Getting Access to Slovakia’s Growth Can Be Done Via Austria ETF
August 12, 2008 – Slovakia seems to be a real up-and-comer, but exposure options as far as exchange traded funds (ETFs) go are limited for the time being. However, investors can take a back-door approach when attempting to capture... Continue Reading »

Russia Halts Conflict But Doesn’t Withdraw; ETF Goes On the Move
August 12, 2008 – The long-term investment opportunities that are offered from Russia’s growing economy is enough for investors to stay the course and keep their assets in the focused exchange traded fund (ETF). Russia said this morning that they... Continue Reading »

Fuel Prices, ETFs Look Different In Second Half of Year
August 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that consistently found themselves at the head of the class with double-digit returns in the first half of the year are suddenly having a different view of things as fuel prices... Continue Reading »

Austria And Its ETF Flow With Good News
August 11, 2008 – Austria and its related exchange traded fund (ETF) have received a couple doses of good news recently: unemployment is down, industry is up. Austrian utility company Verbund won a concession to build a $259 million hydropower... Continue Reading »

ETFs Are Tested as Even BRIC Economies Feel U.S. Slowdown
August 8, 2008 – As the United States continues to experience a serious economic slowdown, exchange traded funds (ETFs) face many challenges as even the BRIC economies are feeling the repurcussions. Regardless of whether or not the United States is... Continue Reading »

Will Conflict In Russia Carry Over to ETF?
August 8, 2008 – The escalation of the Georgia-Russia conflict, which took a turn for the worse this morning, could do harm to the Russian exchange traded fund (ETF) if it continues. Georgia launched an offensive in a breakaway region,... Continue Reading »

Goldman Sachs’ Predictions Could Have Implications for ETFs
July 31, 2008 – Goldman Sachs’ economic team recently pulled out their crystal ball to come up with a new world order for the year 2040, and the prognostications could affect exchange traded funds (ETFs) in years to come. Take... Continue Reading »

Will Russia’s ETF Suffer Collateral Damage In Wake of Allegations?
July 25, 2008 – Russia’s exchange traded fund (ETF) is trading down early today after the country’s RTS index plunged headlong into a bear market. The index went into turmoil after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said OAO Mechel, a metals... Continue Reading »

Sweden and ETF Are Like Your Big Brother, Setting a Good Example
July 21, 2008 – For successful economic development, Turkish officials should look up to Sweden as an example of successful privatization, which could boost the performance of both countries’ respective exchange traded funds (ETFs). Benefits of privatization include producing more... Continue Reading »

Potash’s Positive Fundamentals Fertilize Agribusiness ETF
July 9, 2008 – It’s been a nice day for both potash producers and agricultural exchange traded funds (ETFs). A Goldman Sachs analyst said prices for the fertilizer are rising as a result of global demand and limited availability, since... Continue Reading »

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

Poland Has Potential As Top Holding in Frontier Market ETF
July 6, 2008 – With the recent launch of the Claymore/BNY Mellon Frontier Markets (FRN), it is now possible to invest in the first U.S.-listed exchange traded fund (ETF) that provides investors access to up to 41 countries... Continue Reading »

Single-Country ETFs Are World Travelers
July 5, 2008 – Single-country focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) are well-recognized for their investment benefits and instant diversification. They are one of the most simple ways to gain foreign stock exposure across a range of sectors, with... Continue Reading »

Looking for the ETF Silver Lining Amid the Clouds?
June 30, 2008 – With the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) getting socked by near-daily bad news, you might be wondering how Pollyanna did it. Wasn’t she exhausted? How can you stay optimistic when: Oil keeps hitting new... Continue Reading »

Russian Economy and ETF Loaded Like a Freight Train
June 19, 2008 – Russia keeps on chugging, as the economy is lifted by soaring commodity prices that are helping capture great numbers for the related exchange traded fund (ETF). For the first quarter, Russia’s economy expanded at 8.5%,... Continue Reading »

ETFs for a Rainy Season
June 17, 2008 – Everybody knows that when it rains, it pours, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are no exception. The uncertainty is pouring in all around us, with a looming presidential election, a Dow Jones industrial average that... Continue Reading »

New ETF Ventures Into New Frontiers
June 12, 2008 – Investors have been salivating for an exchange traded fund (ETF) that gives some exposure to frontier markets. Finally, it’s here. Claymore this morning is expected to launch the Claymore BNY/Mellon Frontier Markets ETF (FRN), the first fund... Continue Reading »

