July Takes a Warming to Financial ETFs
August 8, 2008 – In July, exchange traded funds (ETFs) within the financial sector have demonstrated how a slight transition from really bad to just a little bad bad can still generate some profit and clean up. July was also... Continue Reading »

Mexico, Chile ETFs Dust Off After Currencies Stumble
August 6, 2008 – Latin American exchange traded funds (ETFs) are dusting themselves off today after faltering yesterday. The Chilean peso fell for a third straight day after the Federal Reserve hinted that it would raise rates this year. The... Continue Reading »

ETFs, Markets Move Up on Federal Reserve’s Decision
August 5, 2008 – As expected, the Federal Reserve once again stood firm on the interest rate, while the markets and exchange traded funds seemed to like the news. The key interest rate remained unchanged at 2%, reports Martin Crutsinger... Continue Reading »

Peso Is At Five-Year High and ETF Hits New Levels
July 17, 2008 – Mexico’s peso is at a five-year high, and it could be just the thing to make the currency’s exchange traded fund (ETF) shout, “Ole!” The CurrencyShares Mexican Peso Trust (FXM) closed yesterday at an all-time... Continue Reading »

A Little Assurance Goes a Long Way for Financial ETFs
July 16, 2008 – Financial-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) surged today after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in no danger of failing. It was his second day of testimony about the state of... 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 »

Fannie, Freddie Bailout Plan Doesn’t Appease Financial ETFs
July 14, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading sharply lower earlier today, in spite of a spelled-out government plan to toss a lifesaver to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The plan, in short, is meant to show... Continue Reading »

Bernanke’s Words Rejuvenate Financial ETFs
July 8, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) were tops today after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave assurances to the sector. He said the central bank may keep its lending facilities open to a broader group of financial... Continue Reading »

Canada & ETF Comes Out Smiling After Happiness Study
July 3, 2008 – A new study done by the University of Michigan found that Canada is the ninth happiest country on Earth, and they are getting happier - could it be because their exchange traded fund (ETFs)... 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 »

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 »

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 »

A Triple-Threat in the Markets Makes Short ETFs Popular
June 26, 2008 – Is there are triple crisis threatening to hurt the economy, Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Martin D. Weiss for Money And Markets reports that he warned us one week ago about a... Continue Reading »

Fed Takes It Easy for Now, Financial ETFs Trading Higher
June 25, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the markets waited with bated breath for the Federal Reserve’s decision, and it’s here: they’re doing nothing. The short-term interest rate will, for the time being, remain at 2%, reports Chris... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Sectors to Watch In the Second Half of 2008
June 24, 2008 – Those who prefer investing with exchange traded funds (ETFs) may have bountiful choices to pick from, as there are several areas worth watching for the latter half of 2008. Can you believe we’re already just about halfway through... 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 »

Housing and Inflation Take Down Consumer Confidence and ETFs
June 24, 2008 – If you were waiting for some good news to indicate that the housing market has made a turnaround and the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) would soon be ripe for the picking, you’ll have... Continue Reading »

Gloves Are Off In Mexico’s Battle Against Inflation - Can the ETF Win?
June 20, 2008 – Mexico is ready to throw down with inflation, which might turn its exchange traded fund (ETF) back around after negative one-month performance. The country took two big steps to get control of the situation: first,... Continue Reading »

Weakening Dollar Polishes Up Metals ETFs
June 16, 2008 – Metals exchange traded funds (ETFs) were golden today as the dollar lost ground. Gold futures rose to their highest level in a week as the euro gathered steam, reports Alan Fein for Axcess News. Silver futures... Continue Reading »

ETFs Can Harness a Bullish Dollar
June 12, 2008 – After the government has indicated it’s ready to start defending the dollar, recent sentiment is pointing toward bullish, and some exchange traded funds (ETFs) give investors the chance to jump in. The dollar continued... Continue Reading »

Financial Markets And ETFs Remain Bogged Down By Mortgages
June 11, 2008 – Economists and market experts are wary of problems lying ahead with a new type of credit crisis about to blow that could affect everything from consumers to businesses and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The... 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 »

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 »

Some ETFs Might Be Up, But Consumers Are Feeling Down
May 30, 2008 – Feeling a little crabby lately, even though your commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) are putting up decent numbers? You’re not alone: consumer sentiment is at a 28-year low. The reading for May was the lowest... Continue Reading »

Digging Deeper Into Metals And Mining ETFs
May 20, 2008 – As commodities become all the rage with investors, commodities exchange traded funds (ETFs) have proliferated alongside them. ETF Expert’s Gary Gordon for Equities Magazine has five mining-focused funds that might fit an investor’s risk... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Can’t Get A Break
May 12, 2008 – That glimmer of hope the financial sector had experienced seems to have stopped for now, as financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) began their downward slide on Thursday, and it continued on into... Continue Reading »

