• Why Platinum ETFs are Outperforming Gold This Year

    February 8th at 3:18pmby Tom Lydon

    Platinum exchange traded funds are outperforming gold prices so far this year after lagging the yellow metal badly in 2011. At the same time, platinum ETFs have broken above the 200-day moving average, and investment demand may drive prices on the white metal even higher. ETFS Physical Platinum...

    READ MORE

  • Transportation ETF Performance Raises Flags

    February 8th at 12:02pmby John Spence

    Some market observers are pointing to the recent lagging performance of transportation indexes and exchange traded funds as a warning sign the rally may be getting long in the tooth. “This is potentially worrisome from at least two different points of view. First, the Dow Theory, the oldest...

    READ MORE

  • Can Dividend ETFs Sustain Their Performance?

    February 8th at 11:12amby Tom Lydon

    In 2011, the dividend growth strategy ruled the stock market, as conservative investors were seeking yield and relative safety. The S&P 500 was mostly flat for the year, while focused exchange traded funds such as the Vanguard Dividend Growth Strategy (NYSEArca: VIG) gained nearly 10%. Can the...

    READ MORE

  • Search for Yield Drives Record Fixed-Income ETF Buying

    February 8th at 10:56amby John Spence

    Exchange traded funds listed around the world that track fixed-income assets saw their best monthly inflows ever in January as investors frustrated with rock-bottom interest rates turn to bond ETFs to tailor portfolios and boost yield. Global fixed-income ETFs set an all-time high in January...

    READ MORE

  • Emerging Market ETFs Double S&P 500’s Gain

    February 8th at 9:12amby John Spence

    Emerging market exchange traded funds have doubled the performance of the S&P 500 so far this year with investors favoring developing countries over the U.S. and Europe. A weaker dollar has also provided a lift to emerging market ETFs. Vanguard Emerging Markets (NYSEArca: VWO) and iShares...

    READ MORE

  • Silver Miner ETFs Keep Pace with Metal’s Price Rise

    February 8th at 8:41amby Tom Lydon

    Silver-related exchange traded funds have been strong performers with silver futures increasing over 20% this year. Surprisingly, silver miners, which trailed the price movements of the physical precious metal in 2011, are keeping up with silver prices this year. The iShares Silver Trust...

    READ MORE

  • VIX-Linked ETF Decline Reflects Lower Volatility

    February 8th at 7:00amby Tom Lydon

    Exchange traded funds that track CBOE Volatility Index futures are down sharply so far in 2012 on easing Eurozone debt fears and signs the economy will avoid a double-dip recession. The plunge in VIX ETFs reflects much lower volatility as stocks continue to grind higher following last year's wild...

    READ MORE