ETF Resumé
XLFTicker Symbol |
SPDR Financial Select Sector Fund ETFFund |
 |
20.04 
- Change 0.05 (0.3%)
- Volume 35.26 M
4:00 PM EDT May 21, 2013
U.S. Markets are closed
- Assets $13,126.3M
- Expense Ratio 0.18%
- Yield 1.42%
- Vs 50 Day EMA %
- Vs 200 Day EMA %
US Equity ETF
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The Fund's objective is to provide investment results that before expenses correspond to the performance of The Financial Select Sector. The Index includes financial services firms whose business' range from investment management to commercial & business banking.
Performance
| TODAY | 1 DAY | 5 DAY | 10 DAY | 1 MO | 3 MO | 6 MO | 1 YR | 2 YR | 5 YR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3% | 0.3% | 2.0% | 4.6% | 10.8% | 14.8% | 29.3% | 46.3% | 31.6% | -11.0% |
Last Close Volume
| AVG VOL (10 D) | CHANGE |
|---|---|
| 42,498,929 | -20.8% |
Trend on Last Close
| Price | EMA | EMA P | DATE CROSSED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 DAY | 20.04 | 18.64 | 7.5% | 04-19-2013 |
| 200 DAY | 20.04 | 17.10 | 17.2% | 07-26-2012 |
Technical
| ALPHA | BETA | R2 | STD DEV |
|---|---|---|---|
| -0.0043 | 1.509 | 0.823 | 0.091 |
Market Data powered by QuoteMedia. Terms of Use.
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The Case for Financial Sector ETFs: Morningstar
04-26-2013 05:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial sector stocks and exchange traded funds are looking much stronger as we ride the economic recovery. Nevertheless, while muted, many of the old problems that have weighed on the markets still linger. Morningstar ETF analyst Robert Goldsborough points out that a number...
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A Financial Sector ETF Yielding Over 7%
04-25-2013 11:20 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial ETFs are testing their 2013 highs as they try to take back the leadership they enjoyed last year. A high-yield ETF for the sector might be worth a look for investors who also want to boost income on the side. The PowerShares KBW High Dividend Yield Financial Portfoli...
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Top Performing Sector ETFs in 2012
12-12-2012 05:00 PM by Tom Lydon
As the end of 2012 approaches, the S&P 500 sectors and related exchange traded funds that are performing the best deserve a second look. Here is a run-down of the top three. "Of the nine sectors in the S&P 500, the two underperforming sectors year-to-date are energy an...
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Sector ETFs for Obama and the Fiscal Cliff
11-13-2012 07:53 AM by Tom Lydon
Investors took bets ahead of the election with sector exchange traded funds in coal, clean energy, healthcare and other industries. Now with President Barack Obama securing his second term, the market's attention is back on the fiscal cliff and the expiration of the Bush-era tax ...
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Tips for Choosing the Best ETFs for Sectors
10-24-2012 07:11 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds were designed to help investors by lowering fees, allowing intraday trading, and by providing instant diversification in one investment. The business has since evolved into a trillion dollar industry that has sliced and diced the stock market in every way im...
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ETFs and the Presidential Election
09-12-2012 04:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Presidential campaigns are in full swing and November is just around the corner. Investors and politicos are carefully monitoring the equities market to try to glean any hints. With stocks and exchange traded funds rallying, the incumbent may hold out, S&P analysts say. Si...
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ETF Spotlight: Financial Sector
05-24-2012 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Regulators are considering changes to the way big banks operate in light of JP Morgan's (NYSE: JPM) recent loses. Meanwhile, financial exchange traded funds have been reeling in the aftermath. Financial sector ETFs, like Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF), Vanguard F...
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Hedge Fund Manager Tudor Scooped Up Financial ETF
05-16-2012 03:51 PM by John Spence
The hedge fund run by noted manager Paul Tudor Jones bought shares of an ETF that invests in U.S. financial stocks in the first quarter, according to a filing. "Tudor purchased 8.66 million shares of the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF), making the ETF its big...
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Financial ETF Pares Decline After JP Morgan Loss
05-11-2012 08:59 AM by John Spence
The largest exchange traded fund tracking the U.S. financial sector was in the red Friday after JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) revealed a $2 billion loss attributed to a trader known as the "London Whale." The sector ETF pared its 2% premarket decline and was lower by 0.7% at last chec...
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Higher Earnings Could Propel Stock ETFs
05-04-2012 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon
With the majority of stock components revealing better-than-expected earnings results, major indices, along with the exchange traded funds that track them, could be in for a record breaking year. Of course, Europe's debt crisis is the wildcard. According to a poll of 10,000 an...
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Financial ETF Holds 50-Day Average on Bank of America Strength
05-01-2012 01:36 PM by John Spence
The largest exchange traded fund tracking the U.S. financial sector was getting a boost Tuesday from key holding Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) after surviving a recent test of the 50-day moving average. The $6.9 billion Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) is up 19% year...
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Financial, Bank ETFs for Earnings Season
04-20-2012 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial sector stocks have slid back along with the broader markets over the past month, but the auspicious start to this earnings season has helped bank picks and financial sector exchange traded funds regain some of their lost strength. Companies like JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM),...
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Bank Earnings Disappoint Bullish ETF Options Traders
04-15-2012 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
In anticipation of strong first-quarter bank earnings, options traders were taking on bullish positions in exchange traded funds that follow financial stocks. However, the financial sector ETF fell into the red Friday. On Thursday, financial sector stocks and ETFs were rising ...
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Financial ETFs Slip on JP Morgan, Wells Fargo Earnings
04-13-2012 08:17 AM by John Spence
The largest ETF tracking the financial sector was in the red in Friday's premarket following quarterly results from banking bellwethers JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC). Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) slipped nearly 1% before the opening bell. We...
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Alcoa Kicks Off Earnings Season for Dow, Sector ETFs
04-11-2012 09:18 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stock ETFs were set to open higher Wednesday following a five-day losing streak on weak U.S. jobs data and lingering European debt concerns. Alcoa (NYSE: AA) kicked off the earnings season for Dow components, while sector ETFs could see action as companies announce first-qua...
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Dividend ETFs in Focus as Companies Raise Payouts
04-05-2012 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Corporate America is sitting on a lot of cash and more companies are beginning to dole out more with dividends. With companies issuing higher payouts and bond yields still low, dividend exchange traded funds may begin to attract even greater interest. S&P 500 dividends ros...
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Best ETFs for Sectors in 2012
04-03-2012 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The S&P 500 had its best first quarter since 1998, gaining 12% over the past three months. Is this a sign that investor confidence is back as analysts are raising earnings profits, and various sector exchange traded funds are rallying? "The generally positive results from ...
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ETF Chart of the Day: Financial Sector
03-26-2012 01:19 PM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
One of the leaders in creation activity last week in the ETF realm was SPDR S&P Bank (NYSEArca: KBE), taking in nearly $400 million in new assets. A related ETF, Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF), also had a strong week from an asset flows standpoint, as it saw ...
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Bank of America Leads Financial ETFs Higher
03-21-2012 09:15 AM by Tom Lydon
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares are threatening to break above $10 and the stock has helped lead financial sector ETFs sharply higher in March. Financial ETFs have seen about $1.5 billion in inflows over the last week with the Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) ga...
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ETFs That Access High-Price Stocks
03-16-2012 09:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Triple-digit stock prices can limit the amount of exposure an investor would like when constructing a well-rounded portfolio. However, with exchange traded funds, investors can take on a basket of expensive, yet favorably positioned large-cap companies. There are a number of E...
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ETF Chart of the Day: Banks
03-14-2012 03:20 PM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
Bank exchange traded funds are moving higher with some of the sector's top names unveiling share buybacks and dividend hikes. For example, SPDR S&P Regional Banking (NYSEArca: KRE) rallied nearly 4% on Tuesday. In notes to customers we have mentioned the outperformance in ...
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Can Financial ETF Take Out 2011 High?
03-14-2012 12:43 PM by John Spence
Financial sector ETFs are rallying this week with many banks raising dividends or announcing share buybacks with the blessing of the Federal Reserve. The question is how high can the sector ETFs run if the economy and job market continue to show signs of improvement. Financ...
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Financial Sector ETFs See Bullish Technical Sign
02-25-2012 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
A technical signal known as the "golden cross" appeared recently for financial-sector ETFs such as Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF). Chartists say it could be a positive indicator for bank stocks and the market in general. The golden cross revealed itself in o...
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Financial ETFs are Money in the Banks
02-10-2012 11:01 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds are outperforming the market on strength in bank stocks and hopes the economic recovery is hitting escape velocity. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) followed the broader market lower on Friday but is up about 13% so far this year, co...
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Sector Rotation Favors Riskier ETFs
02-07-2012 12:15 PM by John Spence
Buying and selling patterns in sector exchange traded funds provide more evidence that investors are taking on more risk and chasing the stock rally in 2012. For example, investors are shying away from ETFs tracking more conservative sectors such as utilities and healthcare, a...
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State Street Lowers Expenses on Sector ETFs
02-02-2012 03:37 PM by Tom Lydon
As the exchange traded fund industry continues to expand and attract more assets, fund providers have been able to lower expenses, often undercutting the competition. State Street Global Advisors recently lowered its fees by 1 basis point on all its sector ETFs in what appears to...
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'January Barometer' Bodes Well for Stock ETFs
01-31-2012 10:02 AM by Tom Lydon
The S&P 500 is off to its best start in many years, a bullish technical signal since the so-called January Barometer has a decent track record for predicting full-year gains for stock exchange traded funds. Furthermore, cyclical sectors and related ETFs are leading the mar...
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Worst to First: Financial, Materials ETFs Lead Market
01-26-2012 09:16 AM by Tom Lydon
An analysis of exchange traded fund performance so far this year reveals that investors are piling into riskier sectors and moving away from conservative, dividend-paying ETFs that were the top performers in 2011. Some experts think defensive plays like utilities and consumer ...
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ETF Chart of the Day: U.S. Financial Sector
01-18-2012 10:27 AM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
Exchange traded funds indexed to the U.S. financial sector were getting a boost Wednesday from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), which saw its shares vault 4% in the wake of the quarterly earnings report. Financials have posted impressive gains thus far in 2012, outpacing the broad ma...
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AdvisorShares Launches Active ETF
01-17-2012 03:45 PM by Tom Lydon
AdvisorShares, an exchange traded fund provider of actively managed strategies, recently launched a long/short, fund-of-funds ETF that tries to provide investors with stable and consistent returns. The AdvisorShares Rockledge SectorSam ETF (NYSEArca: SSAM) began trading last w...
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Financial ETFs Fall 2% on Downgrade Talk, JP Morgan Miss
01-13-2012 11:00 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds led the market lower Friday on speculation France and other European countries will finally be downgraded by Standard & Poor's. An earnings miss by JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) also fueled the selling. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) f...
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Financial ETF Down 2% as BAC Again Tests $5
12-19-2011 11:58 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds led the U.S. stock market lower Monday as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares were again testing the closely watched $5 threshold. Weakness in large-cap bank shares dimmed hopes for a Santa Claus rally this week after European Central Bank Presid...
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Financial ETFs: Fitch Downgrades Bank of America, Citigroup
12-16-2011 09:21 AM by John Spence
An exchange traded fund tracking the U.S. financial sector was set for a lower open Friday after Fitch Ratings downgraded the debt ratings of Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS). Fitch cut seven large banks overall in the U.S. and Euro...
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Short Interest Surges in Financial ETF
12-14-2011 09:43 AM by John Spence
Short sellers increased their bearish bets on the largest exchange traded fund tracking U.S. financial stocks in November with many traders looking for more downside from the sector on Europe's debt woes, according to a report. The $5.5 billion Financial Select Sector SPDR (NY...