ETFs Affected by the Consumer Price Index, But How Is It Put Together?
May 7, 2008 – When the Federal Reserve makes decisions that cause the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) to move, one of the things they consider before making that call is the rate of inflation. One facet of the... Continue Reading »

Dollar Up, Gold Down, While ETFs Reflect Activity
April 30, 2008 – The U.S. dollar is toughening up, much to the dismay of gold which hit a three-month low on Tuesday, weakening the focused stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Also on the decline were oil prices... Continue Reading »

April ETF Performance Report
April 30, 2008 – The markets were a little sunnier this month, improving on the gains they had made in March, and most exchange traded funds (ETFs) finished in brighter territory. That’s despite bad news about consumer confidence,... Continue Reading »

Fed Cuts Rates; Will the Seventh Time Be a Charm for ETFs?
April 30, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the markets waited with optimism for the Federal Reserve’s rate cut today, which was the quarter point that had been expected. This puts the federal funds rate at its lowest level... Continue Reading »

Rising Interest Rates In Bond ETFs Signaling Strength As Fed Meets?
April 29, 2008 – Rising interest rates within the bond market are signaling a change within investor sentiment that could possibly boost stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the coming months. It appears that the financial sector... Continue Reading »

ETFs Shrug at Record Vacant Home Highs
April 28, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) seemed to sigh "Ho-hum" at the news that the percentage of vacant homes in the United States has reached a record high. The Census Bureau says that 2.9% of U.S. homes... 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 »

Bond ETFs: Just Add Water, Instant Portfolio
April 19, 2008 – Bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be a solid way to take the hassle out of buying individual bonds, which can be costly and time-consuming for individual investors. Heather Bell for Index Universe sat down... 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 »

Wachovia’s Gloomy Report a Drag for Financial ETFs
April 14, 2008 – Wachovia (WB) reported a surprise first-quarter loss, hitting financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) hard. The Regional Bank HOLDRs (RKH) fell to its lowest point since March 17, reports Wanfeng Zhou for Thomson Financial. Wachovia is... Continue Reading »

It’s Bond ETF Time - Munis Are Yielding More Than Treasuries
April 11, 2008 – It’s an event like Halley’s Comet, although with a little more frequency: municipal bond yields are higher than those of treasury bonds. For that reason, it makes more sense than ever to grab exchange... 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 »

Metals ETFs Hold Steady As Economy Decides Which Way It Will Swing
April 3, 2008 – Have metals and their exchange traded funds (ETFs) entered a holding pattern? Nell Sloane for FX Street says they very well may have. The U.S. dollar dipped slightly overnight and oil prices have also fallen... Continue Reading »

Bernanke Says Recession is Possible; Stocks and ETFs Hesitate
April 2, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) shuddered slightly when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the "R" word in Congressional testimony this morning. Bernanke said the economy could weaken in the first half of this... Continue Reading »

ETFs, Stocks Sigh As the S&P Parties (Or Not) Like It’s 1999
March 31, 2008 – It’s a historical fact: there are the periodic stretches of market declines that affect stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) amid the years of steady upward climb. Every so often, the ground made up in those... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Bounce Up After Paulson’s Proposal - Will It Stick?
March 31, 2008 – Is the government stepping in and hastening the bottom for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson came forward today with the most far-ranging overhaul of the financial regulatory system since the stock... Continue Reading »

Oil Concern Eases, But Which Way It and ETFs Will Go, Nobody Knows
March 28, 2008 – The oil services exchange traded fund (ETF) pulled back slightly yesterday after rising for four consecutive sessions. Oil Service HOLDRs (OIH) finished the session down 0.6%. Earlier in the day, it had moved higher on... Continue Reading »

Playing the Waiting Game With ETFs
March 28, 2008 –   Some believe we’re in a full-blown recession, but no matter what they believe, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors shouldn’t panic. Chris Fichera for Consumer Reports suggests staying put and weathering the storm, while making some... Continue Reading »

When Markets Turn Around, Could High Yield Bond ETFs Benefit?
March 28, 2008 – Once the Federal Reserve decides it’s done making interest rate cuts, junk bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be a beneficiary. The appetite for risk goes up with economic recovery. Gary Gordon for ETF Expert says... Continue Reading »

It’s Tempting to Panic, ETF Investors, But Resist the Urge
March 26, 2008 – We’re only human: in the midst of all the ups and downs of the market in recent months, it’s natural to consider doing something rash, like dumping all of your exchange traded funds (ETFs)... 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 »

