Financial
ETFs Have Got You Covered
August 17, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) fan club keeps on growing.
Brian Neill for the Bradenton Herald says that he’s staying away from most individual stocks. Instead, he’s spending more time on ETFs, and the more he... Continue Reading »
ETFs Bullish on the Dollar Gain During Global Economic Slowdown
August 13, 2008 – As the dollar has been rallying hard against the euro, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are bullish on the dollar have benefited. The dollar has done this as a U.S. slowdown has spread to... Continue Reading »
Financials Ding Markets and ETFs, But Falling Oil Is a Salve
August 12, 2008 – More news about the financial sector sent Wall Street and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower, but a further drop in oil prices helped soothe some investors.
JP Morgan (JPM) said it had racked up bigger... Continue Reading »
Austria And Its ETF Flow With Good News
August 11, 2008 – Austria and its related exchange traded fund (ETF) have received a couple doses of good news recently: unemployment is down, industry is up.
Austrian utility company Verbund won a concession to build a $259 million hydropower... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs Reacting Well to Sector’s News
August 8, 2008 – The financial sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have seen some rough times this year.
But coming off news of July’s rebound is a round of news this morning that seems to have things picking up... Continue Reading »
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 »
AIG’s Losses Drag Down Insurance ETFs
August 7, 2008 – American International Group (AIG) notched its third consecutive quarterly loss, which is putting the hurt on financial exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The world’s largest insurer lost more than $5.6 billion in credit default swaps - insurance... 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 »
Probe of Citigroup and Others Could Hit Financial ETFs
August 1, 2008 – Citigroup’s (C) imminent charges could wind up packing a wallop for financial exchange traded funds (ETFs).
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has said he plans to charge the bank with fraudulently marketing and selling auction-rate... Continue Reading »
Water, Singapore Are ETFs to Watch
August 1, 2008 – Although trading volume in some exchange traded funds (ETFs) has spiked rapidly recently, one fund manager is skeptical of some of the movements.
Anthony Welch, the Sarasota Capital Strategies manager, is not buying the recent... Continue Reading »
Is It Time To Get Back Into Financial ETFs?
August 1, 2008 – For more than a year now, the financial sector has taken a beating and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) have since been bruised and battered.
However, such stocks as Wachovia Corp. (WB), have been selling at... Continue Reading »
July ETF Performance Report
July 31, 2008 – It’s been a volatile year so far for many exchange traded funds (ETFs), and July was no exception. The Dow Jones industrial average finished exactly even. The Nasdaq lost 0.7%, while the S&P 500 fell... Continue Reading »
Europe to Follow U.S. Trends in Leveraged and Inverse ETFs
July 30, 2008 – Leveraged and inverse exchange traded funds (ETFs) are two sectors in the U.S. ETF market that have experienced a boom over the past couple of years.
According to a report on “ETF Liquidity Trends” filed by... Continue Reading »
Bailout Provisions Don’t Have ETFs Whooping and Cheering
July 30, 2008 – The pen might be mightier than the sword, especially if real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) have something to say about it.
President Bush signed a major housing bill that is meant to provide mortgage relief... Continue Reading »
Short and Leveraged ETFs Are Beefing Up
July 30, 2008 – Some investors like to say short and ultra short exchange traded funds (ETFs) are similar to steroid use - bulking way up on an unnatural time scale.
For instance, the ProShares Ultra Oil and Gas (DIG)... Continue Reading »
Crunching the Numbers With Financial ETFs
July 29, 2008 – As financials continue to struggle, related exchange traded funds (ETFs) may feel the repercussions.
Yesterday, financials continued to decline as Merrill Lynch (MER) shares dropped almost 10%, bringing the entire sector lower amid fears over credit... Continue Reading »
Investor Pullout of Bond Sale Hits Australia’s ETFs Down Under
July 29, 2008 – Australia’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) might have felt some heat from the barbie yesterday.
National Australia Bank Ltd., the country’s biggest bank by assets, said that most investors in its $812 million bond sale pulled out... Continue Reading »
Bears And Short ETFs Out Roaming For The Summer
July 29, 2008 – Despite the appearances of the last few weeks that included some strong days, there are still some hungry bears roaming in the marketplace and looking for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) to snack on.
