Oil
Why Dour Reports Show Cracks In ETFs, Economy
December 4, 2008 – Through the turmoil of the economic downturn, factory orders are getting buried, leaving an underlying weakness on Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The deepening recession has left factory orders at their lowest point in... Continue Reading »
Auto Company Bailout, ETFs: What’s Next?
December 2, 2008 – After yesterday’s discouraging one for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), things are suddenly looking up again. (more…)
Continue Reading »
We’re In a Recession. Now What?
December 1, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) and other investors won’t like this: the National Bureau of Economic Research confirmed today that the United States entered a recession one year ago.
Most Americans have already believed this about the... Continue Reading »
Signs to Buy Oil ETFs
December 1, 2008 – In a market where nobody seems to want to hold commodities, oil and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been hard hit by an brutal sell-off of oil futures.
Last week, price of crude oil dipped... Continue Reading »
CNBC’s ETF: Read All About It
November 26, 2008 – Northern Trust is adding to their lineup despite the market tumult, with a new member for their NETS exchange traded fund (ETF) family. NYSE Euronext has listed the NETS FTSE CNBC Global 300 Index Fund... Continue Reading »
New ETFs Double Up Commodities Exposure
November 25, 2008 – ProFunds Group is launching the first family of exchange traded funds (ETFs) within the United States that gives exposure to commodities, the euro or the yen. There is leveraged commodities and currency exposure in exchange... Continue Reading »
Natural Gas ETF’s Future Could Burn Bright
November 25, 2008 – With the diminishing importance of oil and and coal as energy sources, North America’s natural gas producers and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them may have great potential.
Coal and oil occupy 60% of North America’s energy... Continue Reading »
Consumers Love Low Oil, Gas Prices But ETFs Smarting
November 24, 2008 – Consumers are cheering at the pump, as gas prices are below $2 per gallon in some areas of the nation, leaving stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) sparse.
Over the past two weeks prices in gas... Continue Reading »
Freddie, Citi Contribute to ETF, Market Stress
November 21, 2008 – Mortgage lender Freddie Mac (FRE) could be de-listed from the NYSE, continuing the troubles that have plagued financial exchange traded funds (ETFs) for much of this year.
Since the company’s share price has been under $1... Continue Reading »
Oil, Employment In the Tank, Taking ETFs With Them
November 20, 2008 – Oil has fallen below $50 per barrel on Thursday as the global contraction has gone deeper and fuel demand has waned, causing stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) to plummet.
The tattered financial markets have lowered... Continue Reading »
Commodity Indicator, ETN Buck the Downtrend
November 19, 2008 – Commodities are still in a major correction period, so it is especially interesting when there’s any fund, index or indicator that’s not only outperforming, but is up year-to-date by double digits.
The S&P Commodity Trends Indicator... Continue Reading »
Malaysia, ETF Keep the Faith In Turmoil
November 19, 2008 – Current global economic turmoil has affected Malaysia’s exchange traded fund (ETF), but the country’s leadership is adamant that no recession will be seen and the currency will rise.
Further, the central bank is ready to adjust... Continue Reading »
Gas, Housing ETFs Spill With Economy
November 19, 2008 – The United States economy remains in a state of uncertainty and this apathy is reflected in the actions of investors and their stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The state of the nation’s Big Three automakers... Continue Reading »
Eurozone Recession Undermines Oil’s Slip, ETFs
November 14, 2008 – October was a record month for sagging retail sales, proving further that consumers are tightening up their wallets, and not adding to a domestic economic boost for Wall Street or exchange traded funds(ETFs).
The decline in auto... Continue Reading »
Numbers Paint a Bleak Picture for Markets, ETFs
November 13, 2008 – The Labor Department has reported the number of jobless claims has reached a new level not seen since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as the slowing economy has Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs)... Continue Reading »
Bad Assets Bum Out ETFs
November 12, 2008 – Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced the government will not buy bank’s toxic mortgage assets after all, sending dismay to investors and Wall Street, which negatively affected exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Much of Wall Street was excited about... Continue Reading »
As Energy Tanks, Russia, ETF Scale Back
November 11, 2008 –
Russia was one of the biggest winners in the runup in oil prices, but now the country and its exchange traded fund (ETF) are falling back on hard times. The country is becoming no stranger... Continue Reading »
China’s Plan Stimulates Global, Oil ETFs
November 10, 2008 – The world’s fourth-largest economy is delivering a shot to its own arm as a global slowdown continues to hurt its exchange traded funds (ETFs).
China’s ETFs were among the top performers in 2007, before they began... Continue Reading »
Obama’s Sector To-Do List May Impact ETFs
November 9, 2008 – President-elect Barack Obama has his work cut out for him as he enters office with the weight of financial trauma, tumbling stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) and a gaping deficit.
No question: there’s a lot... Continue Reading »
ETFs Reversing Two Bad Days Amid Gloomy Reports
November 7, 2008 – Two days of losses in the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are showing signs of reversal midday as bargain-hunters storm the house.