Financial ETFs React Positively to JP Morgan’s Increased Bear Stearns Offer
March 24, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are showing renewed vigor after J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) raised its Bear Stearns (BSC) offer from a paltry $2 a share to $10 a share. J.P. Morgan also... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETFs Stage a Turnaround
March 24, 2008 – Two exchange traded funds (ETFs) in one of last year’s weakest sectors, home construction, are beginning to show renewed vigor. In the last two weeks, both SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) and iShares Dow Jones... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Jump As Investors, Like Shoppers, Look for Bargains
March 20, 2008 – Battered and bruised retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are springing back to life today as investors invade the market, looking for a bargain or two. The sector tends to take a beating when times are... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Look Different In the Afternoon
March 19, 2008 – It just goes to show: these days, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the market can turn on a dime, and today was a perfect case in point. This morning, things kicked off nicely off... Continue Reading »

Wait - Financial ETFs Are Up and Commodities Are Down? What’s Wrong With This Picture?
March 19, 2008 – Have we entered a bizarro exchange traded fund (ETF) world? First, financials and internet are staging a turnaround for the better. Now commodities are turning lower after being on a bull run in recent months.... Continue Reading »

Broker-Dealers and Internet ETFs Were Stars Yesterday
March 19, 2008 – It was a good day for the markets overall, but two exchange traded funds (ETFs) in particular stood out head and shoulders above the rest yesterday: iShares Dow Jones US Broker-Dealers (IAI) and the Internet... Continue Reading »

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

The Fed Makes Another Cut - Will It Boost ETFs and the Economy?
March 18, 2008 – The Federal Reserve met today to cut interest rates by 0.75% in the hopes that it will ignite a turnaround in our economy, markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now that most analysts and economists believe... Continue Reading »

Prices Up, Home Construction Down, But ETFs Don’t Get the Memo
March 18, 2008 – If you were just going by the performance of certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) in intraday trading, you wouldn’t think some bad news about the housing and retail sectors had just come out. First, wholesale... Continue Reading »

U.S. Credit Crisis Delivers a Punch to Some Global ETFs
March 17, 2008 – The problems aren’t just here in the United States: the credit crisis is also hitting markets in other countries and taking some of their exchange traded funds (ETFs) down with it. Investors are wary of... Continue Reading »

Bear Stearns’ Collapse Is Felt Throughout Market and ETFs
March 17, 2008 – The Bear Stearns (BSC) implosion is causing shock waves throughout Wall Street, global markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). While Bear’s stock sank 86% in intraday traded, financial and broker-dealer ETFs took hits, too: iShares... Continue Reading »

A Banner Day for Financial ETFs As Fed Unveils Latest Plan
March 11, 2008 – What a difference 24 hours makes: Bear Stearns’ shares were downgraded by Moody’s on Monday, a move that weighed heavily on financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). It sent the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) down... Continue Reading »

Market Volatility Has Unearthed Some ETF Buying Opportunities
March 10, 2008 – Research firm MarketGrader compiles the indexes that underly the Spa Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). MarketGrader’s latest fundamental research indicates that the U.S. market is largely oversold in the wake of volatility, reports ETF Express. Buy opportunities... Continue Reading »

Mortgage Crisis Goes On, Dragging Home and Financial ETFs
March 4, 2008 – Financial and real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) headed south after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the mortgage crisis was going to continue. With that, he urged lenders to lower their loan amounts and... Continue Reading »

Bernanke Upbeat About Economy, but So Far, Wall Street and Some ETFs Aren’t Buying It
February 28, 2008 – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke continued to testify before Congress about his attempts to stabilize the economy and stimulate Wall Street, consumer activity and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The good news: the United States... Continue Reading »

Financial News Has Domino Effect on Markets and ETFs
February 27, 2008 – Wall Street hardly waited for its coffee to kick in before a slew of news began sending stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) this way and that in a series of chain reactions. The dollar... Continue Reading »

The Euro and Its ETF Hit All-Time Highs
February 26, 2008 – You might want to hold off on booking that European vacation: the euro surged to an all-time high against the dollar today, sending the CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE) exchange traded fund (ETF) into record... Continue Reading »

Understanding the Anatomy of a Crash Can Help With ETF Investments
February 24, 2008 – Today’s market environment can be confusing - one minute market averages and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are at all-time highs, the next they’re heading for the bottom. The volatile market has created a lot... Continue Reading »

Consumer, Housing Numbers Roll In, But Will ETFs Feel It?
February 20, 2008 – Worries continue to plague both the retail and housing sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as more numbers are released today that show signs of creeping inflation. The Labor Department reported today that the consumer price... Continue Reading »

Five ETF Sectors To Recession-Proof Your Portfolio
February 14, 2008 – The signs are all there that we’re in a recession: many exchange traded fund (ETF) sectors have taken a hit, Congress is calling hearings, the Federal Reserve is talking about more rate cuts, housing, retail... Continue Reading »