ETFGuide reports... Continue Reading »
Dividend ETFs Are Put Together In Different Ways
July 28, 2008 – Dividend investing with exchange traded funds (ETFs) has had enough time in the game to see which ones are the most successful.
Dan Caplinger for The Motley Fool reports that after the tech bubble in the... Continue Reading »
A Regulation Of Short ETFs In The Works?
July 26, 2008 – How likely would congress be to ban short exchange traded funds (ETFs), in particular funds that aim to short the financial industry?
As of today, the ban on naked short selling of 19 protected financial stocks... Continue Reading »
ETFs Help You Act Local And Go Global
July 25, 2008 – Going global with exchange traded funds (ETFs) has never presented a better opportunity than now, and it has become so much easier and cost-efficient with the advent of these funds.
MoneyShow.com interviewed us regarding the ETF... Continue Reading »
How To Weather The Economic Storms With ETFs
July 24, 2008 –
It’s been a challenge in the markets and exchange traded fund (ETF) realm lately, to put it mildly.
Things have picked up some in recent days, but as today illustrates: we’re not out of the woods... Continue Reading »
SPDRs Weave An International Web With Sector ETFs
July 24, 2008 – The options for international sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) doubled overnight as State Street Global Advisors announced the addition of ten such funds to their SPDR lineup.
This brings the Spider line to include 80 ETFs,... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs Trip Early, Then Dust Themselves Off
July 22, 2008 – Beginning late last week, financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) had a nice ride. This morning, it appeared the good times were about to stop, but after Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pushed Congress to quickly approve... Continue Reading »
Bank of America Delivers Goods to Financial ETFs
July 21, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are getting off to a solid start this morning after Bank of America announced earnings that were better than expected.
The news raised hopes that the wounds of the credit crisis... Continue Reading »
WisdomTree ETF Travels To The Middle East
July 17, 2008 – WisdomTree has edged their way into the Middle East exchange traded fund (ETF) lineup with the launch of a new fund.
The WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund (GULF) covers the same region as S&P’s GCC40 Index,... 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 »
SEC Takes Aim at Naked Short-Selling
July 16, 2008 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking aim at illegal short sellers, but it might have little impact on exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The practice of short-selling is all well and good, but “naked” short-selling... Continue Reading »
No Safari Needed For African ETF Access
July 16, 2008 – Van Eck launched the anticipated Africa focused exchange traded fund (ETF), launched on the NYSE Arca.
Market Vectors Africa Index (AFK) allows investors easy, one-stop access to the ever-growing, untapped market in Africa. The ETF tracks... Continue Reading »
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 »
China ETFs Can Help Investors Harness Asian e-commerce
July 14, 2008 – The latest trends in consumer spending are important for exchange traded fund(ETF) investors to understand, and give insight into the lucrative areas of the market.
Where better to look than to MasterCard, for information concerning consumer... Continue Reading »
Investors Run for Cover Under Gold and ETFs
July 11, 2008 – The price of gold jumped to a four-month high, sending gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher.
A dash of record oil (now more than $147 a barrel), a heaping teaspoon of mortgage-company concerns and a pinch... Continue Reading »
ETFs Can Be your Safe Haven
July 11, 2008 – Have you ever considered exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a safe haven for your money when markets get rough? Sure, there are the old standbys, such as gold, to offer investors a calm harbor, but... Continue Reading »
No Bailout for Fannie and Freddie Leaves Financial ETFs Trying to Stay Afloat
July 11, 2008 – Shares for the ailing Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) fell even lower earlier this morning after an immediate bailout was ruled out - throwing the housing market into question and related exchange traded... Continue Reading »
The Frontier Becomes More Vast With PowerShares’ ETF
July 9, 2008 – Invesco PowerShares announced the listing of its frontier countries exchange traded fund (ETF). The PowerShares MENA Frontier Countries Portfolio (PMNA) began trading this morning.
The fund was designed to give access to the Middle East and... Continue Reading »
Emerald Isle’s ETF and Economy Aren’t Seeing Green
July 8, 2008 – Shares for Ireland’s second-largest bank fell by their biggest amount in 19 years after they delivered a dose of news about the economy that could weigh down the country’s newly-minted exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Bank... Continue Reading »
Investment Bank Rumors and Shakeups Rattle Financial ETFs
July 1, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are trading down today as more rumors about major players in the sector surfaced.
