ETNs: Just the FAQs, Ma’am
August 6, 2008 – The overall concept behind exchange traded notes (ETNs) isn’t exactly new, although the form they take today is. An ETN is a debt instrument the issuer promises to pay a specified return, based on the market... Continue Reading »

Good Numbers Raining Down on India’s Index, ETFs
August 5, 2008 – A recent end to India’s dry spell could have something brewing for the coffee exchange traded note (ETN). Wait, what? Yes, we said India. Among the coffee-producing countries in Asia, India is the third-largest. A drought last... Continue Reading »

New ETN Provider Jumps In With A 130/30 Stratgey
August 2, 2008 – A new exchange traded note (ETN) provider has popped up: WealthNotes, from Westport, CT. Their first offering is a play on the 130/30 strategy. So far in 2008, the ETN industry has been outpacing the ETF... Continue Reading »

ETFs Could Benefit from Asian Carbon Trading
July 31, 2008 – With global carbon trading growing at a quick clip, Asian economies are looking to join in on the action, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are sure to track this market entry. There is a... Continue Reading »

India’s Government Gets Vote of Confidence, ETFs Follow Suit
July 24, 2008 – After India’s government gained a confidence vote in Parliament, the rupee rose by the most in more than a decade, sending stocks, bonds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a path to monetary enlightenment. On the... Continue Reading »

Chinese Investment and ETFs Get a Jolt From Starbucks
July 21, 2008 – Starbuck’s Corp. (SBUX), the world’s coffee empire, has begun to shut down underperforming U.S. stores, but now they’re turning their attentions toward China, possibly jolting stock and exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the country. By focusing... Continue Reading »

Rydex Adds More Currencies To Their ETF Family
July 19, 2008 – It seems like it won’t be long before there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) for the most far-flung currency you can think of. Rydex is bringing us a step closer to that with the creation 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 »

ETNs Wanting for Investor Attention
July 18, 2008 – So far, this has been the year of the exchange traded note (ETN). Investment banks and fund providers have been lining them up in the market in droves. But how come investors haven’t been lining up... Continue Reading »

Will Thailand’s Rate Increase Help Its ETF?
July 18, 2008 – Thailand’s economy is no stranger to rising prices that affect the economy and its exchange traded fund (ETF). For that reason, the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in two ... 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 »

Yuan’s Path and ETFs Go Up Against The U.S. Dollar
July 16, 2008 – The exact path of the Chinese yuan has analysts stumped, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) focused in currency are ready to take the ride. Many are anticipating another upward run against the U.S. dollar, as... Continue Reading »

Euro Hits New High, Helping Currency ETFs, But Countries Worry
July 15, 2008 – Currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) should get a helping hand as the euro rose to new highs against the dollar today. The drop comes as the markets fret over the latest news from the lending crisis... Continue Reading »

2008 Is The Year Of The ETF Launch
July 15, 2008 – As time flies on, so does the number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) being introduced to the industry. Last year there was a new launch almost daily, taking the number to around 700, with $600... Continue Reading »

A Morning Cup Of Coffee Becomes ETN Inspiration
July 14, 2008 – Can coffee deliver a jolt to your exchange traded note (ETN) portfolio? Sure, you can cut back on food as prices get higher. But give up the morning java? Never! As anyone who’s been to a... Continue Reading »

Aluminum ETFs and ETNs Benefit From Production Curbs
July 12, 2008 – Aluminum is on a rally and taking exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold the metal onward and upward with them. The metal hit record highs this week after producers in China agreed to cut output by... Continue Reading »

Oil Manipulation Is Off The Table; ETFs Remain Successful
July 11, 2008 – The recent gush on high crude oil prices had many pondering if there was a conspiracy that was conspiring to send prices, shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs) off the charts. Speculators, in particular, were... 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 »

Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium ETFs - Oh, My!
July 9, 2008 – Platinum and palladium exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting the love investors have for metals that do much more than look pretty. Platinum demand is being driven, literally, by its primary use as a catalyst in... 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 »

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 »

Dollar Up, Dollar Down: There’s An ETF for That
July 1, 2008 – Morgan Stanley has made a bold prediction that, if true, could help the bullish dollar exchange traded fund (ETF). The strategist said that we’re in the waning period of the dollar’s decline against most of... 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 »

We Might Not Like Our Dollar Weak, But Some ETFs Do
June 28, 2008 – While our economy is plagued by a weak dollar and its implications, exchange traded funds (ETFs) can benefit. These days there are more options than ever for investors to hedge against a falling dollar. And... Continue Reading »

Cocoa Shortage Could Be Sweet for Cocoa ETN
June 27, 2008 – Rising food prices have been a boon to commodities exchange traded funds (ETFs) this year. Corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar, you name it - it’s getting pricier by the minute. But…chocolate? Precious, precious chocolate that many... Continue Reading »