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ETF Chart of the Day: Financials
12-09-2011 10:16 AM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
With bullish call buyers surfacing in XLF (SPDR Financials) in the options market on weakness in the sector on Thursday, we have an opportunity to examine broad based large cap oriented sector exchange traded funds in the space more closely. XLF is a market cap weighted produc...
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Financial ETFs Could Be New Market Leader
12-07-2011 02:30 PM by Michael A. Gayed CFA
I often hear the assumption by media pundits that in any kind of a move higher in equities, the energy sector would outperform and that commodities are the way to play a rising stock market. While this may have been true for the past few years, I actually think that the next b...
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ETFs See November Outflows; Gold Fund Adds $3 Billion
12-05-2011 03:56 PM by Tom Lydon
U.S.-listed exchange traded funds and notes posted net outflows of $238 million in November as major equity ETFs saw the biggest redemptions. It was the first time since April that ETFs and ETNs have seen outflows, although they've pulled in over $100 billion so far this year. ...
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Financial ETFs Not Sending Encouraging Signals
12-01-2011 02:11 PM by Michael A. Gayed CFA
Given that December since 1950 is historically the best month of the year on average for equities, it seems that investors have a growing feeling that this year will be no different. [Will Santa Claus Visit ETFs?] Stock exchange traded funds soared Wednesday after central bank...
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Financial ETFs Active on S&P Downgrade, Bank of America $5 Threshold
11-30-2011 07:42 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds tracking the financial sector were in the limelight Wednesday after Standard & Poor's downgraded its ratings on a half-dozen major U.S. banks. Meanwhile, key component Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) was in danger of seeing its shares fall below $5, which co...
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Financial ETF Rally Questioned as Citigroup Leads Banks
11-28-2011 02:19 PM by John Spence
Financial sector exchange traded funds got a lift Monday from the rally in bank stocks as Citigroup (NYSE: C) led the way, gaining over 6%. However, one technical analyst says the sector's outlook remains bleak and recommends shorting the financial ETF. Financial Select Sector...
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Banks Drag Stock ETFs Lower
11-22-2011 07:03 AM by John Spence
Sharp declines recently in U.S. large-cap banks such as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) are weighing on financial exchange traded funds as the embattled sector lags the overall market. "It's not a secret that financials as a group have been underperfo...
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Bank ETFs Slide on Fitch Warning as Spain Yields Rise
11-17-2011 07:56 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds indexed to large banks such as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and Citigroup (NYSE: C) fell sharply late Wednesday after Fitch Ratings warned U.S. lenders are at risk if the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis worsens. "Unless the Eurozone debt crisis is resolved ...
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Markets, Stock ETFs Take a Dive on Growing E.U. Concerns
11-09-2011 03:22 PM by Tom Lydon
The equities market and stock exchange traded funds (ETFs) fell sharply Wednesday, erasing most of the month-to-date gains, as the Eurozone's financial problems were brought into the limelight, once again. The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) was down 3.52% at last check Wednesday, SPDR...
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Emerging Market, High-Yield Bond ETFs Lead October Inflows
11-04-2011 09:51 AM by John Spence
Investors piled into riskier exchange traded funds during October's rally, with ETFs tracking emerging markets and U.S. high-yield corporate bonds among the inflow leaders. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (NYSEArca: EEM) was the top-selling U.S.-listed ETF in October, accord...
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Jefferies Leads Financial ETFs Lower
11-03-2011 10:16 AM by John Spence
The largest exchange traded fund tracking the U.S. financial sector lost ground Thursday after Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) shares were halted by circuit breakers following a sharp 20% sell-off. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) was down 0.6% in recent action. Jefferies...
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Financial ETFs Lead Market Decline with Nearly 5% Loss
11-01-2011 04:10 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds led the way lower in stocks Tuesday as a surprise Greek referendum threatened the Eurozone bailout plan and fallout from MF Global's bankruptcy filing weighed on banks. SPDR S&P Bank ETF (NYSEArca: KBE) and Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE...
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Financial ETFs Down After MF Global Files for Bankruptcy
10-31-2011 11:14 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds that invest in financial and bank stocks were lower by more than 2% Monday morning after MF Global (NYSE: MF) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) was down 2.4% at last check. On Monday, the Federal R...
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Investors Bet on Bank ETFs After 40% Decline
10-24-2011 08:34 AM by Tom Lydon
Investors are stepping up their bets on bank stocks via exchange traded funds following the sector's historic 40% pullback. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) is up nearly 14% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500's roughly 10% rally. The financial se...
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Stock ETFs Jump on Bank Rebound, Rescue Fund
10-18-2011 03:49 PM by John Spence
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSEArca: DIA) was up nearly 2% on Tuesday as stocks were led higher by the banking sector and reports that Europe's bailout fund may be increased. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) soared 5% following quarterly earnings from Goldm...
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Europe ETFs in Focus After Fitch Warning, Spain Downgrade
10-14-2011 07:37 AM by Tom Lydon
European stock exchange traded funds were on track for a higher open Friday on speculation the International Monetary Fund may get increased power to combat the debt crisis. Markets shook off a warning from Fitch that it may downgrade several major global banks. Fitch did cut ...
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Financial ETFs Drag Market Lower After JP Morgan Earnings
10-13-2011 10:47 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were the worst-performing sector ETFs on Thursday after JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) announced quarterly results and a cautious outlook for credit markets. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) fell as much as 3% Thursday morning before paring t...
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Financial ETF Rises 3% on Eurozone, Earnings Hopes
10-12-2011 04:04 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds led the market higher Wednesday on speculation European Union leaders will be able to quell the unrest in debt markets. Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) rallied nearly 3%. The sector ETF also climbed above its 50-day simple moving av...
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Stock ETFs Try to Break Free of Trading Range
10-10-2011 02:33 PM by John Spence
U.S. stock exchange traded funds have been trapped inside a relatively narrow range since the big summer drop. However, a rally and a break above the 50-day moving average for the S&P 500 on Monday lifted hopes that equity ETFs will escape the range to the upside. "The S&a...
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Aggressive Call Buying in Financial ETFs; Bond Fund Outflows
10-10-2011 08:12 AM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
With broad based equity exchange traded funds such as SPDR S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY) and iShares Russell 2000 (NYSEArca: IWM) finishing well off the intraday lows touched on Tuesday of last week, we did see some signs of a rotation away from Treasury ETFs and back into equities...
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Regulatory, Credit Fears Hit Financial Stocks
10-08-2011 07:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial sector stocks and exchange traded funds stumbled Friday as the so-called Volcker Rule was leaked. It is part of the Dodd-Frank financial-overhaul package. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) dropped over 3% on Friday as worries over U.S. banks' exposu...
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ETF Chart of the Day: Financial Sector
10-05-2011 11:52 AM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
Trading volume swelled in Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (NYSEArca: FAS) on Tuesday amidst a huge swing in the equity markets going into the closing bell. FAS actually traded as low as $8.43 a share and ultimately closed above $10. That's approximately a 20% intraday ...
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Bank of America Weighs on Financial ETFs
10-03-2011 04:25 PM by Tom Lydon
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares fell nearly 10% on Monday and pulled down financial exchange traded funds, which led the overall stock market lower. B. of A. shares were pummeled while technical difficulties shut down the bank's website, again. Financial Select Sector SP...
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Financial ETFs Depressed After Moody's Downgrade
09-21-2011 02:02 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading in the red Thursday after ratings firm Moody's Investor Service cut debt ratings on three of the largest U.S. banks. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down 1.12% at last check. Moody's downgra...
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Financial ETFs Can't Seem to Shake the Blues
09-16-2011 01:34 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds followed key holding Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) lower Friday as the banking sector can't seem to get in gear and join the market rebound. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down fractionally in afternoon dealings. The ETF has...
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Financial ETFs Lag Market in 5-Week Bounce
09-15-2011 12:01 PM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds pegged to global financial stocks rallied Thursday after the European Central Bank said it was coordinating with other central banks to provide dollar liquidity. The surprise move is designed to ease the funding pressures in Europe. Financial Select Secto...
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ETF Inflows Slow in August
09-09-2011 09:13 AM by Tom Lydon
Total inflows to U.S-listed exchange traded funds slowed last month although ETFs have posted sharp growth for 2011. Also, ETF trading volume spiked in August. In August, U.S. ETFs only added a little over $2 billion, compared with $13.2 billion for July, reports Chris Flood f...
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ETF Chart of the Day: Leveraged Financial Sector Funds
09-08-2011 01:11 PM by Paul Weisbruch, Street One Financial
Bullish options flow was evident in exchange traded funds indexed to the U.S. financials sector on Wednesday with relevant activity in both SPDR KBW Bank (NYSEArca: KBE) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF). It is worth noting that the top portfolio holdings o...
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Financial ETFs Lead Stocks Lower
09-06-2011 11:29 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds that invest in financial stocks led the move lower in global equity markets on Tuesday as investors continued to fret about Europe's debt fracas and weak unemployment data in the U.S. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) fell about 3%. Top ba...
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Financial ETFs Sell Off on Jobs Report, Lawsuits, B. of A. Worries
09-02-2011 09:52 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds tracking the U.S. financial sector lost more than 3% Friday after a much weaker-than-expected employment market update for August. A report that big banks are facing potential lawsuits over mortgage-backed securities and worries over Bank of America (NYSE: B...
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Buffett Lifts Hopes Financial ETFs Have Hit Turning Point
08-25-2011 02:03 PM by Tom Lydon
An early rally in financial exchange traded funds waned Thursday along with optimism over a deal in which billionaire investor Warren Buffett placed a $5 billion bet on Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). The obvious question is whether Buffett's coveted "seal of approval" on Bank of...
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Financial ETFs Pare Gains After Buffett's B. of A. Move
08-25-2011 09:32 AM by John Spence
A bold $5 billion wager on Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) from famous investor Warren Buffett lifted the stock at Thursday's open but the stock quickly pared its gains, along with financial exchange traded funds. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway will buy 50,000 shares of preferred st...
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Banks Weigh on Financial Sector ETFs
08-18-2011 02:42 PM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds tracking financial sector stocks took a blow as Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) analysts issued a warning on a double-dip recession and the Federal Reserve scrutinizes European bank branches. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) dropped almost 5% i...
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Financial ETFs in the Crosshairs, B. of A. Drops 7%
08-18-2011 10:38 AM by John Spence
Financial sector exchange traded funds were deep in the red Thursday amid speculation Europe's debt stress may trigger another credit shock similar to the failure of Lehman Brothers. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down nearly 5% in recent action. Bank of...
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Financial ETFs Rally 7% as B. of A. Leads Rebound
08-11-2011 03:54 PM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds indexed to the U.S. financial sector led the charge in stocks Thursday as the Dow soared more than 500 points in a powerful snapback rally. Equity ETFs bounced amid talk of a short-sale ban in Europe as officials try to roll back the spreading credit cris...
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France ETF Falls 7% on Downgrade, SocGen Rumors
08-10-2011 03:58 PM by Max Chen
An exchange traded fund that invests in France fell about 7% on Wednesday in U.S. trading amid speculation the country may lose its triple-A credit rating and talk that Societe Generale was in trouble. However, the three major credit ratings agencies affirmed France's credit r...
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S&P 500 ETFs in ‘Orderly Crash’
08-10-2011 01:02 PM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds indexed to the S&P 500 were down 3% in Wednesday's sell-off and one technical analyst says the ETFs are heading for a test of the 2010 low. "Traditional technical indicators remain oversold but these will not work in this environment. The market is ef...
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Financial ETF Slips 6% as Bank of America Pressured Again
08-10-2011 11:06 AM by John Spence
An exchange traded fund following U.S. financial stocks dropped 6% on Wednesday as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares fell under $7 again on renewed selling. Bank of America was Wednesday's most active stock by share volume. The shares fell 11% after Tuesday's bounce. B. of...