Russia’s Economy and ETF Are the Story for May
June 2, 2008 – The top-performing exchange traded fund (ETF) for May was Market Vectors Russia (RSX). Year-to-date, it’s up 14.7%. It’s just the latest good news for a country that’s currently enjoying a 10-year economic expansion. Its gross... Continue Reading »

Austria Knows Its Own Backyard, and ETF Benefits
May 30, 2008 – Improved feelings about the telecommunications and banking sectors in Austria delivered a boost to its exchange traded fund (ETF) on Wednesday, and it’s just the latest good news for the country. Erste Bank... Continue Reading »

Exploration ETFs Helped By Rising Cost of Finding New Oil
May 29, 2008 – You’d think the rising cost of oil and the big returns the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been dishing out year-to-date would have led to bigger efforts to look for more of the... Continue Reading »

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

Vodaphone Turns a Profit, But Power Shift Could Affect ETFs
May 27, 2008 – Could the return to profitability by the world’s largest mobile phone company boost global telecom exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Vodaphone (VOD) delivered a return to full-year profitability, but at the same time, CEO Arun Sarin... Continue Reading »

Single-Country ETFs Need A Closer Look Before Leaping
May 26, 2008 – Hot spots within financial markets across different countries may be easier to spot than you think and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may help guide you. Ron DeLegge of ETFGuide says there are certain things... Continue Reading »

Germany Leads Russia Into Modernization Of Energy Sector, Perhaps Assisting Both ETFs
May 19, 2008 – The German industry is aiding Russia modernization of its energy sector and in energy efficiency, an alliance that could boost their respective exchange traded funds (ETFs). German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier traveled to Russia... Continue Reading »

BRIC ETFs Could Strengthen After Countries Meet
May 16, 2008 – The BRIC countries and exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be seeing even better days as the four countries meet this week to discuss economics and international cooperation. The foreign ministers of the four BRIC countries... Continue Reading »

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

Power Shift Seems to Agree With Russia ETF
May 9, 2008 – On May 7, Vladimir Putin stepped down and Russia’s new president became Dmitry Medvedev - is it any coincidence that in one day, the Russia exchange traded fund (ETF) rose 4.4%? Market Vectors Russia (RSX)... Continue Reading »

Turkey and Its ETF May Need More Time In The Oven
May 7, 2008 – Are you brave enough to grow your nest eggs with a Turkey exchange traded fund (ETF)? If you want to invest some of your time and money into the Turkish stock market, it... Continue Reading »

BRIC ETFs Were Anything But In April
May 7, 2008 – BRIC exchange traded funds (ETFs) showed themselves to be solid in April. Investor interest and enthusiasm for the funds has peaked over the past several years, with outstanding sector-leading performances in 2007. Richard Widows for... Continue Reading »

Control of Russia Changes Hands, But Will the Growth In Russian Related ETFs Be Sustained?
May 6, 2008 – The Russian economy is shifting leadership while the economy is booming under Vladimir Putin’s hand, with the focused exchange traded fund (ETF) on a run. But can it sustain momentum under the next President?... Continue Reading »

BRIC ETFs Have Many Access Points for Investors
April 30, 2008 – A reader wrote in recently wanting to know more about BRIC and the related exchange traded funds (ETFs). We’re here to help! BRIC stands for four of the fastest-growing emerging markets out here: Brazil, Russia,... Continue Reading »

Oil Prices May Get Worse; Steel and Natural Gas ETFs Are Keeping Pace
April 24, 2008 – The price of oil has slipped some over the last few days, but it’s projected to soar even higher - what will it mean for its exchange traded funds (ETFs)? The reports on fuel got... Continue Reading »

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

Russia Debates the Merits of Tax Cuts; What Will It Mean for ETF?
April 2, 2008 – The Russian government can’t seem to agree about the economy there, which means it’s anyone’s guess which way the exchange traded fund (ETF) will go. Some policymakers say the economy is overheating, citing the 8.1%... Continue Reading »

Turkey’s ETF Heavy In Its Untested Financial System
April 1, 2008 – The brand-new exchange traded fund (ETF) iShares MSCI Turkey Fund (TUR) has a heavy weighting in its relatively unproven financial sector. Gary Gordon for ETF Expert mentions a recent report done by the International... Continue Reading »