The attraction of low stock prices has investors’ attention. A worse-than-expected unemployment report... Continue Reading »
Umemployment Rate Vibrates Through Economy, ETFs
November 6, 2008 – The amount of unemployed Americans is rising, and unemployment benefits are being drawn from at record highs, possibly leaving a scar for the economy in the long run and stressing out Wall Street and exchange... Continue Reading »
Now That Obama Has Won, Which ETFs Could?
November 5, 2008 – In the post-election hangover we’ve all got, now investors are looking ahead to what sectors and exhange traded funds (ETFs) are best poised for success under an Obama administration.
Agriculture and infrastructure are likely to benefit... Continue Reading »
ETFs Give Sigh of Relief As Election Day Finally Arrives
November 4, 2008 – It’s finally Election Day, and the markets and exchange traded funds (ETF) are hopping on investor optimism and eagerness to have the elections over with.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has surged by as much as... Continue Reading »
October ETF Performance Report
October 31, 2008 – October was a spooky month for the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs), and we saw things that haven’t been seen in decades.
The two strongest areas, and one of the few to end the month... Continue Reading »
Consumers, ETFs Hurt While Oil, Gas Companies Win
October 31, 2008 – While the markets have seemed relatively calm in recent days, consumer confidence has taken a wallop.
In October, it suffered its sharpest monthly drop on record, reports Chris Reese for Reuters. The reading plunged from 70.3... Continue Reading »
Consumer Spending Shrinks Economy, ETFs In Third Quarter
October 30, 2008 – Consumers are scaling back more than they have in decades, and it’s having a ripple effect on exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the economy’s gross domestic product.
GDP shrank in the third quarter by 0.3%, the... Continue Reading »
ETFs Watch, Wait for Federal Reserve’s Next Move
October 29, 2008 – Today is the day of anticipated rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) seem to be holding their breath while they wait for the 2:15 p.m. ET announcement.
The markets expect the... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Seem Cool to Positive Reports
October 27, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are see-sawing this morning as investors weigh the economy in the wake of mixed news.
New home sales in September posted a surprise increase of 2.7% while prices fall, reports... Continue Reading »
Few Markets, ETFs Spared As Recession Fears Spread
October 24, 2008 – The morning’s troubles began before even a single exchange traded fund (ETF) could trade: losses in Asia and Europe combined with fears of a deep global recession led to the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s plunge... Continue Reading »
UltraShort Oil ETF Offers Opportunity As Price Falls
October 22, 2008 – Oil keeps heading lower most days, but that doesn’t mean investors don’t have a change to profit with exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Oil is heading toward $50 per barrel and there’s sentiment that any OPEC production... Continue Reading »
Worries Send Dow Down, Investors Clinging to Treasuries
October 22, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) were battered today, starting off the morning on a down note and remaining there.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) came out with a downbeat report that didn’t help matters, saying... Continue Reading »
Alternative Energy And ETFs Vulnerable To Market Winds
October 22, 2008 – Proponents of alternative energy and the sector’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the few rejoicing at the higher cost of oil. But now that prices are less than half of what they were at... Continue Reading »
Earnings Reports Fire Up ETF Investors’ Nerves
October 22, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are feeling woozy this morning after a slew of less-than-stellar earnings reports. Now that credit markets are improving, the focus is turning to the corporate earnings that have... Continue Reading »
Congress May Consider Stimulus for Economy, ETFs
October 21, 2008 – The idea of another economic stimulus bill is gaining traction, but what it will mean for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) down the road is still a question market.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke... Continue Reading »
Push for More Stimulus Could Stimulate ETFs
October 20, 2008 – Credit markets are finally showing some signs of movement, giving hope that exchange traded funds (ETFs) and Wall Street will soon feel a little relief.
Meanwhile, Ben Bernanke is testifying in Congress today, and said another... Continue Reading »
Dow, ETFs Recover, But VIX Says This Isn’t Over
October 16, 2008 – It was an impressive finish for Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) after the way things were looking this morning.
After falling 380 points at the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed more than... Continue Reading »
While Oil Prices Are Grounded, Airline ETF Isn’t Soaring
October 16, 2008 – First, rising oil burns the airlines and transportation exchange traded funds (ETFs). Now, one airline is getting burned by falling oil prices. How does that work?
For the first time in 17 years, Southwest (LUV) has... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Go for a Ride
October 15, 2008 – The commodities market has done a complete 180, and the market for the bare ingredients that make the world turn have fallen, taking related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a downward slide.
The commodity... Continue Reading »
Retail Sales Leave ETFs With an Empty Cart
October 15, 2008 – Retail sales in September continued to show that consumers aren’t ready to splurge, and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) aren’t ready to perform.
The 1.2% drop in sales was even worse than expected, and was the... Continue Reading »
ETF Alternatives That Respond to Energy Needs
October 15, 2008 – The need for change is in the air, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting this as alternative energy creeps into the consciousness of the mainstream.
Many investors are betting on which alternative energy funds and... Continue Reading »
Dow Soars While Investors Leave Gold ETFs
October 13, 2008 – After the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s record one-day point gain today, though, gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be losing some of their luster as a safe haven. Gold lost $2 in trading today, reports... Continue Reading »
Government Considers Plan B to Jump-Start Markets, ETFs
October 13, 2008 – The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rocketed higher at the opening today on optimism over the government’s latest plan to prop up the crumbling economy.