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Sector ETFs: Navigating the Stock Sell-Off
08-08-2011 01:15 PM by Tom Lydon
The sell-off in equities has some investors drawing up lists of sector exchange traded funds to buy in industries that are offering fundamental value at these prices. Some investors are hoping to buy market sector with ETFs at bargain prices. "This correction was so broad t...
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Financial ETFs Tumble 8%; Bank of America Drops Nearly 20%
08-08-2011 11:04 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were suffering losses of 8% on Monday while top component Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) was taken to the woodshed in a nearly 20% sell-off. The plunge in the U.S. banking giant's stock further unnerved an already shaky market. Bank of America incr...
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Financial ETFs Higher on Debt Talks, Wells Fargo
07-19-2011 01:11 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds trailed the overall market early Tuesday but made up ground following news of a major step forward in negotiations over the U.S. debt ceiling. A 5% rally in Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) shares after strong earnings helped offset disappointing results...
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Banks Lead U.S. Stock ETFs Lower After S&P Warning
07-18-2011 10:46 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were Monday's worst U.S. sector ETF performers with European debt jitters continuing to shake markets while Italian government bonds were again under attack. Standard & Poor's on Friday placed many U.S. financial companies on credit watch, s...
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ETF Spotlight: Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF)
07-14-2011 11:56 AM by Tom Lydon
ETF Spotlight on Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF), part of an ongoing series. Assets: $7.3 billion. Objective: The ETF's tracking index represents the financial sector of the S&P 500. Holdings: Top holdings include: JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) 8.81%,...
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Bank ETFs Rise on Solid JP Morgan Results
07-14-2011 08:47 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds were higher in Thursday's preopen trading after JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) reported profit that topped analyst expectations as credit losses moderated. Quarterly results late this week from JP Morgan and Citigroup (NYSE: C) will set the pace for bank...
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Financial ETF Fails Test as Bank of America Sets New Low
07-11-2011 01:40 PM by John Spence
The chart of the largest financial exchange traded fund is painting a bearish picture while top holding Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) falls to a new 52-week low in Monday's sell-off. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down 2.4% in afternoon trading as fresh Eu...
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Bank of America, Wells Fargo Clip Financial Sector ETFs
07-06-2011 08:46 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds slipped Wednesday morning as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) led the decliners in bank stocks and credit fears rippled through global markets. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) fell 0.7% in preopen trade, ...
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Will Mortgage Settlement, Card Fees Revive Financial ETFs?
06-30-2011 09:15 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds have rallied this week on news Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is in an $8.5 billion mortgage-putback settlement while payment card companies surged after a favorable ruling from the Federal Reserve. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF)...
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Healthcare ETFs Best Sector Performers in 2011
06-29-2011 05:09 PM by John Spence
Healthcare exchange traded funds have been the strongest sector performers so far this year with one ETF that invests in healthcare providers rallying 20%. "Among the top year-to-date ETF performers, we see a heavy concentration in health care, with 14 of the 16 strongest retu...
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Banks Lead Rally as VIX ETFs Pull Back
06-29-2011 08:33 AM by John Spence
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEArca: SPY) was set for a nearly 1% rise at Wednesday's open as an $8.5 billion mortgage settlement from Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) boosted the financial sector. Volatility-linked exchange traded funds fell, meanwhile, on expectations austerity measur...
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Financial ETF Jumps After Bank of America Settlement
06-29-2011 08:01 AM by John Spence
A popular exchange traded fund tracking the U.S. financial sector rallied nearly 2% in premarket dealings Wednesday following news that Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is in an $8.5 billion settlement related to toxic mortgages. Bank of America shares jumped as much as 6% before t...
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Financial ETFs Gain on Bank of America, Capital Rules
06-27-2011 10:20 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds rose Monday as U.S. banks were seen faring better than their European counterparts under new capital rules. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) led large-cap bank stocks higher after a Wall Street analyst reportedly said the shares are a buy due to a rock-...
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Bank of America Strains Financial ETFs; Citi Director Resigns
06-24-2011 04:43 PM by John Spence
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) closed Friday with a 0.6% loss as top holding Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) weighed on the sector fund, while Citigroup (NYSE: C) after the closing bell said Jerry A. Grundhofer has resigned from the board of directors. Bank of A...
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Bank of America Caught in Downtrend; Financial ETF Sees ‘Death Cross’
06-22-2011 03:03 PM by John Spence
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares have been caught in a vicious downdraft this year with little relief in sight. The banking giant's stock has been an anchor around the neck of exchange traded funds tracking the financial sector that weight stocks by market capitalization. ...
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Riskier Sector ETFs Lead Stock Bounce
06-22-2011 01:10 PM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds that invest in some of the market's riskier sectors have seen the sharpest rallies in the bounce in stocks over the past week. The list includes ETFs for precious metals miners, real estate, small-caps, financials, homebuilders and sugar. The strong re...
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Financial ETFs Steady as Citi, Wells Fargo Lead Banks
06-22-2011 10:39 AM by John Spence
Strength in large-cap bank stocks such as Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) on Wednesday wasn't enough to lift financial sector exchange traded funds before the Federal Reserve announcement. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was flat in morning de...
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Bank ETF Options Traders Look for Rebound
06-21-2011 11:19 AM by John Spence
Some options traders are positioned to profit if a bank exchange traded fund's low set earlier this month proves to be a short-term bottom for the troubled sector. Call buyers in SPDR KBW Bank ETF (NYSEArca: KBE) were active Monday, said Paul Weisbruch at Street One Financial ...
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Financial ETFs Worst Sector on Citigroup Note, PNC
06-20-2011 10:01 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds moved lower Monday morning and were the worst-performing sector ETFs after Citigroup (NYSE: C) analysts scaled back their second-quarter profit forecasts for several large banks. Citigroup slashed its estimates for Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), Gol...
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Financial ETFs Rise with Capital One, Ratings Agencies in Focus
06-17-2011 10:27 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds moved to the upside Friday morning as M&A hopes for the banking sector were raised following Capital One's (NYSE: COF) $9 billion bid for ING Direct (NYSE: ING). However, shares of ratings agencies traded lower after The Wall Street Journal ...
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Financial ETF Rises as B. of A. Shakes Off Headlines
06-14-2011 08:34 AM by John Spence
The largest financial exchange traded fund was up nearly 1% ahead of Tuesday's opening bell along with key holding Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) following reports the lender significantly hindered a federal review of its foreclosures. B. of A. was slow in handing over data and o...
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Small-Cap Financial ETF Beats Citigroup, Bank of America
06-13-2011 04:54 PM by John Spence
The market's largest financial stocks such as Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) have weighed heavily on the overall market as measured by the S&P 500. However, it's a different story in smaller stocks where the financial sector is holding its own or even boo...
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Investors Look for Bounce in Bank ETFs
06-13-2011 01:32 PM by John Spence
A bounce in banking stocks late last week has investors and analysts hoping that the sector has been beaten up enough in recent months to stage a recovery. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) saw early gains evaporate on Monday. The exchange traded fund's top ban...
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Financial ETFs Flat as Regions, Bank of America Decline
06-13-2011 10:54 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were hovering around the flat line on Monday as Regions Financial (NYSE: RF) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) led the decliners in bank stocks. The board of Regions is probing whether its executives pushed back public disclosure of loans that wer...
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Financial ETFs Jump with Bank of America, Citigroup on Capital Rules
06-10-2011 03:20 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds bounced Friday afternoon along with Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) following a report that major global lenders will get a break on new capital rules. "The world's major banks are likely to get an extra capital charge in the...
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Financial ETFs Steady as Citi, Goldman Endure Negative Headlines
06-09-2011 09:24 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were a bit higher early Thursday as investors reacted to news that Citigroup (NYSE: C) suffered a security breach affecting its credit card customers, while The Wall Street Journal reported Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and other financial firms are bei...
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Visa, MasterCard Declines Hit Financial ETF After Senate Vote
06-08-2011 02:53 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial sector exchange traded funds fell into negative territory Wednesday afternoon following reports the Senate voted to allow the Federal Reserve to curb fees banks receive from debit card transactions. Visa (NYSE: V) and MasterCard (NYSE: MA) shares were down about 4% i...
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Financial ETFs Follow Citigroup, Bank of America Lower
06-08-2011 09:19 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds were fractionally lower Wednesday morning along with shares of key components Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) slipped 0.2% while Citi and Bank of America both shed nearly 1%....
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Financial ETFs Eye Higher Open After Drop
06-07-2011 07:56 AM by John Spence
The largest exchange traded fund for financial stocks rose slightly in Tuesday's premarket as top holdings Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) each added about 1% before the bell. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) fell nearly 2% on Monday as wor...
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Financial ETF Down on Goldman, JP Morgan News
06-06-2011 09:27 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds tracking the U.S. financial sector opened the week in the red with Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) dominating the banking headlines Monday. Goldman is considering releasing documents showing a Senate subcommittee report blasting the fir...
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Stock ETFs End the Week Lower as Bank of America, American Express Add to Job Woes
06-03-2011 05:46 PM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) closed out a fifth week of losses with more selling on Friday after Bank of America and American Express led financial ETFs lower, offsetting a positive Institute for Supply Management report. Financial stocks ended lower with the broader market la...
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Financials ETF Pulls Ahead From A Lagging S&P 500
06-03-2011 01:29 PM by Tom Lydon
After the news on the weak payroll numbers was released, most major stock indexes traded lower. However, the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have regained some position as traders look to capitalize on an oversold market. The S&P 500, which is currently down 0.41%...
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Financials Sector, ETFs: Moody's Wary About Bank of America Outlook
06-02-2011 01:23 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) remain in sideways trading. One ratings firm provides a cautious outlook on three major banks as the financial-reform legislation is providing finishing touches. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) is currentl...
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ETF Spotlight: Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF)
06-01-2011 05:30 PM by Tom Lydon
ETF Spotlight on Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF), part of a weekly series. Assets: $7.4 billion Holdings: Top holdings include: JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) & Co. 9.2%, Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) 8.0%, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B) 7.3%, C...
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Bank of America Shares and Financial ETFs Lead The Market Drop
06-01-2011 03:45 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial sector companies and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lead the market decline as investors dumped financial banks like Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) on bearish resistance. BofA shares are down 3.66% while the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) is down 2.59%....
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Bank of America, Financial ETFs Trade Higher
05-27-2011 09:09 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds followed Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) shares higher Friday as one Wall Street analyst slightly raised his 2011 profit estimate for the banking giant. Bank of America and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) were both up fractionally....
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Financial ETFs Rise With AIG, Bank of America
05-26-2011 02:24 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds gained ground Thursday along with closely watched sector stocks American International Group (NYSE: AIG) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was up 0.6% in afternoon dealings. AIG and Bank of Americ...
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Financial, Insurance ETFs Lower After AIG Prices Offering
05-25-2011 09:51 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial and insurance exchange traded funds followed American International Group (NYSE: AIG) lower Wednesday after the company priced a stock offering at $29 a share as it raised nearly $9 billion. AIG shares were down nearly 4%. The insurance giant's share offering allowed...
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Financial ETFs Weak on Citigroup, AIG
05-24-2011 12:13 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds fell Tuesday with shares of Citigroup (NYSE: C) and American International Group (NYSE: AIG) down more than 1% as investors awaited a pricing of 300 million AIG shares after the bell. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) fell 0.6%. ...
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Financial ETFs Rise with AIG Offering in View
05-24-2011 09:59 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were higher Tuesday as investors awaited a stock offering from bailed-out insurance giant American International Group (NYSE: AIG), which will be priced after the closing bell. The U.S. Treasury is expected to sell 15% of its stake in AIG, Reute...
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Financial ETF Hits 200-Day Average as Citi, Banks Weigh
05-23-2011 04:28 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds lost more than 1% in Monday's selling as the sector ETFs fell to their 200-day moving average, a key test of support. Financial ETFs were hit by weakness in large-cap banks – Citigroup (NYSE: C) fell 2.1%, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) dropped 1.4...