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

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

Coal Has a Smudged Reputation, But Can KOL ETF Rise Above It?
March 22, 2008 – Coal is hardly glamorous - it’s got a bad reputation as a dirty pollutant, but it can be a smoking bet in an exchange traded fund (ETF). Gold is taking the limelight at the moment,... Continue Reading »

Emerging Market ETFs Could Be Worth a Look In Rough Times
March 18, 2008 – Is it time for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to take a trip to emerging markets - or anywhere other than the United States for now? While some stocks are beginning to stir and the... Continue Reading »

Even In These Markets, You Can Still Find ETF Movers and Shakers
March 12, 2008 – Yesterday, the markets delivered outstanding performance and some exchange traded funds (ETFs) finished up in the double digits. But one good day doesn’t mean we’re out of the slump yet. It’s still time to take... Continue Reading »

Will “Medvedev” Spell Success for Russia’s ETF?
March 1, 2008 – Dmitri Medvedev is set to win around two-thirds of the vote in Russia’s presidential election on Sunday, and some wonder what his appointment will mean for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The... Continue Reading »

Russia’s ETF Is On the Right Track; the Right Moves Could Keep It There
February 21, 2008 – On Dec. 24, Russia’s exchange traded fund (ETF) hit an all-time high. By Jan. 23, its value dropped 26% as panic over the U.S. economy spread. Since then, things have begun to look up once... Continue Reading »

What’s Behind the Activity in the Steel, Metals and Mining ETFs?
February 15, 2008 – Two exchange traded funds (ETFs) posted stellar numbers this week. What’s behind all the movement? Market Vectors Steel (SLX) is up 7.2% this week and up 18.4% since Jan. 22. One possible factor in the... Continue Reading »

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

BRIC ETFs Caught In Gap Between Perception and Reality
February 7, 2008 – The consistency of economic strength is still being determined among investors of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) exchange traded funds (ETFs). Pierre Daillie for Seeking Alpha says that at best, the general sentiment surrounding... Continue Reading »

If Russia Makes Friends, ETF Could Benefit
February 4, 2008 – Could Russia’s diplomacy be hurting its opportunities for foreign investors and its exchange traded funds (ETFs)? The Kremlin admitted that it is, reports Ambrose Evans-Pritchard for the Telegraph. It said that the country’s hard-nose diplomacy... Continue Reading »

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

Country-Specific ETFs Tell Two Stories
January 11, 2008 – If they’re smartly played, country-specific exchange traded funds (ETFs) can deliver rewards. Country-specific ETFs, such as iShares Austria (EWO), give investors a great way to take advantage of growth in regions such as Eastern Europe. Two... Continue Reading »

Are U.S. Economy and ETFs as Down and Out as You’d Think?
January 4, 2008 – When comparing the U.S. economy to the rest of the world lately, investments and exchange traded funds (ETFs) focusing on the foreign markets have been in favor. The U.S. housing collapse and credit meltdown... Continue Reading »

Eastern Europe ETF a Dark Horse in Emerging Markets Sector
January 4, 2008 – When talk turns to the "emerging markets" exchange traded funds (ETFs), it often centers around a few economies in particular: Latin America, India and China. In the fourth quarter of 2007, however, there was... Continue Reading »

Austria ETF a Gateway to Eastern Europe
November 28, 2007 – Austria and its exchange traded fund (ETF) have benefited from the opening up of western and eastern Europe, more so than any other European Union member. iShares MSCI Austria (EWO) is the best play... Continue Reading »

Future ETF Possibilities Are Endless
July 8, 2007 – With new exchange traded funds (ETFs) coming out almost every day, you would think all the major countries and sectors would have their own ETFs by now. Yet that doesn’t seem to be the... Continue Reading »

Tap Into Eastern Europe Via ETFs
May 28, 2007 – Eastern European stocks are forecasted to outperform those of Western Europe, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on these countries could benefit. The performance gap between developed Europe and it’s Eastern counterparts could... Continue Reading »

ETFs Rebound in First Quarter
April 21, 2007 – When you think of spring, one may conjure images of flowers growing, but what about the growth of your exchange traded funds (ETFs)?  As companies are reporting first quarter earnings, Rudy Martin of TheStreet.com... Continue Reading »

Eastern Europe ETFs, Anyone?
December 14, 2006 – Currently, the best way to invest in eastern Europe through exchange traded funds (ETFs) is with iShares MSCI Austria (EWO).  Austria has become the hub for Eastern European commerce and the fund is up... Continue Reading »