First, Lehman Brothers (LEH) headed off buzz that they would have to sell, reports CNBC. Rumors... Continue Reading »
June ETF Performance Report
June 30, 2008 – Today, the markets wrap up a month, a quarter and the first half of the year and it was a rocky June for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. The Dow Jones industrial average lost... Continue Reading »
Homebuilder, Financial Losses Give ETFs Mixed Results
June 27, 2008 – The woes for the financial and homebuilding sectors continued today, while related exchange traded funds (ETFs) differed in their reactions.
Bank of America (BAC) announced job cuts of 7,500 upon closing its acquisition of Countrywide... Continue Reading »
Belgium’s ETF Waffles on Battle Between Brewers and Lender’s Troubles
June 26, 2008 – Belgium’s exchange traded fund (ETF) has fallen midday to its lowest point since June 2006 on news of a fight between Anheuser-Busch and InBev, along with news that a lender scrapped its dividend and... Continue Reading »
Citigroup’s Downgrade Sinks Markets and Financial ETFs Lower
June 26, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) sank lower today after a downgrade of Citigroup (C) sent the bank’s shares to a 10-year low.
Goldman Sachs said investors should sell the bank’s stock short, reports Neha Singh... 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 »
Financial, Consumer Discretionary ETFs Hit By Goof
June 23, 2008 – Goldman Sachs & Co. admitted that it made a mistake in upgrading the financial and consumer discretionary sectors, putting related exchange traded funds (ETFs) back in a funk.
Seven weeks ago, the sectors were boosted... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs and Markets Have a Headache This Big
June 20, 2008 – More woes are hitting the financial sector, and the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting the pain in early trading today.
Merrill Lynch (MER) issued a report this morning that U.S. banks are in... Continue Reading »
FedEx, Financials Take Markets and Some ETFs Lower
June 18, 2008 – FedEx (FDX) made an express delivery of disappointment to the markets this morning, but the transportation exchange traded fund (ETF) is holding steady in early trading.
The company said that falling demand and rising oil... Continue Reading »
In Slicing Up the Dow’s ETF Sectors, a Picture Emerges
June 17, 2008 – The past few weeks have been hard on investors and their sector-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). But not all sectors are suffering equally.
A glance at the Diamonds Trust (DIA), which tracks the Dow Jones industrial... Continue Reading »
When the Financial Sector and ETFs Turn Around Depends on Who You Talk To
June 17, 2008 – What’s the deal with financials and the sectors’ related exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Are we at the bottom yet?
That’s a tough one to call, because for every bit of hopeful news, there’s yet... Continue Reading »
ETFs for a Rainy Season
June 17, 2008 – Everybody knows that when it rains, it pours, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are no exception.
The uncertainty is pouring in all around us, with a looming presidential election, a Dow Jones industrial average that... Continue Reading »
Financial Moving and Shaking Doesn’t Rattle ETFs
June 16, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) are breaking even so far in trading today after lots of news spilled out from the sector:
Lehman Brothers (LEH) announced a loss of $2.8 billion, which was right in line... Continue Reading »
Hedge Against Oil’s Wild Swings With New Long/Short ETFs
June 12, 2008 – Is the time nigh for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that short oil and gas?
The answer seems to be mixed - while oil prices have retreated some today, down to $132 a barrel, gas... Continue Reading »
When the Bears Come Out, the Short ETFs Aren’t Far Behind
June 12, 2008 – Are you feeling a bit bearish on your exchange traded fund (ETF) bets because of the market turmoil? You’re not alone.
Some of the strongest funds in trading yesterday were the shorts, including ProShares UltraShort... 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 »
ETF Provider Parent Prepares for Roiling Waters Ahead
June 10, 2008 – When the waters ahead look turbulent, it’s best to prepare, and the parent of exchange traded fund (ETF) provider State Street Global Advisors is the latest firm to do just that.
Several banks and financial... Continue Reading »
Rydex Proposes Leveraged ETFs For The Market
June 10, 2008 – Rydex Investments is planning to add to its family of leveraged exchange traded funds (ETFs), this time with sectors. They’re scheduled to begin trading Thursday. The move is in hopes that it will put... Continue Reading »
Financial Sector and ETFs Hit By Lehman Bros.’ Writedown
June 9, 2008 – Lehman Brothers’ (LEH) announcement of a $2.8 billion loss rocked some financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) slightly and made it clear that the sector’s troubles aren’t over yet.
