Energy
Short ETFs One of the Few Movers This Week
October 11, 2008 – As the market continues its sharp declines, there is still a way that investors can profit from exchange traded fund (ETF) investing. Short-selling, or betting against the market, has become a strategy for many who... Continue Reading »
Not All ETF Products Are Created Alike
October 10, 2008 – When commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) were on a bull run this summer, London-based ETF Securities was right there with its line of funds aimed squarely at the sector.
The provider, which actually runs products known... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Have Good Energy Alternatives
October 10, 2008 – Although oil prices have fallen back from their record highs, the shock was enough to make many investors consider the advantages of alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs).
As a result, many new alternative energy stocks... Continue Reading »
Rate Cut Doesn’t Spur ETFs or Ease Recession Fears
October 8, 2008 – The Federal Reserve met this morning to deliver a surprise half-point rate cut, but so far, recession fears still rule over exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The cut is part of a coordinated global effort to make... Continue Reading »
Federal Reserve Takes First Steps to Revive Markets, ETFs
October 7, 2008 – A plan to address the many issues our economy is having right now is taking shape, much to the liking of the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Federal Reserve has announced a plan to... Continue Reading »
Yen, Gold ETFs Surge While Commodities Tumble
October 6, 2008 – The tide has turned for the Japanese yen as the credit market collapse is sending the currency way back up, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) will follow.
This same credit market collapse that sent Lehman Brothers... Continue Reading »
Dow, S&P, ETFs Plummet Amid Global Selloff
October 6, 2008 – Wall Street opened this morning and resumed its descent as stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors remain worried about the global credit crisis and what looks like a broad global selloff, despite the passage... Continue Reading »
Commodities, ETFs Close Up Bad Week
October 3, 2008 – Commodities and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are on pace for their worst week in nearly 50 years.
Commodities, as measured by the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials, have lost 9.9% this week... Continue Reading »
Twists and Turns In Banking Saga Impacts ETFs
October 3, 2008 – In a twist that could affect regional bank exchange traded funds (ETFs), Wachovia (WB) has agreed to be snatched up by Wells Fargo (WFC) in a $15.1 billion all-stock deal.
But Citibank (C) is insisting that... Continue Reading »
September ETF Performance Report
September 30, 2008 – Today brings to a close one of the most volatile months and quarters for exchange traded funds (ETFS) in stock market history. Several of the country’s largest financial institutions failed, some others merged and others... Continue Reading »
Dow Jones Loses Nearly 800 Points In Volatile Session
September 29, 2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its largest one-day loss ever, leaving few bright spots in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Dow today plunged 777 points, by far surpassing the previous record of... Continue Reading »
Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending
September 29, 2008 – Consumer spending became even weaker in August as back-to-school shopping failed to deliver a boost to the sector, even though retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed small gains for the month.
Spending was the weakest it’s... Continue Reading »
Study: Canada Is Land of the Free, But ETF Faces a Challenge
September 27, 2008 – Canada’s status as an economically freer country than the United States could pay off for its exchange traded fund (ETF).
The United States is no longer the leader of the laissez faire, as Canada has more... Continue Reading »
Solar ETFs Pushed Along By Changing Energy Landscape
September 26, 2008 – The solar power industry is booming right now, and perhaps it will soon translate into success for related exchange traded funds (ETFs.)
A surge in energy prices, combined with generous incentives and tax credits, has given... Continue Reading »
Russia’s Economy, ETF Are Not Islands
September 26, 2008 – Not long ago, Russia appeared to be standing their ground during this global credit crunch, but lately the country’s economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) haven’t seemed quite so resilient.
Many analysts back then predicted that... Continue Reading »
Unlikely Electricity Source Could Power Up Utility ETFs
September 26, 2008 – Cows are known for producing milk and manure, as well as a healthy steak, but another one of their by-products is generating something else: electricity, and it might give a jolt to utilities exchange traded... Continue Reading »
Reports: Rescue Plan for Economy, ETFs, Markets Is Near
September 25, 2008 – Lawmakers are working fast and furious to craft a rescue plan that will save the economy, our beat-up stock markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) - at least, that’s the hope.
Reports are that a deal... Continue Reading »
Nuclear Companies’ Deal Could Be Power Boost for ETFs
September 25, 2008 – The French power provider Electricite de France is seeking to buy British Energy for $23.2 billion in cash, a move that might enhance nuclear energy exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Prospects for Britain’s nuclear energy industry appear... Continue Reading »
Oil and Gas Exploration ETFs: The Wave of the Future?
September 24, 2008 – The market is down, no doubt, and exchange traded fund(ETFs) have followed, but one thing is for certain that the market will turn around and financial markets will recover.
Stocks all recover from bear markets, and... Continue Reading »
Oil Price Jump Shows Inner Workings Of ETF
September 23, 2008 – The price of oil rose 15.7% yesterday, so why didn’t the related exchange traded fund (ETF) shoot up accordingly?
