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

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 »

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 »

German Unemployment Pauses; Can ETFs Regain Ground?
August 3, 2008 – Unemployment in Germany has been enjoying a slow decline, which could give a hand to the country’s exchange traded funds (ETFs). The economy cooled in July and has experienced its longest decline since the reunification in... Continue Reading »

Designer Knock-Offs Seized, Helping Luxury ETFs, And High-End Spenders
July 30, 2008 – Counterfeiters can cut into earnings, and therefore exchange traded fund (ETF) returns. So, perhaps the seizure of an array of fake luxury purses and other items might help. During a recent raid in Lyon, France, customs agents... 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 »

Kraft’s Earnings Could Fuel Consumer Staples ETFs
July 28, 2008 – The fond memories you have for your college diet might deliver an energy boost to consumer staples exchange traded funds (ETFs). Kraft Foods (KFT) reported its second-quarter earnings, which rose 4%, reports Emily Fredrix for the... Continue Reading »

Recession Could Loom for Japan, Affecting ETFs
July 28, 2008 – Japan’s slowing exports could have an impact on the country’s exchange traded funds (ETFs). For the first time in four years, Japan’s exports fell year on year. The economy in Japan is dependent upon domestic consumption... Continue Reading »

Will Back-to-School ETFs Be As Great As Gatsby This Season?
July 25, 2008 – The ads are already infiltrating the newspapers and television commercials, and like Rodney Dangerfield, many U.S. families are gearing up to go back to school. Are retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) ready? Retailers are awaiting a... Continue Reading »

Foreclosures Triple, But Real Estate ETFs Don’t Seem Wounded
July 25, 2008 – Foreclosures shot up a whopping 121% in one year, a percentage that could hold back exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus on the real estate market. About 220,000 homes were repossessed in the second quarter, triple... 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 »

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 »

Cheers! Champagne is Bubbling in Luxury ETFs
July 24, 2008 – Despite the Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury (ROB) exchange traded fund (ETF) seeing negative returns, one component of this fund is creating a good buzz. Vintage champagne has outperformed most investments over the past year... Continue Reading »

Telecommunications ETFs Phoning It In On AT&T Earnings
July 23, 2008 – Growth in the wireless sector has telecommunications exchange traded funds (ETFs) ringing up good numbers today. AT&T (T) announced today that its quarterly profit had gone up even more than expected, reports Ritsuko Ando for Reuters.... 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 »

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

Wal-Mart Supplier ETF Getting Boost From Slow Economy?
July 21, 2008 – One of the areas that has demonstrated strength during this economic downturn is consumer spending on necessities, which might be benefiting the Wal-Mart supplier exchange traded fund (ETF). Any strength shown among consumer spending in recent... Continue Reading »

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

Semiconductor ETFs Need the Consumer
July 17, 2008 – Semiconductor exchange traded funds (ETFs) have taken a beating along with the overall market downturn, but brighter days appear to be ahead. Yesterday, Intel’s second-quarter profit jumped 25% on demand for laptop chips. The numbers handily... Continue Reading »

Oil ETFs Socked As Consumer Spending Power Weakens
July 15, 2008 – Oil exchange traded funds (ETFs) are spilling today as prices plummeted by as much as $9.26 a barrel. The price plunge was the hardest in 17 years, reports Adam Schreck for the Associated Press. It lost... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Markets Go Mixed As Bernanke Testifies
July 15, 2008 – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stood before the Senate Banking Committee today and detailed our economic woes, sending the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) moving sharply back and forth. Among the “highlights” of his testimony,... Continue Reading »

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 »

iPhone and Apple Geekery Could Help Tech ETFs
July 14, 2008 – Will the numbers for retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) be better this month? The rumors have been that consumers are sticking to the necessities as gas and oil prices reach new heights, but Apple (AAPL)... 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 »

ETFs May Raise Their Mugs to InBev and Anheuser Pairing
July 11, 2008 – Belgium brewer InBev is seeking a takeover of Anheuser Busch (BUD), creating a massive beer brewer for the world, and a reason for exchange traded funds (ETFs) to raise their mugs. If the deal takes place,... Continue Reading »