The nation’s fourth-largest investment bank said it... Continue Reading »
It’s Sunny Out, But the Financial Sector and ETFs Have a Gloomy Day
June 2, 2008 – The KBW Capital Markets (KCE) exchange traded fund (ETF) lost 2.3% in trading today, sending the fund to a six-week low. The fund is down 22.3% year-to-date.
The BKX index of 24 major bank stocks... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs Stumble After Banks Make Moves
June 2, 2008 – The financial sector and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are turning south in early trading today after two hints that the credit crisis isn’t exactly finished wreaking havoc.
First, Wachovia (WB) forced out CEO Ken Thompson,... Continue Reading »
As Israel Grows, and So Do ETF Options
May 29, 2008 – Israel’s economy is surpassing expectations, and if it continues this way, it could deliver solid performance to its exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The country saw growth in the first quarter, even though it was... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs Fall on Renewed Worries About the Sector
May 28, 2008 – Worries about the financial sector were renewed today, and those concerns pulled down its related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Several banking stocks were lower, including American International Group (AIG). Citigroup (C) said the world’s... Continue Reading »
Brazil and Its ETF Reaping Rewards of Natural Resources
May 27, 2008 – Global demand for Brazil’s exports are leading to strong economic growth for the country and its related exchange traded fund (ETF).
Commodities such as iron ore, beef, ethanol, soy and copper are trading... Continue Reading »
Broker-Dealer ETF Feels Financial Sector’s Pain
May 27, 2008 – Since the Bear Stearns (BSC) collapse earlier this year, the broker-dealer exchange traded fund (ETF) has been getting kicked up and down.
Year-to-date, the iShares Dow Jones US Broker-Dealers (IAI) is down 23.6%. It’s been... Continue Reading »
ETFs Reflect Technology Sector’s Push Past Financials
May 23, 2008 – Winning is an elusive act, so if you change your perspective on what sector is ahead, which exchange traded fund (ETF) is actually ahead?
Most investment professionals use the S&P 500 to gauge the performance... Continue Reading »
Prices Vex Economy and Help ETFs; Forecasts Are That Next Year May Be Better
May 19, 2008 – Another week, another round of rising prices that may affect exchange traded funds (ETFs) across the board.
It’s the same-old, same-old with oil and gas prices: high, higher and highest. Americans are now paying an average... Continue Reading »
Spain’s Economy And ETF Slow, Mirroring The U.S.
May 16, 2008 – Spain’s economy is still growing, but at a slower pace, and it could reflect in the country’s exchange traded fund (ETF).
Ben Sills for Bloomberg reports that the Spanish economy grew only 0.3% in... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs: Is It Safe to Go In the Water?
May 14, 2008 – The depressed financial sector has investors champing at the bit to get back into those exchange traded funds (ETFs). The sector is ripe for temptation: after all, once it does turn around, it could... Continue Reading »
The Market Will Eventually Swing Back, But Which ETFs Can We Turn To?
May 13, 2008 – It doesn’t seem like it now, but the markets won’t always be depressed and there will come a time to get back into exchange traded funds (ETFs).
But will the ETF marketplace benefit when the... 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 »
European Large-Caps On Their Way Up To Help ETFs
May 9, 2008 – Although the U.S.dollar is weak, and the credit crunch has tightened the cash flow, European large-caps don’t seem to be feeling this.
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold European large-cap stocks include Vanguard European Stock... Continue Reading »
Insurer AIG’s Losses Leave ETFs Mixed; Citigroup Making Changes
May 9, 2008 – Insurance exchange traded funds (ETFs) were mixed in early trading today after insurer American International Group Inc. (AIG) announced larger-than-expected losses.
The company lost $7.81 billion, the second consecutive quarterly loss. The losses did send... Continue Reading »
Now Is It Time to Invest in Financial ETFs?
May 7, 2008 – Everyone’s looking for signs that the markets have rebounded and some stocks are at rock-bottom prices, but does that mean it’s a good idea to get in on financial stocks and exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »
Disappointing Homebuilding Earnings Drags ETFs
May 6, 2008 – The homebuilding industry announced disappointing first-quarter earnings, dragging down related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The markets were feeling optimistic in the last few weeks because of positive earnings numbers from industries that don’t count themselves... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs, Markets Stumble After Buyout Deal Rumored to Be Failing
May 5, 2008 – Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) fell midday after investors became worried that Bank of America (BAC) might not complete a proposed buyout of Countrywide Financial (CFC).