John Hyland, chief investment officer at the U.S. Commodity Fund, the firm behind the United States Oil... Continue Reading »
Oil, ETFs Spike As Investors’ Nerves Frayed By Fed’s Plan
September 22, 2008 – Bailout anxiety today led to the biggest one-day spike in the price of oil as the dollar weakened and crude futures contracts expired.
Oil jumped by $25 a barrel, which more than shattered the previous record... Continue Reading »
Investors Run In Droves to Gold, ETFs; Dollar Dips
September 17, 2008 – Gold prices and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are soaring after the government bailed out American Insurance Group (AIG) and the dollar fell.
The largest gold ETF shot up 11.6% along with prices - the biggest one-day... Continue Reading »
Consumer ETFs Stalwarts Amid Financial Crisis
September 16, 2008 – Consumer prices fell in August after months of rampant inflation, which in turn benefited retail exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from last month, preceded by two months of increases: 0.8% in... Continue Reading »
Fed Holds Rates Steady - Where Do ETFs Go From Here?
September 16, 2008 – The Federal Reserve kept interest rates the same, leaving many to wonder what the implications are going to be for the broader markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The decision keeps the interbank overnight federal funds... Continue Reading »
Decision to Go for More Natural Gas Could Weigh on ETF
September 15, 2008 – The Department of Energy met last week to discuss whether it’s worth going after more natural gas, and the answer to their question will have implications for the related exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Department estimates... Continue Reading »
With ETFs, There Are Ways to Play Lower Industrial Output
September 15, 2008 – Industrial output has broad implications for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs), so it isn’t good that it plunged by the largest amount in three years.
Output fell by 1.1% last month, and economists were... Continue Reading »
Oil Prices, ETFs Are Down; Gas Is Up on Ike’s Approach
September 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the general markets are off slightly after the trade deficit rose to a 16-month high and oil continued to head south.
Oil imports hit an all-time high this summer, which offset... Continue Reading »
Solar ETFs Drop Sharply After Reports of Panel Glut
September 9, 2008 – Solar stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) plummeted after oil prices fell lower and investors worried about an oversupply of solar panels.
One analyst at Lehman says the sell-off could be because of a misinterpretation of... Continue Reading »
ETFs Tumble After Pending Home Sales Fall, Lehman Solvency Questioned
September 9, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a step back early this morning after a few worrying developments.
The stability of Lehman Brothers (LEH) came into question, sending their shares as much as 40% lower.... Continue Reading »
Dusting Off the Coal ETF After Prices Burn Out
September 9, 2008 – The coal-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) Market Vectors Coal (KOL) was one of the biggest losers last week, as it fell 17.2%. This week, it hasn’t gotten off to the strongest of starts, as it... Continue Reading »
Conservatives Want Canada, But Does The ETF Want The Change?
September 8, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused on our neighbors to the north could feel the impact of early elections.
The country’s prime minister’s call for an such an election will be their third national ballot in four... Continue Reading »
SPA ETF Rebalances Higher In Energy, Lower in Financials
September 8, 2008 – The underlying index of the SPA Market Grader 100 (SIH) exchange traded fund (ETF) just got its semi-annual rebalance. The index is going marginally heavier in energy (from 23% to 25%) and lower in its... Continue Reading »
It’s Early Yet to Tell If Tiny Turbines Will Help Wind ETFs
September 8, 2008 – While many are working to make the switch to alternative energy that could boost exchange traded funds (ETFs), some wonder if the cost of doing so will pay off down the line.
For example, one man... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Are Up, Down, And All-Around The News
September 8, 2008 – Energy and oil are slippery topics right now, as analysts are trying to call a direction with natural disasters and economic factors to weigh in on the health of related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Hurricane Gustav... Continue Reading »
Breaking Up With ETFs Is Hard To Do
September 5, 2008 – After a rough day for the markets like Thursday, many investors might wonder when it’s time to let go of their exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Breaking up is hard to do, as the old song so... Continue Reading »
Heating Oil Prices Could Warm Up Related ETFs This Winter
September 5, 2008 – Be sure to sit down when you open that heating bill in a few months: heating oil costs are expected to skyrocket this winter and it might benefit the exchange traded fund (ETF).
People are already... Continue Reading »
Natural Gas Rundown Has ETF Set To Benefit
September 5, 2008 – Take that, oil: natural gas and its exchange traded fund (ETF) can grab its own headlines.
Turkey is concerned about the customs procedures between itself and Russia, which threaten gas and petroleum trades and sales. Turkey... Continue Reading »
School Not Off to a Peachy Start for Retailers, ETFs
September 4, 2008 – Glum economic news sent the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower in trading, especially in the retail sector.
It’s the time of year for back-to-school shopping, but retailers’ numbers seemed to show that many kids... Continue Reading »
New ETF Rides, Flies, Sails Into Greener Transportation Pastures
September 4, 2008 – Taking two great ideas and combining them together in one exchange traded fund (ETF) is what PowerShares does with their forthcoming transportation fund.