Retail Sales Lift ETFs In June, But It’s Not Frivolous Spending
July 10, 2008 – If you took that rebate check and went shopping, give yourself a hearty pat on the back, because you just might have helped some retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) in June. Retail sales overall rose 4.3%,... Continue Reading »

Consumer Reluctance to Use Cars Could Benefit Internet ETFs
July 5, 2008 – Besides the gasoline-related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs), is there any other way to try and benefit from the $4-$5 a gallon prices? Did you just fill up your tank on the way to... 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 »

Retail ETFs Affected By Teens “Dropping Out”
July 3, 2008 – American teenagers are the latest consumers that have had to cut back on frivolous spending, as gas prices are affecting parents’ spare change, affecting the retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) to an extent. Up until... Continue Reading »

Job Cuts and Bad News Bring Tear to Some ETFs’ Eyes
July 2, 2008 – A grim employment report showed evidence of pressure being felt across various sectors and their exchange traded funds (ETFs). U.S. private employers cut 79,000 jobs last month, and planned layoffs in the United States were... Continue Reading »

What’s Going Down In South Africa May Not Help ETF To Go Up
July 2, 2008 – South Africa’s economy and exchange traded fund (ETF) are facing some new hurdles. Africa’s biggest steel maker, ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd, is fighting a record penalty after antitrust authorities found that the company may be... 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 »

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 »

Food and Beverage ETF Might Not Be the Breakfast of Champions After General Mills’ Earnings
June 25, 2008 – General Mills (GIS) reported that its fourth-quarter net earnings fell and that costs could rise by 9% in the current fiscal year, which might eventually catch up to the food and beverage exchange traded fund... Continue Reading »

Will H&M’s Strong Sales Bring Sweden’s ETF Back Into Fashion?
June 25, 2008 – Sweden has really come into its own: first the Volvo, then Ikea, and now Hennes & Mauritz (also known as fashion retailer H&M, for you non-fashionistas) - could the country’s sense of style translate... Continue Reading »

Could Tiger Woods Be Helping Your ETF?
June 24, 2008 – Increasingly, companies are turning to celebrities to hawk their wares, often with successful results, and it might be paying off for some exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the long run. Celebrity endorsements have been around... Continue Reading »

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

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 »

Netherlands ETF Gives Heineken Cold Shoulder And Warms Up To Renewable Energy
June 23, 2008 – It has been all quiet on the Netherlands front, so what’s going on with the related exchange traded fund (ETF)? As of now, the Dutch government has set aside 7.5 billion euros ($11.6 billion USD)... Continue Reading »

Let’s All Raise a Guinness for the New Irish ETF
June 19, 2008 – The long-awaited Irish exchange traded fund (ETF) is here, just in time for the routing of the L.A. Lakers by the mighty Boston Celtics for the NBA Championship. The NETS ISEX 20 Index Fund (IQE)... 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 »

Tough Times May Fall On South Africa And ETF As Interest Rates Rise
June 17, 2008 – South Africa may be in for hard times ahead, news that may affect its exchange traded fund (ETF) . The recent run of solid growth may get stunted as higher interest rates are looming,... 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 »

That Shopping Spree Was Justified - It Helped Retail ETFs
June 12, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are jumping for joy at the news of an unexpected gain. So, if you were feeling a little guilty about that splurge, just tell yourself it was for the greater... 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 »

Expansion Into Hong Kong May Help Luxury ETF
June 6, 2008 – Many Chinese women will be able to look like a "tai tai" or a Canto starlet, while boosting the exchange traded fund (ETF) focused on luxury items, thanks to Coach (COH). Hong Kong is... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Report in on Retail Sales Data
June 5, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) seem to like the sales reports that came out today. Retail sales data for the month of May came in strong, despite gas prices hitting consumer wallets and a... 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 »

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

ETFs Get a Rise from Japan’s Stock Performance
May 29, 2008 – Japan’s stocks rose by their largest amount in two months, giving a lift to their exchange traded funds (ETFs). The jump came after orders for durable goods in the United States notched an unexpected... Continue Reading »