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Financial ETFs Weak on Citigroup, Bank of America
05-23-2011 08:21 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were set for a 1% decline Monday in the U.S. as renewed concerns over sovereign debt in Europe roiled markets. Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) were both down more than 1% before the opening bell. Financial Select Sector SPDR ...
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Financial ETFs Slammed by Citigroup, Bank of America
05-20-2011 04:02 PM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds tracking the financial sector shed more than 1% on Friday on lingering weakness in shares of top holdings Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was on track for a weekly advance heading into...
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Financial ETFs in Focus on Goldman, JP Morgan
05-20-2011 09:25 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were slightly lower Friday as investors digested news Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is bracing for subpoenas from U.S. prosecutors while JP Morgan's (NYSE: JPM) chief executive warned of the consequences of the U.S. defaulting on its debt. Reports Fr...
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Goldman Legal Woes a Reminder of Financial ETFs’ Headline Risk
05-20-2011 08:03 AM by John Spence
Reports Friday that Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) expects to get subpoenas related to its mortgage businesses are a reminder that underperforming financial exchange traded funds continue to face regulatory uncertainty. Goldman Sachs is feeling heat for its conduct during the financ...
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Financial ETFs Higher on Citigroup, Bank of America
05-19-2011 09:10 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds rose Thursday as strength in Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) helped lift the unloved sector. Shares of Citi, B. of A. and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) were all fractionally higher in premarket trading. ...
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Financial ETFs Steady Despite Citigroup, Bank of America Declines
05-18-2011 01:57 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were positive Wednesday with all eyes on the Federal Reserve announcement despite declines in shares of Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). Both stocks were down nearly 1%. Banks and financial-sector ETFs have trailed the market...
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ETF Options Traders Look for Rebound in Citigroup, Big Banks
05-16-2011 10:06 AM by John Spence
Options traders have been positioning for a rebound in financial-sector exchange traded funds that have large stakes in Citigroup (NYSE: C), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and other big banks, according to a report Monday. A trend has emerged in recent weeks in options based on S...
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Financial ETFs Worst Sector on Citigroup, J.P. Morgan
05-13-2011 11:07 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were the worst-performing sector ETFs on Friday as Citigroup (NYSE: C) and J.P. Morgan (NYSE: JPM) led shares of big banks to the downside. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down nearly 1% while the main stock indexes were do...
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Goldman Sachs Downgrades Claw Financial ETFs
05-12-2011 12:25 PM by John Spence
A 5% pullback in Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) on Thursday following downgrades from Wall Street analysts dusted up exchange traded funds that invest in the U.S. financial sector. Dick Bove at Rochdale Securities cut Goldman shares to sell from neutral and lowered his target price ...
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Citigroup, Mortgage Woes Drag Down Financial ETFs
05-11-2011 01:16 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds tracked the market lower Wednesday as investors worried about the impact of a guilty verdict for Raj Rajaratnam on insider trading charges, and banks' exposure to mortgage losses. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down 1% whi...
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Financial ETFs Watch AIG Offering, 50-Day Average
05-11-2011 08:37 AM by John Spence
Underperforming financial exchange traded funds were set for a flat open Wednesday as investors eyed an offering of American International Group (NYSE: AIG) shares and a key technical level. AIG and the Treasury Department said they plan to offer 300 million AIG shares for a t...
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Financial ETFs Take Citigroup Reverse Split in Stride
05-10-2011 03:00 PM by John Spence
Citigroup's (NYSE: C) 10-for-1 reverse share split has dramatically reduced overall trading volume in the U.S. stock market, but it turned out to be a nonevent for exchange traded funds tracking the financial sector and banks. Citi's reverse split and plans to pay a dividend a...
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Financial ETFs Lower After Citigroup Reverse Split
05-09-2011 10:19 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds indexed to the U.S. financial sector lost ground Monday after Citigroup's (NYSE: C) 1-for-10 reverse split although some Wall Street analysts are bullish on the stock. Citi shares slipped nearly 2% at last check. The stock is a top holding in sector ETFs ...
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Financial ETFs Prepare for Citigroup Reverse Split
05-09-2011 07:38 AM by Tom Lydon
Beleaguered financials sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) are readying themselves for a reverse split in Citigroup (NYSE: C) shares. UBS Securities has issued a buy recommendation on the reversal in Citigroup's performance, issuing a $5.60 price target objective, reports Jon ...
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Citigroup, Jobs Boost Financial ETFs
05-06-2011 11:00 AM by John Spence
Strength in banking giant Citigroup (NYSE: C) and an upbeat April employment report lifted financial exchange traded funds by more than 1% on Friday as the sector tries to catch up with the market. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) added 1.1% in a bid to rally ...
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Financial ETFs in Focus on AIG, Jobs Report
05-06-2011 08:17 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds that invest in the U.S. financial sector will see action ramp up Friday as investors key on the jobs report and quarterly earnings from bailed-out insurance giant American International Group (NYSE: AIG). AIG after Thursday's closing bell said its first-q...
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Financial ETF Drops 1% as Citi, Bank of America Retreat
05-05-2011 11:49 AM by John Spence
Financial-sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) followed the broader market lower Thursday on worries over the employment picture as closely watched holdings Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) weakened. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was down ...
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Financial ETFs Follow Citi, Bank of America Lower
05-04-2011 10:44 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds were among the weakest sectors in Wednesday's market pullback as the ETFs followed key components Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) to the downside. The big banks have been hit by lower trading and weakness in investment bankin...
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Financial ETFs Mixed on MasterCard, Legg Mason
05-03-2011 11:16 AM by John Spence
Financial-sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) were flat in afternoon trading Tuesday despite big moves in individual components after a flood of earnings reports. MasterCard (NYSE: MA) rose nearly 3% after its quarterly update, while Legg Mason (NYSE: LM) and Hartford (NYSE: H...
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Citigroup, Bank of America Lift Financial ETFs
05-03-2011 08:40 AM by John Spence
Strength in shares of banking giants Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) helped lift unloved exchange traded funds (ETFs) indexed to the financial sector on Tuesday. Bank of America shares were up more than 2% in morning trade, while Citigroup rose 1%. Financia...
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Citigroup Drags on Underperforming Financial and Bank ETFs
05-02-2011 10:55 AM by John Spence
A 2% decline in Citigroup (NYSE: C) shares on Monday weighed on a bid by bank and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) to break above their 50-day moving average and get back on track. Citi is a top holding in sector ETFs such as Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: ...
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Weak Quarter Knocks Expectations for Bank ETFs
04-28-2011 11:01 AM by John Spence
Bank exchange traded funds (ETFs) have moved lower following quarterly results from the big lenders and could continue to underperform the market, analysts say. Financial ETFs have been weak after earnings from large banks such as Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup (NYSE: ...
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CB Richard Ellis Drags on Real Estate, Financial ETFs
04-27-2011 10:18 AM by John Spence
CB Richard Ellis (NYSE: CBG) was down more than 6% Wednesday after the company reported first-quarter results, crimping exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in real estate stocks and financials. Investors were disappointed by the quarterly results posed by CB Richard Ellis...
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Financial ETFs Caught in Downdraft
04-27-2011 09:01 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on some of the market's most active stocks such as Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) just can't get into gear. Financial-sector ETFs are trading below where they stood in February as the bank earnings season h...
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Lower Bank Revenue Pressures Financial ETFs
04-26-2011 05:24 AM by John Spence
Most large banks beat first-quarter earnings forecasts, but investor concern over lower revenue is preventing a bounce in financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). Net revenue at the six largest U.S. banks fell 13.3% in the first quarter from the year-ago period, Bloomberg repor...
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Financial ETFs are Worst-Performing U.S. Sector in 2011
04-25-2011 03:20 PM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are bringing up the rear among U.S. sectors in 2011 as investors worry about signs the economy is slowing and stricter regulations for banks. In the Russell 3000 Index, a benchmark for the total U.S. stock market, financial services were ...
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Citigroup, Bank of America Slow Financial ETFs
04-25-2011 08:44 AM by John Spence
Citigroup (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) have been a headwind for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) recently even though the two banking giants saw their shares rise Monday in active trading. Citigroup and Bank of America are among the top five holdings in Fina...
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Financial ETFs: Some Earnings Fall Short of Expectations
04-21-2011 04:18 AM by Tom Lydon
A lack of real revenue growth at big banks is disappointing exchange traded fund (ETF) investors who had positioned for a round of strong earnings. Financial ETFs have been weak lately as Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) reports its quarterly results Thursday. Keefe, Bruyette &...
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Financial ETFs Need Help as Morgan Stanley Reports
04-21-2011 04:03 AM by John Spence
Quarterly results from Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) on Thursday were set to move financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), which have been stuck in the mud during bank earnings season. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) is barely positive for the year and has lagged ...
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Financial ETFs Higher Following Wells Fargo Results
04-20-2011 05:39 AM by John Spence
Financial-sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) followed the major stock indicators higher Wednesday even though Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) shares slipped after the bank announced first-quarter earnings. Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was up more than 1% in preop...
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Financial ETFs Flat After Goldman Sachs Earnings
04-19-2011 03:58 AM by John Spence
Financial-sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) were flat in afternoon trading Tuesday following quarterly results from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS). The Wall Street firm said first-quarter profit and revenue fell from the year-ago period, but the results beat consensus estimates. H...
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Citigroup’s 2% Rise After Earnings Can’t Lift Bank ETFs
04-18-2011 09:46 AM by John Spence
Citigroup (NYSE: C) shares rallied more than 2% Monday afternoon in the face of a down market after Standard & Poor's warned on U.S. credit, but it wasn't enough to put bank exchange traded funds (ETFs) into the green. Citigroup was the most active stock on the NYSE after ...
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Financial ETFs Fall After Credit-Outlook Downgrade, Citi Results
04-18-2011 05:56 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in U.S. financial and banking stocks were down more than 1% in early trading Monday after Standard & Poor's lowered its ratings outlook on the U.S. on worries over the debt. Top holding Citigroup (NYSE: C) erased early gains Monday ...
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Financial ETFs Lagging Market on Economic Worries, Headline Risk
04-15-2011 06:40 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that invest in U.S. financial stocks have trailed the market since the mid-March bounce as the key sector hasn't participated in the rally. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) has been languishing below $17 a share and isn't getti...
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Financial ETFs Down as Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Results Disappoint
04-15-2011 05:03 AM by John Spence
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) eased lower this week as investors have been less than enthused with how J.P. Morgan (NYSE: JPM) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) have started the earnings season for banks. Bank of America before Friday's opening bell reported lower quart...
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Financial ETF Down 1% on Goldman Probe
04-14-2011 04:54 AM by John Spence
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) tracking the financial sector were set to extend their losing streak on Thursday after a Senate panel released a scathing report on Goldman Sachs' role in the financial crisis. The $8.6 billion Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLF) was ...
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Bank ETFs Lower on J.P. Morgan, Mortgage Overhaul
04-13-2011 03:39 AM by John Spence
Bank exchange traded funds (ETFs) were down 1% Wednesday afternoon along with J.P. Morgan shares after the company reported quarterly results. Deutsche Bank analysts in a research note said J.P. Morgan's quarterly trading results were better than expected and credit improved, ...
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Bank ETFs Languish After Dividend Increases
04-06-2011 04:01 AM by John Spence
Several banks recently announced dividend increases and share buybacks, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) investing in the sector have lagged the overall market's bounce since the middle of March. The $2 billion SPDR Bank ETF (NYSEArca: KBE) has traded sideways and is near its ...
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Bank ETFs Enjoy Fed Blessing
03-19-2011 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Banks have made quite a recovery since the financial crisis and the Federal Reserve noticed in their latest round of stress tests. Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) celebrated the news by moving up about 1% for the day. Banks have undergone extensive testing s...
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Bank Fees Could Be a Boon for Financial ETFs
02-23-2011 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Big banks, not content with the profits they're raking in, are upping the ante. They're now applying more and more fees to various accounts, but while it might hurt your balance, bank exchange traded funds (ETFs) may love it. Checking account services at many major banks used ...