The PowerShares Progressive Transportation Portfolio (PTRP) is expected to list on NASDAQ on... Continue Reading »
August Had Alternative Energy ETFs Seeing Green
September 4, 2008 – Anyone on the fence about green and alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) might find themselves converted by gains in August.
Advances within the alternative energy sector symbolized major reversals from previous setbacks that were suffered... Continue Reading »
ETFs Full of Hot Air If Our Power Grid Doesn’t Get An Upgrade
September 3, 2008 – When it comes to making advances in alternative energy and giving some life to those exchange traded funds (ETFs), we could be ahead of our time. About 100 years too far.
Our nation’s aging power grid... Continue Reading »
Hard Assets ETF Based on Jim Rogers’ Index Launches Today
September 3, 2008 –
Van Eck is the first exchange traded fund (ETF) provider to market with a fund tracking global hard assets. Market Vectors-RVE Hard Assets Producers ETF (HAP) will begin trading Wednesday morning, on... Continue Reading »
Gustav Gives Relief to Oil and ETFs
September 2, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »
Heating Oil Could Heat Up ETFs and Your Bills
August 31, 2008 – While crude oil prices may begin to come down, heating oil could heat up your bills and related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
While prices are down to their lowest levels in months, the nation’s heating oil... Continue Reading »
Five ETFs That Are Waiting To Shine
August 29, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) world has exploded, and there are hundreds of funds to choose from. But there are a few that are great ideas that don’t seem to have taken off yet.
Matthew Hougan... Continue Reading »
GDP Up, Joblessness Down, But While ETFs Might Rebound, Make Sure It Sticks
August 28, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) received a breath of fresh air today after it was announced that the U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter.
Economists had called for a 2.7% growth... Continue Reading »
Coal Industry Rallies for Clean Coal At Conventions, Supporting Their Cause And ETFs
August 27, 2008 – The Democratic and Republican conventions might be “green,” but it’s nothing the coal industry and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are afraid of.
Instead, they have brought the coal supporters out in full force in an effort... Continue Reading »
India’s Oil Company Deal Will Keep Fuel Needs In-House; May Benefit ETF
August 26, 2008 – One state-run Indian company’s agreement to buy another company in Britain could have implications for its exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The offer is for Oil & Natural Gas Corp. to buy Britain’s Imperial Energy for $2.6... Continue Reading »
Falling Gas Prices Make Consumers and Retail ETFs Happy
August 26, 2008 – What do you know? Falling gas prices this month lifted the collective mood of consumers and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
It’s had quite an effect, too: the increase in confidence is the biggest in two years,... Continue Reading »
Solar Industry, ETF Prospects Shine As More Adopt Alternative Technology
August 25, 2008 – Solar company LDK (LDK) predicts it will put up numbers this year that could shine a light on exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The company offered an upbeat 2009 revenue outlook, because its expansion of wafer production... Continue Reading »
Utility Sector ETFs Are Plentiful, But They’re In Need of a Jolt
August 25, 2008 – Utility sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) are often looked to for an element of predictability, but JP Morgan has misjudged this sector with regard to US electric utilities.
In recent article, Jonathan Bernstein of ETFZone put... Continue Reading »
Short, Financial ETFs Stand Tall As Investors Back Away From Oil, Commodities
August 24, 2008 – The last week notwithstanding, there has been a trend away from commodities and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them as the price of oil takes a step back.
It’s led to a rebound for... Continue Reading »
When It Comes to Taxes, Commodity ETFs Are a Different Breed
August 22, 2008 – Now that commodities have come down from their recent highs, are you tempted to go in on a market dip with a focused exchange traded fund (ETF)?
Commodity ETFs are popular, no doubt, especially given the... Continue Reading »
Bernanke and Buffett Speak, Markets and Financial ETFs Smile
August 22, 2008 – 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... Continue Reading »
New York’s Plan Could Be Breath of Fresh Air to Wind ETFs
August 20, 2008 – Mayor Bloomberg’s plan could make New York City the new Windy City while it helps power up wind-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs).
His proposal to generate more renewable energy for the city involves putting windmills on... Continue Reading »
Oil Giants’ Past Mistakes Could Make ETFs Pay Later
August 19, 2008 – Oil companies have more money than they know what to do with, and while it helps the related exchange traded funds (ETFs), they’re finding themselves struggling to spend it.
Much of the reason has to do... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Become Portfolio Staples
August 19, 2008 – When it comes to commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs), choosing among the many available isn’t always a simple task.
Investors have realized that prices for things like oil and corn can surge even as the rest... Continue Reading »
Oil and Gas ETFs Will Likely Continue to Fluctuate
August 18, 2008 – Oil and oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs), like Jimmy Stewart in “Vertigo,” look up. Then they look down. They look up. Then they look down.