ETN Gives First Exposure to Carbon Credits Market
June 27, 2008 – iPath this week launched an array of exchange traded notes (ETNs), and one of the most interesting is the first such note linked to carbon credits. The iPath Global Carbon (GRN) is designed to provide investors with exposure... Continue Reading »

Buy-and-Hold Portfolios Are Easy With ETFs
June 26, 2008 – One it comes to an exchange traded fund (ETF) buy-and-hold portfolio, it’s not a one-size-fits-all venture. Studies have shown that the performance of investors who are in it for the long haul mostly rides on... 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 »

High Grain Prices Might Make Thanksgiving a Turkey, But the ETFs Hog Returns
June 23, 2008 – Two of the country’s oldest agriculture companies, holdings of a global agriculture exchange traded fund (ETF), are joining forces. Bunge Ltd. (BG) announced that it’s buying Corn Products International (CPO) for $4.4 billion, the Associated... Continue Reading »

ETFs Benefit from High Food Prices, But Hawaiians Don’t
June 20, 2008 – The rising food prices that have ravaged our wallets and lifted exchange traded funds (ETFs) have hit few so hard as those in Hawaii. Think you’ve got it bad? Maybe you won’t complain so much... 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 »

When Outperformance Isn’t Enough, The 130/30 ETN Can Take You Beyond
June 19, 2008 – A strategy that’s popular with hedge fund investors is now being applied to an exchange traded note (ETN). JP Morgan Chase & Co. ETN 130/30 (JFT) tracks the First Trust Enhanced 130/30 Large Cap Index and... Continue Reading »

Investors Follow the Yellow Brick Road With Gold ETFs
June 18, 2008 – Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) offer investors a safe haven during economic crisis. We are experiencing a rough patch: equities are losing value, employment numbers aren’t good, inflation is rising and fixed-income is getting... 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 »

New Commodity ETN is Cyclical
June 16, 2008 – The ELEMENTS exchange traded notes (ETNs) are adding a new and different commodity-based product to its line-up. The note tracks the S&P Commodity Trends Indicator Total Return Index (S&P CTI), which includes 16 physical... 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 »

Flooding in Midwest Damages Corn Crops and Raises ETFs
June 11, 2008 – Agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) shot up in trading today as a flood in the Midwest damaged the 2008 corn crop. Corn futures rose more than 4%, the fifth straight record trading session, reports Sam... 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 »

New Van Eck Currency ETNs Attempt To Lure Investors With Magnification
June 11, 2008 – Currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) have helped investors to cash in on the weakness of the U.S. dollar, while giving exposure to foreign currency in the process. So far this year, the U.S. dollar... Continue Reading »

ETFs Are A Passage To India
June 9, 2008 – India’s economy is growing and outpacing the U.S., but what about the India-related exchange traded fund (ETFs)? They are down year-to-date, but there could be potential in the future. Larry Edelson for Money and... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks Commodity ETFs on CNBC
June 6, 2008 – Tom Lydon discussed commodity ETFs and ETNs with Sue Herera on CNBC’s Power Lunch earlier today. Video of Tom’s segment is available below: Continue Reading »

Almost Halftime For ETFs In 2008
June 4, 2008 – We are almost at the half-way mark for 2008, an interesting year for the market and exchange traded funds (ETFs). As the first five months are over, ETF Guide points out the top leaders... Continue Reading »

Foreign Currency ETFs, ETNs Gathering Steam and Investor Interest
June 3, 2008 – Pick a currency, any currency, and chances are there’s an exchange traded fund (ETF) or exchange traded note (ETN) to track it. Well, there are exceptions, but foreign currency exchange traded products are proliferating. John... 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 »

Commodities ETFs Can Be Confusing at Tax Time
June 3, 2008 – A recent thread on the Yahoo Message Boards brought up an interesting issue about commodities exchange traded funds (ETFs): are investors being taxed for income they never actually saw? For example, one person says that they... Continue Reading »

Will Vietnam’s Inflation Pressures Be Under Control In Time for ETF?
June 2, 2008 – Vietnam is in the middle of an inflation crisis one hopes will improve by the time an exchange traded fund (ETF) for the country is launched. While Market Vectors awaits the okay from the Securities... Continue Reading »

First 130/30 ETN Launches - Will It Take Off?
June 1, 2008 – JP Morgan is the first to market with a first-of-its kind exchange traded note (ETN). The First Trust Enhanced 130/30 Index (JFT) is a modified equal-weighted total return index that offers 130% long and 30%... 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 »

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 »

Memorial Day, the Travel Season and Your ETFs
May 26, 2008 – It’s the unofficial start of summer, so what are your plans this Memorial Day? If you are focused on your investments and exchange traded funds (ETFs), you are probably within the minority. For those... Continue Reading »

Platinum ETFs In London Squeeze A Tight Market
May 25, 2008 – One commodity in particular seems to be paying the price for the growing popularity of exchange traded funds (ETFs): platinum. There are platinum ETFs listed in both London and Zurich. The two funds together... Continue Reading »