Bernanke Plays Role Of Heartbreaker for Markets and Some ETFs
February 14, 2008 – It’s Valentine’s Day, but the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t feeling much love from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Bernanke told Congress today that the country’s economic outlook has deteriorated. But, perhaps as... Continue Reading »

When It Comes to Currency ETFs, You’ve Got Options
February 11, 2008 – Currencies once were the domain of the big-time investors, or were considered "too risky," but exchange traded funds (ETFs) have made it easy for regular investors to get in on them, too. These are interesting... Continue Reading »

Mexico Will Put Billions Into Infrastructure - ETF Might Say ‘Ole!’
February 9, 2008 – Mexico will soon start pouring money into its infrastructure, benefiting its economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs). On Monday, Doug Krizner and Dan Grech for Marketplace report, President Felipe Calderon will make his first presidential... Continue Reading »

Some Sector ETFs’ Performance Signals Optimism
February 9, 2008 – The bear is storming through technology exchange traded funds (ETFs), a result of spillover from the subprime, financial and real estate crises. It’s not as ugly as the 2000-20002 meltdown, says Gary Gordon for ETF... Continue Reading »

High Yield Bond ETFs Inviting During Dicey Market
February 7, 2008 – In troubled times, investors are on the hunt for safe havens, and one of those is bond exchange traded funds (ETFs). There is always the concern about interest rate risk, but with the possibility of... Continue Reading »

Is The ETF Time REIT?
February 3, 2008 – The subprime mess is in full meltdown mode, so is it time to consider exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the real estate realm? In reality, real estate has been the best-performing category in open-ended... Continue Reading »

Consumer Spending Flat In December, Delivering Mixed Results to ETFs
February 1, 2008 – By and large, consumers kept their wallets shut in December and spending was flat, delivering disappointment to retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). Consumer spending rose by only 0.2% after jumping 1% in November. It accounts for... Continue Reading »

January ETF Performance Report
January 31, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the markets got off to a rocky start in 2008. Already this year, oil has managed to top $100 a barrel, gold set new records and the Federal Reserve... Continue Reading »

The ETF Gold Rush Of 2008
January 31, 2008 – Yee-haw! There is a new gold rush occurring right now as investors are running to gold-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and gold shares. E.S. Browning for The Wall Street Journal reports that since mid-August,... Continue Reading »

Bernanke Wields the Ax Again, Boosting Stocks and ETFs
January 30, 2008 – Once again, the Federal Reserve stepped in and made a half-point rate cut, a move that Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) apparently liked. The rate cut didn’t come as a complete surprise, as... Continue Reading »

Consumer Staples ETFs Capture Soft Economy
January 30, 2008 – It’s time to face the fact that the U.S. economy is melting, so what is an investor in exchange traded funds (ETFs) to do? Sure, the Federal government is planning to introduce a stimulus... Continue Reading »

The World As ETF Trader’s Puppet?
January 29, 2008 – Does "legal realism" apply to the Wall Street traders and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as we know them today? Ben Stein for The New York Times says that "financial realism" or "trader realism" is... Continue Reading »

Bear’s Giant Claw Hits Utilities ETFs
January 25, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors, naturally, are looking to shield themselves from the roar of the bear. Most defensive hideouts are not safe, as even utility exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reeling. Joanne Von... Continue Reading »

Oil Futures Top $90; Oil ETF Follows Accordingly
January 25, 2008 – The price of oil and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) is on the climb again. Today, futures jumped back over the $90 line, based on the view that recession fears might have been overblown. Energy... Continue Reading »

Is the Worst Over for Financials ETFs?
January 22, 2008 – All it takes is a quick browse under our "financials" category to see that related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a real beating over the last year. The credit crisis, the mortgage crunch,... Continue Reading »

As Markets and ETFs Ail, Fed’s Rate Cut May Not Be The Last
January 22, 2008 – A global stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) selloff prompted yet another rate cut by the Federal Reserve. This move marks the biggest action in recent years by The Feds in an attempt to... Continue Reading »

Another Rough Day; Save Your Portfolio By Having an ETF Sell Strategy
January 17, 2008 – The markets wrapped up another ugly day for stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) this afternoon. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 2%, says Tim Paradis of the Associated Press, and it was... Continue Reading »

Price of Gold Drops Amid Selling of ETF’s Shares
January 17, 2008 – streetTRACKS might be calling off the hunt for more storage space for all the gold after the redemptions of its exchange traded fund (ETF) this week. streetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) had redemptions of 21.51 tons... Continue Reading »

Bernanke’s Testimony To Give Wall Street, Stocks, ETFs and Economy Signs Of Life
January 17, 2008 – Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the risks of an economic downturn are more enhanced, comments which in turn caused stocks and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) to fall on Thursday. A Philadelphia Federal Reserve... Continue Reading »