What’s going on? Early this morning, the situation was no different.... Continue Reading »
Like the Beatles, Solar ETFs Will Follow the Sun
August 14, 2008 – The surge in alternative energy interest has shed some light on two solar stocks, both of which are assets in solar exchange traded funds (ETFs).
LDK Solar (LDK) gave quarterly results that were so hot, they... Continue Reading »
High Foreclosures, Low Home Prices Don’t Detract from ETFs
August 14, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up this morning, even though the markets had a slate of bad news with coffee and a side of bacon.
Foreclosures in the United States shot up 55% in... Continue Reading »
ETFs Bullish on the Dollar Gain During Global Economic Slowdown
August 13, 2008 – As the dollar has been rallying hard against the euro, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are bullish on the dollar have benefited. The dollar has done this as a U.S. slowdown has spread to... Continue Reading »
Italian ETFs and Economy Stagnate
August 13, 2008 – When Italy comes to mind, images of Missoni and Dolce & Gabbana are conjured, but the economy and exchange traded fund (ETF) may not be doing quite as well as these artisans.
During the second quarter,... Continue Reading »
Financials Ding Markets and ETFs, But Falling Oil Is a Salve
August 12, 2008 – More news about the financial sector sent Wall Street and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower, but a further drop in oil prices helped soothe some investors.
JP Morgan (JPM) said it had racked up bigger... Continue Reading »
Alternative Energy and ETFs: The Next Bubble?
August 11, 2008 – In the last decade, the spotlight has gone from tech, to real estate and then to oil, so will alternative energy the next hot spot for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to flock to?
Chris Farrell,... 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 »
When A Bear Is On The Loose, Don’t Give Up On Your ETFs
August 9, 2008 – Many stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a mauling from the bear market, and commodities ETFs are doing their best to fight it off, but they may stumble just from sheer exhaustion.
Financials were... Continue Reading »
All Aboard! ETFs Could Benefit from a New Railroad Era
August 8, 2008 – Fuel prices have retreated a little, but they’re still high, and railroads are looking more appealing as a means of transportation and exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be the beneficiaries.
Shippers are more likely to deal... Continue Reading »
Utility ETFs Could Get a Jolt If Positive Earnings Continue
August 6, 2008 – Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) reported profits that have the potential to light up utilities exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Second-quarter profits rose 20% after the price in electricity has gone up, in the Southeast and Midwestern United... Continue Reading »
Larger Than Expected Fuel Inventories Have ETFs Hesitating
August 6, 2008 – The inventory numbers are in, sending fuel prices lower and energy-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) sputtering while they figure out where to go next.
The supplies were larger than expected, an indicator that high prices are... Continue Reading »
Oil Prices Put Pinch on Consumers, ETFs in June
August 4, 2008 – Rising prices in June smacked down consumer spending and related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Spending, after adjusted for inflation, fell as shoppers were hit by the biggest price increases in nearly three decades. Those prices are... Continue Reading »
Dolla Bills, Y’all: Record Profits Benefit Oil ETFs
July 31, 2008 – It probably was no mystery where the money for all the oil was going as rising prices drained pocketbooks and benefited exchange traded funds (ETFs).
If you were wondering, though, Exxon Mobil (XOM) has solved the... Continue Reading »
Short and Leveraged ETFs Are Beefing Up
July 30, 2008 – Some investors like to say short and ultra short exchange traded funds (ETFs) are similar to steroid use - bulking way up on an unnatural time scale.
For instance, the ProShares Ultra Oil and Gas (DIG)... Continue Reading »
Tom Lydon Talks ETFs on Your Money with Chuck Jaffe
July 30, 2008 – Tom Lydon sat down and talked about asset classes such as energy, commodities and more with Chuck Jaffe for MarketWatch radio.
Tom Lydon on "Your Money with Chuck Jaffe" - July 30, 2008 [29:44m]: Play... Continue Reading »
Consumers, Real Estate ETFs Looking Up
July 29, 2008 – Home prices are down and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up.
The Case-Shiller index of 20 cities in the United States fell 15.8% in May compared with a year ago, a record decline since its 2000... Continue Reading »
Should Oil And Related ETFs Kiss the Free And Easy ’70s Lifestyle Goodbye?
July 28, 2008 – We’re not talking about the way it was, it’s more like the way things will never be again, when speaking about oil and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track it. Many are saying that we’re... Continue Reading »
Coal Company Earnings Leave ETF Stoked
July 25, 2008 – Arch Coal (ACI) reported that its profits tripled in the second quarter, stoking the coal exchange traded fund (ETF).
The company attributed the profits to soaring global coal prices and tighter supplies, reports Jim Suhr for... 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 »
Transportation ETF Flies The Friendly Skies On Your Extra Dollar
July 25, 2008 – Flying the friendly skies may be a theme of the past, as many airlines have cut back on extras, sending profits and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a ride that could have many choosing to... Continue Reading »
How To Weather The Economic Storms With ETFs
July 24, 2008 –
It’s been a challenge in the markets and exchange traded fund (ETF) realm lately, to put it mildly.
