22, 2008 – Proponents of alternative energy and the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the few rejoicing at the higher cost of oil. But now that prices are less than half of what they were at... Continue Reading »

Pharmaceutical ETFs Ailing as Consumers Trim Costs
October 22, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) targeting the pharmaceutical sector can’t seem to win: some companies are getting dinged by a consumer rush to generics, while others are getting hit because some people don’t want to shell... Continue Reading »

Earnings Reports Fire Up ETF Investors’ Nerves
October 22, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are feeling woozy this morning after a slew of less-than-stellar earnings reports. Now that credit markets are improving, the focus is turning to the corporate earnings that have... Continue Reading »

Biotech ETFs Stay Healthy Despite Market Ills
October 22, 2008 – Biotechnology, while hurting along with the rest of the market, is one of the few that can boast market outperformance during these tough market times, evidenced in the performance of the related exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »

Regional Bank ETF Index Gets Component Change
October 22, 2008 – We might be seeing a rash of financial index component changes down the line that will affect their exchange traded funds (ETFs) as the uncertainty of our banking system continues. For now, the underlying index of... Continue Reading »

As Banks See Shift, So Could Financial ETFs
October 21, 2008 – The financial exchange traded fund (ETF) landscape has already changed significantly this year in the wake of bank mergers, takeovers and bankruptcies. But if the Treasury Department has its way, there could still be plenty... Continue Reading »

Regional Banks ETF Stays Afloat
October 21, 2008 – Where logic takes over, it would be reasonable to assume that the entire banking and financial sector, and related shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs), would be battered alike. The majority of the banking beating took... Continue Reading »

ETFs Might Be Held Back By Europe’s Banks
October 20, 2008 – European lawmakers have made financial rescue packages available, but having few takers could leave exchange traded funds (ETFs) in a holding pattern. The primary reason so few banks have accepted government funds is that they’re wary... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Might Suffer From Inventory Declines
October 20, 2008 – It’s a vicious circle that might have retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) squarely in the center: retailers are scaling back inventory because the shoppers aren’t there, but the shoppers can’t find what they need, so... Continue Reading »

Google Goes Ga-Ga for Ads, Maybe ETFs Will Too
October 20, 2008 – Technology exchange traded funds (ETFs) might get a boost from the third-quarter earnings reports of the world’s most popular search engine. Profits for Google (GOOG) exceeded analysts’ estimates, because even as the economy slows, customers are... Continue Reading »

Bond Insurers Hatch Plan That Could Help ETFs
October 20, 2008 – Bond insurers are working on a plan that could eventually restore the industry’s related exchange traded funds (ETFs) Ambac Financial Group and MBIA Inc. area couple of the bond insurers working with them. The companies also... Continue Reading »

Consequences of Crisis Touch Far-Flung ETFs
October 17, 2008 – A world away from Wall Street, the most fundamental elements that run our economy such as ore and steel will be feeling the consequences of the financial crisis, a situation that could reflect across exchange... Continue Reading »

Consumers’ Mood, Homebuilder ETFs Continue to Suffer
October 17, 2008 – Home construction exchange traded funds (ETFs) are down this morning after a report showed the production is at its slowest pace in 17 years. The 6.3% plunge was much larger than expected, reports Martin Crutsinger for... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks ETF Entry Strategies on Fox Business
October 16, 2008 – Tom Lydon talked about using the 50-day moving average with exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a strategy for getting back into the markets when there’s a recovery. Continue Reading »

Regional Bank ETFs Could Get Behind Treasury Plan
October 16, 2008 – The Treasury’s recent decision to pump $250 billion into the banking sector may wind up helping the regional banks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Laurie Kulikowski for TheStreet reports that the federal government on Tuesday said... Continue Reading »

While Oil Prices Are Grounded, Airline ETF Isn’t Soaring
October 16, 2008 – First, rising oil burns the airlines and transportation exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now, one airline is getting burned by falling oil prices. How does that work? For the first time in 17 years, Southwest (LUV) has... Continue Reading »

Surprise Factory Order Drop Hurts Industrial ETFs
October 16, 2008 – A sharper-than-expected drop in factory activity had markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) sinking lower this morning. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said business activity unexpectedly fell to -37.5 in October, from 3.8 in September, reports... 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 »