Agriculture Research Cuts Lead to Crop Damage, But Could Lift ETFs
May 20, 2008 – As though weather events and unexpected demand weren’t enough of a threat to the world’s food supply, rampant crop disease and the scaling back of research have become additional factors threatening to drive up... Continue Reading »

Malaysia ETF Might Grow With New Rice Trade Offer
May 16, 2008 – Malaysia is working hard to stabilize their rice imports, prices and supplies, all the while affecting exchange traded funds (ETFs) within agriculture. The country is ready to trade palm oil to any rice-exporting country... Continue Reading »

Everyone Is Talking About the Dollar. Let’s Talk About Currency ETFs.
May 15, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors are fully aware of the value of the dollar these days as they snap up products that allow them to hedge its losses. But now more than ever, even... 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 »

Individual Investors Seem to Gravitate to ETFs
May 14, 2008 – The stock rating system on the Motley Fool is slowly seeing exchange traded funds (ETFs) making up the top ten. And now, six of the top ten stocks are actually ETFs. Before we proceed, CAPS... Continue Reading »

Run On Food Prices, Agriculture ETFs, Leads to a Tiff
May 14, 2008 – The rising cost of food that has benefited agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) seems to have led to a squabble between India and the United States over who’s to blame. Indian politicians, economists and academics... Continue Reading »

With ETNs, Risk Is Small, But It’s There
May 14, 2008 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs) are distant relatives of the exchange traded fund (ETF) and they come with their own unique issues attached. Matthew Hougan for Index Universe points out that while the credit risk is... Continue Reading »

Will China’s Inflation Halt Bull Run of ETFs?
May 12, 2008 – China wasn’t just rattled by a major quake today: inflation is also shaking up the country and its exchange traded funds (ETFs). Trade in the shares of 45 listed Chinese companies will be suspended... Continue Reading »

As the Dollar Ticks Up, Picking An ETF Can Be a Challenge
May 12, 2008 – After months of a downhill slide, the dollar is making gains again and it’s benefiting some exchange traded funds (ETFs). It lost a little ground last week, but so far in trading today, it seems... Continue Reading »

Morgan Stanley’s New ETNs Go Long Or Short On The Euro
May 8, 2008 –   Morgan Stanley has joined the exchange traded note (ETN) game, with the announcement of two new notes, based on the euro. They’re both now trading on the NYSE Arca. The new notes are: Market Vectors Double Short Euro... Continue Reading »

Investors Might Take a Shine to New Platinum ETNs
May 8, 2008 – Investors have been salivating for an exchange traded product that gives access to platinum, and now UBS is granting it with two new exchange traded notes (ETNs). The E-TRACS UBS Long Platinum (PTM) and the... Continue Reading »

Commodities Sector Has Many Access Points With ETFs
May 8, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors have the most simple and diversified tool to access commodities at their disposal. The commodity expansion taking place is evidenced by people passed out from sticker shock in the... Continue Reading »

April ETF Inflows Shower Industry With Growth
May 8, 2008 – U.S.-listed exchange traded fund (ETF) and exchange traded note (ETN) assets climbed upward for the month of April, according to the National Stock Exchange. Total assets reached $609 billion at the end of April, a... 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 »

New ETN Line Gives Broad Range of Commodity Exposure
May 3, 2008 – UBS rolled into the exchange traded note (ETN) business last month with a line of commodity notes. The UBS E-TRACS CMCI Total Return (UCI) is designed to track the UBS Bloomberg Constant Maturity Commodity Index... Continue Reading »

Four New ETNs Hit The Market, Thanks to Deutsche Bank
May 1, 2008 – Deutsche Bank launched four new exchange traded notes (ETNs) with a twist, coming out ahead of rivals such as ProShares. The new broad-based ETNs focus on agriculture and commodities, but come in long, double-long,... Continue Reading »

Thought, Planning and Investor Need Goes Into ETN Launches
May 1, 2008 – The exchange traded note (ETN) has been carving its own niche within the investment community and launches of them so far for 2008 have been outpacing those of exchange traded funds (ETFs). Barclays managing... 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 »

Energy-Focused ETFs Capitalize on a Booming Sector
April 30, 2008 – Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) have come a long way since Nov. 18, 2004. That’s when the first single-commodity ETF - streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) - was launched. (more…) Continue Reading »

If Commodity ETF Bubble Bursts, Your Strategy Can Be Used As a Flotation Device
April 28, 2008 – Market turmoil is leading to more and more investors turning to agriculture ETFs and exchange traded notes (ETNs), reports Hannah Glover for Ignites. Especially in places such as China and India, a rising middle... Continue Reading »

Washington, Speculators and Supply and Demand All Affect Commodities and ETFs
April 27, 2008 – Commodities investors have had the great option of using exchange traded funds (ETFs) to get easy and efficient access in one single transaction. Now insiders are wondering if money-making commodities can continue their golden... Continue Reading »