Central banks around the world are opening their wallets to... Continue Reading »
Short ETFs One of the Few Movers This Week
October 11, 2008 – As the market continues its sharp declines, there is still a way that investors can profit from exchange traded fund (ETF) investing. Short-selling, or betting against the market, has become a strategy for many who... Continue Reading »
Not All ETF Products Are Created Alike
October 10, 2008 – When commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) were on a bull run this summer, London-based ETF Securities was right there with its line of funds aimed squarely at the sector.
The provider, which actually runs products known... Continue Reading »
ETF Investors Have Good Energy Alternatives
October 10, 2008 – Although oil prices have fallen back from their record highs, the shock was enough to make many investors consider the advantages of alternative energy exchange traded funds (ETFs).
As a result, many new alternative energy stocks... Continue Reading »
Rate Cut Doesn’t Spur ETFs or Ease Recession Fears
October 8, 2008 – The Federal Reserve met this morning to deliver a surprise half-point rate cut, but so far, recession fears still rule over exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The cut is part of a coordinated global effort to make... Continue Reading »
Federal Reserve Takes First Steps to Revive Markets, ETFs
October 7, 2008 – A plan to address the many issues our economy is having right now is taking shape, much to the liking of the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Federal Reserve has announced a plan to... Continue Reading »
Yen, Gold ETFs Surge While Commodities Tumble
October 6, 2008 – The tide has turned for the Japanese yen as the credit market collapse is sending the currency way back up, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) will follow.
This same credit market collapse that sent Lehman Brothers... Continue Reading »
Dow, S&P, ETFs Plummet Amid Global Selloff
October 6, 2008 – Wall Street opened this morning and resumed its descent as stock and exchange traded fund (ETF) investors remain worried about the global credit crisis and what looks like a broad global selloff, despite the passage... Continue Reading »
Commodities, ETFs Close Up Bad Week
October 3, 2008 – Commodities and their related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are on pace for their worst week in nearly 50 years.
Commodities, as measured by the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials, have lost 9.9% this week... Continue Reading »
Twists and Turns In Banking Saga Impacts ETFs
October 3, 2008 – In a twist that could affect regional bank exchange traded funds (ETFs), Wachovia (WB) has agreed to be snatched up by Wells Fargo (WFC) in a $15.1 billion all-stock deal.
But Citibank (C) is insisting that... Continue Reading »
September ETF Performance Report
September 30, 2008 – Today brings to a close one of the most volatile months and quarters for exchange traded funds (ETFS) in stock market history. Several of the country’s largest financial institutions failed, some others merged and others... Continue Reading »
Dow Jones Loses Nearly 800 Points In Volatile Session
September 29, 2008 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its largest one-day loss ever, leaving few bright spots in the world of exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Dow today plunged 777 points, by far surpassing the previous record of... Continue Reading »
Retail ETFs Rose In August Despite Flat Spending
September 29, 2008 – Consumer spending became even weaker in August as back-to-school shopping failed to deliver a boost to the sector, even though retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) managed small gains for the month.
Spending was the weakest it’s... Continue Reading »
Russia’s Economy, ETF Are Not Islands
September 26, 2008 – Not long ago, Russia appeared to be standing their ground during this global credit crunch, but lately the country’s economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs) haven’t seemed quite so resilient.
Many analysts back then predicted that... Continue Reading »
Reports: Rescue Plan for Economy, ETFs, Markets Is Near
September 25, 2008 – Lawmakers are working fast and furious to craft a rescue plan that will save the economy, our beat-up stock markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) - at least, that’s the hope.
Reports are that a deal... Continue Reading »
Oil and Gas Exploration ETFs: The Wave of the Future?
September 24, 2008 – The market is down, no doubt, and exchange traded fund(ETFs) have followed, but one thing is for certain that the market will turn around and financial markets will recover.
Stocks all recover from bear markets, and... Continue Reading »
Oil Price Jump Shows Inner Workings Of ETF
September 23, 2008 – The price of oil rose 15.7% yesterday, so why didn’t the related exchange traded fund (ETF) shoot up accordingly?
John Hyland, chief investment officer at the U.S. Commodity Fund, the firm behind the United States Oil... Continue Reading »
Oil, ETFs Spike As Investors’ Nerves Frayed By Fed’s Plan
September 22, 2008 – Bailout anxiety today led to the biggest one-day spike in the price of oil as the dollar weakened and crude futures contracts expired.
Oil jumped by $25 a barrel, which more than shattered the previous record... Continue Reading »
Consumer ETFs Stalwarts Amid Financial Crisis
September 16, 2008 – Consumer prices fell in August after months of rampant inflation, which in turn benefited retail exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% from last month, preceded by two months of increases: 0.8% in... Continue Reading »
Fed Holds Rates Steady - Where Do ETFs Go From Here?