Economic News Rattles Nerves and ETFs
January 16, 2008 – The hits just keep on coming for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Labor Department announced this morning that the rate of inflation was up by its largest amount in 17 years in... Continue Reading »

Gold On a Rollercoaster, Giving ETFs a Ride
January 10, 2008 – Just when you thought it couldn’t go any higher, it sure can: gold soared to new heights on Thursday and once again took related exchange traded funds (ETFs) along with it. In trading, gold hit... Continue Reading »

TIPS ETF Watching Economy and Inflation Closely
December 15, 2007 – The threat of inflation is looming, as November’s consumer price index increased the most in two years, which has increased the demand for inflation hedges, including exchange traded funds (ETFs). Increased demand has lifted... Continue Reading »

Steel ETF Shows Its Strength
December 12, 2007 – Which exchange traded fund (ETF) is the top performer year to date? Go on…guess. Give up? It’s Van Eck Market Vectors Steel (SLX), which is up 84.5%. After the Federal Reserve’s rate cut on Tuesday,... Continue Reading »

Central Banks Join Forces to End Gloom in Markets and ETFs
December 12, 2007 – The news of the Federal Reserve’s lower-than-anticipated rate cut rattled Wall Street near the end of trading on Tuesday, sending the Dow tumbling 294 points. It didn’t look good for exchange traded funds (ETFs), either.... 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 »

Bank ETFs Ride Wave with 3rd Quarter Losses and Possible Rate Cut
November 29, 2007 – Third quarter profits at federally-insured banks and thrifts tumbled to a four-year low leaving investors feeling queasy about finance-related stocks and exchange traded funds(ETFs). Large institutions set aside billions to cover losses from bad... Continue Reading »

Look into the Crystal Ball and Take Your Pick of Scenarios for ETFs and the Economy
November 18, 2007 – These days, it’s getting harder and harder to predict what exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the larger market are going to do. One day, it’s up. The next day it’s down. One day, there’s... Continue Reading »

Taking The Mystery Out of Fed Forecast
November 15, 2007 – The Federal Reserve announced plans to take the secrecy out of their policy-making, explaining they will take the effort to disclose more information concerning economic forecasts. Details regarding growth and inflation objectives will also... Continue Reading »

Economy Slows, No Recession, Bumpy Ride for ETFs
November 12, 2007 – Although a full-blown recession is not expected, the sluggish U.S. growth could affect exchange traded funds (ETFs) through the first quarter of 2008.  Economists say the interest rate cuts helped remedy chances of a... Continue Reading »

Japan and ETFs Prove Misery Loves Company
November 9, 2007 – Although the Japanese yen surged against the U.S. dollar last week, the Japanese stocks tumbled to their lowest point in two months, taking the exchange traded funds (ETFs) down with them. Japan can’t seem... Continue Reading »

Tech ETFs Taking Brunt of Market
November 8, 2007 – Technology stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) ended the day down more than any other sector.  The markets had another difficult day, but were able to bounce back from lows reached in intraday trading. ... Continue Reading »

Mortgage Turmoil Boils Into Market And Financial ETFs
November 5, 2007 – This summer’s credit meltdown is far from being cool beans and is simmering over into the markets and financial related exchange traded funds (ETFs). Investors are putting caution to the wind even after Wednesday’s... Continue Reading »

Gold Flashes Back to 1970’s-Closes Over $800 Per Ounce
November 3, 2007 – Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) are on the rise, as gold closed above $800 an ounce, up 2%, for the first time since Jimmy Carter was president. Gold is up 27% this year due... Continue Reading »

The Fed Rate Cut Gives Good News and Bad
October 31, 2007 – When it comes to investing and exchange traded funds (ETFs), is the glass half empty or half full? The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point, to 4.5%, and Wall Street sure... Continue Reading »

October ETF Performance
October 31, 2007 – Ghouls didn’t spook exchange traded fund (ETF) investors this Halloween as new highs were reached globally this month.  With today’s rate cut by the Federal Reserve, many ETFs hit new highs. Domestically, the Nasdaq was... Continue Reading »

ETF Trick-or-Treat?
October 31, 2007 – What does Halloween have to do with exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Traditionally a Gaelic festival known as Samhain, the festival is a celebration of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. The ancient Gaels believed... 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 »

Gold Miners ETF Rises to New High
October 29, 2007 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX) jumped to an all-time high today as gold approached the key $800-an-ounce level on broad dollar weakness. The ETF hit a record high of... Continue Reading »

Financial Related ETFs Hope For Rate Cut
October 26, 2007 – Many financial sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Wall Street want the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates again. Learning Merrill Lynch (MER) had to write off $7.9 billion in losses tied to mortgage-related... Continue Reading »