Private Equity Savior To Financial Sector And ETFs
April 27, 2008 – Private-equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) have had a difficult time providing the exact targeted exposure that ETFs normally deliver, but investors willing and brave enough to call the bottom in financials could benefit. It’s... Continue Reading »

Foreign Currency ETF Offerings to Pour In Next Month
April 25, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) providers Dreyfus and WisdomTree are teaming up to offer five actively managed foreign currency ETFs next month. They will include the WisdomTree Dreyfus Euro Fund, Japanese Yen Fund, Indian Rupee Fund,... Continue Reading »

Rationing Leads to Hoarding of Rice and Possibly ETFs, Too
April 24, 2008 – The commodities craze spread to exchange traded funds (ETFs) awhile ago - now it’s reached Sam’s Club. A worldwide rice shortage has led the warehouse unit of Wal-Mart (WMT) to start rationing some types of... 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 »

ETNs Picking Up Where ETFs Left Off?
April 23, 2008 – Are exchange traded notes (ETNs) the new exchange traded fund (ETF)? Lauren Young for Business Week points out that new ETF issues are down so far this year, but filings for ETNs are gathering steam.... Continue Reading »

Agriculture ETFs May Mean If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em
April 21, 2008 – If you’ve ever strolled through the grocery store wondering if there’s anything you can do about those ridiculous prices, there is: agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs). ETFs that invest in agriculture should benefit from global... Continue Reading »

Platinum Demand to Remain High; Could It Lead Investors to ETN?
April 19, 2008 – Platinum is projected to maintain a supply deficit this year, and one way for investors to benefit is with exchange traded notes (ETNs). There is currently a deficit of 360,800 ounces this year, and it’s... Continue Reading »

Currency ETFs Watching if the Dollar Rebounds
April 18, 2008 – Is there hope for the U.S. dollar and if so, what about the currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs)? The dollar has hit lows against major currencies such as the yen... Continue Reading »

Menu of Agriculture ETFs and ETNs Expands
April 17, 2008 – Some crops might not be growing, but lots of agriculture-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) are sprouting up. Deutsche Bank launched a smörgåsbord of ETNs this week, just in time for the... Continue Reading »

ETNs Elbowing Their Way Into Competition With ETFs
April 14, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could have another competitor if things keep going the way they are: exchange traded notes (ETNs). The industry was once small, but has slowly been picking up steam. The first ETNs launched... Continue Reading »

ETNs Can’t Get A Break - Taxes, That Is
April 14, 2008 – The Investment Company Institute (ICI) has been trying to convince lawmakers to take tax advantages away from exchange traded notes (ETNs). But Thomas Humphreys, a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP in New York,... Continue Reading »

March Was Mad for ETFs and ETNs; Total Numbers Top 700
April 9, 2008 – As far as exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs) go, how lucrative was March madness? National Stock Exchange (NSX) announced that U.S.-listed ETF and ETN assets totaled $583 billion at the... Continue Reading »

Food Shortage Has Many Roots; ETFs Could Grow From It
April 8, 2008 – The financial crisis is the talk of the country, but another crisis might be helping some exchange traded funds (ETFs), but it’s hurting people around the world. Food prices have skyrocketed over the last few... Continue Reading »

ETFs Hold Steady While Earnings Reports Are Awaited
April 8, 2008 – There was no rally in the first day of trading this week for stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) like the one last week, in which the Dow Jones industrial average skyrocketed nearly 400... 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 »

UBS Enters Commodities Arena With ETN Line
April 7, 2008 – UBS is getting into the exchange traded game with commodities exchange traded notes (ETNs). Last week, the firm launched eight ETNs focused on commodities, and the plan is to venture into other asset classes,... Continue Reading »

India ETFs Serve As Gateway For Investors
April 7, 2008 – India has always been just out of reach for many U.S. investors, but the newest India exchange traded funds (ETFs) are making it much easier to gain access to this rapidly growing market. Although the... Continue Reading »

New ETN Focuses on Platinum, Palladium
April 4, 2008 – Investors who have been looking for access to platinum and palladium via an exchange traded product finally can have it with the ELEMENTS MLCX Precious Metals Index (PMY) exchange traded note (ETN), listed on... Continue Reading »

Speculators and Bargain Hunters Go Fishing For Metals ETFs
April 2, 2008 – The more positive outlook on the dollar led to a selloff of precious metals and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Today, the outlook is a little better. streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares COMEX... 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 »

As Gold Price Dips, Short ETNs Let Skeptics Capitalize
March 24, 2008 –   Commodity prices corrected after a lengthy rally driven by the Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, sending exchange traded notes (ETNs) that short gold up 7% in two days. DB Gold Double Short ETN (DZZ) gained 7% as... Continue Reading »