Things have picked up some in recent days, but as today illustrates: we’re not out of the woods... Continue Reading »
SPDRs Weave An International Web With Sector ETFs
July 24, 2008 – The options for international sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) doubled overnight as State Street Global Advisors announced the addition of ten such funds to their SPDR lineup.
This brings the Spider line to include 80 ETFs,... Continue Reading »
Black Gold in Them Thar Hills Could Affect Fuel ETFs
July 24, 2008 – There are vast, untapped reserves of oil and natural gas in the Arctic, and if those resources are tapped, it could impact related exchange traded funds (ETFs) down the line.
An estimated 90 billion barrels of... Continue Reading »
Russia’s ETF and Economy At a Crossroads
July 22, 2008 – As the United States is trudging through an economic downturn, coupled with sky-high oil prices, there is a country and its exchange traded fund (ETF) that is reaping the rewards of energy prices.
However, the boom... Continue Reading »
Another Food Price Casualty Gives Agricultural ETFs Another Helping
July 22, 2008 – As food prices soar, corn and soybeans have tripled in price and they’ve given agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) a chance for growth. But in the meantime, other industries are getting killed.
One casualty of higher... Continue Reading »
Money Pulls Out of Energy ETFs After Oil Sinks
July 21, 2008 –
Last week’s drop in oil prices led to money shifting away from energy-related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
And, of all places, investors appear to be putting it into financials.
As crude oil fell below $130 a barrel... Continue Reading »
Some Wonder: Is Bubble Bursting for Oil, ETFs? Not So Fast…
July 20, 2008 – An 11.2% drop-off in oil prices last week, coupled with big one-week losses in some oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) has suddenly got analysts wondering if the bubble is bursting.
We know consumers are eager to... Continue Reading »
China’s Redirected Foreign Investment Could Help Latin America’s ETFs
July 19, 2008 – China’s recent $250 million decision could help Latin America-related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
China Investment Corp. (CIC) has decided to inject $200 billion into their sovereign wealth funds, and $250 million of that is going... Continue Reading »
Eskom Profits Fall, Touching Down On A Variety Of ETFs
July 18, 2008 – The rising demand for coal is helping the commodity’s exchange traded fund (ETF) while weighing on some companies that deal with it.
South Africa’s state-owned power utility company Eskom is experiencing a full-years’ profit-plummet because of... Continue Reading »
ETF Securities Goes on Bull Run With Commodities
July 18, 2008 – For an exchange traded fund (ETF) provider that didn’t exist at this time five years ago, the story of ETF Securities is certainly an impressive one.
The London-based provider, which deals in exchange traded commodities (ETCs)... Continue Reading »
Building Up With Materials ETFs
July 18, 2008 – When it comes to investing, exchange traded funds (ETFs) make it easy to access specific sectors.
While some sectors have become beaten-down in recent months (hello, financials and homebuilders), others have been poster children for success,... Continue Reading »
Natural Gas and ETFs Are Subject to Weather’s Whims
July 17, 2008 – The natural gas industry is gearing up for a spike in prices that could benefit the line of exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the commodity.
Break out the blankets. Some experts are predicting that customers could... Continue Reading »
Throwing Money To The Wind - ETFs, That Is
July 17, 2008 – Our of-the-moment priority should be energy independence and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may be just the building block that’s needed to get things off the ground.
If an American billionaire is also backing the priority for... Continue Reading »
Some iShares ETFs Are Calling It Splits
July 16, 2008 – Barclays Global Investors has announced they are splitting shares amongst 10% of their exchange traded fund (ETF) line, iShares.
There are more than 160 U.S.-based products within this fund family, and they represent $327 billion in... Continue Reading »
Oil Price Volatility Index Tied to Options On Oil ETF
July 16, 2008 – Oil and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been volatile lately, so it stands to reason that there’s now an index that allows investors to track just that: the price volatility.
The Chicago Board Options Exchange... Continue Reading »
No Safari Needed For African ETF Access
July 16, 2008 – Van Eck launched the anticipated Africa focused exchange traded fund (ETF), launched on the NYSE Arca.
Market Vectors Africa Index (AFK) allows investors easy, one-stop access to the ever-growing, untapped market in Africa. The ETF tracks... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Socked As Consumer Spending Power Weakens
July 15, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) are spilling today as prices plummeted by as much as $9.26 a barrel.
The price plunge was the hardest in 17 years, reports Adam Schreck for the Associated Press. It lost... Continue Reading »
ETFs and Markets Go Mixed As Bernanke Testifies
July 15, 2008 – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stood before the Senate Banking Committee today and detailed our economic woes, sending the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) moving sharply back and forth.
Among the “highlights” of his testimony,... Continue Reading »
Is There a Uranium ETF In the Future? Until Then, Exposure Can Be Had In Nuclear Funds
July 14, 2008 – The price of uranium has been ticking higher, making nuclear-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) attractive.