A brokerage said Bank of America was... 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 »
Has the Bottom Arrived for Financial ETFs?
April 28, 2008 – Are financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) turning the corner?
Steve Halpern for Blogging Stocks reports that the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) has barely fallen since the Bear Stearns (BSC) collapse. In fact, the fund... 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 »
Bank of America’s Dismal Earnings Drags Financial ETFs
April 21, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a hit in midday trading after Bank of America (BAC) reported that its profit fell 77% in the first quarter.
It was worse than expected, as analysts had... Continue Reading »
Earnings Show Good Signs And Help Tech and Financial ETFs
April 18, 2008 – First quarter earnings reports are lifting exchange traded funds (ETFs) today. Reports from Google (GOOG) and Citigroup (C) helped ease investors minds about corporate profits, so much so that it has sent the Dow... Continue Reading »
Mixed Earnings Reports Give Mixed ETF Results
April 17, 2008 – Merrill Lynch (MER ) posted a first-quarter loss this morning, but so far the broker-dealers exchange traded fund (ETF) seems to be keeping quiet.
The world’s largest brokerage said it would cut 3,000 jobs after more... 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 »
Switzerland and ETF Could Be On the Mend, But More Woes Predicted
April 13, 2008 – Switzerland recently got socked by the global credit crunch, but the country and its exchange traded fund (ETF) seem to be in recovery mode.
The Swiss bank UBS (UBS) had write-downs in the billions last... Continue Reading »
Sweden Has More Than Ikea - It Has Lessons for Financial Sector and ETFs, Too
April 8, 2008 – The financial meltdown in the United States has wreaked havoc on the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). At times, it might have seemed that there would be no end to this, but all anyone... Continue Reading »
Are WaMu Talks a Sign Wall Street and ETFs Are Picking Up the Subprime Pieces?
April 7, 2008 –
Corporate wheeling and dealing is boosting stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) today, particularly in the financial sector.
Washington Mutual Inc. (WM) could get a $5 billion investment from private equity firms, reports Tim... Continue Reading »
While the Financial Mess Hurts Markets and ETFs, Our Responses are Human Nature
April 5, 2008 – The financial system is in a mess, and it’s taken a toll on the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), among many other things. Financial regulation in our country, as a result, is facing... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Appear Divided Over Future of Financials
April 4, 2008 – Financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been heading north this week. It’s got many wondering if the Bear Stearns (BSC) mess was the end of the crisis…or, more ominously, just the beginning.
The up tick... Continue Reading »
Vanguard Wants to Put Its Arms Around the World With New ETF
April 3, 2008 – On the heels of iShares‘ new all-world exchange traded fund (ETF), Vanguard is trying to enter the fray with its own similar kind of fund.
They’ve registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for... 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 »
New Quarter, New Start for Some ETFs
April 1, 2008 – Financial, homebuilder and retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the biggest winners on a day when the Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 400 points.
Although Swiss bank UBS (UBS) and Deutsche Bank (DB) announced... Continue Reading »
Big Banks Announce Write-Downs, But Financial ETFs Turn the Other Cheek
April 1, 2008 –
Swiss bank UBS (UBS) revealed big damage from exposure to the U.S. subprime crisis, but financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) don’t appear to be bearing the scars.
The company said today that it expects write-downs... 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 »
Lehman Shares, Broker-Dealers ETF Fall After Fears Of Another Bank Collapse
March 27, 2008 – After the collapse of Bear Stearns (BSC), it’s only natural that investors take a look at other broker-dealers with nervous eyes and exchange traded funds (ETFs) suffer. After all, if it could happen to... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Want Visa To Be Where They Are, But They’ll Have to Wait
March 26, 2008 – Visa is a multi-billion dollar global credit card business and despite the initial public offering, the largest in U.S. history, the company will not be jumping into any financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) just... Continue Reading »
New Home Sales Report Leaves Real Estate ETFs Glum
March 26, 2008 – Real estate exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a hit today on the news that new home sales fell for the fourth consecutive month.