September 16, 2008 – The Federal Reserve kept interest rates the same, leaving many to wonder what the implications are going to be for the broader markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The decision keeps the interbank overnight federal funds... Continue Reading »
With ETFs, There Are Ways to Play Lower Industrial Output
September 15, 2008 – Industrial output has broad implications for the economy and exchange traded funds (ETFs), so it isn’t good that it plunged by the largest amount in three years.
Output fell by 1.1% last month, and economists were... Continue Reading »
Oil Prices, ETFs Are Down; Gas Is Up on Ike’s Approach
September 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and the general markets are off slightly after the trade deficit rose to a 16-month high and oil continued to head south.
Oil imports hit an all-time high this summer, which offset... Continue Reading »
Solar ETFs Drop Sharply After Reports of Panel Glut
September 9, 2008 – Solar stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) plummeted after oil prices fell lower and investors worried about an oversupply of solar panels.
One analyst at Lehman says the sell-off could be because of a misinterpretation of... Continue Reading »
ETFs Tumble After Pending Home Sales Fall, Lehman Solvency Questioned
September 9, 2008 – Wall Street and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a step back early this morning after a few worrying developments.
The stability of Lehman Brothers (LEH) came into question, sending their shares as much as 40% lower.... Continue Reading »
SPA ETF Rebalances Higher In Energy, Lower in Financials
September 8, 2008 – The underlying index of the SPA Market Grader 100 (SIH) exchange traded fund (ETF) just got its semi-annual rebalance. The index is going marginally heavier in energy (from 23% to 25%) and lower in its... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Are Up, Down, And All-Around The News
September 8, 2008 – Energy and oil are slippery topics right now, as analysts are trying to call a direction with natural disasters and economic factors to weigh in on the health of related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Hurricane Gustav... Continue Reading »
School Not Off to a Peachy Start for Retailers, ETFs
September 4, 2008 – Glum economic news sent the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower in trading, especially in the retail sector.
It’s the time of year for back-to-school shopping, but retailers’ numbers seemed to show that many kids... Continue Reading »
Gustav Gives Relief to Oil and ETFs
September 2, 2008 – Hurricane Gustav spared oil facilities in the Gulf Coast this weekend, easing investor concerns, sending oil prices lower and exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher.
Crude oil fell to $108.77 a barrel in mid-day trading today, reports... Continue Reading »
Five ETFs That Are Waiting To Shine
August 29, 2008 – The exchange traded fund (ETF) world has exploded, and there are hundreds of funds to choose from. But there are a few that are great ideas that don’t seem to have taken off yet.
Matthew Hougan... Continue Reading »
GDP Up, Joblessness Down, But While ETFs Might Rebound, Make Sure It Sticks
August 28, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) received a breath of fresh air today after it was announced that the U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter.
Economists had called for a 2.7% growth... Continue Reading »
If Commodities Are Indeed At the Bottom, It Could Be ETFs’ Gain
August 27, 2008 – Despite the recent correction, commodities are in their seventh year of gains, which has led exchange traded funds (ETFs) embarking on one of their largest growth spurts. Some now think the bottom is in sight,... Continue Reading »
India’s Oil Company Deal Will Keep Fuel Needs In-House; May Benefit ETF
August 26, 2008 – One state-run Indian company’s agreement to buy another company in Britain could have implications for its exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The offer is for Oil & Natural Gas Corp. to buy Britain’s Imperial Energy for $2.6... Continue Reading »
Short, Financial ETFs Stand Tall As Investors Back Away From Oil, Commodities
August 24, 2008 – The last week notwithstanding, there has been a trend away from commodities and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them as the price of oil takes a step back.
It’s led to a rebound for... Continue Reading »
When It Comes to Taxes, Commodity ETFs Are a Different Breed
August 22, 2008 – Now that commodities have come down from their recent highs, are you tempted to go in on a market dip with a focused exchange traded fund (ETF)?
Commodity ETFs are popular, no doubt, especially given the... Continue Reading »
Tom Lydon Talks Broadband, Water ETFs on Fox Business
August 22, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business earlier today and discussed broadband and water ETFs. Video of the segment appears below:
Continue Reading »
Bernanke and Buffett Speak, Markets and Financial ETFs Smile
August 22, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rose this morning after some hopeful words from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
He said that while the inflation outlook is uncertain, the recent decline in commodity prices and the... Continue Reading »
Contrarian Markets Can Be Tamed With ETFs
August 20, 2008 – As seen in the exchange traded fund (ETF) market, the U.S. stock market seems to be defying traditional elements of savvy investing.
Gary Gordon for ETF Expert points out that risk or risky investments are often... Continue Reading »
Oil Giants’ Past Mistakes Could Make ETFs Pay Later
August 19, 2008 – Oil companies have more money than they know what to do with, and while it helps the related exchange traded funds (ETFs), they’re finding themselves struggling to spend it.
Much of the reason has to do... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Become Portfolio Staples
August 19, 2008 – When it comes to commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs), choosing among the many available isn’t always a simple task.
Investors have realized that prices for things like oil and corn can surge even as the rest... Continue Reading »
Oil and Gas ETFs Will Likely Continue to Fluctuate
August 18, 2008 – Oil and oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs), like Jimmy Stewart in “Vertigo,” look up. Then they look down. They look up. Then they look down.