At the time, Richard Kang for Seeking Alpha wrote an article about the price increases last year, ways to get diversified... Continue Reading »
It’s All In the Construction With Commodity ETFs
July 14, 2008 – When it comes to exchange traded funds (ETFs), investment strategy can make all the difference.
Since the year is past the halfway mark, it is fair game to start comparing ETFs within the same sector, and... Continue Reading »
Investors Run for Cover Under Gold and ETFs
July 11, 2008 – The price of gold jumped to a four-month high, sending gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher.
A dash of record oil (now more than $147 a barrel), a heaping teaspoon of mortgage-company concerns and a pinch... Continue Reading »
ETFs Can Be your Safe Haven
July 11, 2008 – Have you ever considered exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a safe haven for your money when markets get rough? Sure, there are the old standbys, such as gold, to offer investors a calm harbor, but... Continue Reading »
Clean Energy ETFs: What’s In A Name?
July 11, 2008 – Socially responsible investors who want to clean up their portfolios with clean energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) should focus their attention on what’s inside the fund, rather than the name.
Richard Asplund for The Street reports... Continue Reading »
Jim Rogers Creates Commodities Index for ETF; Sounds Off on Economy
July 10, 2008 – Investing legend Jim Rogers has put together a new index targeting commodity producers, which will soon underly an exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Rogers Van Eck Hard Assets Producers Index (RVEI) gives investors a chance to... Continue Reading »
Down Market Doesn’t Delay ETF Liftoffs in June
July 10, 2008 – Despite a month in which we officially entered a bull market, exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to sprout up.
According to Simon Maierhofer for ETFGuide, the number of ETF and exchange traded note (ETN) launches is... Continue Reading »
An ETF Trend-Following Plan For All Seasons
July 9, 2008 – It’s hard to believe that the S&P 500 Index has been flatter than a pancake for the past nine years. It’s had its ups and downs, but when you connect the dots, it went virtually... Continue Reading »
Oil and ETFs Losing for Consecutive Days; Home Sales Slide
July 8, 2008 – While one sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) continues to see more of the downside, another sector is falling after more than a year of seeing nothing but the upside.
Real estate continued to take... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs’ Growth Stunted After Supply Concerns Ease
July 8, 2008 – Commodities exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a wallop yesterday after news about the U.S.’s crop outlook was improved.
They plunged by the most since March, as grain futures fell, while rain from Colorado to Pennsylvania... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Step Back, But They Still Offer Opportunities
July 7, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be taking a breather today, but that doesn’t mean black gold’s relentless rise is over just yet.
The price has more than doubled in the last year, and David... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs and ETNs Feel the Rising Demand
July 3, 2008 – Not only have returns in commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) been taking off this year, so have the number of available funds. They cover every conceivable commodity now, from gold and silver to coffee... Continue Reading »
KOL ETF Takes Lumps from Holding’s Pollution Battle
July 2, 2008 – One of the five largest coal producers in the United States may take a big hit if it has to pay damages in a pollution case, and it’s got the coal exchange traded fund... Continue Reading »
Can Biofuels And ETFs Weather The Elements?
July 2, 2008 – Biofuel production may be getting flooded out, as harsh weather in the Midwest threatens the well-being of crops, alarming Wall Street investors and related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The recent record storms and floods have... Continue Reading »
New PowerShares Wind ETF and FAN - Same Commodity, Different Construction
July 1, 2008 –
Just two weeks after the first wind exchange traded fund (ETF) blew into the market, PowerShares now has its own offering.
The PowerShares NASDAQ OMX Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index (PWND) is a fund... Continue Reading »
New Up/Down Oil ETFs Open for Business
July 1, 2008 – Just as two exchange traded funds (ETFs) tied to the price movements of oil reached their termination triggers and closed on June 25, two more will be entering the market space to replace them.
MacroMarkets... Continue Reading »
June ETF Performance Report
June 30, 2008 – Today, the markets wrap up a month, a quarter and the first half of the year and it was a rocky June for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. The Dow Jones industrial average lost... 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 »
Speculators, ETF Traders - No One Is Safe from Bogeyman Suspicions
June 27, 2008 – The finger-pointing about who’s to blame for the rising commodities prices is in full force, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are not immune from being fingered as a possible cause.
Market Club for iStockAnalyst ponders... Continue Reading »
Markets, Some ETFs and Consumers Down In the Dumps
June 27, 2008 – Surprise, surprise, surprise. Consumer confidence continues to plummet as the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are weighed down by inflation and job losses.
The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers showed that confidence fell... Continue Reading »
Rising Inflation Sends Investors Rushing to Precious Metal ETFs
June 26, 2008 – Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been quiet lately, drowned out by the ruckus oil has been causing. But in trading today, futures jumped at points by as much as $33 an ounce.