REIT ETFs Under Pressure
October 15, 2008 – As companies go under and leave behind vacant office complexes across the country, REIT exchange traded funds (ETFs) feel the emptiness. It’s also certainly dampening any demand for new office space. New York, for one, is... Continue Reading »

Retail Sales Leave ETFs With an Empty Cart
October 15, 2008 – Retail sales in September continued to show that consumers aren’t ready to splurge, and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t ready to perform. The 1.2% drop in sales was even worse than expected, and was the... Continue Reading »

Restaurants Struggling, ETFs Put Down the Fork
October 15, 2008 – The restaurant malaise that began around two years ago has begun to intensify as the financial turmoil has affected the number of sit-down diners, leaving entertainment and leisure exchange traded funds (ETFs) to starve. Janet Adamy... Continue Reading »

ETF Alternatives That Respond to Energy Needs
October 15, 2008 – The need for change is in the air, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting this as alternative energy creeps into the consciousness of the mainstream. Many investors are betting on which alternative energy funds and... Continue Reading »

Boeing Machinists’ Strike Compromises ETFs
October 14, 2008 – Talks concerning a five-week strike at Boeing Co. (BA) have broken up, threatening to stall out aerospace-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). It seems an odd time for anyone to strike, with unemployment skyrocketing and the country... Continue Reading »

Tech ETFs Begin To Hear The Crunch Of Credit
October 14, 2008 – The technology companies have so far come out relatively unscathed during the financial crisis, however, sales could catch up to them in the following year, leaving exchange traded funds (ETFs) vulnerable. The latest numbers show that... Continue Reading »

Johnson & Johnson Could Be Booster Shot for Health Care ETFs
October 14, 2008 – Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is posting a 30% jump in third-quarter profits, beating expectations and potentially giving a dose of strength to health care exchange traded funds (ETFs). Higher sales of consumer products and medical devices... Continue Reading »

Cash Infusion for Banks Could Put ETFs On Right Foot
October 14, 2008 – The government is making $250 billion available to banks in an effort to help them recapitalize, in what could perhaps be the first steps toward an exchange traded fund (ETF) and market recovery. The proposal follows... Continue Reading »

Hollywood, ETFs May Not Be As Bullish As They Seem
October 13, 2008 – Extra! Extra! Read all about Hollywood’s declining recession-proof reputation, threatening to dim the lights on entertainment and media exchange traded funds (ETFs). Despite a global credit crunch, financial institutions going under and jobs being lost, one... Continue Reading »

Short ETFs One of the Few Movers This Week
October 11, 2008 – As the market continues its sharp declines, there is still a way that investors can profit from exchange traded fund (ETF) investing. Short-selling, or betting against the market, has become a strategy for many who... Continue Reading »

Financial Crisis Has Tide Rising on Shipping ETFs
October 10, 2008 – Financing to ship owners and companies are expected to drop by one-third as money markets are at a standstill, potentially leaving related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lost at sea. The frozen money markets are driving away... Continue Reading »

Financial Crisis Leaves Few Countries, ETFs Untouched
October 10, 2008 – As the global credit crisis deepens and touches every corner of the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), the pressure is on the world’s leading economies to stage a major confrontation. This morning, President Bush spoke... Continue Reading »

Markets, ETFs Pick Up Another Volatile Day
October 10, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) opened for trading this morning, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average promptly lost 700 points. Since then, the major indexes have been fluctuating. A loss of confidence in the... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Have Good Energy Alternatives
October 10, 2008 – Although oil prices have fallen back from their record highs, the shock was enough to make many investors consider the advantages of alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs). As a result, many new alternative energy stocks... Continue Reading »

Commodity ETFs On Ice for Now
October 9, 2008 – The hot streak commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) saw this year is now on a cooling trend, as values have dropped 26-44% in the three months leading to Tuesday. The commodities slide is vast, and mutual... Continue Reading »

Bank Ownership Could Help Financials, ETFs
October 9, 2008 – As markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue another day of see-sawing, the Bush administration says it’s considering an ownership stake in some U.S. banks as another tool to deal with the global credit crisis. No... Continue Reading »

FocusShares To Shut Down Losing ETFs
October 8, 2008 – Another set of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is going to join the casualty list soon. FocusShares Trust is going to close up four of their funds as of Oct. 20, 2008. Their last day of trading... Continue Reading »