What’s going on? Early this morning, the situation was no different.... Continue Reading »
ETFs Higher With Consumers Mood
August 15, 2008 – The slowing of commodity prices eased cost pressures on households, companies and helped the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs). According to the Reuters/University of Michigan survey, consumers’ sentiment improved slightly in August.
Timothy R. Homan and... Continue Reading »
High Foreclosures, Low Home Prices Don’t Detract from ETFs
August 14, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up this morning, even though the markets had a slate of bad news with coffee and a side of bacon.
Foreclosures in the United States shot up 55% in... Continue Reading »
ETFs Bullish on the Dollar Gain During Global Economic Slowdown
August 13, 2008 – As the dollar has been rallying hard against the euro, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are bullish on the dollar have benefited. The dollar has done this as a U.S. slowdown has spread to... Continue Reading »
Italian ETFs and Economy Stagnate
August 13, 2008 – When Italy comes to mind, images of Missoni and Dolce & Gabbana are conjured, but the economy and exchange traded fund (ETF) may not be doing quite as well as these artisans.
During the second quarter,... Continue Reading »
Financials Ding Markets and ETFs, But Falling Oil Is a Salve
August 12, 2008 – More news about the financial sector sent Wall Street and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) lower, but a further drop in oil prices helped soothe some investors.
JP Morgan (JPM) said it had racked up bigger... Continue Reading »
Fuel Prices, ETFs Look Different In Second Half of Year
August 11, 2008 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) that consistently found themselves at the head of the class with double-digit returns in the first half of the year are suddenly having a different view of things as fuel prices... Continue Reading »
When A Bear Is On The Loose, Don’t Give Up On Your ETFs
August 9, 2008 – Many stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a mauling from the bear market, and commodities ETFs are doing their best to fight it off, but they may stumble just from sheer exhaustion.
Financials were... Continue Reading »
Larger Than Expected Fuel Inventories Have ETFs Hesitating
August 6, 2008 – The inventory numbers are in, sending fuel prices lower and energy-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) sputtering while they figure out where to go next.
The supplies were larger than expected, an indicator that high prices are... Continue Reading »
Oil Prices Put Pinch on Consumers, ETFs in June
August 4, 2008 – Rising prices in June smacked down consumer spending and related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Spending, after adjusted for inflation, fell as shoppers were hit by the biggest price increases in nearly three decades. Those prices are... Continue Reading »
Brazil ETFs Reflect Strong Economy on a World Stage
August 1, 2008 – Brazil’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) may ultimately look promising as the country rides the biggest economic expansion in three decades.
As this economy grows, Brazil has developed a new swagger that has provided it with greater... 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 »
Dolla Bills, Y’all: Record Profits Benefit Oil ETFs
July 31, 2008 – It probably was no mystery where the money for all the oil was going as rising prices drained pocketbooks and benefited exchange traded funds (ETFs).
If you were wondering, though, Exxon Mobil (XOM) has solved the... Continue Reading »
Short and Leveraged ETFs Are Beefing Up
July 30, 2008 – Some investors like to say short and ultra short exchange traded funds (ETFs) are similar to steroid use - bulking way up on an unnatural time scale.
For instance, the ProShares Ultra Oil and Gas (DIG)... Continue Reading »
Consumers, Real Estate ETFs Looking Up
July 29, 2008 – Home prices are down and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are up.
The Case-Shiller index of 20 cities in the United States fell 15.8% in May compared with a year ago, a record decline since its 2000... Continue Reading »
Should Oil And Related ETFs Kiss the Free And Easy ’70s Lifestyle Goodbye?
July 28, 2008 – We’re not talking about the way it was, it’s more like the way things will never be again, when speaking about oil and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track it. Many are saying that we’re... Continue Reading »
Will Russia’s ETF Suffer Collateral Damage In Wake of Allegations?
July 25, 2008 – Russia’s exchange traded fund (ETF) is trading down early today after the country’s RTS index plunged headlong into a bear market.
The index went into turmoil after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said OAO Mechel, a metals... Continue Reading »
Transportation ETF Flies The Friendly Skies On Your Extra Dollar
July 25, 2008 – Flying the friendly skies may be a theme of the past, as many airlines have cut back on extras, sending profits and exchange traded funds (ETFs) on a ride that could have many choosing to... Continue Reading »
How To Weather The Economic Storms With ETFs
July 24, 2008 –
It’s been a challenge in the markets and exchange traded fund (ETF) realm lately, to put it mildly.
Things have picked up some in recent days, but as today illustrates: we’re not out of the woods... Continue Reading »
Black Gold in Them Thar Hills Could Affect Fuel ETFs
July 24, 2008 – There are vast, untapped reserves of oil and natural gas in the Arctic, and if those resources are tapped, it could impact related exchange traded funds (ETFs) down the line.
An estimated 90 billion barrels of... Continue Reading »
Money Pulls Out of Energy ETFs After Oil Sinks
July 21, 2008 –
Last week’s drop in oil prices led to money shifting away from energy-related exchange traded funds (ETFs).
And, of all places, investors appear to be putting it into financials.