The price of... Continue Reading »
Apply SPF When Perspiring Over Your Solar ETFs
June 25, 2008 – Who would have thought that investors would need SPF when they are investing in solar exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
The sun protection factor has more to do with stock volatility and risk appetite, mixed with... Continue Reading »
While Squeaky Wheel Gets Oil, Natural Gas ETFs Quietly Outperform
June 25, 2008 – The outlook toward natural gas and the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track it is looking good.
As the hype over oil drowns out the noise in other commodity ETFs, natural gas funds... Continue Reading »
Energy ETFs Play the Waiting Game While Congress Mulls Action
June 24, 2008 – Oil prices and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) continued the see-saw, wavering a little today.
Gas dropped below $4.07 a gallon (hooray!), while oil rose by a scant 8 cents to $136.82 a barrel, reports... Continue Reading »
Germany’s Green Ambition Could Enter ETFs
June 24, 2008 – Germany has taken ambitious attempts to cut down on energy consumption, and with the government backing this serious effort, there will likely be changes within their economy and possibly, the focused exchange traded fund... Continue Reading »
Netherlands ETF Gives Heineken Cold Shoulder And Warms Up To Renewable Energy
June 23, 2008 – It has been all quiet on the Netherlands front, so what’s going on with the related exchange traded fund (ETF)?
As of now, the Dutch government has set aside 7.5 billion euros ($11.6 billion USD)... Continue Reading »
Infrastructure Can Be Approached With Broad or Focused ETFs - Your Call
June 20, 2008 – Infrastructure exchange traded funds (ETFs) may be just what your town or country needs to get a good face lift.
Gary Gordon on ETF Expert refers to infrastructure improvement as the need for both developed... Continue Reading »
ETFs Shoot Up from Higher Fuel Prices, But Finger-Pointing is Irresistible
June 20, 2008 – As the cost of fossil fuel prices rise and exchange traded funds (ETFs) reap the rewards while our wallets take a beating, people are beginning to want answers.
Who’s to blame? Lately, "speculator" seems to... Continue Reading »
Canadian ETF And Economy Remains Healthy Despite U.S. Proximity
June 20, 2008 – Canada may have a close proximity to the United States, but the exposure to these markets has remained low, giving the Canadian dollar and the exchange traded fund (ETF) some strength.
Canada has not been... Continue Reading »
S&P Jumps On The Asian Bandwagon
June 19, 2008 – Asia has been one of the most popular areas for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors to gain some international exposure. So, why not provide indexes that focus on specific portions of the region?
Standard &... 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 »
PowerShares, Deutsche Bank Team Up With Oil, Base Metal ETNs
June 19, 2008 – PowerShares and Deutsche Bank are teaming up again to launch eight base-metal and crude oil-linked exchange traded notes (ETNs).
The notes will be linked to the performance of industrial metals and
crude oil, through a... Continue Reading »
If Energy Exploration Is Stepped Up, ETFs Won’t Feel It for Years
June 18, 2008 – President Bush is calling for Congress to get on board with energy exploration, but related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are still smarting from an explosion this week at Apache (APA).
Record oil and gas... Continue Reading »
In Slicing Up the Dow’s ETF Sectors, a Picture Emerges
June 17, 2008 – The past few weeks have been hard on investors and their sector-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). But not all sectors are suffering equally.
A glance at the Diamonds Trust (DIA), which tracks the Dow Jones industrial... 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 »
Corn Helps ETFs, But It Might Be Missing From the Grill This Summer
June 16, 2008 – When it comes to the weather, crops just can’t seem to win, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) do.
If you’re hungry, the flooding in the Midwest is probably just making a bad situation worse. But... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Hot Streak
June 16, 2008 – As a consumer, the commodities boom can make you feel pinched, but the bull market of raw materials could be an investment opportunity with exchange traded funds (ETFs).
So why and how do you... Continue Reading »
MacroShares ETFs Dip Into Housing Market
June 13, 2008 – MacroShares is taking another swing at the up/down market movement, this time with exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the upward and inverse movement of U.S. home prices.
MacroShares Major Metro Housing Up (UMM)... Continue Reading »
Hedge Against Oil’s Wild Swings With New Long/Short ETFs
June 12, 2008 – Is the time nigh for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that short oil and gas?
The answer seems to be mixed - while oil prices have retreated some today, down to $132 a barrel, gas... Continue Reading »
ETFs Are Hoping to Start Blowin’ In the Wind
June 11, 2008 – As an exchange traded fund (ETF) investor, do you need a weather man to know which way the wind blows?
PowerShares and First Trust Advisors don’t think so. They have recently filed with the... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Were a Bunch of Bull In May, and Remain So In June
June 11, 2008 – Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the strongest performers for May, and if things keep going the way they are, June might be another decent month. In fact, it might be a good... Continue Reading »
Trade Gap Widens on Surging Oil and ETFs Gain
June 10, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are all mixed up this morning as the trade deficit rose to its highest point in more than a year, thanks to oil prices.