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Bank Earnings Hit Financial ETFs; Now What?
01-19-2011 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are down this morning after a bad earnings report from Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) surprised investors and analysts. Is there any reason to fear that this sector's recovery is only a pipe dream? The earnings were mixed: Goldman Sachs was...
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Bigger Is Better In Financial ETFs, For Now
01-12-2011 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Although it's been a lackluster at best couple of years for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), today's moves have us and others wondering if this sector's ship is finally pulling back in to port. The good news is that the days of wild swings are fewer and further between....
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Bargain Shopping With Financial ETFs
01-03-2011 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Bank lending is finally picking up, but it might be too early to expect financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) to start performing as well as they did in the pre-crisis era. Demand for loans is way up as businesses search for ways to get growing. The amount of commercial and i...
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Commodities and Deal-Making Push ETFs Higher
12-29-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
ETFs are heading higher on Wall Street, but with no key economic data on the calendar, the focus fell to a bond auction later and to expectations for continued gains in commodity prices. "I suspect the market will make attempts to close at a new high in sluggish trading," sai...
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Why Financial ETFs Are Standing Tall
12-10-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are perched at the top of the charts this week, but it's not the result of any single big event. Small things, instead, add up. The top of charts for the last five trading days are dotted with banking funds, including: SPDR KBW Bank (...
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Small-Cap ETFs: Small In a Big Way
12-08-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Over the last three and six months, small- and mid-cap exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been leaving those large-caps in the dust. Perhaps one of the clearest signs that it's a small-cap's market these days can be seen in energy. PowerShares S&P SmallCap Energy Portfolio ...
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6 Reasons to Consider Financial ETFs
11-14-2010 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The broader market has been performing well in recent months, with the S&P 500 experiencing a nice 11% gain from the beginning of September, but financial stocks and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have not caught on to the bullish trend. Still, Jeff Reeves for TheStr...
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Financial ETFs Getting Their Color Back
10-15-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The deluge of foreclosures that could have ruined our banking and home-financing industry is starting to abate as hopeful signs indicate improvement in the U.S. financial system and its exchange traded funds (ETFs). Dirt-cheap interest rates, frugality and returning growth are...
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Strong Earnings Propel Metal ETFs
10-13-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track metals companies are on the move up this morning spurred by a positive earnings report from JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) as Wall Street rides a wave of optimism about the economic recovery. Metals ETFs are trading higher by as much as 3.8% this...
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How Financial ETFs May Benefit As Banks Get Safer
10-07-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
In the wake of tighter regulations, banks are apparently doing what it was hoped they'd do: scale back on risk. Could this make investors more comfortable about investing in financial exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Wall Street - along with Europe's banks - has apparently gone v...
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Financial ETFs Move on Global Banking Reform
09-13-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Talk about a do-over. The global financial industry was the recipient of a historic regulatory remake designed to tamp down on risk. The implications for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) could reach far and wide. Everything from mortgages to commercial loans to credit ca...
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Financial ETFs: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
09-01-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Judging by the numbers, Wall Street's big banks came roaring back in the second quarter. That may not necessarily mean that it's time to start snapping up financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). The good: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) ran the numbers, and banks ma...
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Financial ETFs Hurt By Reform? Not Yet
08-06-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Despite the fears of many, the financial industry and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) have yet to be socked by any fallout from the new legislation. That could be because the financial industry is often a step ahead. In a sly move, Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) moved half of its s...
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What the Financial Bill Means for Consumer and Real Estate ETFs
07-23-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The sweeping financial reform bill is now a law. While most people know what it's supposed to mean for Wall Street banks, fewer, perhaps, understand what it will mean for consumers and consumer exchange traded funds (ETFs). The bill includes measures that will provide the Feds...
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ETFs Waver Despite Strong Financial Earnings
07-21-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Bank earnings reports went gangbusters this morning, pushing financials to be the top-performing sector in the S&P 500. Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) traded a notch higher on the reports from Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:...
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Bullish Earnings Forecast Lifts Financial ETFs
07-07-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Earnings season doesn't officially start until next week when Alcoa Aluminum (NYSE: AA) releases its second-quarter results, but that won't stop the prognosticating. The financial sector has received a rosy forecast, boosting stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the...
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ETF Strategies for Financial Reform
07-02-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial reform took one step forward on Wednesday, when the House agreed to pass a new bill that would rewrite the nation's financial regulations. The bill still needs to pass through the Senate. But assuming financial regulation does get an overhaul, what can we expect from fi...
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What Financial Reform Means for ETFs
06-28-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Legislation for financial reform is finally coming to a head, with the most recent draft of the bill expected to have enough support to become law. Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) initially reacted negatively. Whether that's just an initial shock or the beginning of troubl...
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Financial Sector Drags ETFs Lower
06-24-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Wall Street is quaking in its (fine Italian leather) shoes this morning as the U.S. House and Senate wrap up their wrangling over the financial overhaul legislation. Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are among those leading the way lower. The legislation in the works is expe...
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Financial ETFs Wait for Washington's Reforms
06-18-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The Senate passed its version of the financial regulatory reform bill on May 20. Since then, analysts and investors have been trying to gauge the eventual impact on the sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Senate's version of the legislation creates a process for l...
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Financial ETFs: Hurting Now, But Are They a Future Opportunity?
05-21-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The market's recent correction and the financial overhaul bill that's winding its way through Congress haven't stopped analysts from feeling bullish on financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). The financial overhaul bill that passed in the Senate is a far-reaching one that woul...
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ETFs Continue Climb As Trade Deficit Widens
05-12-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Chalk it up to be another sign of a recovering U.S. economy. The trade deficit widened last month, giving support to today's rally in stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) after yesterday's pause. The International Trade Report released early Wednesday showed the March trad...
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Financial ETFs: What Regulation Will Mean
05-07-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The Obama administration has been saying that it will provide better financial regulation, and the U.S. Senate made some progress by passing two amendments aimed at obviating another copious taxpayer bailout of Wall Street. Big banks and related financial exchange traded funds (E...
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What, Me Worry? Why Some Are Bullish on Financial ETFs
05-03-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial press is humming over what President Barack Obama's call for greater financial regulation and the SEC's investigation into subprime mortgage deals will mean for the financial sector and its related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Some experts believe tight...
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April ETF Performance Report
04-30-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
April might have ended with a broad market sell-off, but it was overall a positive month for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed April up 1.4%. The S&P 500 rose 1.5% for the month, and the Nasdaq was once again the leader,...
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Financial ETFs: Look Under the Hood to Protect Yourself
04-29-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
If you're an investor in financial exchange traded funds (ETFs), you probably saw your holdings drop when the SEC announced that it would press charges against Goldman Sachs. But depending on which ETFs you held, your exposure to Goldman's stock selloff would have differed. Ac...
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ETFs Feeling the Pinch From the Greek Crisis
04-28-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
If you're spooked by the recent downgrades of sovereign debt ratings on Greece and Portugal, you're not alone. Investors pushed the broader market down about 2% after news of the cut. Naturally, exchange traded funds (ETFs) all across the board reflected similar sentiment. On ...
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ETFs Pause and Wait for Goldman CEO's Testimony
04-27-2010 08:30 AM by Tom Lydon
Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are shying away from making any big moves this morning as the nation awaits the testimony of Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and trader Fabrice Tourre. Tourre and Blankfein will speak to a panel of senators today to defend themselves ...
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Financial ETFs to Watch as SEC's Investigation Continues
04-19-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
On Friday, Goldman Sachs lost $10 billion in market value as investors responded to news of a civil lawsuit brought on by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other banks were dragged, too. With all this volatility in financials, now may be a good time to do some homew...
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ETFs Listless as Goldman Fallout Continues
04-19-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Fallout of the SEC's charges against Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) continues this morning as the markets sort out what it all could mean. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are being dragged down, and not even an upbeat leading indicators report could lift them. The markets are still ca...
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Financial ETFs Sink as Goldman Sachs Accused of Fraud
04-16-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Goldman Sachs with civil fraud for failure to make certain disclosures. The news sent exchange traded funds (ETFs) south, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is close to going below 11,000. It came as a surprise: Goldm...
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Retail Figures, Earnings and Bernanke Lift ETFs Early
04-14-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Up, up and away. The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are soaring higher after market-beating results from JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and upbeat testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Whether they were dining out or picking up some new s...
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ETFs Sink as Greenspan Defends Pre-Crisis Actions
04-07-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The financial crisis blame-game has been carrying on for some time. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is next up in the firing line. While he defends his actions, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are continuing along the flat trend seen all week. Greenspan...
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Financial ETFs in Turnaround Mode
03-19-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector is on many investors radar, as the lows seen last year have to get better. What does the recent performance of the biggest financial exchange traded fund(ETF) indicate about the health of the sector? The ETF Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF) in...
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The Top 10 ETFs Investors Are Trading
03-17-2010 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
It's often been said that the top 10 exchange traded funds (ETFs) make up more than 50% of all ETF trading volume. Here are the 10 most actively traded long-only ETFs trading right now. SDPR S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY). SPY is one of the go-to ETFs for exposure to the broader...
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China, Possible U.S. Downgrades Weigh Down ETFs
03-15-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
China's policy moves and the fate of the United State's credit rating are once again weighing on investors' minds, sending stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) mixed in early trading. China Premier Wen Jiabao took aim at Washington yesterday, criticizing efforts to increas...
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6 ETFs for a Financial Sector Recovery
02-26-2010 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector's recovery may ultimately be an uneven one. Regional banks may prosper while larger ones still struggle under the weight of TARP and increased scrutiny. There are exchange traded funds (ETFs) to play the recovery - wherever it's happening. After a year of ...
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Fed Hikes Rates: What It Means for ETFs
02-18-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The Federal Reserve hiked the interest rate it charges banks for emergency loans after the market closed today. What does it mean, and which exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be affected by the move? The Federal Reserve changed the interest rate it charges banks for emergenc...
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Why Regional Banking ETFs Are at the Head of the Pack
01-29-2010 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused on regional banking shares have tended to outperform the broad sector. Why is this area of the troubled financial system coming out ahead? Overall, there is speculation that smaller lenders' credit losses are easing and that they will be l...
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Domestic ETFs: The Outlook in 2010
01-26-2010 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Domestic equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been off to a lackluster start so far this year, but we're only a few weeks into 2010. What's the outlook for the other 49 weeks to come? This year looks like a good year for more merger & acquisition transactions and corpo...
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Bank Concerns Hit Stocks, ETFs for a Third Day
01-22-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
President Barack Obama's proposal to restrict banks on size and what kinds of trades they can make gave the markets a case of the nerves and sent many exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower for a third straight day. The market's jitters came despite upbeat earnings from McDonald'...
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Goldman's Earnings Up, But Markets and ETFs Aren't Appeased
01-21-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Mixed economic reports, including strong earnings from Goldman Sachs, the job market and leading indicators had the net effect of sending stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) firmly negative. The markets were losing steam this morning as President Barack Obama proposed toug...
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Financial ETFs: Still Struggling, But Improving
01-20-2010 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector has seen a handsome recovery off the market's March 9 low, with most exchange traded funds (ETFs) up at least 100% since then. But mixed fourth-quarter earnings this week raise the question: are financial ETFs the place to be right now? The reports coming...
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Financial Results, Massachusetts Race Have ETFs Reeling
01-20-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Today, the nation's major financial institutions report earnings as the rest of the country looks for more clues about the pace and depth of the recovery. In the end, results were mixed, but stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are roundly lower. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC...
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Health Care Prospects Lead Upbeat Sentiment for Stocks, ETFs
01-19-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Health care stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have gained appeal as the special election in Massachusetts threatens to strip power from Senate Democrats. Earnings from Citigroup (NYSE: C) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) could also give the markets some signals about where the economy i...
