SAG Strike’s ETF Impact Is Up In the Air
November 25, 2008 – The failure of attempts to negotiate contracts between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Hollywood studios may stir up a strike and be detrimental to entertainment and media related exchange traded funds (ETFs). These feuds seem to be... Continue Reading »

Golden Arches Shine, But Food ETF Still Hungry
November 10, 2008 – McDonald’s (MCD) Dollar Menu must be appealing in tight times, but the food and beverage exchange traded fund (ETF) does seem to be eating it up. The world’s largest purveyor of fast food reported that same-store sales... Continue Reading »

Restaurants Struggling, ETFs Put Down the Fork
October 15, 2008 – The restaurant malaise that began around two years ago has begun to intensify as the financial turmoil has affected the number of sit-down diners, leaving entertainment and leisure exchange traded funds (ETFs) to starve. Janet Adamy... Continue Reading »

Hollywood, ETFs May Not Be As Bullish As They Seem
October 13, 2008 – Extra! Extra! Read all about Hollywood’s declining recession-proof reputation, threatening to dim the lights on entertainment and media exchange traded funds (ETFs). Despite a global credit crunch, financial institutions going under and jobs being lost, one... Continue Reading »

Shift to Internet Advertising Could Be Hurting Media ETFs
September 26, 2008 – There seem to be few sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that have managed to remain immune from the economic downturn. The latest is your local NBC affiliate. NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker says the downturn... Continue Reading »

We’re All Cheap In Our Own Ways; ETFs Are Affected the Same
August 31, 2008 – Across the globe, consumers are feeling the financial burden of higher food prices and the growing cost of fuel, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) will be affected. However, as all people are trying to... Continue Reading »

Economic Indicators Report Gives Slight Chill to Markets, ETFs
August 21, 2008 – A private group took the economy’s temperature, and a not-so-hot prognosis has sent stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) trading lower this morning. The Conference Board, a private business group, said that its monthly forecast of... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Vegas Take Gambles In Slowing Economy
August 4, 2008 – The chips might be down in Las Vegas, but Steve Wynn and exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t shying away from a little roll of the dice. After all, what’s gambling without a little risk? The tough... Continue Reading »

Why So Serious? The Dark Knight Can’t Help Media ETF
July 31, 2008 – You’d think that some record-setting numbers for one of the summer’s hottest and most entertaining movies would be delivering some hope to exchange traded funds (ETFs). This weekend,The Dark Knight raked in another $10.5 million to... Continue Reading »

Could Restaurant Closings Be a Sign of the Times for ETFs?
July 31, 2008 – As consumers cut back on spending, two exchange traded funds (ETFs) caught in the crossfire could be ones focused in leisure and entertainment, and food and beverage. Bennigan’s filed for bankruptcy this week, putting hundreds out... Continue Reading »

Earnings Around the Markets Boost Energy, Food ETFs
July 23, 2008 – Glug, glug, glug. That’s the sound of Pepsi’s second-quarter profit rising, which has bubbled up the food and beverage exchange traded fund (ETF). PepsiCo (PEP) reported a 9% jump in profits in the most recent quarter,... Continue Reading »

China’s Olympic Prep Work Could Powerlift ETFs As Security Questions Addressed
July 22, 2008 – The countdown to the Bejing Olympics has begun, and with only three weeks left it is insightful to look at how China is preparing for this honor, and how exchange traded funds (ETFs) and investments... Continue Reading »

ETF Thoughts For The Fourth Of July
July 4, 2008 – Before you take a bite out of that hot dog, or another sip of Budweiser, did you consider that what you are consuming may be beneficial to your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio? PowerShares Dynamic Food... Continue Reading »

Rhapsody’s Deal is Music to UK ETF’s Ears
June 30, 2008 – The United Kingdom exchange traded fund (ETF) was humming along to news that another subscription music site is going to begin selling digital songs. Rhapsody wants to challenge iTunes and is therefore offering unprotected digital songs... Continue Reading »

Stop the Presses: Newspaper Industry Woes Might Drag Media ETF
June 30, 2008 – The media exchange traded fund (ETF) contains companies that represent nearly every corner of the media universe, from television, the internet and newspapers. That could be a good thing, since the newspaper industry had one... Continue Reading »

AC/DC Comes to Wal-Mart With Open Arms, But Will ETFs Be Ready to Rock?
June 18, 2008 – Well, hell’s bells. AC/DC’s decision about where they’re going to sell their new album could wind up helping exchange traded funds (ETFs). That is, if enough people still care about them and enough people... Continue Reading »

Fathers, ETFs and Sports - What Could Be Better?
June 15, 2008 – Happy Father’s Day to all you dads, who are anticipating a day of leisure while your exchange traded funds (ETFs) do the work. There isn’t a sports-related ETF, but there are other ETFs that... Continue Reading »