The Commerce Department says that sales were down 1.8%, the slowest pace in... Continue Reading »
Financial and Real Estate Numbers Keep Markets, ETFs Busy
March 25, 2008 – A flurry of activity and reports on Wall Street today sent exchange traded funds (ETFs) moving in every direction.
Financials took a hit on the news that Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (MER) had its... Continue Reading »
Amid Turmoil, Bear Stearns Launches the First Actively Managed ETF
March 25, 2008 – The race has been won: amid a collapse and a possible buyout, Bear Stearns (BSC) actually found time to launch the first actively managed exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Bear Stearns Current Yield Fund (YYY)... Continue Reading »
Transportation ETF Thinks It Can, It Thinks It Can
March 25, 2008 –
The transportation exchange traded fund (ETF) appears to be chugging along, and some are taking the movements as a good sign for the rest of the economy.
Gary Gordon for ETF Expert believes this sector... 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 »
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 »
Are Oil Prices and ETFs On a Slippery Slope?
March 17, 2008 – The price of oil took a step back on Monday, causing its related exchange traded funds (ETFs) to head south along with it.
John Wilen for the Associated Press reports that oil dropped $4.17 to $106.04... 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 »
Broker-Dealer ETF Hits Low In Bear Stearns’ Wake
March 17, 2008 – The iShares Dow Jones Broker-Dealer (IAI) exchange traded fund (ETF) tumbled to an all-time low on Friday, another victim of Bear Stearns’ (BSC) woes. It lost 4.2% in trading at the end of last... Continue Reading »
February Was a Strong Month for Natural Resource ETFs
March 17, 2008 – February turned out to be the month of energy and natural resources exchange traded funds (ETFs), beating out the juggernaut that is precious metals.
Richard Widows for The Street says funds that included an... Continue Reading »
Bear Stearns’s Troubles Take Down Financial ETFs and the Dollar
March 14, 2008 – The Bear Stearns (BSC) mess is weighing on the dollar and financial exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The investment bank sought and received emergency funding today from the federal government and JPMorgan Chase & Co., reports... Continue Reading »
Not All the Good Ideas Are Taken With ETFs
March 13, 2008 –
W.P. Thatcher for Stocks For All Seasons has 10 exchange traded funds (ETFs) in mind that he’d like to see come to market.
Long gone are the days of only the plain vanilla fund,... 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 »
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 »
Stocks and ETFs Suffer as Indexes Hit 52-Week Lows
March 7, 2008 – The traumatic credit market and increase in home foreclosures are touching down on all areas of the market, including exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Joe Bel Bruno for Associated Press reports that the Dow Jones... Continue Reading »
Housing and Financial ETFs Take Their Lumps
March 6, 2008 – Financial stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) declined after shares of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (MER) fell to their lowest level in four-and-a-half years.
The drop came after the bank said it was getting... Continue Reading »
Oil and Related ETFs Higher; Service Sector Numbers Are In
March 5, 2008 – Oil and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) just won’t quit. A surprise drop in the supply caused prices to hit yet another record, hitting $104.31 a barrel.
John Wilen for the Associated Press says that analysts... 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 »
China’s Boom And ETFs Have Only Just Begun
March 3, 2008 – Despite the lackluster performance of China-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) so far this year, the country is still primed for takeoff.
Consider this: while the rest of the world is experiencing a credit tightening, China’s... Continue Reading »
Spring Clean Your Portfolio and Broaden Your Exposure
February 29, 2008 – If you feel spring in the air, it may be time to do some seasonal cleaning for your overall portfolio, including exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Does it appear your portfolio has taken a beating... Continue Reading »
U.S. Dollar Falls Further and Currency ETFs Rally
February 29, 2008 – It could be just what exchange traded fund (ETF) investors who are bearish on the U.S. dollar want to hear: another day, another low.
After two days of setting records, the euro once again... 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 »
Visa’s Close to Going Public, and It Could Land In IPO ETF
February 27, 2008 – Visa is readying to take the plunge and go public - does this mean it could be making an appearance in the IPO exchange traded fund (ETF)?
This IPO is coming at an interesting time... 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 »
Capital Markets ETF Does Turnaround
February 26, 2008 – Some positive news in the financial sector gave a lift to the KBW Capital Markets (KCE) exchange traded fund (ETF).