Retail Sales Point to Slow ETFs and Holiday Sales
October 8, 2008 – The sharp slowdown in retail sales don’t bode well for this holiday season or related exchange traded funds (ETFs). The September numbers are in, and few companies are immune from the slowdown - including bargain retailers.... Continue Reading »

Health Care ETFs Forced To The Back Of The Line
October 8, 2008 – Congress and the nest presidential administration will have their hands tied dealing with the current economic crisis, which could very well force health care reforms to the back burner, as exchange traded funds (ETFs) cool... Continue Reading »

A ‘Poor’ Feeling Hits Retail ETFs
October 7, 2008 – During tough economic times consumers usually pull back on their spending, and this market is no exception, as exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track consumerism have pulled back, leaving room only for necessities. Falling home values,... Continue Reading »

Federal Reserve Takes First Steps to Revive Markets, ETFs
October 7, 2008 – A plan to address the many issues our economy is having right now is taking shape, much to the liking of the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Federal Reserve has announced a plan to... Continue Reading »

Biotech ETFs Show Heft In Third Quarter
October 7, 2008 – Although the third quarter of this year was one of the more downbeat ones, there are still some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that managed to post gains amid the wreckage. Doug Rogers for Investor’s Business Daily... Continue Reading »

Regional Bank ETFs Could Approve of Bailout Deal
October 3, 2008 – One exchange traded fund (ETF) sector is showing signs that it might from the bailout already: regional banks. Shares for a number of the banks rose about 4% midday, the Associated Press reports. However, the it... Continue Reading »

Twists and Turns In Banking Saga Impacts ETFs
October 3, 2008 – In a twist that could affect regional bank exchange traded funds (ETFs), Wachovia (WB) has agreed to be snatched up by Wells Fargo (WFC) in a $15.1 billion all-stock deal. But Citibank (C) is insisting that... Continue Reading »

Factory Orders Might Pinch Industrial ETFs
October 2, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks are down sharply this morning as more downbeat economic news trickled in on two fronts: factory orders and unemployment. Factory orders are down more than what had been forecast, by... Continue Reading »

Food Industry’s Value Approach Could Feed ETFs
October 1, 2008 – As food prices soar, food companies are trying to steer consumers toward cheaper, high-margin products, in hopes of raising profits and delivering a nice side effect to related exchange traded funds (ETFs). The latest advertising strategy... Continue Reading »

Manufacturing, Mortgages Extend ETF Slump
October 1, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading down this morning, but for once it’s not completely related to the impending $700 billion bailout plan. Instead, it’s largely because a key measure of manufacturing in... Continue Reading »

Consumer, Real Estate News Affects ETFs Differently
September 30, 2008 – Retail and real estate-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be affected by the latest round of good news/bad news from their respective sectors. Consumer confidence in September actually made some slight gains to hit their highest... Continue Reading »

Making Predictions With Financial ETFs Is Impossible
September 30, 2008 – The financial sector and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in a pit these days. Most of them are trading 50% or more off their highs, and who knows where we’re going to go from... Continue Reading »

As Bailout Deal Is Hashed Out, Markets, ETFs Wait
September 30, 2008 – After yesterday’s stunning plunge that left stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) nursing some heavy wounds, U.S. and global leaders pulled together to plead with lawmakers to pass a $700 billion bailout plan to save... Continue Reading »

Looking for ETF Opportunities Today and Tomorrow
September 29, 2008 – Smart exchange traded fund (ETF) investors not only look for opportunities in areas that are currently moving up, but they also look for opportunities that may develop in the future, long before they’re actually here. The... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending
September 29, 2008 – Consumer spending became even weaker in August as back-to-school shopping failed to deliver a boost to the sector, even though retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed small gains for the month. Spending was the weakest it’s... Continue Reading »

Federal Rescue Is Just the Beginning for Financial ETFs
September 29, 2008 – The bailout that many hope will be the salve to soothe volatile markets and hurting exchange traded funds (ETFs) cleared a hurdle this weekend. Lawmakers agreed to the deal, and now the vote is being put... Continue Reading »

Solar ETFs Pushed Along By Changing Energy Landscape
September 26, 2008 – The solar power industry is booming right now, and perhaps it will soon translate into success for related exchange traded funds (ETFs.) A surge in energy prices, combined with generous incentives and tax credits, has given... Continue Reading »