Belgium Makes Offer for Bud, But Will ETFs Drink It Up?
June 13, 2008 – Could the sale of an American icon benefit a few exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Belgium company InBev recently made an unsolicited bid for Anheuser-Busch (BUD), and it has people torn. While shareholders might find themselves unable to... Continue Reading »

Media ETF Could Benefit From NBA Playoffs, But I May Not
June 11, 2008 – While the NBA playoffs could be helping some exchange traded funds (ETFs), they sure aren’t helping me any. I grew up in Boston, and if you hadn’t noticed, we’re nutty about our sports teams. You’d... Continue Reading »

Talking to People On the Street Can Help When it Comes to China ETFs
June 11, 2008 – By heading over to China and having some conversations with regular people, one can learn a lot that could help when it comes time to start looking at exchange traded funds (ETFs). Tony Sagami for... Continue Reading »

Penny-Pinching Could Help Some Food ETFs
May 30, 2008 – When the economy gets tough, the tough get cheap, and that could help some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that contain fast-food companies. Jonathan Lansner for the Orange County Register keeps one eye on fast-food joints while... Continue Reading »

Gambling Industry and ETFs Aren’t Hitting the Jackpot So Far This Year
May 24, 2008 – The gambling industry is known for a little resilience during economic downturns, which might make related exchange traded funds (ETFs) seem like a decent bet. But it finally looks like some casinos in Vegas... Continue Reading »

Will ETFs Remember Mother’s Day When the Numbers Come Out?
May 11, 2008 – All those cards, flowers and assorted other gifts you picked up for your mom might benefit retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) when the numbers come out. You splurged, right? Some of you waited until the last... Continue Reading »

Media ETFs Poised To Benefit From Higher Oil Prices
May 6, 2008 – Disney (DIS) demonstrated the importance of being diversified with your exchange traded funds (ETFs) when it announced its earnings today. The numbers came in better-than-expected, with a 22% rise in quarterly earnings, reports Gina Keating for... Continue Reading »

Agriculture, Energy ETFs Soar, But Consumers Lose Confidence
April 29, 2008 – Soaring prices for the basic necessities might be helping your agriculture and energy exchange traded funds (ETFs), but the trade-off is beaten-down consumer confidence. A research group reported today that consumer sentiment has dropped to... Continue Reading »

ETFs Aren’t Lovin’ Good Earnings Numbers from McDonalds, AT&T
April 22, 2008 – Despite positive numbers from both AT&T (T) and McDonald’s (MCD), the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that count them as major components seem to be unmoved by the news. AT&T reported that its first quarter profit... Continue Reading »

Tiffany’s Good News Eases the Mean Reds In Retail ETFs
March 24, 2008 – Jewelry purveyor Tiffany & Co. (TIF) put up strong results on Monday, delivering a dose of positivity to retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the overall sector. It’s was sitting at 7-week highs this... Continue Reading »

Easter Baskets Of ETFs
March 23, 2008 – While you are egg-hunting today, your mind may not be on your exchange traded funds (ETFs). However, you may want to consider how your nest eggs are doing at his point in time. ETFs... Continue Reading »

March Madness With ETFs: All Bets Are On
March 20, 2008 – The March Madness Tournament’s first round begins today, a possible chance for the media focused exchange traded fund (ETF) to dribble in some earnings. PowerShares Dynamic Leisure and Entertainment (PEJ) holds 4.89% in CBS... Continue Reading »

Sports Illustrated and ETFs - It’s a Reach, but Stay With Us
February 13, 2008 – It’s that time of year again: the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. What’s that have to do with exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Well, not a whole lot, really. But we’re just wondering if the stampede to... Continue Reading »

Writers Strike Could Leave ETF Trailing In Its Wake
February 5, 2008 – The movie and television writers who are striking may return to a workplace that will never be the same again, thus affecting Wall street and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Michael Cieply for The New York... Continue Reading »

Could Fight Spill Over Onto ETFs?
January 29, 2008 – Could a lawsuit against an entertainment and Internet heavyweight hurt a couple exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Liberty Media (LCAPA) is suing IAC/InteractiveCorp (IACI) Chairman Barry Diller. The company wants to gain control after Diller proposed... Continue Reading »

Is Love in the Air for Some ETFs?
January 29, 2008 – According to singer/songwriter Jack Johnson, "Cupid only misses sometimes," and according to the analysts and exchange traded fund (ETF) enthusiasts, "Cupid’s costs are expected to rise in 2008." Hmmm. I think the other way was... Continue Reading »

Gambling ETF Gives Purest Play on Casinos
January 29, 2008 – One area of the entertainment industry that doesn’t appear to be suffering in the wake of the writer’s strike and the otherwise tough economic climate is gaming, and the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry... Continue Reading »

Game On for New ETF
January 24, 2008 – The Market Vectors Gaming (BJK) exchange traded fund (ETF) sprang out of the gate today on the American Stock Exchange. The fund tracks an index of 69 companies involved in the global gaming industry, including... Continue Reading »