As crude oil fell below $130 a barrel... Continue Reading »
Some Wonder: Is Bubble Bursting for Oil, ETFs? Not So Fast…
July 20, 2008 – An 11.2% drop-off in oil prices last week, coupled with big one-week losses in some oil-related exchange traded funds (ETFs) has suddenly got analysts wondering if the bubble is bursting.
We know consumers are eager to... Continue Reading »
ETF Securities Goes on Bull Run With Commodities
July 18, 2008 – For an exchange traded fund (ETF) provider that didn’t exist at this time five years ago, the story of ETF Securities is certainly an impressive one.
The London-based provider, which deals in exchange traded commodities (ETCs)... Continue Reading »
Natural Gas and ETFs Are Subject to Weather’s Whims
July 17, 2008 – The natural gas industry is gearing up for a spike in prices that could benefit the line of exchange traded funds (ETFs) for the commodity.
Break out the blankets. Some experts are predicting that customers could... Continue Reading »
Throwing Money To The Wind - ETFs, That Is
July 17, 2008 – Our of-the-moment priority should be energy independence and exchange traded funds (ETFs) may be just the building block that’s needed to get things off the ground.
If an American billionaire is also backing the priority for... Continue Reading »
Oil Price Volatility Index Tied to Options On Oil ETF
July 16, 2008 – Oil and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been volatile lately, so it stands to reason that there’s now an index that allows investors to track just that: the price volatility.
The Chicago Board Options Exchange... Continue Reading »
No Safari Needed For African ETF Access
July 16, 2008 – Van Eck launched the anticipated Africa focused exchange traded fund (ETF), launched on the NYSE Arca.
Market Vectors Africa Index (AFK) allows investors easy, one-stop access to the ever-growing, untapped market in Africa. The ETF tracks... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Socked As Consumer Spending Power Weakens
July 15, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) are spilling today as prices plummeted by as much as $9.26 a barrel.
The price plunge was the hardest in 17 years, reports Adam Schreck for the Associated Press. It lost... Continue Reading »
Retail ETFs Might Be About to Rock On Gas, Food Strength
July 15, 2008 – Retail sales and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) took a hit today as the June numbers came in.
The 0.1% increase was weaker than analysts had expected, mostly because auto sales have plunged, reports Martin Crutsinger... Continue Reading »
Oil Manipulation Is Off The Table; ETFs Remain Successful
July 11, 2008 – The recent gush on high crude oil prices had many pondering if there was a conspiracy that was conspiring to send prices, shares and exchange traded funds (ETFs) off the charts. Speculators, in particular, were... Continue Reading »
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 »
Jim Rogers Creates Commodities Index for ETF; Sounds Off on Economy
July 10, 2008 – Investing legend Jim Rogers has put together a new index targeting commodity producers, which will soon underly an exchange traded fund (ETF).
The Rogers Van Eck Hard Assets Producers Index (RVEI) gives investors a chance to... Continue Reading »
An ETF Trend-Following Plan For All Seasons
July 9, 2008 – It’s hard to believe that the S&P 500 Index has been flatter than a pancake for the past nine years. It’s had its ups and downs, but when you connect the dots, it went virtually... Continue Reading »
Oil and ETFs Losing for Consecutive Days; Home Sales Slide
July 8, 2008 – While one sector and its exchange traded funds (ETFs) continues to see more of the downside, another sector is falling after more than a year of seeing nothing but the upside.
Real estate continued to take... Continue Reading »
Oil ETFs Step Back, But They Still Offer Opportunities
July 7, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be taking a breather today, but that doesn’t mean black gold’s relentless rise is over just yet.
The price has more than doubled in the last year, and David... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs and ETNs Feel the Rising Demand
July 3, 2008 – Not only have returns in commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) been taking off this year, so have the number of available funds. They cover every conceivable commodity now, from gold and silver to coffee... Continue Reading »
New Up/Down Oil ETFs Open for Business
July 1, 2008 – Just as two exchange traded funds (ETFs) tied to the price movements of oil reached their termination triggers and closed on June 25, two more will be entering the market space to replace them.
MacroMarkets... Continue Reading »
June ETF Performance Report
June 30, 2008 – Today, the markets wrap up a month, a quarter and the first half of the year and it was a rocky June for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors. The Dow Jones industrial average lost... Continue Reading »
Looking for the ETF Silver Lining Amid the Clouds?
June 30, 2008 – With the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) getting socked by near-daily bad news, you might be wondering how Pollyanna did it. Wasn’t she exhausted?
How can you stay optimistic when:
Oil keeps hitting new... Continue Reading »
Speculators, ETF Traders - No One Is Safe from Bogeyman Suspicions
June 27, 2008 – The finger-pointing about who’s to blame for the rising commodities prices is in full force, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are not immune from being fingered as a possible cause.
Market Club for iStockAnalyst ponders... Continue Reading »
Markets, Some ETFs and Consumers Down In the Dumps
June 27, 2008 – Surprise, surprise, surprise. Consumer confidence continues to plummet as the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are weighed down by inflation and job losses.