Two of the biggest bond insurers, MBIA Inc. (MBI) and Ambac Financial Group (ABK), avoided... Continue Reading »
Belgium ETF Dinged by Financials, But Any Turnaround Could Deliver a Boost
February 25, 2008 – What comes to mind when you hear the iShares MSCI Belgium (EWK) exchange traded fund (ETF)?
It gives a lot of banking exposure - these days, that’s tantamount to a four-letter word. But if... Continue Reading »
Canada’s ETF Gives Exposure to Natural Resources and More
February 22, 2008 – Canada is a developed country that offers commodities exposure without all the geopolitical risk, making its exchange traded fund (ETF) that much more enticing.
As a commodities play, iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC) has... Continue Reading »
Is The Dow ETF A Diamond In The Rough?
February 21, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) tracking the Dow Jones industrial average will experience a sector shift along with lesser valuation. The coming changes to the index will make it even more attractive to bullish analysts... Continue Reading »
Bernanke’s Comments Weigh On Homebuilders And ETFs
February 19, 2008 – Ben Bernanke’s sentiment and comments toward the homebuilder sector is continuing to echo through related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Shares of homebuilders were trading even lower Friday for the second session as... Continue Reading »
Japan’s Outlook Stronger, but Can the Economy and ETFs Keep It Up?
February 15, 2008 – Do Japan’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) finally have a chance to pull ahead? After a period of economic weakness in the country, Japan’s economy grew at a faster pace during the fourth quarter, at... 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 »
Some Dividend ETFs Going Down With Financial Sector
February 13, 2008 – Dividend-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) are experiencing a meltdown of their own.
These types of funds have large plays in high-yielding financial stocks and this is the sector that has been hit hard by the... Continue Reading »
The Dow Makes a Rare Component Change, ETFs Will Change Along With It
February 12, 2008 – It doesn’t happen often: Dow Jones announced
they will be changing the composition of the Dow Jones industrial average, changing the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track this
index.
Two component stocks will be replaced: Bank... Continue Reading »
Some ETFs Experience a Reversal of Fortune
February 12, 2008 – It isn’t all doom and gloom: some exchange traded funds(ETFs) are experiencing a reversal of fortune during these trying economic times.
The performance for the past month of these lucky ETFs are listed:
ProShares UltraShort... Continue Reading »
Muni Bond ETF Yields Safer as Buffett Bails Out Insurers
February 12, 2008 – Municipal bonds and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are in a bit of a pickle, but billionaire Warren Buffett has stepped in to help.
As we wrote yesterday, while municipal bonds are currently offering attractive yields,... Continue Reading »
Transportation ETF Flying High
February 12, 2008 – The transportation exchange traded fund (ETF) is on a roll, as it was a leading issuer for the week. Dow Jones Transportation Average (IYT) issued $500 million or 74.8% of assets. Runners up were... Continue Reading »
Municipal Bond ETFs Have Attractive Yields
February 11, 2008 – Competitive yields are suddenly giving municipal bond exchange traded funds (ETFs) a new level of attractiveness to investors.
Muni bond ETFs are the new kids on the block; the first ones didn’t appear until last... Continue Reading »
Insurance ETF Hits All-Time Low After AIG News
February 11, 2008 – The KBW Insurance (KIE) exchange traded fund (ETF) is in the doldrums.
The ETF’s steep drop to an all-time low is primarily because of news that American International Group (AIG) has been hit harder by... Continue Reading »
Are You Doubling Up With ETFs?
February 11, 2008 – When you look at your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio, and consider all of the single stocks that you own, are you ever doubling up?
Investing in individual large-caps is great, however, if you... Continue Reading »
G-7 Summit Keeps Financial Market Hopeful
February 11, 2008 – The G7 Summit meeting takes place this weekend and we’ll have to wait and see what effect decisions made there will have on the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The dollar was slightly weaker... 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 »
Malaise Shows in Retail ETFs and Sectors
February 7, 2008 – As if the wallets weren’t shut tight enough already: retail sales fell even further in January, putting a damper on related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Anne D’Innocenzio for the Associated Press reports that retailers had... Continue Reading »
ETFs Prove Women Are Not Shopping ‘Til They Drop
February 5, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks are reflecting that women’s retailers could be nearing an inflection point, with trends at negative-to-flattish for 10 months.