Rising Gas, Food Prices Squeeze Consumers and ETFs
May 27, 2008 – If you’re feeling sad about the rising cost of living, you’re not alone - the pinch is being felt everywhere, from the gas pump to exchange traded funds (ETFs). Consumer confidence has sunk to... Continue Reading »

Investors Run to Gold ETFs, but Tonnage Demand Is Down
May 21, 2008 – The ongoing market volatility and investor worries are continuing to fan the flames for growth in gold exchange traded funds (ETFs). But while the demand for gold ETFs is up, demand for gold in terms... Continue Reading »

Fund’s Conversion to ETF Explained
May 20, 2008 – Exchange traded fund (ETF) provider Claymore announced last week that one of their closed end funds (CEFs) will be converting to an ETF. But Heather Bell for Index Universe says this isn’t so radical as... 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 »

South Korea’s ETF Boosted By Retail Numbers
May 16, 2008 – South Korea’s exchange traded fund (ETF) shot up a nice 3% in trading yesterday, possibly owing in part to expanding department store sales. They expanded for the fourth consecutive month, reports Seyoon Kim for Bloomberg.... Continue Reading »

Playing Defense With the Domestic Portion of Your ETF Portfolio
May 15, 2008 – Have you been playing defense with your exchange traded fund (ETF) portfolio lately? If so, good. The time to dribble to the other side of the court has not occurred, as the domestic market... 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 »

Home Foreclosures and Food Prices Up and ETFs Are Mixed
May 14, 2008 – Real estate and home builder exchange traded funds (ETFs) are mostly higher this morning, even after foreclosures shot higher in April. The number of U.S. homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments rose 65% last... 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 »

Home Sales and Retail Numbers Drop, But ETFs Trying to Keep Status Quo
May 13, 2008 – The markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) appear to be mostly chewing on the news about retail and housing before they make any rash moves. The price of a single-family home dropped 7.7% in the first... 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 »

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 »

Retail Numbers Looking Better, But ETFs Are Weighing Down
May 8, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) were down midday today despite better-than-expected numbers from retailers. Despite the more positive numbers, though, it was still suggested that consumers are curbing their spending in the wake of higher... Continue Reading »

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

Filipinos in Austria and ETF Feel Effects of Inflation
May 7, 2008 – Rising inflation in Austria could help eat the way to a rise in the related exchange traded fund (ETF). Filipino workers there are getting creative on ways to satisfy their daily dietary needs. For... 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 »

Consumer Spending, Earnings Numbers Drive Up Retail ETFs
May 1, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are ringing ka-ching in midday trading after some earnings and consumer-related reports. Consumer spending rose in March, but only because there wasn’t much choice. Soaring prices for gas, food and... Continue Reading »

Could Consumer Staple ETFs Be a Portfolio Staple?
April 30, 2008 – Consumers who are worried or skeptical about the economy may want to turn to exchange traded funds (ETFs) holding stock of companies that supply household necessities. Consumer staples include toothpaste, detergent, toilet paper and batteries.... 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 »

Your Rebate Check Could Stimulate ETFs
April 28, 2008 – Will exchange traded funds (ETFs) find the stimulus package stimulating? Tax rebates will start going out today, even earlier than reported, in the hopes that they will inject a shot in the arm into our... Continue Reading »

Stocks, ETFs Down on Consumer Confidence Numbers and Microsoft/Yahoo Battle
April 25, 2008 – Some exchange traded funds (ETFs) headed lower this morning after consumer sentiment dropped to its lowest point in nearly 26 years. Technology ETFs weren’t helped by Microsoft’s disappointing earnings forecast. The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment... Continue Reading »

Apple, Amazon Come Out With Earnings Numbers; Could Tech ETFs Hop?
April 23, 2008 – Two highly anticipated earnings reports came out after the market close, and the good news could lift related exchange traded funds (ETFs). First, Amazon.com (AMZN) came out with its numbers. The web retailer says its first-quarter... 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 »