Director’s Deal Could Force Writer’s Strike to End and Bring Relief to ETF
January 18, 2008 – Is it showtime for the leisure and entertainment exchange traded fund (ETF)? Movies and television are escapes that are sorely needed, especially if the markets continue in their current direction. But if the 11-week... Continue Reading »

Two New ETFs Will Track Coal and Gaming
January 2, 2008 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cleared the way for two new exchange traded funds (ETFs) from Van Eck. The Market Vectors Coal (KOL), to be launched on the NYSE Arca, and Market Vectors... Continue Reading »

Despite Economy, Gamblers Still Rolling the Dice in Vegas and ETF May See a Boost
December 28, 2007 – Some days, it seems like there’s nothing but bad news about the economy and certain exchange traded funds (ETFs). It’s times like that you might just want to get away and forget those troubles.... Continue Reading »

Will It Be Hooray for Hollywood and the Entertainment ETF in 2008?
December 22, 2007 – Hollywood is primed to have a miserable 2008, and that doesn’t bode well for the leisure and entertainment exchange traded fund (ETF). If this were a movie, it would be marketed as a suspenseful... Continue Reading »

FCC’s New Rules Make ETF One to Watch
December 21, 2007 – Could the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ruling on media ownership impact the exchange traded fund (ETF) that tracks the sector? The two rules approved on Tuesday are that no company can control more than 30% of... Continue Reading »

Holiday Liquor Sales Keep ETFs Lively
December 19, 2007 – The one business sector that could really use a drink during the holiday season is the liquor industry and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that hold these companies. The six weeks between Thanksgiving and... Continue Reading »

The Pen is Mightier Than the ETF in Writer’s Strike
December 7, 2007 – The WGA writer’s strike has been going on for a little more than a month now, and even exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t safe from the ripple effect that’s already being felt across the... Continue Reading »

Media Strike Creates Drama For ETF And Earnings
November 8, 2007 – The writers’ strike is going full force and the Hollywood producers haven’t materialized for those members of the Writer’s Guild. Poor earnings could be ahead for entertainment and media stocks and exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »

Strike May Not Be So Entertaining for Media ETFs
November 1, 2007 – Tick-tock…tick-tock. The clock has run out on the contract between the Writers’ Guild and Hollywood producers and it remains to be seen what impact this will have on entertainment and media-oriented exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »

Possible Hollywood Writers’ Strike Not a Star for Media ETFs
October 16, 2007 – Entertainment and media-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be in trouble if the Hollywood writers’ strike goes through as rumors are suggesting. The PowerShares Dynamic Media (PBS) is up 2.9% year-to-date and the PowerShares... Continue Reading »

Kick Back and Relax with the Leisure & Entertainment ETF
September 18, 2007 – Have you ever wished there was an exchange traded fund (ETF) that likes to have as much fun as you do? Well, you just might find it in the PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment... Continue Reading »

Is Glitzy Media ETF on Rise to Stardom?
August 28, 2007 – At a quick glance, it wouldn’t seem as if the recent market volatility would affect media stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) too much. They seem as if they would behave more like health... Continue Reading »

Hungry for a Food & Beverage ETF
August 27, 2007 – The PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage (PBJ) exchange traded fund (ETF) seems to be turning around. It broke above its 200-day trend line and is up 5.7% year-to-date. One possible factor in PBJ’s performance... Continue Reading »

A Novel Idea: ETF for Harry Potter
July 21, 2007 – Even if you are busy watching your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio, it is possible you have heard about Harry Potter. Harry Potter fans anxiously awaited the release of the final in the seven-book... Continue Reading »

Summertime Travel ETF?
June 23, 2007 – The best season of the year is here and everyone is ready to take their winter clothes off and feel the sun warm their skin. The kids are out of school and now it’s... Continue Reading »

ETF on Media Bid Ride
May 3, 2007 – This week, News Corp. (NWS) submitted a $5 billion bid for Dow Jones (DJ) - that’s a 65% premium - now shareholders are hanging on for the ride, even exchange traded funds (ETFs). Dan... Continue Reading »

March Madness - A Sports ETF!
March 31, 2007 – There are exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on our health, with HealthShares, but what about the sports industry?  Today is the day for semifinals in the NCAA Basketball tournament and I’m sure there are... Continue Reading »

Super Bowl Sunday And Your ETFs
February 5, 2007 – Many fans feel anguish over Super Bowl Sunday, but as an investor you can rest easier knowing your money and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may reap points. Although it is "just a game" there... Continue Reading »

Say “Happy New Year” To Your ETFs
December 28, 2006 – It’s time to wrap up another year and that also means thinking about your exchange traded funds (ETFs) and investments. PowerShares Dynamic Food and Beverage (PBJ) is up 1.0% this month, so why not... Continue Reading »

Leisure ETF (PEJ) Emerging Opportunity
September 20, 2006 – Murray Coleman of Investors Business Daily looks at an opportunity with a growth exchange traded fund, PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment (PEJ).  The long-term outlook is appealing because as American’s age and retire, they... Continue Reading »