New ETNs Track Chinese and Indian Currency
March 19, 2008 – Two new exchange traded notes (ETNs) will give access to the Chinese and Indian currency, the first of their kind. The funds, Market Vectors Indian Rupee (INR) and Market Vectors Chinese Renminbi (CNY), are issued... Continue Reading »

Which ETFs Are On First Today?
March 11, 2008 – After a big day for the markets, you can’t help but wonder which exchange traded funds (ETFs) stood out head and shoulders above the rest. If you scroll through ETF Screen’s breakdown of fund performance,... Continue Reading »

Will a Vietnam ETF Ever See the Light of Day?
March 7, 2008 – A Vietnam-focused exchange traded fund (ETF) may not be so far off. The country continues to post strong economic growth despite the U.S. economic slowdown. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the country’s government... Continue Reading »

Lehman Brothers; The Newest Exchange Traded Product Provider Introduces Its Line of ETNs
March 7, 2008 – Lehman Brothers Holdings has jumped onto the exchange traded note (ETN) bandwagon, just as the tug-of-war between exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the notes heats up. John Spence for The Wall Street Journal reports that... Continue Reading »

Sorting Out Oil ETFs; What To Buy With Oil North of $100 a Barrel
March 7, 2008 – The worst-performing oil exchange traded fund (ETF) might be tops when distributions are factored in. Hard Assets Investor for Seeking Alpha took a look at oil-focused ETFs and ETNs and noticed that the PowerShares DB Oil... Continue Reading »

Nickel and ETN Are Part of the Commodities Bull
March 4, 2008 – The falling dollar has investors scurrying for cover under exchange traded funds (ETFs) representing gold, silver and…nickel? There’s no nickel ETF, but there is an exchange traded note (ETN): the iPath Dow Jones AIG Nickel TR... Continue Reading »

Deutsche Bank Launches Three Gold ETNs as Metal Hits Record Prices
February 28, 2008 – Three more gold-focused products are hitting the marketplace - this time in the form of exchange traded notes (ETNs). Deutsche Bank’s new line of ETNs are linked to the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum... Continue Reading »

Mutual Funds Behind the End of Foreign Currency ETN Tax Breaks
February 23, 2008 – The mutual fund industry isn’t so excited about exchange traded funds (ETFs), which are seen as a threat to their multi-trillion dollar industry. It’s almost a certainty that they will try to put the kibosh... Continue Reading »

All Eyes on Two New India ETFs
February 22, 2008 – Two India-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been locked in a fierce race to the starting line, and one of them finally reached it today. The WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) began trading on the NYSE... Continue Reading »

NSX Reports Record U.S. ETF Trading Volume For January
February 20, 2008 – National Stock Exchange (NSX), an exchange traded fund (ETF) and market statistic compiling company, announced that notional trading volume in U.S.-listed funds reached a record monthly total in January 2008. The record monthly total... Continue Reading »

Oil Settles Above $100 a Barrel. Which ETFs Are the Best Hedge?
February 19, 2008 – The price of oil hit a new record, and investors might be wondering which oil-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) they should be looking at: oil services, oil companies or oil futures? Brian Baskin for the... Continue Reading »

Lehman Brothers Introduces 3 New ETNs
February 19, 2008 – Lehman Brothers introduced their first commodity exchange traded notes (ETNs) and a listed private equity ETN on Friday. All three are expected to begin trading this week. Timing for the two commodities ETNs are... Continue Reading »

Natural Gas-Related ETFs Are In Oil’s Shadow
February 14, 2008 – Natural gas is an energy play that appears undervalued as oil and its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken center stage. But natural gas is still dirt cheap, and it climbed 6% during... 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 »

Two New India ETFs Should Hit This Month
February 4, 2008 – The challenge for PowerShares will be getting around India’s rules about foreign stock ownership with its new India-focused exchange traded fund (ETF). Instead of traditional ETFs, which use derivatives and/or notes that provide indirect exposure,... Continue Reading »

India ETN Replaced With ETF
January 24, 2008 –  The iPath MSCI India Index (INP) exchange traded note (ETN) was created to be a liquid investment tool that provided overseas investors with a passage to India. It was the only product that offered a... Continue Reading »

Sorting Out the ETN of CEFs
January 11, 2008 – Here is an exchange traded note (ETN) made up of closed-end funds (CEFs) that is a source of some confusion so far. GS Connect Exchange Traded Note (GCE) tracks the Claymore CEF index of closed-end... Continue Reading »

ETF Rivals NYSE and Amex Are Rumored to Be Talking About a Deal
January 10, 2008 – The NYSE Arca continued its growth in 2007 with the addition of yet more exchange traded funds (ETFs). But new rumors could mean that it’s about to get even bigger as it gobbles up... Continue Reading »

Top Performing India ETN May Say So Long, Farewell
January 3, 2008 – The top-performing exchange traded note (ETN) of 2007 could be no more. That’s because Indian securities regulators have slammed the door on all exchange traded products, reports Will McClatchy of ETFZone. This effectively sticks... Continue Reading »