Shift to Internet Advertising Could Be Hurting Media ETFs
September 26, 2008 – There seem to be few sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that have managed to remain immune from the economic downturn. The latest is your local NBC affiliate. NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker says the downturn... Continue Reading »

Homebuilder ETFs Resilient In Face of Housing Crisis
September 26, 2008 – The housing market crisis and its continued effect on exchange traded funds (ETFs) isn’t over yet. KB Home (KBH) is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, and it’s not immune from the troubles: its third-quarter loss... Continue Reading »

Largest Bank Failure, Bailout Snags Hit Financial ETFs
September 26, 2008 – Washington Mutual (WM), a major holding in several financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), has just joined the casualty list. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) is buying the bank’s assets for $1.9 billion after the FDIC seized the... Continue Reading »

Unlikely Electricity Source Could Power Up Utility ETFs
September 26, 2008 – Cows are known for producing milk and manure, as well as a healthy steak, but another one of their by-products is generating something else: electricity, and it might give a jolt to utilities exchange traded... Continue Reading »

Influx of Renters May Help Real Estate ETF
September 25, 2008 – Rental real estate is presenting some true opportunity right now, and there is an exchange traded fund (ETF) to help you capitalize on this trend without actually buying the rental property. iShares FTSE NAREIT Residential Real... Continue Reading »

Stocks, ETFs Reverse Course After Bailout Agreement Reached
September 25, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) reversed three days of losses today after lawmakers agreed on an outline for a bailout plan. But while stocks rose, credit markets are still nervous, says Tim Paradis for the... Continue Reading »

Bargain Hunters Descend on Hard-Hit ETF Sectors
September 25, 2008 – Many investors are holding off for a market turnaround before they get back in to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and assorted other securities. But some Wall Street players are already looking around to be the first... Continue Reading »

Reports: Rescue Plan for Economy, ETFs, Markets Is Near
September 25, 2008 – Lawmakers are working fast and furious to craft a rescue plan that will save the economy, our beat-up stock markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) - at least, that’s the hope. Reports are that a deal... Continue Reading »

Nuclear Companies’ Deal Could Be Power Boost for ETFs
September 25, 2008 – The French power provider Electricite de France is seeking to buy British Energy for $23.2 billion in cash, a move that might enhance nuclear energy exchange traded funds (ETFs). Prospects for Britain’s nuclear energy industry appear... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETF And Existing Sales Begin To Wilt
September 24, 2008 – The wilting housing market is showing no signs of life, as existing home prices fall and real estate- and home construction-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) stall out. As of August, the United States suffered a record... Continue Reading »

Holiday Season May Not Be Merry for Retail ETFs
September 24, 2008 – This holiday season may not have retailers decking the halls, as most consumers are facing a thinning wallet, leaving exchange traded funds (ETFs) to follow. U.S. retailers are expected to post the smallest holiday gains in... Continue Reading »

Goldman, Buffett Deal Could Help Financials, ETFs
September 24, 2008 – Could the financial companies and exchange traded funds (ETFs) get a boost of confidence after a deal between two big Wall Street names? Here’s hoping. Gouldman Sachs (GS) said that it has received $5 billion in... Continue Reading »

Government Plan So Far Not Bailing Out Financial ETFs
September 22, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the broader markets so far today don’t seem to be lifted by the government’s bailout plan. Wall Street is following up two days of huge gains with a drop of... Continue Reading »

Tech ETFs Offer No Shelter In Volatility
September 22, 2008 – Technology has not gotten any breaks from the Wall Street meltdown, and it appears there will be no shelter here from any crisis. Technology stocks were once considered  a safe haven from the financial sector,... Continue Reading »

Infrastructure As an Asset Class Might Build Up ETFs
September 21, 2008 – The investment industry is pondering whether infrastructure should be its own asset class, and with the launch of some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in such companies, the idea is carrying some weight. Companies involved... Continue Reading »

Sticking to a Strategy With ETFs Is Also a ‘Safe Haven’
September 19, 2008 – After a week like this, in which many financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) have rapidly gained, then just as rapidly plummeted and so on, it’s worth taking a look at the assets. Although today was a... Continue Reading »

The Worst Is Over for Financial ETFs, Or It Isn’t
September 19, 2008 – The government has announced that it’s hatching a plan to save our financial system - time to get back into financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), right? Well, not so fast. The government’s plan isn’t fully fleshed... Continue Reading »