Are Financial ETFs Diamonds or Duds?
October 25, 2007 – It seems everyone has an opinion on financial exchange traded funds (ETFs). Some say financial ETFs are likely to thrive from the rate cut, so now when they are cheap, it’s the perfect time... Continue Reading »

How the Federal Reserve Makes Decisions that Affect ETFs
October 21, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be influenced by the Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke’s decisions. For example, when the Fed cut interest rates in September, many ETFs increased.  That’s one reason why investors and analysts... Continue Reading »

ETFs and the Pros and Cons to a Weak Dollar
October 20, 2007 – Foreign currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to benefit from the weak U.S. dollar. The dollar hit a new low against the euro in Friday trading. In the end, the dollar was higher against... Continue Reading »

ETFs Can Buffer a Temperamental Market
October 19, 2007 – Let’s face it: The market is temperamental, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) can be at your rescue. Since the Federal Reserve slashed short-term interest rates in an attempt to rescue the economy, the market... Continue Reading »

ETFs and the Market Dip on Bernanke’s Gloomy Economy Forecast
October 16, 2007 – The markets, and many exchange traded funds (ETFs), were down today on news from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the housing market continues to dampen the economy. In a speech Monday night, Bernanke... Continue Reading »

Will Real Estate ETFs’ Rally Last?
October 11, 2007 – We have to remember that all real estate investing is not tied to the housing market. The real estate (REIT) exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the ETFs hit the hardest this summer from... Continue Reading »

Silver ETFs Shine When the Dollar Declines
October 10, 2007 – We often talk about gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) and commodities in general as a safe haven for when the dollar drops, but silver is another precious metal that often gets overlooked. The dollar... Continue Reading »

Can’t Keep Down Financial ETFs
October 10, 2007 – Despite all the bad news that has surrounded financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) lately, they’re continuing to rebound. Recently, NetBank and Miami Valley Bank of Lakeview, Ohio, went out of business. These closures made... Continue Reading »

ETF Sectors That Could Benefit from Another Rate Cut
October 4, 2007 – It might not get much attention, but the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Service Sector Report can be a useful tool for the Federal Reserve and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. In August, the... Continue Reading »

Currency ETFs - More to Them than You Think
October 3, 2007 – The dollar’s recent weakening has brought foreign-currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) into the spotlight. While they have been performing well, some experts caution that foreign markets and their currencies can be more volatile. As the... Continue Reading »

ETFs Celebrate on Dow’s New High
October 1, 2007 – Many exchange traded funds (ETFs) increased today as the Dow Jones industrial average index rose almost 200 points to a new trading high. This is the first time in 2 1/2 months that the Dow... Continue Reading »

Portfolio Inflation Protection with ETFs
October 1, 2007 – How will the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut affect exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the near future? In general, the stock market has fared well recently; however, many analysts believe the rate cut will... Continue Reading »

Will Consumer Spending Impact Consumer Goods ETFs?
September 30, 2007 – Consumer goods-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) did not like the news released late last week that the durable goods report for August had the largest monthly drop since January. New orders for manufactured durable... Continue Reading »

September ETF Performance
September 28, 2007 – Another month and quarter has come and gone in the exchange traded fund (ETF) world and fall is in the air.  Although it was a bumpy quarter, The Federal Reserve rate cut helped rally... Continue Reading »

How Do Foreign ETFs Benefit from a Weak Dollar?
September 28, 2007 – Some exchange traded fund (ETF) investors might wonder how emerging markets benefit from our dollar. How it works is investors put their money to work in markets with a relatively stronger currency, and when... Continue Reading »

A “Triple Whammy” for Foreign ETFs
September 27, 2007 – International stocks, and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold them, are gaining more value now that interest rates have declined. Bill Donoghue for MarketWatch says it’s a triple whammy: Rising foreign stock values,... Continue Reading »

How Politics and Taxes Could Influence Municipal-bond ETFs
September 25, 2007 – The new municipal bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) have generated a lot of buzz lately. The subprime mortgage fiasco combined with the possibility of a Democrat as the new President could make these new... Continue Reading »

Emerging Market ETFs Stay Strong
September 25, 2007 – Emerging-market exchange traded funds (ETFs) in Asia and Europe remain high after global markets advanced following last week’s rate cut from the Federal Reserve. However, the chief U.S. equity strategist at Citigroup says investors... Continue Reading »

The Bears Criticize The Fed’s Move, ETFs and the Market
September 24, 2007 – After the Federal Reserve’s rate cut, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) finished their best week since March.  Yet some financial analysts are wary to rejoice, as they believe the markets are being manipulated... Continue Reading »