ETF vs. ETNs
January 1, 2008 – The names might sound somewhat similar, but there are key differences between exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). Mike Burnick from Burnick’s Global Market Beat sorts it all out. First, ETN shares don’t... Continue Reading »

2007’s Top ETF Performers
December 31, 2007 – After all of the global expansion we saw throughout 2007, it’s no big surprise that exchange traded funds (ETFs) tapping into those markets remained the strongest performers. (more…) Continue Reading »

Avoid the Shotgun Approach for Commodity ETNs Next Year
December 30, 2007 – 2007 has been a hot year for investors who put their money into commodities and related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Crude oil surged 44% and wheat has almost doubled during the year, reports Mike... Continue Reading »

Call-Writing ETF Set Up For Success
December 28, 2007 – Call-writing strategies have been around for a while through closed-end funds (CEFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs), but most recently, through an exchange traded fund (ETF), the first of its kind. PowerShares S&P 500 Buy... Continue Reading »

Why Choose An All-World ETF?
December 28, 2007 – For exchange traded funds (ETFs) there are emerging markets and developed markets, but how about all-world? Gary Gordon at ETF Expert explains that, for the past five years, the more investors moved into international... Continue Reading »

Our 2008 ETF Predictions
December 27, 2007 – It was a busy, exciting year in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs) in 2007. But it’s not time to rest on our laurels just yet, because all indications are that 2008 is... Continue Reading »

So Many ETFs, So Much Room for Expansion
December 26, 2007 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) industry launched many new, narrowly focused funds this year, and the trend could continue into 2008. According to IndexUniverse, there are 445 ETFs and ETNs waiting in the pipeline... Continue Reading »

The Energy Bill Could Increase Hunger for Agriculture ETFs
December 24, 2007 – Food is always in style, and exchange traded funds (ETF) that track agriculture can help capitalize on that fact. Bush’s signing of the energy bill could push demand (and prices) even higher. The signing... Continue Reading »

Foreign Currency ETNs Lose Their Tax Breaks
December 22, 2007 – The tax breaks given to exchange traded notes (ETNs) were once considered an entry in the "pro" column for the funds, but now those breaks may become non-existent. The IRS, which has been considering the... Continue Reading »

2007 ETF Concepts Flow Into 2008
December 21, 2007 – The real opportunities in 2007, as far as exchange traded funds (ETFs) are concerned, can also be ones that will continue into 2008. ETFs aid investors in diversifying their portfolios, and protect against downside... Continue Reading »

Forecast Puts Agriculture ETFs at the Top of the Pig Pile
December 20, 2007 – It’s that time of year again: making predictions and placing bets on which sectors will shine in 2008, and what the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them will do. Sean Brodrick at Money... Continue Reading »

Our 2007 ETF Predictions: How Did We Do?
December 18, 2007 – Early this year, we boldly stepped forward and made our predictions for what we foresaw as the top exchange traded fund (ETF) trends of 2007. So, how did we do? (more…) Continue Reading »

An ETN of CEF’s is Here
December 17, 2007 – Claymore Securities is offering an exchange traded note (ETN) tracking 75 closed-end funds (CEFs). The Claymore CEF Index-Linked GS Connect (GCE) is backed by Goldman Sachs and began trading last week. A CEF trades... Continue Reading »

India’s ETN Price/NAV Discrepancy is Supply and Demand
December 17, 2007 – Ouch. Has India’s exchange traded note (ETN) become overvalued? Last week, the iPath MSCI India (INP) traded 22.3% above its net asset value (NAV), says Greg Newton at Naked Shorts. As he says, it’s great... Continue Reading »

Closed End Fund ETN Launches On NYSE
December 12, 2007 – The Claymore CEF Index-Linked GS Connect ETN (GCE) launched Monday on the NYSE Arca, another addition to the growing line-up of exchange traded notes (ETNs). This ETN gives investors access to a portfolio of... Continue Reading »

ETNs Don’t Qualify For Tax-Break
December 11, 2007 – The U.S. Treasury Department isn’t giving investors of exchange traded notes (ETNs) the break they were hoping for. Barclays financial products linked to currency exchange rates will not qualify for the tax savings which... Continue Reading »

ETF Cash Flow Keeps On Rising
December 8, 2007 – The November exchange traded fund (ETFs) performance reviews are in, and it’s two thumbs up all around. The National Stock Exchange reports that the net cash flow into U.S. listed ETFs at the end... Continue Reading »

India’s Growth Enticing for Investors and ETN
December 7, 2007 – India and the focused exchange traded note (ETN), have potential for emerging growth over the next few decades.  The country is growing at a fast rate, second only to China, and is in need... Continue Reading »

Will There Be A Vietnam ETF Soon?
December 7, 2007 – In Vietnam the ingredients are in place for burgeoning prosperity, so the question investors may pose is when will we see a Vietnam exchange traded fund (ETF)? Andy Mukherjee for Bloomberg says 4 million... Continue Reading »