The gap between what the... Continue Reading »
Rydex Proposes Leveraged ETFs For The Market
June 10, 2008 – Rydex Investments is planning to add to its family of leveraged exchange traded funds (ETFs), this time with sectors. They’re scheduled to begin trading Thursday. The move is in hopes that it will put... Continue Reading »
Steel Prices Rise and Metals Gain to Solidify Related ETFs
June 9, 2008 – May turned out to be a good month for the metals and mining exchange traded fund (ETF).
SPDR S&P Metals and Mining (XME) was the third-best ETF for the month, returning 14.9%, according to... Continue Reading »
Riding the Coal ETF Plumes Of Success
June 6, 2008 – A closer look at the coal oriented exchange traded fund (ETF) tells us that the fund really is a bag of coal. Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL) is a basket of 39 coal-related companies... Continue Reading »
Hedge Higher Gas Prices With ETFs
June 6, 2008 – Energy exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been abuzz for 2008, thanks to the price of light, sweet crude oil reaching historic highs, today over $139 a barrel. This week, we’ve seen the the biggest... Continue Reading »
ETFs Are Going Nuclear
June 6, 2008 – Nuclear energy was once a shunned energy source, treated and disliked as a leper, but the latest surge in crude oil and the related exchange traded funds(ETFs) have many seeking other energy sources.
Will... Continue Reading »
Energy ETFs: Up, Up and Away, But Oil Retreats Some
June 3, 2008 – After Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments this morning, oil prices retreated along with their related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The price for a barrel fell to $125.76. The record price now stands at $135.09,... Continue Reading »
Energy, Agriculture ETFs Might Not Enjoy a Break From Inflation, But the Rest of Us Would
June 3, 2008 – Maybe someday soon, prices of food and energy will take a breather - but so could those exchange traded funds (ETFs).
That’s because Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the rate cuts are probably going to... Continue Reading »
If Oil Pulls Back, Could It Eventually Hurt Solar ETFs?
June 2, 2008 – One side effect of an oil price pullback could be a decline in solar exchange traded funds (ETFs), but doesn’t seem to be happening yet.
Oil closed at $127.35 a barrel on Friday after rising... Continue Reading »
Natural Gas ETFs Could Burn Bright In Growing Shortage
May 31, 2008 – Natural gas exchange traded funds (ETFs) certainly haven’t been shouting as loud as those for other commodities (hello, oil), but they’ve been delivering the returns.
The commodity has been a standout in what has been... Continue Reading »
May ETF Performance Report
May 30, 2008 – Overall, May wasn’t a bad month for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors, but the economy still faces some hurdles. Two of the major indexes finished higher while the Dow Jones industrial average lost 1.4%.... Continue Reading »
Coal ETF Is Smokin’ This Week
May 30, 2008 – As financials continue to be battered, the energy sector seems to have most of the positive activity on Wall Street of late and the coal-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) is no exception.
A jump mid-week... Continue Reading »
S&P Launches Commodities and Natural Resource Indexes, Perhaps ETFs For Them Will Follow
May 30, 2008 – Standard & Poor’s has launched two new indexes which may someday give exchange traded fund (ETF) investors a benchmark with some more exposure to commodities and natural resources.
The S&P Global Natural Resources Index provides... 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 »
Food Prices May Fall, But Demand Could Continue Feeding ETFs
May 29, 2008 – It’s good news for your disposable income, but if it’s so good for agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) is a question mark: a report released today says food prices are going to come down.
However,... Continue Reading »
Market Movements and Numbers Sending ETFs in Mixed Directions
May 29, 2008 – The revised first quarter GDP numbers are out, and the markets and certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) mostly seem to be reacting positively.
The initial GDP numbers were up 0.6%, but the revised number... Continue Reading »
Nuclear Energy and ETFs Moving On Ahead
May 29, 2008 – Nuclear energy and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue moving forward, regardless of sentiment toward the sector.
The latest push came last Friday, when China signed a pact with Russia for $1 billion to... Continue Reading »
Potential UPS Deal With DHL Could Deliver Transportation ETF
May 28, 2008 – UPS (UPS), a component of the transportation exchange traded fund (ETF), is whipping up a deal with DHL that could translate into $1 billion in annual revenue for UPS.
The contract would mainly involve transporting... Continue Reading »
17 Commodity ETFs to Help Hedge Your Portfolio
May 28, 2008 – Americans are being hit by rising inflation and the subsequent explosion in commodity prices where it hurts most—at gas stations and grocery stores. Right alongside this growth have been the opportunities available to investors... Continue Reading »
Oil And Stocks Might Tell The Future Of The U.S. Dollar
May 28, 2008 – Can the future of the greenback be foretold by indicators such as crude oil, the stock market and exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
The U.S. dollar has suffered the brunt of the latest credit meltdown, and... Continue Reading »
Brazil and Its ETF Reaping Rewards of Natural Resources
May 27, 2008 – Global demand for Brazil’s exports are leading to strong economic growth for the country and its related exchange traded fund (ETF).
Commodities such as iron ore, beef, ethanol, soy and copper are trading... Continue Reading »