Rising Prices Hit Everything from Wallets to ETFs
April 16, 2008 – We know you’re going to be shocked - shocked! - to hear this: consumer prices rose last month, no doubt weighing on consumer exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Labor Department says prices rose 0.3% in... Continue Reading »

Retail Numbers Rise, ETFs Yawn
April 14, 2008 – Retail numbers were up slightly in March, which gave mixed results to related exchange traded funds (ETFs), but it’s not what you think. The 0.2% gain in sales primarily is the result of the higher... 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 »

Wal-Mart Supplier ETF: A Haven In a Recession?
April 11, 2008 – Wal-Mart (WMT) seems to so far be benefiting from the tough economy, so how is the Wal-Mart supplier exchange traded fund (ETF) doing? Yesterday’s retail report, which delivered the weakest numbers in 13... Continue Reading »

Retail Sales Drop In March; ETFs Up Midday
April 10, 2008 – The retail sales picture didn’t change much last month, but exchange traded fund (ETF) investors don’t appear to be so discouraged. Despite retailers reporting the weakest March sales in 13 years, retail ETFs were up... Continue Reading »

Tom Lydon Talks ETFs on Fox Business
April 9, 2008 – Tom Lydon appeared on Fox Business Network earlier today with anchor Cheryl Casone. Tom discussed hot ETFs in Asia and Latin America as well as poorly performing ETFs in the retail sector. Video of Tom’s... Continue Reading »

Best Buy Posts Lower Earnings, Retail ETFs Take It Well
April 2, 2008 – Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY) announced that its fourth-quarter earnings fell 3%, but the news so far doesn’t appear to be hurting the retail exchange traded fund (ETF) too much. The company still managed to... 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 »

Retail ETFs Are Shopping For Consumers
March 28, 2008 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) posted some losses this week. Where have all the shoppers gone? Retailer J.C. Penny (JCP) had a lowered outlook, reports Tomi Kilgore for Thomson Financial, with a bitter sentiment toward the... Continue Reading »

ETF Tracking Error Is Sometimes a Necessary Evil
March 26, 2008 – Logically, exchange traded funds (ETFs) should have minimal tracking error. That’s because they track an index, and in theory, if the index zigs, so does the ETF - and vice versa. It’s not always... 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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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

Consumer Spending Drops In February, Dragging ETFs
March 13, 2008 – Retail sales and exchange traded funds (ETFs) took another hit today. The Commerce Department reported that the numbers were down by 0.6% - much worse than the expected 0.2%. The slow sales affected all corners... Continue Reading »

ETFs and Your Wallet Feel Those Grocery Store Prices
March 11, 2008 –   Have you ever wondered what the drought in Australia has to do with your dinner table and your exchange traded funds (ETFs)? In every aisle, prices at the grocery store are higher. From chicken (up... Continue Reading »

Retailers Get a Break In February, But ETFs Don’t React
March 6, 2008 – Retailers got a break in February, but retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) so far today don’t appear to have gotten the memo. Overall, sales were sluggish, but the numbers reverse the downward slide sales... Continue Reading »

Taiwan and ETF Are Going Through a Growth Spurt; Will It Keep It Up?
March 5, 2008 – The iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT) exchange traded fund (ETF) is up 3.8% year-to-date, leaving us wondering what is happening over there? The greater Taipei region’s real estate market beat the odds of a normally... 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 »

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 »

Housing and Big Ticket Item Sales Drop, Taking ETFs With Them
February 27, 2008 – More housing and consumer numbers came in today, affected real estate and retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Commerce Department reported that new home sales fell in January by 2.8%. It’s the slowest pace in... Continue Reading »

Housing and Consumer Reports Are Good News for Investors Who Love Bad News
February 26, 2008 – Bad news about the economy continues to flow in from all corners, but it doesn’t seem to be dragging certain exchange traded funds (ETFs) down with it at the moment. The Consumer Confidence Index fell to... Continue Reading »

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

Wal-Mart Profits Up, But Little Effect on Retail ETFs So Far
February 19, 2008 – Wal-Mart (WMT) reported a jump in sales both here and abroad, but the positive numbers are so far showing minimal effect on retail exchange traded funds (ETFs). It’s good news for the retail sector, though,... 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 »