Europe Has Some Decisions to Make, and ETFs Could Be Affected
December 5, 2007 – The European economies are in a bit of "good news/bad news" situation, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track their currencies could be feeling the effects while the region weighs its options. On the... Continue Reading »

Portfolio Exposure to Currencies Through ETFs
December 4, 2007 – As of today, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are the easiest way to add currency exposure to a portfolio. Roger Nusbaum for Seeking Alpha reports that holding foreign currency can be just as important as... Continue Reading »

ETNs Offering Tax Shelter For Investors
December 4, 2007 – Barclays may not have intended their exchange traded notes (ETNs) to become tax shelters, but if they prove to retain their tax advantages, they just could be. ETNs have a tax advantage over cousin,... Continue Reading »

New Frontier Market Indexes Could Lead to More International ETFs
December 1, 2007 – MSCI has launched a new index family and a new tradeable index. Does this mean that an exchange traded fund (ETF) family will follow? MSCI Frontier Market Indexes cover 19 markets, with new countries for... Continue Reading »

New BuyWrite ETFs Coming
November 30, 2007 – PowerShares is set to launch the first family of BuyWrite exchange traded funds (ETFs) in December 2007. They will provide access to but-write option strategies on three of the most widely used benchmarks -the... Continue Reading »

November ETF Performance
November 30, 2007 – November has been a volatile month, to say the least, for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).  Major market indexes and ETFs ended the month down.  Thus it isn’t too surprising that the... Continue Reading »

Despite Slowing Growth, India’s ETN Is Still Looking Good
November 29, 2007 – India’s economy has quadrupled since 1991, and it’s showing in its exchange traded note (ETN). The iPath MSCI India Index (INP) is up 78.1% year-to-date and believe it or not, there is still room... Continue Reading »

Single-Country ETFs…And The Winner Is….
November 27, 2007 – Single-country exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a good investment for portfolios, however, picking which country is a hard decision. There are many factors to consider like reward-to-risk, performance comparison, pullbacks and time frames,... Continue Reading »

The New Breed Of Commodities ETF
November 26, 2007 – A new exchange traded note (ETN) helps investors cast a wide net when investing in commodities. Many financial advisors recommend a slice of your portfolio be invested in commodities. This may be the one-stop,... Continue Reading »

The BRIC ETF Theme
November 26, 2007 – The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries are growing at a substantial pace, helping exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Canada attractive to investors. Why Canada? No matter what happens with the U.S. economy, the... Continue Reading »

ETNs & Mutual Funds Battle Tax Treatment
November 26, 2007 – A disagreement between exchange traded note (ETN) sponsors and the mutual fund industry, represented by the Investment Company Institute, is heating up. The dispute regards the tax treatment of the two types of funds,... Continue Reading »

Contango Challenges ETFs, But These Indexes Have Their Dukes Up
November 25, 2007 – Challenges abound with the onslaught of commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). The contango war will rage more fiercely than ever because JP Morgan and BNP Paribas have launched two... Continue Reading »

Dogs of the Dow ETN Can Be a Tax-Free Treat
November 23, 2007 – Woof! An exchange traded note (ETN) that tracks the Dogs of the Dow is finally here to take advantage of the Dogs’ "market-beating" strategy. In case you didn’t know, the Dogs of the Dow... Continue Reading »

Will India Have a Run Like China’s ETFs?
November 19, 2007 – China has been a remarkable success story in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs), and now India could very well be poised to have a similar run, reports Indymedia. Strategist George Zhibin Gu wonders... Continue Reading »

ETFs: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?
November 14, 2007 – In China, 2007 may be the Year of the Pig, but in the United States, it’s proving to the the Year of the Emerging Market for exchange traded funds (ETFs). Eight or nine of... Continue Reading »

New Commodity ETNs Add to the Toolbox
November 8, 2007 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs), recently popularized because of the success of exchange traded funds (ETFs), are giving investors a new tool to access hard-to-reach asset classes. The original provider of the ETN is Barclays... Continue Reading »

India ETN Has Big Week as Asia’s New Tiger Attracts More Attention
November 5, 2007 – The daring and fortunate investors who put their faith and global allocation toward India were justly rewarded. iPath MSCI India Index ETN (INP) did the best for the five trading days ending November 1,... Continue Reading »

Bank Titans Add To ETF Frenzy With ETNs
November 2, 2007 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) frenzy is hitting investors and providers of all types, and the latest are investment banks. They take the path of the exchange traded note (ETN) and several titans such... Continue Reading »

ETF Structures Deciphered
November 1, 2007 – Along with the birth of a number of exchange traded fund (ETF) indexing strategies, there are numerous product structures to choose from. Picking one ETF product structure over another will affect how dividends are... Continue Reading »

Trade Commodities With ETNs
October 31, 2007 – Commodities-focused exchange traded notes (ETNs), not the exchange traded funds (ETFs), do not own the underlying commodities. These are structured like debt instruments set to mature and are created to have price movements that correspond... Continue Reading »