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Stocks, ETFs Slide On Financials, CPI Numbers
01-15-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Today's news shows stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) slipping lower on the state of consumer sentiment, the consumer price index, and industrial production, amid further disappointing fourth quarter reports for banking heavyweight J.P. Morgan Chase. U.S. stocks slid on Fr...
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How New Bank Tax May Hurt Financial Industry, ETFs
01-13-2010 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Bonus season is coming around and lots of big bankers are likely to receive a fat check. This has spurred another round of public outrage and the government has taken steps to funnel away some of the money back to taxpayers. What may be good for taxpayers might not be good for ba...
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Google Faces Off With China, Banks Face Off With Washington, ETFs Go Mixed
01-13-2010 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
A gaggle of bank CEOs took to Capitol Hill this morning to discuss the 2008 financial crisis and recent decisions made in the sector. As the testimony continued, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were mixed. Wall Street executives stated that they underestimated the 200...
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12 ETFs to Play the 10 Economic Surprises of 2010
01-06-2010 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
It's a brand-new year, which means a host of brand-new, hot-off-the-presses economic predictions. Byron Wien, who seemed awfully prescient with his 2009 predictions, is out with another 10 for the coming year. Byron Wien, chief investment strategist at Pequot Capital Manageme...
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What the Yield Curve Says About ETFs
12-28-2009 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Signs of economic recovery are blossoming everywhere, and one key indicator is showing strong numbers. The indicator also reveals that investors are no longer so pessimistic about the future and feeling inclined to take on more risk in the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs)...
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Look Before You Leap: Know the Holdings of Your ETFs
12-18-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) offer exposure to a wide variety of areas of the markets, but, like a snow flake, each ETF is unique. Two similar-sounding ETFs can vary in their holdings, diversification and trading strategy. It's a good idea to look before you leap. ETFs are dis...
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Stocks, ETFs Slump on Strong Dollar, Weak Employment
12-17-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
A strengthening dollar and a higher-than-expected number for unemployment claims pushed stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower this morning. This was despite positive data from the Philly Fed survey and the LEI or leading economic indicators rising for the eighth month in ...
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Dubai's Lifeline and Exxon Deal Lift ETFs
12-14-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
A $31 billion acquisition deal by one of the largest oil corporations and a $10 billion lifeline from oil-rich Abu Dhabi extended to a Dubai company have turned stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) positive this morning. Abu Dhabi gave Dubai $10 billion to save Dubai World fro...
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Financial ETFs Pull Back, But What's the Next Step?
12-14-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon
For those investors who rely on the 200-day moving average as a guide for where and when to invest, financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be sending a sell signal. Is the sector primed for a pullback? The moving average (MA) is a significant indicator that investors fol...
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ETFs and Tax Time: All About Tax-Loss Harvesting
12-11-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
One of the many benefits of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is that they can be used for tax-loss harvesting. This is a popular strategy investors use in order to offset capital gains, now or in the future. But how do you do it? Each year, investors have a dilemma facing them: s...
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Strong Retail Sales for November Lift ETFs
12-11-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The Commerce Department reported this morning that U.S. retail sales jumped 1.3% in November led by sales in autos, gasoline and electronics. Excluding auto and gasoline sales, core retail sales rose by 0.6%. This is a positive economic sign amid the holiday shopping season, ...
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Financial ETFs May Face an Uphill Battle
11-20-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Although many sectors have emerged from the global recession, it appears that the financial sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) still have an uphill battle to fight. Gary Gordon of the ETF Expert states that the sector still remains weak because of the ongoing issues...
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Midday Market Update: Stocks, ETFs Head Lower on Stronger Dollar
10-26-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) started off strong this morning, but then quickly reversed course as the dollar rallied and sent oil prices moving lower. Oil had been above $80 a barrel for much of the morning, but dropped back below that mark as the dollar continued ...
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Midday Market Update: Financial Earnings Lift Spirits
10-21-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Profits from major banks posted improved third-quarter earnings results, which gave a lift to stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in morning trading. All eyes are on the troubled financial sector this earnings season as investors look for signs that the system is on the m...
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How to Harness the Financial Sector's Recovery With ETFs
10-19-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a good way for investors to seek out niches in order to harness performance in a specific area, and the financial sector is no exception. Since the market's low on March 9, the overall sector is up about 140%. Although many investors sh...
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Midday Market Update: Financials Don't Light Markets On Fire
10-15-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading in a flat range this morning as the markets sort out less-than-thrilling earnings figures from Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Yesterday, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) set a high bar for earnings, but Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and ...
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Midday Market Update: Will the Dow Top 10,000?
10-14-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Strong earnings reports from some major players in their respective sectors has the Dow Jones Industrial Average breathing down the neck of the psychologically important 10,000-point mark. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is one of the first banks up to report third-quart...
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Midday Market Update: Service Sector Lends a Hand
10-05-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading higher this morning in an attempt to reverse two consecutive weeks of losses. A report from the service sector has contributed to the early lift. The U.S. service sector grew for the first time in 13 months in September...
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The 5 Most-Wanted ETFs
10-02-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The markets are recovering, albeit slowly, and investors are wading back in to buy exchange traded funds (ETFs). Most of those investors, at one point or another, will come across these five ETFs, the most heavily traded ones in the markets. SPDRs S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY), ...
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Midday Market Update: Commodity Rebound Lifts Markets
09-22-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) opened in positive territory piggy-backing on a rebound in global markets and commodities, as well as anticipation of the outcome of a two-day Fed meeting. As the dollar continues to weaken, commodities such as oil and gold have rebo...
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Where Can the Next Big ETF Sector Be Found?
09-18-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
As the economic recovery begins to take shape, investors are throwing money back into the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). But investors aren't just randomly selecting sectors, hoping to strike it rich at the next big thing. Investors still have to decide on which ind...
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A Year After Lehman: Are Financial ETFs Ready for Their Close-Up?
09-14-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
One year ago today, Lehman Brothers collapsed and sent the entire financial system and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a downward spiral. Today, the picture looks much different. Are financial ETFs ripe for the picking? Since the market lows on March 9, financials...
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Financial ETFs: Why Are Regional Banks Faltering?
09-04-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
As the financial sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past year, not all of the sector's ETFs are created equal. While the bulge-bracket banks have boomed, local and regional banks have been depressed by a spate of bankruptc...
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Financial Sector ETFs: Still Dealing With 'Troubled' Assets
08-28-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector, along with related exchange traded funds (ETFs), are not out of the woods yet. Banks are still sifting through troubled loans and some ended up on the chopping block. Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) have gained more than 100% off the March 9 market...
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Midday Market Update: Bernanke and Real Estate Lift Markets
08-25-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Investors pushed stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) back on top this morning on news of Ben Bernanke's reappointment as Chairman of the Federal Reserve and a positive indicator in the real estate sector. President Barack Obama announced the reappointment of Federal Rese...
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How the Web of SPDR ETFs Has Grown
08-21-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The SPDRs (SPY) is the oldest exchange traded fund (ETF) in the United States, and they have since ballooned into a unique family of ETFs that allow investors to access any sector in the S&P 500. SPDR ETFs first traded on the American Stock Exchange in 1993 after being iss...
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How ETF Trading Volume Shines a Light on Trends
08-21-2009 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a useful tool for investing and investors agree. Over the past couple of years trading volumes in the various ETFs have shot up. Let's take a look at which ETFs investors crave the most. ETF trading volume jumped from $142 billion in 2004 to $3...
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Financial ETFs Still Have Challenges
08-13-2009 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
In the midst of the global financial crisis, banks and their exchange traded funds (ETFs) were one of the hardest-hit sectors. Ultimately, they were forced to cut their labor forces, but did they cut their labor forces too much? According to Megan Barnett at Minyanville they...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Lose Luster on Earnings Reports
07-22-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Following a week long winning streak, mixed earnings reports put a damper on investor confidence and send stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) see-sawing in morning trading. Chipmaker Advanced Micro Dynamics (AMD) reported a second-quarter loss of $0.62/share a far cry fr...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Flat Despite Positive Earnings
07-17-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Better-than-expected second quarter earnings from the financial and technology sectors somehow can't keep stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) afloat in morning trading. Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (C) are the latest financial giants to report earnings and beat Wa...
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Midday Market Update: Unemployment, JP Morgan Leave Markets Mixed
07-16-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Encouraging economic news about jobs and better-than expected financial earnings reports have resulted in a mixed reaction from U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Labor Department reported that new claims for unemployment insurance declined last week by 47,000...
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Does Goldman's Profit Mean It's Time to Play Financial ETFs?
07-15-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Goldman Sachs reported strong second quarter earnings this week, which undoubtedly has many potential investors wondering if financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are worth considering once again. Despite Monday's advances, the technical picture looks weak for financial comp...
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Midday Market Update: Earnings Reports Can't Wow Wall Street
07-14-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Despite stellar earnings reports U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in negative territory this morning on weak economic news. Wall Street's largest surviving investment bank, Goldman Sachs Group (GS) reported a 33% rise in earnings on strong trading results, im...
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How to Play the Goldman Sachs Upgrade With ETFs
07-13-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
One analyst gave Goldman Sachs (GS) a "buy" recommendation today, resulting in a banner day on Wall Street for financial-related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Goldman Sachs is expected to report big profits when it delivers its earnings report tomorrow. Analysts are predicting th...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Move On Good News
07-13-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Investors are starting the week off optimistic ahead of earnings reports in hopes that these reports will indicate that the economy has improved in the second quarter of the year. This morning's rally was led by the financial sector. A prominent analyst stated that she was ...
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Midday Market Update: Instability of Global Markets Doesn’t Affect Wall Street
06-29-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Mixed moves in overseas markets didn't have much affect on U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as they opened up the week trading in positive territory. Asian stocks were lower on as Chinese economic planners urged banks to issue loans to support the government stim...
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Midday Market Update: Rise in Unemployment Doesn't Stop Wall Street
06-25-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are shrugging off discouraging unemployment news and rallying on the backs of other encouraging economic indicators in morning trading. The Labor Department reported that new jobless claims unexpectedly increased last week by 15,0...
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Will Financial ETFs Go for the TARP Payback?
06-18-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Washington got some TARP money back this week from some of the largest banks in the country that are eager to get out from under the rules that came along with the cash. How financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) take it remains to be seen. As of Wednesday, TARP paybacks from...
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Midday Market Update: TARP Repayment Ignites Mixed Reactions
06-09-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have mixed reactions on less than thrilling economic news and an announcement from the Treasury Department. After much anticipation, the Treasury Department nodded its head and announced that it will allow 10 big banks, which rece...
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Midday Market Update: Why Investors are Shunning Away
06-08-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) retreated into negative territory this morning as investors shunned away from stocks waiting for more reports from the government on bank stress tests. The federal government is expected to release a report which will outline which ...
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After Banks Raise Capital, Where Do Financial ETFs Go Next?
06-04-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The nation's largest banks were ordered to raise at least $85 billion after stress test results were released. Now there are just two questions: Did they do it? And what's it going to mean for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs)? The good news is that the banks raised $85 ...
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Midday Market Update: Can Wall Street Keep It Going?
06-02-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
It's still up in the air whether U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) can continue their rally and extend their gains on more good economic news. Optimism that the worst in the housing slump may be over boosted investor confidence as the real estate industry saw the b...
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What Banks' Practices Mean for Financial ETFs
05-27-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector, along with exchange traded funds (ETFs), are being boosted by what may seem to be a financial legerdemain. There are many complicated rules in the banking and finance industry, and one such rule, the purchase accounting rule, is able to make bank earnings...
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Midday Market Update: Declines on Labor and Credit Worries
05-21-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) opened in negative territory this morning on worries of further labor market weaknesses and more fallout from the credit crisis. The Labor Department reported that initial claims for unemployment was at a seasonally adjusted 631,0...