Transportation ETFs Showing Potential
September 19, 2008 – Despite a meltdown in the markets, transportation exchange traded funds (ETFs) seem to have been a safer haven than most in the last six months and year. The Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT) has proven smooth... 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 »

Getting Back To Our Roots With Wood and An ETF
September 18, 2008 – After reeling from the high gas and energy prices, city dwellers are getting back to their roots and collecting and burning wood for stoves and heating, leaving the timber-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) with another... Continue Reading »

Central Banks Pull Together to Give Markets, ETFs An Assist
September 18, 2008 – After three days of staggering volatility, all eyes remain on financials and the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) to see what they’ll do next. The Federal Reserve and the world’s other major central banks stepped up... Continue Reading »

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 »

Insurance, Financial ETFs Thwacked After AIG Takeover
September 17, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Wall Street in general don’t look like they’ll be getting a reprieve today after the Federal Reserve stepped in to bailout American International Group (AIG). Shares in the world’s largest... Continue Reading »

The Past, Present and Future of Financials and ETFs
September 17, 2008 – After months of turmoil in the credit markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), one can’t help but wonder: what’s next? What’s Happened So Far The markets were mostly down this morning ahead of the anticipated Federal Reserve... Continue Reading »

Consumer ETFs Stalwarts Amid Financial Crisis
September 16, 2008 – Consumer prices fell in August after months of rampant inflation, which in turn benefited retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from last month, preceded by two months of increases: 0.8% in... Continue Reading »

Lehman Failure Illustrates Risks of ETNs
September 16, 2008 – One of the ways in which exchange traded notes (ETNs) differ from exchange traded funds (ETFs) is that they’re debt instruments. This means that you’re taking on the credit risk of the issuer, and if... Continue Reading »

Fed Holds Rates Steady - Where Do ETFs Go From Here?
September 16, 2008 – The Federal Reserve kept interest rates the same, leaving many to wonder what the implications are going to be for the broader markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The decision keeps the interbank overnight federal funds... Continue Reading »

Bank Failures Could Take Down REIT ETFs
September 16, 2008 – The financial crisis has hurt the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs), but there’s another victim: the New York City REIT. Two prominent New York office REITs have been hit hard by the potential Bank of America... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Picking Up the Pieces
September 16, 2008 – So far this morning, Wall Street is holding steady and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) appear to be in recovery mode as traders, investors and pundits survey the wreckage that was Monday. The Federal Reserve meeting,... Continue Reading »

Hurricane Ike Disrupts Utilities ETFs
September 16, 2008 – Hurricane Ike didn’t just ravage southern Texas - utilities exchange traded funds (ETFs) are feeling the pain this morning, too. The storm this weekend caused a wide disruption in power and tore through homes, streets and... Continue Reading »

Recent Markets Could Keep Active ETFs In the Headlines
September 16, 2008 – Actively managed exchange traded funds (ETFs) have created many recent industry headlines since they have entered the market. Market strategists are calling the latest market fluctuations a perfect environment for the actively managed ETF to show... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Dollar, Homebuilders ETFs on Fox Business
September 15, 2008 – Tom Lydon was on Fox Business earlier today and spoke with anchors David Asman and Liz Claman, as well as fellow guest Jud Pyle. The conversation centered around homebuilders exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the... Continue Reading »

With ETFs, There Are Ways to Play Lower Industrial Output
September 15, 2008 – Industrial output has broad implications for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs), so it isn’t good that it plunged by the largest amount in three years. Output fell by 1.1% last month, and economists were... Continue Reading »

Major Institutions’ Woes Drag Down Financials ETFs
September 15, 2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average and a whole slew of exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading sharply lower this morning as a tsunami of trouble hit several large financial firms. Lehman Brothers Holdings (LEH) filed for... Continue Reading »

Another ETF Lesson to Know What You Own
September 14, 2008 – Every so often, there comes a reminder to look at the holdings in an exchange traded fund (ETF), along with their weightings. iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REIT (REM) holds a basket of real estate investment trusts... Continue Reading »

For Financial ETFs, This Week Could Have Been Worse
September 12, 2008 – Given the troubles with Lehman Brothers (LEH), Washington Mutual (WM), Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) this week, things could have been a whole lot uglier than they actually have been for financial exchange...