The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers showed that confidence fell... Continue Reading »
Rising Inflation Sends Investors Rushing to Precious Metal ETFs
June 26, 2008 – Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been quiet lately, drowned out by the ruckus oil has been causing. But in trading today, futures jumped at points by as much as $33 an ounce.
The price of... Continue Reading »
While Squeaky Wheel Gets Oil, Natural Gas ETFs Quietly Outperform
June 25, 2008 – The outlook toward natural gas and the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track it is looking good.
As the hype over oil drowns out the noise in other commodity ETFs, natural gas funds... Continue Reading »
Energy ETFs Play the Waiting Game While Congress Mulls Action
June 24, 2008 – Oil prices and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) continued the see-saw, wavering a little today.
Gas dropped below $4.07 a gallon (hooray!), while oil rose by a scant 8 cents to $136.82 a barrel, reports... Continue Reading »
Germany’s Green Ambition Could Enter ETFs
June 24, 2008 – Germany has taken ambitious attempts to cut down on energy consumption, and with the government backing this serious effort, there will likely be changes within their economy and possibly, the focused exchange traded fund... Continue Reading »
Unemployment Rate Could Drag Italy’s ETF
June 23, 2008 – Italy’s unemployment rate is now at its highest point since the third quarter of 2006, which could weigh down its exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The rate rose to 6.5%, report Robin Pomeroy and Gavin Jones... Continue Reading »
ETFs Shoot Up from Higher Fuel Prices, But Finger-Pointing is Irresistible
June 20, 2008 – As the cost of fossil fuel prices rise and exchange traded funds (ETFs) reap the rewards while our wallets take a beating, people are beginning to want answers.
Who’s to blame? Lately, "speculator" seems to... Continue Reading »
Russian Economy and ETF Loaded Like a Freight Train
June 19, 2008 – Russia keeps on chugging, as the economy is lifted by soaring commodity prices that are helping capture great numbers for the related exchange traded fund (ETF).
For the first quarter, Russia’s economy expanded at 8.5%,... Continue Reading »
PowerShares, Deutsche Bank Team Up With Oil, Base Metal ETNs
June 19, 2008 – PowerShares and Deutsche Bank are teaming up again to launch eight base-metal and crude oil-linked exchange traded notes (ETNs).
The notes will be linked to the performance of industrial metals and
crude oil, through a... Continue Reading »
If Energy Exploration Is Stepped Up, ETFs Won’t Feel It for Years
June 18, 2008 – President Bush is calling for Congress to get on board with energy exploration, but related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are still smarting from an explosion this week at Apache (APA).
Record oil and gas... Continue Reading »
ETFs for a Rainy Season
June 17, 2008 – Everybody knows that when it rains, it pours, and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are no exception.
The uncertainty is pouring in all around us, with a looming presidential election, a Dow Jones industrial average that... Continue Reading »
Corn Helps ETFs, But It Might Be Missing From the Grill This Summer
June 16, 2008 – When it comes to the weather, crops just can’t seem to win, but exchange traded funds (ETFs) do.
If you’re hungry, the flooding in the Midwest is probably just making a bad situation worse. But... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Hot Streak
June 16, 2008 – As a consumer, the commodities boom can make you feel pinched, but the bull market of raw materials could be an investment opportunity with exchange traded funds (ETFs).
So why and how do you... Continue Reading »
MacroShares ETFs Dip Into Housing Market
June 13, 2008 – MacroShares is taking another swing at the up/down market movement, this time with exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track the upward and inverse movement of U.S. home prices.
MacroShares Major Metro Housing Up (UMM)... Continue Reading »
Hedge Against Oil’s Wild Swings With New Long/Short ETFs
June 12, 2008 – Is the time nigh for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) that short oil and gas?
The answer seems to be mixed - while oil prices have retreated some today, down to $132 a barrel, gas... Continue Reading »
Commodity ETFs Were a Bunch of Bull In May, and Remain So In June
June 11, 2008 – Commodity exchange traded funds (ETFs) were among the strongest performers for May, and if things keep going the way they are, June might be another decent month. In fact, it might be a good... Continue Reading »
Trade Gap Widens on Surging Oil and ETFs Gain
June 10, 2008 – Stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) are all mixed up this morning as the trade deficit rose to its highest point in more than a year, thanks to oil prices.
The gap between what the... Continue Reading »
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 »
May ETF Performance Report
May 30, 2008 – Overall, May wasn’t a bad month for exchange traded fund (ETF) investors, but the economy still faces some hurdles. Two of the major indexes finished higher while the Dow Jones industrial average lost 1.4%.... Continue Reading »
S&P Launches Commodities and Natural Resource Indexes, Perhaps ETFs For Them Will Follow
May 30, 2008 – Standard & Poor’s has launched two new indexes which may someday give exchange traded fund (ETF) investors a benchmark with some more exposure to commodities and natural resources.
The S&P Global Natural Resources Index provides... Continue Reading »
Exploration ETFs Helped By Rising Cost of Finding New Oil
May 29, 2008 – You’d think the rising cost of oil and the big returns the related exchange traded funds (ETFs) have been dishing out year-to-date would have led to bigger efforts to look for more of the... Continue Reading »
Food Prices May Fall, But Demand Could Continue Feeding ETFs
May 29, 2008 – It’s good news for your disposable income, but if it’s so good for agriculture exchange traded funds (ETFs) is a question mark: a report released today says food prices are going to come down.