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Midday Market Update: Positive News From Financials
05-20-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading in positive territory after one of the nation's largest financial institutions is able to raise hoards of capital. Reports indicate that Bank of America (BAC) rose nearly $13.47 billion through the sale of 1.25 billion...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Fluctuate on Drop in Housing Data
05-19-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are oscillating between positive and negative territory on a surprise drop in housing data that seems to send a signal that dashes hopes of a bottom. Builders broke ground on the fewest homes on record in April as a plunge in work...
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Midday Market Update: Housing Market Optimism Lifts Wall Street
05-18-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in positive territory this morning as optimism about the housing market has returned. The nation's second-largest home improvement chain, Lowe's (LOW), posted a 22% decline in first-quarter earnings, but still beat Wall Street's...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Drop on Weak Retail News
05-13-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in the red this morning on weaker than expected retail sales, a good indicator of consumer confidence. The markets two month rally has been put on hold as the Commerce Department released data indicating that retail sales 0.4% ...
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Midday Market Update: Banks Want to Repay TARP Funds
05-11-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) opened the morning in negative territory on news that several l major banks will be selling shares of common stock to repay funds borrowed from the federal government. US Bancorp (USB) plans on selling $2.5 billion of stock, Capita...
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Midday Market Update: Jobs Outlook Appears to Be Improving
05-08-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in positive territory on uplifting economic news about jobs and more. The Labor Department reported that employers slashed 539,000 jobs in April, the fewest in the last six months and much better than what economists were thinki...
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Stress Test Results Are In; What's Next for ETFs?
05-07-2009 02:20 PM by Tom Lydon
The long-awaited results for the stress tests are in, but the impact on exchange traded funds (ETFs) is still a question mark. The government has announced the results of the stress tests placed on the nation's banks. Federal regulators have announced that the country's 19 larges...
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Midday Morning Update: Markets Fluctuate on Improving Employment Indicator
05-06-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) had mixed reactions to news that employment numbers are improving. The ADP National Employment Report stated that private sector employment fell by 491,000 in April, a huge improvement from the 708,000 jobs lost in March. This report...
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What the Stress Test Means For Financial ETFs
05-05-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The final assessment of the financial "stress test" is coming in, and we know you're wondering what it means for your exchange traded funds (ETFs). Did the banks pass? On Thursday, regulators will deliver their assessment regarding America's 19 largest banks, reports David El...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Waver on Bank Worries
05-05-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in negative territory this morning giving back some of the gains seen in yesterday's rally. More than half of the banks that underwent federal government stress tests will be required to raise more capital to meet buffer requirem...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Rally on Upbeat Housing Data
05-04-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are continuing their rally this morning as investors are upbeat and optimistic about economic indicators. First out of the gates was better than expected data for pending U.S. home sales. The data indicate that Americans signing cont...
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Will Financial ETFs Pass the Stress Test Results?
04-30-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Results of the government stress tests are in and the results about the financial health of 19 of the largest banks in the United States are trickling in, sending shares in financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) down. While some of the lenders may need extra cash injections f...
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Midday Market Update: Stocks Jump Despite Weak GDP Numbers
04-29-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were in positive territory this morning despite a steeper-than-expected first-quarter contraction by the U.S. economy. Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the total goods and services output by the United States and is utilized t...
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Where Do Financial ETFs Go After Stress Test Results?
04-23-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Now that the stress tests for banks are coming to a close, where do exchange traded funds (ETFs) go after the results are made public on May 4? "Stress test" results are due out to the public early next month to determine how much capital certain banks would need to withstand...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Seesaw On Upbeat Earnings
04-22-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) showed scant signs of life at the opening bell as a slew of mixed earnings reports overshadowed Wall Street. The following earnings reports affected the markets: McDonalds (MCD) outperformed analysts' expectations reporting a f...
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Do Warren Buffett's Holdings Affect Financial ETFs?
04-21-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Over the past few weeks, the financial sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) have posted better than expected earnings reports, made up some lost ground and started to shows signs of prosperity. Does this mean we should forget about the past year and move on? According...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Up Despite Hazy Earnings
04-21-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Despite fluctuating in morning trading, U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) ended the morning in positive territory on hazy earnings reports causing many investors to be wary about the overall economy. It was a busy day for earnings reports and the following affected...
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Why Financial Sector and ETFs Have a Ways to Go
04-20-2009 12:20 PM by Tom Lydon
The banks are reporting better-than-expected earnings numbers, so that means all is finally right with the financial system and exchanged traded funds (ETFs), right? Hold on there. Bank of America (BAC) is the latest bank to come back with positive earnings to the tune of $4....
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Midday Market Update: Markets Down Despite Better-Than-Expected Earnings
04-20-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) fell sharply in morning trading as many investors dumped financials, grab their returns from a six-week rally and head for the hills. Many believe that credit losses are worsening and lower commodity prices are dragging down the energy ...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Unsure of Earnings Reports
04-17-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) fluctuated making modest moves and then dabbling in the red on better-than-expected earnings by Citigroup (C) and a better-than-expected consumer confidence report. Citi, considered to be one of the most troubled banks, posted a qu...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Fluctuate on Earnings and Unemployment
04-16-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) oscillated between positive and negative territory this morning on better-than-expected earnings reports by JP Morgan Chase (JPM) and an unexpected drop in jobless claims. JP Morgan beat analysts' expectations, reporting earnings of ...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Fluctuate on a Vague Future
04-15-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) fluctuate in morning trading on good news from the consumer staples sector, weak performance from the technology industry and an overall belief that the economy is still struggling. In an attempt to restore confidence in the financ...
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Midday Market Update: Stocks Retreat on Earnings Anticipation
04-13-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) retreated in morning trading as investors wait on earnings reports from key companies and talks of General Motors (GM) filing for bankruptcy strengthen. All three major indexes - the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and ...
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Midday Market Update: Why Markets Are Stepping Back
04-07-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) continued their retreat on for a second day as concerns about banks' balance sheets and poor first quarter earnings reports overshadowed any sunshine on the markets. Any ounce of optimism that was left in the first quarter has dimini...
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Midday Market Update: Markets Retreat on Financial Concerns
04-06-2009 09:59 AM by Tom Lydon
U.S. stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were in the red for the first time in five days on concerns of conditions in the financial system and the ambiguity of first quarter earnings. Many banks were downgraded and shares declined in large amounts on news that the federa...
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What's Next for Battered Financial ETFs?
04-03-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
It's been a strong month for the financial sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs), giving the heavily bruised sector a much-needed roar. Since the March 9 low, financials have rebounded more than 25%. Consider the Financial Select SPDR (XLF), which has exploded from its...
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Can Monday's Big Market and ETF Rally Continue in the Long-Term?
03-24-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Can the rally the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) saw on Monday - the fifth biggest one-day point gain in history - really continue? On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up a whopping 500 points. John Spence for MarketWatch reports that the unexpected inc...
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Can We Bank on a Financial ETF Rebound?
03-19-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
As banks traverse the financial gauntlet placed before them, some financial institutions are providing some uplifting signs and investors are beginning to look favorably on the downtrodden financial sector and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs). After Citigroup (C) announc...
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Midday Market Update: Markets and ETFs Process Latest News
03-13-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Can Wall Street make it four consecutive days of gains for stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs)? The markets still seem to be trying to figure that one out. The U.S. trade deficit narrowed 9.7% in January for a record sixth consecutive month to its smallest since October 20...
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Can Utility and Financial ETFs Be the Recovery Catalysts?
03-11-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
In an effort to look at the bright side of beaten-up markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), some have been trying to call a bottom, but one piece of the puzzle is missing: a catalyst. A major confidence-raising act from business or government has not yet been seen, so the p...
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What 'Bankruptcy Watch' Means for Financial ETFs
03-09-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
In these tight times, companies are continuing to struggle to stay above water, causing investors and analysts to be on a so-called "bankruptcy watch" over the next few weeks; markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may reflect the news. With all eyes on the situations with ...
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17 ETFs In the Billion Dollar Club
03-03-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
One of the defining attributes of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is their high liquidity, but which of them are among the most liquid of all? Investors have a cornucopia of ETFs to choose from with 843 exchange-traded products currently available, writes Ron Rowland for Seeking ...
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Which ETF Sectors Will Lead a Recovery?
03-02-2009 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
After a day in the markets like today, investors are undoubtedly wondering where the signs that point to a recovery might be lurking. When it comes to stabilizing the economy, which sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) must recover first: the financial system or the real esta...
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Midday Market Update: Financial ETFs Feel the Sector's Pain
03-02-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The bank woes of the United States are taking over many aspects of markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), as the Dow Jones Industrial Average took a dive below 7,000 points today. American International Group (AIG) has set off a another wave of pessimism about the health of...
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February ETF Performance Report
02-27-2009 02:22 PM by Tom Lydon
February was a rocky month for both the broader markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The top area was precious metals, a signal of heavy safe-haven buying. Gold gained about 6%, while silver jumped 8.6%. Gold miners even showed a small gain for the month, up 1.9%. Oth...
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5 ETFs That Are Sitting in the Bargain Bin
02-27-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Times are tight. We're all looking for a bargain at the grocery store, on the car lot, at the mall and just about everywhere else. But why stop there? You can go bargain-hunting with exchange traded funds (ETFs), too. If you take $500,000 and invested this money into a low-cos...
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3 Sectors and ETFs That Could Lead the Economic Rebound
02-25-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Many of the most beaten-down sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are poised to outperform in a market rebound. With this in mind, there are a few ETFs and sectors investors may want to watch for signs of life. It is pretty safe to say that the market and economy isn't g...
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Midday Market Update: Financials, ETFs Must Lead the Road to Recovery
02-25-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Existing home sales fell to levels not seen in 12 years, proof of the discontent that citizens are feeling toward the U.S. economy, markets and related investments and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales of existing hom...
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Midday Market Update: U.S. Banks Leaving ETFs In Need
02-23-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
A new capital assessment program will be launched on Wednesday, helping banks in need of capital to receive funding, and keeping larger institutions viable; markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) could stand to benefit if the plan sticks. U.S. banking regulators are going t...
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Midday Market Update: Banks, Financial ETFs See No Light
02-20-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Speculation over U.S. banks is running rampant, as investors are wary that a rescue may involve nationalization of major banks, giving shareholders and exchange traded fund (ETF) holders an unpleasant wipeout. In response to the negative sentiment, U.S. stocks fell today, and...
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Dow Falls to 2002 Levels - Where Do Investors Go?
02-19-2009 02:16 PM by Tom Lydon
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen to its lowest close in more than six years, leaving exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to wonder where they can go now. It's a setback for investors who hoped that Nov. 20 was going to mark the market's low point, say Stephen Bern...
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How 'Lost Faith' Has Impacted Financial ETFs
02-10-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The latest bank rescue plan by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was unveiled today, but is there any more faith restored into the taxpayers and voters, and is there more chance markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) can begin to heal? The revised banking rescue plan b...
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When It Comes to Financial ETFs, Is Equal Weight Better?
02-02-2009 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The focus on TARP funds and the governments around the globe has been to save the "too big" to fail financial institutions and not focus on smaller banks, often the more sound banks, and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them. Not All Are Bad. There are some financial...
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Stadium Naming Deals: Good for ETF Investors?
01-25-2009 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Now that bailout season is in full swing, spring training is around the corner and the 44th President of the United States has taken oath, investors should be wary of publicly traded companies that enter into stadium naming rights and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold th...
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Midday Market Update: Banks Lift ETFs, Low Prices Raise a Threat
01-16-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The economy continues to be in a funk, but at least consumers are feeling a little more chipper on lower prices. But will it have the needed effect and bring those exchange traded funds (ETFs) back above their trend lines? Prices Plummet. Inflation in 2008 was the slowest it'...