Emerging-market ETFs - Still a Great Opportunity
September 23, 2007 – The Federal Reserve’s rate cut was much appreciated and anticipated by Wall Street last week, but there was a real gain abroad for emerging markets and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on... Continue Reading »

The ETF Trends Are Back in Town
September 21, 2007 – Now that the Federal Reserve’s rate cut has come to the rescue, the general market and many exchange traded funds (ETFs) have come back above their long-term trend lines (200-day moving average). The S&P... Continue Reading »

Financial Sector and ETFs Get Mixed Results
September 20, 2007 – After the Federal Reserve cut the benchmark rate by 50 basis points, the financial sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rallied along with the rest of the market. The actions hint that the subprime... Continue Reading »

Will the Rate Cut Help Real Estate ETFs?
September 20, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) invested in the real estate sector took a hard, fast ride down over the last few months thanks to the subprime problems and credit tightening. The housing market suffered so... Continue Reading »

The Relationship Between the Dollar and Oil ETFs
September 19, 2007 – As the dollar declines, we know a few types of exchange traded funds (ETFs) benefit: commodities, foreign currencies, gold and oil. Even with the Federal Reserve’s rate cut, the dollar ended yesterday down half... Continue Reading »

Rate Cuts Bump Up Metals and Mining ETF
September 19, 2007 – The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining (XME) exchange traded fund (ETF) is one of many ETFs benefiting from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut yesterday. Investors hope the lower rate will reignite the spark... Continue Reading »

Dramatic Week for ETFs and Investors
September 18, 2007 – With all the recent market volatility, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on large capitalization and growth stocks are in the spotlight, according to Banc of America’s chief U.S. investment strategist. News of the... Continue Reading »

Federal Reserve Declares Interest Rate Cut; ETFs Rejoice
September 18, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) stocks celebrated on news from the Federal Reserve today. For the first time in four years, the Fed cut a key interest rate by an aggressive half-point, from 5.25% to... Continue Reading »

Record High Oil Prices Could Affect Transportation ETF
September 17, 2007 – Many exchange traded funds (ETFs) have benefited from the record high oil prices. Oil futures and other energy futures increased today on expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates, reports John Wilen... Continue Reading »

Euro ETF Rejoices in Dollar’s Decline
September 12, 2007 – If the Federal Reserve decides to cut rates Sept. 18, it will bode well for foreign currency exchange traded funds (ETFs), such as the CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE). The rate cuts benefit foreign currency... Continue Reading »

Will Financial ETFs Benefit from an Interest Rate Reduction?
September 5, 2007 – All exchange traded fund (ETF) signs are pointing to an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve come Sept. 18. Assuming labor conditions do not unexpectedly tighten, the August employment report that comes out... Continue Reading »

Fed’s Remarks Calm ETF Investors; High-Yield Bond ETF Rises
August 31, 2007 – Now that investors are returning to high-yield corporate bond funds, the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond (HYG) exchange traded fund (ETF) could continue to climb. Having just launched in April, HYG is... Continue Reading »

How Liquidity Relates to ETFs and the Markets
August 27, 2007 – When talking about exchange traded funds (ETFs), we often refer to liquidity. But what does that mean? When you purchase a stock or ETF, the seller’s ask price for the stock and the buyer’s bid... Continue Reading »

Could Emerging-market ETFs Be the Next Bubble?
August 26, 2007 – Last Friday, the Federal Reserve lowered the discount rate in response to the subprime crisis that lead to the global credit crunch, which severely affected the markets and most exchange traded funds (ETFs). The... Continue Reading »

A Flurry of News Surrounds Financial ETFs
August 23, 2007 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to get bombarded with news related to the credit crunch. Take for instance the latest, Bank of America (BAC) has taken a $2 billion equity stake in mortgage... Continue Reading »

Variable-rate Fund (VVR) Stabilizes after Huge Decline
August 22, 2007 – Some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that have dropped the most recently are now experiencing handsome rebounds. Closed-end fund Van Kampen Senior Income Trust (VVR) lost more than 25% in a matter of weeks because... Continue Reading »

High Foreclosures Hurt Financial and Home-related ETFs
August 21, 2007 – As record home foreclosures occur around the country, it’s no wonder financial and home-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are suffering. Foreclosure filings rose 9% from June to July and surged 93% from the same... Continue Reading »

How Foreign ETFs React When Their Home Markets Are Closed
August 20, 2007 – Foreign exchange traded funds (ETFs) trading during American market hours sometimes post challenges, especially when their home markets are closed. This last Friday, Asian markets closed sharply lower only to witness U.S. markets experience... Continue Reading »

Emerging Market ETF: Sell-Off to Rebound
August 17, 2007 – Emerging markets exchange traded funds (ETFs) are on such shaky grounds lately that investors withdrew $627 million from them last week that ended Tuesday. The Investment Wires Staff for The Mutual Fund Wire reports... Continue Reading »