Food And Agriculture ETFs Grazing For Resources As Cereal Stockpiles Fall
February 13, 2008 – Cereal stockpiles are set to hit their lowest levels in more than two decades, possibly helping to boost exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are food- and agriculture-related. This low stockpile will affect the high... Continue Reading »

Retail Sector and Related ETFs Get a Surprise Package
February 13, 2008 – The retail sector finally got some surprise good news, which brought retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher along with it. The U.S. Commerce Department reported today that January retail sales rose 0.3%, reports Tomi Kilgore... 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 Narrow Their View
February 5, 2008 – In 2007, more than 270 new exchange traded funds (ETFs) were launched, and half of these funds are niche or "specialty" funds.  Eleanore Laise for The Wall Street Journal reports that few financial experts advise... 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 »

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 »

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

South Africa’s Blackouts Dim ETF
February 1, 2008 – The blackouts in South Africa might be good for the price of gold, platinum and diamonds, but it’s wreaking havoc across other sectors and in the country’s exchange traded fund (ETF). Since late last... Continue Reading »

Chile ETF Warms Up This Week
January 31, 2008 – One of the top-performing exchange traded funds (ETFs) over the last week might come as a surprise after all the talk about short ETFs amid market turmoil. It’s the iShares MSCI Chile (ECH), launched in... Continue Reading »

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

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 »

Retail, Homebuilders ETFs See The Light
January 23, 2008 – SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) and Retail HOLDRs (RTH) are two of the few exchange traded funds (ETFs) seeing positive numbers these days. Yesterday, XHB was up 8.5% and is up over 4% at the... 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 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 »

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 »

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 »

What’s Your ETF Sell Strategy?
January 15, 2008 – The S&P has not had a 10% correction in many months….until today. Joe Bel Bruno for the Associated Press reports that persistent fears of a recession, weak retail sales figures and disappointing results from... Continue Reading »

Could Designer Handbag Sales Limits Hurt Luxury ETF?
January 11, 2008 – The luxury exchange traded fund (ETF) could take a hit after retailers announced that they’d limit sales of luxury handbags. That means you’re out of luck if you were planning to run out this afternoon and... Continue Reading »

Chilean ETF Gives Copper Exposure
January 8, 2008 – Chile is a quiet and lesser-known emerging market, but its exchange traded fund (ETF) is providing some valuable opportunities. The iShares MSCI Chile Index Fund (ECH) in particular exposes investors to copper, a commodity that... Continue Reading »

Consumer Tech Spending Projected to Slow Down, Possibly Hitting ETFs
January 7, 2008 – The ghost of a consumer spending slowdown and a possible dip in related exchange traded funds (ETFs) hovers over the annual Consumer Electronics Show taking place this week in Las Vegas. Visiting a smorgasbord... Continue Reading »

Even Though The Holidays Are Over, Retail ETFs Could Still Get a Life
January 6, 2008 – If you were invested in retail exchange traded funds (ETFs), you might be licking your wounds after the slow holiday season. But hold up: it’s not over yet. Joanne Von Alroth for Investor’s Business Daily... Continue Reading »

Gold And ETFs Are Shining
December 31, 2007 – Strong energy prices, geo-political tensions and weakness in the dollar are all supporting gold prices and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The Economic Times reports that a firming trend in international markets, also boosted the... Continue Reading »

Durable Goods Orders Affect ETFs
December 27, 2007 – Orders for durable goods ticked up slightly for November, and a number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be affected by the news. The increase was small - only 0.1% - and well short... Continue Reading »

Christmas Retail ETFs Get In The Spirit
December 24, 2007 – Christmas is upon us, and retail focused stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) have Wall Street feeling giddy. Have you been to the local store, or even just driving on the road lately? People... Continue Reading »

Only Time Will Tell If Wal-Mart Supplier ETF Has Value
December 14, 2007 – The Wal-Mart supplier exchange traded fund (ETF) FocusShares ISE Revere Wal-Mart Supplier Index Fund (WSI) is in a category of its own. Roger Nusbaum for TheStreet.com reports that the 30-stock ETF is most heavily-weighted... Continue Reading »