Commodities ETFs and Markets Lower as Everyone Awaits Fed’s Decision
October 30, 2007 – Commodities-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the markets in general are lower so far today as both gold and crude-oil futures consolidated after their recent strong gains. Crude oil for December delivery traded down,... Continue Reading »

High Oil Prices Help Oil Services and Equipment ETFs
October 30, 2007 – As oil prices hit new highs, oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) benefit. Besides the  obvious futures-based oil ETFs United States Oil (USO) and iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return Index ETN (OIL) another... Continue Reading »

Gold and Oil ETFs Hit Record Highs
October 28, 2007 – Gold futures exchange traded funds (ETFs) closed at their highest level in nearly 28 years on Friday, as gains in the metal were fueled by record-high crude prices as well as the tumbling of... Continue Reading »

New S&P Select Frontier Index Could Pave the Way for More ETFs
October 26, 2007 – More exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be on the way now that the S&P has launched its new Select Frontier Index. The new index includes 30 of the largest and most liquid components from... Continue Reading »

Oil Closes at New High Above $90; Oil ETFs Jump Up
October 25, 2007 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up as oil futures settled at a new record of $90.46 a barrel on news that OPEC production increases aren’t coming as fast as expected. Also pushing up... Continue Reading »

Barclays Launches New Commodities ETNs
October 24, 2007 – Barclays recently released eight new iPath exchange-traded notes (ETNs) on the NYSE Arca exchange. The new ETNs are linked to eight subindexes of the Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index, covering the agriculture, copper, grains, energy,... Continue Reading »

Oil ETFs Start to Trickle Down
October 23, 2007 – Oil-related exchange traded funds have been down recently as the price of oil fell more than $1 today. It retreated further from record highs set last week in response to concerns about the health... Continue Reading »

Asian ETFs Have Some Surprises
October 22, 2007 – During the past few years, Asian markets made landmark moves and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them performed beautifully. The Asia ex-Japan stock category rose 60% year-to-date, 43.5% in the past three... Continue Reading »

India Funds Drop as the Country Tightens Exposure to Foreign Investors
October 20, 2007 – India’s exchange traded note (ETN) and closed-end fund (CEF) have been down recently as India has been making moves to limit overseas money into its stock market. As more money from abroad flows into... Continue Reading »

4 Steps to a Solid ETF Portfolio
October 20, 2007 – Performance chasing with exchange traded funds (ETFs) and your investments is not a good idea for the overall well-being of your portfolio. Lately, the best-performing ETFs have been in the developing markets and natural... Continue Reading »

New Buffett-like ETN Launched
October 18, 2007 – Morningstar (MORN), a provider of independent investment research, announced today that the ELEMENTS platform will launch exchange traded notes (ETNs) based on Morningstar’s proprietary Wide Moat Focus Total Return Index. The first Wide Moat... Continue Reading »

ETN Tax Benefits Could be Revoked
October 18, 2007 – One way exchange traded notes (ETNs) differ from exchange traded funds (ETFs) is that they convey no ownership or assets, just a promise from the issuer that a certain amount will be paid upon... Continue Reading »

Commodities ETFs & ETNs
October 18, 2007 – Commodities and the exchange traded funds (ETF) that hold them are in a good position right now. The recent "boom" in commodities has been triggered by the growing economies of China, India and Brazil... Continue Reading »

Oil ETFs Overflow with Joy as Oil Prices Approach $90 a Barrel
October 17, 2007 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) rose as oil prices soared to a new record of $89 a barrel today after Turkey’s parliament authorized an incursion into northern Iraq in search of Kurdish rebels. Traders... Continue Reading »

Oil ETFs Rise as Oil Prices Hit Record $86
October 15, 2007 – As oil prices rose to $86.13 a barrel today for the first time, oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) increased as well. Oil prices were supported by concerns Turkish forces will pursue Kurdish rebels into... Continue Reading »

Which Commodity ETF is Performing the Best?
October 15, 2007 – Commodities-based exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been doing well lately, but they can be intimidating to investors because of their contango and backwardation issues. In July of this year, the oil market switched from... Continue Reading »

India’s ETN and CEF Talk Politics and Cars
October 12, 2007 – Although India does not have an exchange traded fund (ETF), it does have the exchange traded note iPath MSCI India Index ETN (INP) and the closed-end fund India Fund (IFN). As Bombay’s SENSEX index... Continue Reading »

An Array of Funds Join ETFs
October 8, 2007 – Mutual fund companies are trying to grab some of the exchange traded fund (ETF) success by launching alternative investment options. Ian Salisbury for The Wall Street Journal dissects the latest offerings: BRIC funds that... Continue Reading »

The Latest Update on 10 ETNs
October 8, 2007 – Exchange traded notes (ETNs) are one of the relatives to exchange traded funds (ETFs) that have blossomed recently. The