Will the ETF Yen Carry Trade Unravel or Grow Tighter?
August 17, 2007 – Earlier this week, we talked about how if the markets continued in their current trend, it could lead to the unraveling of the yen carry trade exchange traded fund (ETF) investment strategy. Bryan Moore... Continue Reading »

A Little Sunshine for Gloomy ETF Conditions
August 16, 2007 – With all the sour news in the markets and about exchange traded funds (ETFs) lately, it can be difficult to stay positive. So it was refreshing to see Gary Gordon for ETF Expert talk... Continue Reading »

Market Update: Stocks and ETFs Drop Again
August 15, 2007 – It seems as if nothing will satisfy the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that continue to drop and climb in protest of the credit tightening and housing market slump. Even another cash injection... Continue Reading »

REIT ETF Slammed by Mortgage Crisis
August 14, 2007 – Unfortunate timing has hit the exchange traded fund (ETF) iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs (REM) hard. This ETF was designed to track REITs that specialize in residential and commercial loans and was launched by... Continue Reading »

Markets and ETFs Still Indecisive
August 10, 2007 – Credit worries continued to put pressure on global markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Yesterday, Countrywide Financial (CFC) said that it had "unprecedented disruptions" in the secondary-mortgage market that forced it to retain a... Continue Reading »

The Fed Moves to Help ETFs and the Markets
August 10, 2007 – The Federal Reserve has intervened on the market’s and exchange traded funds’ (ETFs) behalf several times this week. It injected $24 billion in temporary reserves to the U.S. banking system yesterday and $38 billion... Continue Reading »

Major Indexes and Counterpart ETFs Have Second Biggest Drop of the Year
August 9, 2007 – The rocky road continues for the market and exchange traded funds (ETFs) as most major indexes dropped sharply today. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 380 points. It was the biggest drop... Continue Reading »

Homebuilding ETFs Go from Losers to Winners Overnight
August 8, 2007 – We mentioned yesterday what a coincidence it was that the exchange traded fund (ETF) iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (ITB) went up about 5% the same day the Federal Reserve report was released.... Continue Reading »

Fed Report Leaves Interest Rates: Gives “V” to ETFs
August 7, 2007 – It’s been a "V" kind of day for Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The eagerly anticipated Federal Reserve report came today saying the government will leave interest rates at 5.25%, despite acknowledged... Continue Reading »

Currency ETFs and the Falling Dollar
July 18, 2007 – As the U.S. dollar sinks to new lows against the currencies of other major U.S. trading partners, investors in international and currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) have an opportunity knocking. U.S. investors have put... Continue Reading »

Ben Bernanke’s Report and its Findings Influence on ETFs
July 18, 2007 – This morning, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave his midyear Fed economic report that can affect exchange traded funds (ETFs) and investors’ investment decisions. Bernanke’s good news: The economy is growing. Bernanke’s bad news:... Continue Reading »

Homebuilders ETF Not Building Up
May 18, 2007 – One of the worst performing sectors for exchange traded funds (ETFs) this year has been the homebuilders. The Department of Commerce reports construction permits fell 8.9% to a ten-year low.  This drop is also... Continue Reading »

ETF Strategy For a Declining Market
February 27, 2007 – We saw the Dow fall over 500 points today only to make up some of the loss and closed down 416 points (or 3.3%); the biggest one day loss since September 2001.  The S&P 500 was... Continue Reading »

Financial ETFs Benefit From Fed?
February 9, 2007 – The Federal Reserve spoke on interest rates last week, leaving the outlook for financial sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) looking positive. Short-term rates remain unchanged at 5.25% and the Federal Open-Markets Committee signaled happiness... Continue Reading »

ETFs, The Economy and Greenspan
November 7, 2006 – What does Alan Greenspan have to do with your exchange traded funds(ETFs)? For two decades he served as the chairman of the Federal Reserve and has insight into the U.S. economy. During the Schwab... Continue Reading »

Playing The Bond Rally
October 25, 2006 – As expected, the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged today for the third straight time.  The rate remains at 5.25%. Recently we have seen strength in the equity and bond markets, which is quite unusual. There... Continue Reading »

Bond ETFs Role in Portfolio
October 16, 2006 – ETF sponsors have wrapped all sorts of exotic assets into exchange traded funds, yet the asset class most ignored is bonds.  Seeking Alpha reported bonds play an essential role in diversification and income generation. While... Continue Reading »

Taiwan ETF (EWT) Today’s Top Performer
August 9, 2006 – News that the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and worries that this was only a temporary "break" in rate hikes, sent the U.S. markets lower today.  Asian markets did better and iShares MSCI... Continue Reading »