Brigid Gaffikin for Thomson Financial reports that women’s specialty comps... Continue Reading »
Analysts Cozy Up to Financial and Homebuilder ETFs
February 4, 2008 – Some analysts are liking the looks of financial and homebuilder focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) these days.
While the financial industry in particular continues to get negative press, advisors and analysts are saying that the two... 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 »
ETF Bargain Hunters Start Searching
February 4, 2008 – Bargain shoppers may have their time cut out for them, as many exchange traded funds (ETFs) are touting low price-to-earnings ratios (P/E Ratios).
The P/E Ratio is a valuation of a company’s current share price... 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 »
Advisors See the Glass Half Empty, According to ETF Provider Survey
February 1, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider Rydex has released the latest numbers regarding advisor confidence, and it doesn’t look good.
The Advisor Confidence Index (ACI) is a benchmark that gauges advisor’s views on the U.S. economy... Continue Reading »
PowerShares Launches New Preferred ETF
January 31, 2008 – PowerShares has launched the newest exchange traded fund (ETF) of preferred stocks today.
The PowerShares Preferred Portfolio (PGX) is based on the Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index and gives investors exposure to fixed-income securities.
Preferred... Continue Reading »
Financial ETFs May Be Victims
January 30, 2008 – Financial-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) may be experiencing some of the fallout related to potential mortgage fraud.
For years, the F.B.I. has been warning that mortgage fraud is a huge problem, many of the... 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 »
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 »
You Can’t Always Judge an ETF By Its Name
January 29, 2008 – In December, Barclays added another international exchange traded fund (ETF) to its lineup: the iShares MSCI Kokusai Index Fund (TOK).
TOK covers 1,203 holdings in 22 developed markets, minus Japan, with the United States taking... Continue Reading »
Asian Stocks and ETFs Hear The Roar
January 24, 2008 – The Asian indexes officially entered a bear market this week, taking the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) and stocks down.
A recent spread of short positions led to panic sell-offs, possibly because of hedge... Continue Reading »
Don’t Call It a Comeback for ETFs and the Markets Yet, but It Was a Good Day
January 23, 2008 –
It was like the semi-annual running of the brides at Filene’s Basement in Boston: bargain hunters entered the markets today looking for a deal, sending stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) hopping.
The Dow Jones... Continue Reading »
Short ETFs Shining Bright
January 22, 2008 – These days, it’s all about the short exchange traded fund (ETFs). Scroll through the list of top-performing funds year-to-date on Morningstar and you’ll see the proof: the top 33 performing funds so far this year... 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 »
For ETFs, the Sun’ll Come Out…Eventually
January 22, 2008 – The question on everyone’s mind is: just what is it going to take to give markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) the kick they need to start moving in a positive direction?
Experts are increasingly... 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 »
British ETF Overcast With Economy
January 22, 2008 – The British economy isn’t looking so cheeky right now, as the economy is mirroring that of the United States’, and its exchange traded fund (ETF) is bearing the brunt of it.
iShares MSCI United... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Feel Relief at the End of a Long Week
January 18, 2008 – Investors in stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are probably shouting: "TGIO!" That’s "Thank God It’s Over." It’s been a long week, and today wasn’t much better.
This morning, things kicked off looking hopeful. Madlen... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Want Shelter
January 18, 2008 – Some may wonder if the Fed is in denial: while Bernanke calls for a "slow growth path," Wall Street is calling "recession" and exchange traded fund (ETF) investments and benchmarks are on a steady... 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 »
Retail Numbers and ETFs Verify Slowing Economy
January 16, 2008 – Shoppers appear to be penny-pinching, and this drop in consumerism is affecting retail focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Wall Street.
December presented a 0.4% drop in retail sales, ending the weakest retail sales season... Continue Reading »
Economy and What ETFs Are Doing Is Everyone’s Business
January 16, 2008 – The economy is clearly in a slowdown, and investors are wondering which way to go with their exchange traded fund (ETF) investments.
Ben Stein for The New York Times points out that the signs are... 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 »
British Pound and ETF Slide Backward
January 16, 2008 –
One of last year’s strong currencies seems to have taken a bit of a stumble along with its exchange traded fund (ETF) and for once, it’s not the U.S. dollar.
The British pound was a...