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Midday Market Update: Apple News and Inflation Numbers Worry ETFs
01-15-2009 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Wholesale inflation has fallen to its lowest level in seven years, primarily because of the drop in energy prices, giving little hope to markets and exchange traded funds(ETFs) for the near future. Wholesale prices fell by 1.9% in December, below the 2% of the economists' pred...
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Signs the Credit Crunch is Showing Mercy to ETFs
01-14-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Sure, it's below zero in some parts of the United States right now, but that isn't stopping some from asking whether the credit crunch is thawing enough to finally benefit financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Here are the signs: The Decline of the LIBOR. In ...
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3 Ways to Fix Banks, Financial ETFs
01-12-2009 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector, more specifically banks, and their exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been beaten, bruised, slaughtered and finally bailed out over this past year and some feel that it is time for a change. Henry Blodget of Cluster Stock Beta believes that banks need to st...
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5 ETFs You Shouldn't Count Out
01-06-2009 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Those who clung to their financial stocks may be the ones grinning as financials and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs) pick up momentum in 2009. The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) has fallen 2.2% after the overnight lending-rate target was cut to nearly zero on De...
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When Will Financial ETFs See TARP Effects?
01-06-2009 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The Treasury Department is the latest owner of preferred shares and warrants in around 208 different U.S. financial institutions, but why aren't consumers and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors reaping the rewards yet? Despite having injected billions into them, the Treasury...
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11 Banks Downgraded: Who Are They, and What ETFs Are They In?
12-19-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Eleven U.S. and European banks that can count themselves as top holdings in some exchange traded funds (ETFs) found themselves downgraded by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services this morning. S&P bases the downgrade on pressures facing the large financial institutions i...
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Three Bargain-Hunting ETFs
12-16-2008 03:30 PM by Tom Lydon
The "R" word doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact, this can be a very prosperous time for those who prefer not to pay retail, either for their goods or exchange traded funds (ETFs). Eventually, the wreckage that is the stock market will one day rebound, and the financial c...
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Trading Volume of Financial ETFs Surges
11-24-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
It has a been a wild roller coaster ride for exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused on the financial sector, with fluctuations in asset value and trading volume. The effect has resulted in winners and losers. Since its recent move to the NYSE, the Financial Select Sector SPDR (X...
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Financial ETFs, Stocks Walloped, and It Could Get Worse
11-20-2008 02:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 the beginning, reports CNBC. Since most institutional investors and pe...
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Big Banks in ETFs Say Bailout Won't Go to Salaries
11-13-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 of the major banks have come out and said that they will be us...
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Financial ETFs Wilt As Bailout Costs Racked Up
11-12-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Ber...
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Unlike ETFs, Bailout Plan Sorely Lacks Transparency
11-11-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 to make repairs are ongoing, one can't help but wonder: where are the trillions ...
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Mixed Blessing for Financial ETFs
11-06-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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% compared to the Federal Reserve's target interest rate of 1%...
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ETFs For After The Rate Cut
10-29-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 freely once again. This rate cut would leave the rate at its lowest level...
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Let's Get Ready to Rebound
10-28-2008 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 record of 15.7%, the biggest jump for the fund since its ince...
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Financial ETFs Continue to Feel Effects of Shifting Industry
10-24-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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) has used $90.3 billion of a U.S. government credit line sin...
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As Banks See Shift, So Could Financial ETFs
10-21-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 more to come. Wall Street has pulled back today, desp...
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Regional Banks ETF Stays Afloat
10-21-2008 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 place in 2007, but Gary Gordon for ETF Expert thinks th...
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Cash Infusion for Banks Could Put ETFs On Right Foot
10-14-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 similar plans announced in Europe on Monday, in which nearly...
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Federal Reserve Takes First Steps to Revive Markets, ETFs
10-07-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 buy massive amounts of short-term debt after invoking Depression-era emergency pow...
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As Bailout Deal Is Hashed Out, Markets, ETFs Wait
09-30-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 the financial system. The European and Asian economies wok...
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Federal Rescue Is Just the Beginning for Financial ETFs
09-29-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 to Congress. President Bush urged for a quick approval, report Carl Hulse...
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Goldman, Buffett Deal Could Help Financials, ETFs
09-24-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 a common stock offering as part of a plan that also includes an i...
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Government Plan So Far Not Bailing Out Financial ETFs
09-22-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 more than 150 points. Leaders in Congress are endorsing the main point of the...
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Sticking to a Strategy With ETFs Is Also a 'Safe Haven'
09-19-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
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 better one than a few of the others seen this week, with all this stomach-ch...
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The Worst Is Over for Financial ETFs, Or It Isn't
09-19-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 out. They'll be working through the weekend to work out the d...
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The Past, Present and Future of Financials and ETFs
09-17-2008 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 rate cut - which didn't happen. Then the markets...
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Financial ETFs Picking Up the Pieces
09-16-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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, scheduled to take place today at 2:15 Eastern, has go...
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Major Institutions' Woes Drag Down Financials ETFs
09-15-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 bankruptcy protection, Merrill Lynch (MER) was forced to...
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For Financial ETFs, This Week Could Have Been Worse
09-12-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
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 traded funds (ETFs). Some might even end the week slightly hig...
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ETFs Are Becoming the 'Go-To' Security of Choice
09-12-2008 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) might finally have reached the big time. Matthew Hougan for Index Universe points out that not only was Monday a big day for ETFs, as they were the three top traded securities in the world, but every day is pretty much ETF Day. On Wednesday, ETF...
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Trouble In Financial World Weighs on ETFs, Global Markets
09-10-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are smack in the middle of a rough week. Lehman Brothers Holdings (LEH) said it plans to sell a majority stake in its investment management unit and spin off commercial real estate assets, reports Dan Wilchins for Reuters. This is after p...
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Financial ETFs Wait On Fannie And Freddie To Get Well Soon
09-09-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The recent bailout of mortgage powerhouses Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have many exchange traded fund (ETF) investors wondering if this could be the recovery the financial sector needed. Although last week the financial sector was one of the ETF market leaders, betting on a bul...
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ETF Investors Wonder: Is Bailout a Band-Aid or a Real Solution?
09-08-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) received an early-morning jump from the plan for the U.S. government to bail out mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In fact, this intraday chart showing the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF), KBW Regional Banks (KRE) and the Nas...
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ETFs Around the World Sneeze After Dow Sinks
09-05-2008 10:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Wall Street coughed yesterday, and Europe and Asia's markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) caught a cold. After the Dow Jones lost more than 340 points, Europe's FTSE-100, Germany's DAX and France's CAC all fell by mid-afternoon. In Moscow, reports Louise Watt for the Assoc...
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Gustav Gives Relief to Oil and ETFs
09-02-2008 10:07 AM by Tom Lydon
Hurricane Gustav spared oil facilities in the Gulf Coast this weekend, easing investor concerns, sending oil prices lower and exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher. Crude oil fell to $108.77 a barrel in mid-day trading today, reports Tim Pardis of the Associated Press. ETFs le...
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Financial ETFs Beat Up By Lehman Speculation, AIG Loss Estimates
08-25-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Financial and real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) have got a real case of the Mondays. Uncertainty still abounds in the financial sector. Lehman Brothers (LEH) shares dropped midday after speculation about the future of its CEO and the bank's independence, reports the Ass...
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Bernanke and Buffett Speak, Markets and Financial ETFs Smile
08-22-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rose this morning after some hopeful words from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. He said that while the inflation outlook is uncertain, the recent decline in commodity prices and the stabilization of the U.S. dollar are encouraging...
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ETFs Have Got You Covered
08-17-2008 01:00 AM by Tom Lydon
The exchange traded fund (ETF) fan club keeps on growing. Brian Neill for the Bradenton Herald says that he's staying away from most individual stocks. Instead, he's spending more time on ETFs, and the more he learns, the more he likes them. His portfolio is made of of some...
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Financial ETFs Reacting Well to Sector's News
08-08-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The financial sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have seen some rough times this year. But coming off news of July's rebound is a round of news this morning that seems to have things picking up for the sector once again. We reiterate, though, what while things do seem to ...
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Probe of Citigroup and Others Could Hit Financial ETFs
08-01-2008 03:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Citigroup's (C) imminent charges could wind up packing a wallop for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has said he plans to charge the bank with fraudulently marketing and selling auction-rate securities, as well as destroying subpoe...
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Water, Singapore Are ETFs to Watch
08-01-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Although trading volume in some exchange traded funds (ETFs) has spiked rapidly recently, one fund manager is skeptical of some of the movements. Anthony Welch, the Sarasota Capital Strategies manager, is not buying the recent rally within financials. Although the Financial S...
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Is It Time To Get Back Into Financial ETFs?
08-01-2008 06:00 AM by Tom Lydon
For more than a year now, the financial sector has taken a beating and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) have since been bruised and battered. However, such stocks as Wachovia Corp. (WB), have been selling at 51% of book value for the past few weeks. Many investors may b...
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Bailout Provisions Don't Have ETFs Whooping and Cheering
07-30-2008 01:00 PM by Tom Lydon
The pen might be mightier than the sword, especially if real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) have something to say about it. President Bush signed a major housing bill that is meant to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 homeowners. The move could help stabilize the financ...
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Financial ETFs Trip Early, Then Dust Themselves Off
07-22-2008 12:00 PM by Tom Lydon
Beginning late last week, financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) had a nice ride. This morning, it appeared the good times were about to stop, but after Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pushed Congress to quickly approve a plan that would support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the f...
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Bank of America Delivers Goods to Financial ETFs
07-21-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are getting off to a solid start this morning after Bank of America announced earnings that were better than expected. The news raised hopes that the wounds of the credit crisis might finally be cauterizing. With Bank of America's numbers...
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No Bailout for Fannie and Freddie Leaves Financial ETFs Trying to Stay Afloat
07-11-2008 11:00 AM by Tom Lydon
Shares for the ailing Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) fell even lower earlier this morning after an immediate bailout was ruled out - throwing the housing market into question and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson said that ...
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Number of Holdings: 84
| Financials | 100% |
| Diversified Banking Inst | 24.7% |
| Super-Regional Banks-US | 16% |
| Multi-line Insurance | 9.1% |
| Reinsurance | 8.4% |
| Invest Mgmnt/Advis Serv | 4.7% |
| Finance-Credit Card | 3.8% |
| Life/Health Insurance | 3.7% |
| Fiduciary Banks | 3.2% |
| REITS-Diversified | 3% |
| REITS-Health Care | 2.9% |
| Property/Casualty Ins | 2.9% |
| REITS-Regional Malls | 2.7% |
| Finance-Other Services | 1.9% |
| Insurance Brokers | 1.8% |
| REITS-Apartments | 1.6% |
| Commer Banks-Southern US | 1.6% |
| Commercial Serv-Finance | 1.2% |
| Finance-Invest Bnkr/Brkr | 1% |
| Unknown | 0.06% |
| United States | 100% |
| Large-cap | 93.7% |
| Mid-cap | 6.2% |
| Unknown | 0.1% |
Number of Holdings: 84
% |
Ticker |
Name |
Sector |
Market Cap |
Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4% | BRKB | Berkshire Hathaway I... | Real Estate | 267747340000 | United States |
| 8.2% | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | Real Estate | 180280780000 | United States |
| 8.0% | WFC | Wells Fargo & Co | Real Estate | 199599330000 | United States |
| 6.4% | C | Citigroup Inc | Real Estate | 142924300000 | United States |
| 5.9% | BAC | Bank of America Corp | Real Estate | 132465920000 | United States |
| 2.9% | AXP | American Express Co | Real Estate | 77112550000 | United States |
| 2.8% | GS | Goldman Sachs Group ... | Real Estate | 69802640000 | United States |
| 2.7% | AIG | American Internation... | Real Estate | 65726890000 | United States |
| 2.6% | USB | US Bancorp | Real Estate | 60612780000 | United States |
| 2.3% | SPG | Simon Property Group... | Real Estate | 55634720000 | United States |
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