However,... Continue Reading »
Market Movements and Numbers Sending ETFs in Mixed Directions
May 29, 2008 – The revised first quarter GDP numbers are out, and the markets and certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) mostly seem to be reacting positively.
The initial GDP numbers were up 0.6%, but the revised number... Continue Reading »
Potential UPS Deal With DHL Could Deliver Transportation ETF
May 28, 2008 – UPS (UPS), a component of the transportation exchange traded fund (ETF), is whipping up a deal with DHL that could translate into $1 billion in annual revenue for UPS.
The contract would mainly involve transporting... Continue Reading »
17 Commodity ETFs to Help Hedge Your Portfolio
May 28, 2008 – Americans are being hit by rising inflation and the subsequent explosion in commodity prices where it hurts most—at gas stations and grocery stores. Right alongside this growth have been the opportunities available to investors... Continue Reading »
Oil And Stocks Might Tell The Future Of The U.S. Dollar
May 28, 2008 – Can the future of the greenback be foretold by indicators such as crude oil, the stock market and exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
The U.S. dollar has suffered the brunt of the latest credit meltdown, and... Continue Reading »
Gold, Silver ETFs Lose Some Luster As Dollar Firms Up
May 27, 2008 – Gold and silver exchange traded funds (ETFs) were down by as much as 5% in trading today as prices for the metals fell and the dollar showed signs of life.
Spot gold fell to $903.50... Continue Reading »
Memorial Day, the Travel Season and Your ETFs
May 26, 2008 – It’s the unofficial start of summer, so what are your plans this Memorial Day? If you are focused on your investments and exchange traded funds (ETFs), you are probably within the minority. For those... Continue Reading »
PowerShares Celebrates Landmark 5 Years For PWC ETF
May 24, 2008 – PowerShares is celebrating the five-year anniversary of its first exchange traded fund (ETF) and the index upon which it is based.
PowerShares Dynamic Market Portfolio (PWC) launched on May 1, 2003.
Since then, PWC has... Continue Reading »
Short ETFs Stand Tall on a Rough Market Day
May 23, 2008 – While the Dow Jones industrial average and other major indexes sank in trading today, exchange traded funds (ETFs) that short the markets reaped the rewards.
The strongest 20 ETFs in trading today were all funds... Continue Reading »
Oil, Gas ETFs Keep Ticking Up Along With Prices
May 23, 2008 – Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know gas and oil prices are higher than ever and that one of the few ways to take the sting away (aside from hoofing it everywhere)... Continue Reading »
Will Transportation ETF Keep Momentum Going As Fuel Prices Rise?
May 21, 2008 – Airlines are hurting, and even though they’re a small component of the transportation exchange traded fund (ETF), continued troubles could eventually manage to weigh down on the fund.
American Airlines (AMR) announced this morning that... Continue Reading »
Wholesale Inflation Slows, But Numbers Could Still Affect ETFs
May 20, 2008 – Wholesale inflation slowed down some in April, which may ease a little of the pressure on the wallets and affect retail and consumer exchange traded funds (ETFs).
The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.2% in... 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 »
Oil Prices, ETFs Resume Their Flight After Breather
May 16, 2008 – One day, oil prices and related exchange traded funds (ETFs) are down, the next day, they soar again. Today is no exception: oil jumped more than $3 a barrel and set a new record:... Continue Reading »
Solar ETFs Glimmer With The Help Of High Oil Prices
May 15, 2008 – Solar exchange traded funds (ETFs) appear to be basking in the sun as ever-rising energy prices are sending people looking for less expensive alternatives.
Two companies of interest are JA Solar (JASO) and Evergreen Solar... Continue Reading »
Protect Your ETF Portfolio If That Boom Goes Bust
May 14, 2008 – When a particular "boom" goes "bust", what should investors do with their related exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
Gary Gordon for ETF Expert takes us back to 2000: the dot-com bulls were running rampant, convinced... Continue Reading »
Oil Futures ETFs Aren’t the Only Ones Affected As the Price Moves
May 13, 2008 – The retreat of oil service-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) yesterday was a reminder for investors to not get so hung up on the price of oil that they ignore all else.
While funds such as... Continue Reading »
Oil, the Dollar and Gold ETFs Are Working Together
May 11, 2008 – Slight upticks in the dollar against the euro this week may be in sync with investors timing their re-entry into the market and exchange traded funds (ETFs).
On Thursday, the U.S. dollar was up... Continue Reading »
When the Price of Oil Goes Crazy, What Happens to the ETFs?
May 10, 2008 – We all know how oil futures and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that contain them operate. But if you’ve ever wondered if the markets could ever "stop the madness" that is the rising price of... Continue Reading »
Using Energy ETFs To Offset Gas and Oil Prices
May 9, 2008 – Frenzy in the energy sector has reached a fever pitch, but are exchange traded funds (ETFs) that allow investors to hedge those prices necessarily a great idea?
The summer driving season is going to kick...