Sinful ETF Capitalizes on Our Vices
December 13, 2007 – If you’ve had enough of those so-called "socially responsible" exchange traded funds (ETFs) and you want to add a little hedonism to your portfolio, there’s a new fund just for you. FocusShares ISE SINdex... Continue Reading »

Tiffany Rating Doesn’t Sparkle For Retail/Luxury ETFs
December 5, 2007 – Could there be fewer retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) in little blue boxes this year? The Tiffany & Co. (TIF) rating fell Tuesday, so anticipation of these blue boxes may have a few of... Continue Reading »

Rate Cuts, Retail Sales and Jobs - All Affect ETFs
December 3, 2007 – Last week, stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) rose on indications of interest rate cuts, but this week’s job market and retail sales readings will be key in determining how the U.S. economy is... Continue Reading »

The New Tech Consumer Tiny But Gives ETFs Growth Potential
December 1, 2007 – Toy makers and retailers are filling their shelves with new technology devices for their newest consumer, the preschooler, ages 3 & up. Imagine what this will do for tech stocks and exchange traded funds... Continue Reading »

Gain Access to Wal-Mart Via Its New Supplier ETF
November 30, 2007 – If you’ve been disappointed by Wal-Mart’s (WMT) lagging stock price but you still long to get in, there’s a solution at hand in the form of an exchange traded fund (ETF). FocusShares ISE-REVERE Wal-Mart... Continue Reading »

Shopping For A Retail ETF
November 28, 2007 – Did you know that while you are holiday shopping, you could earn some money back by investing in one of the retail exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Zoe Van Schyndel for The Motley Fool says... Continue Reading »

Cyber Monday Delights ETF Investors
November 27, 2007 – "Cyber Monday" is the official start to the online holiday shopping season, not to be confused with "Black Friday", sending up retail and possibly Internet stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Lots more retailers... Continue Reading »

Consumers Spend on Black Friday - What About Retail ETFs?
November 26, 2007 – Black Friday is an important shopping day and an indicator of how retail stores and their exchange traded funds might be affected by holiday sales.  ShopperTrak, a research group, said sales on Black Friday... Continue Reading »

The Holiday Shopping Season is Nearly Here - Will It Be Merry For Retail ETFs?
November 20, 2007 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) might be feeling more "Little Match Girl" than "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire" this holiday season. As more of our money goes straight to heating our homes and using... Continue Reading »

Consumers Snapping Their Wallets Shut, and ETFs Are Taking the Hit
November 16, 2007 – Investors of all types, from those who love exchange traded fund (ETF) to the ones who favor individual stocks, are weighing in the current environment with retailers, banks, and energy companies. Wall Street is... Continue Reading »

Boo! Retail ETFs Look Scary Instead of Merry
November 11, 2007 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) are looking more like Halloween fright instead of holiday merriment. Retailers announced disappointing October sales, thanks to consumers’ ongoing fears about housing and the rising cost of energy, according... Continue Reading »

Will Retail ETFs Have a Holly Jolly Holiday?
November 2, 2007 – Will this holiday shopping season be a game of shopper-retailer chicken? And what will this do to the retail-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs)? Many are convinced that the subprime mortgage crisis and credit crunch... Continue Reading »

Luxury ETF Could Benefit from More Millionaires in the World
October 22, 2007 – While the average exchange traded fund (ETF) investor might have cut down on his or her consumer spending, the same can’t be said for the ultra rich. Household wealth is hitting record heights, and... Continue Reading »

Watch the SPDRs ETFs Grow
October 19, 2007 – The Select Sector SPDRs exchange traded funds (ETFs) cover broad, general sectors of the market. Billions of dollars move into and out of those funds each week. A total of nearly $21.8 billion was... Continue Reading »

ETF Investors Likely to Be Strapped for Cash
October 18, 2007 – As houses are going down in value and unemployment is rising, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors have less money to spend in other areas. In fact, unemployment stats show it has risen from 4.5%... Continue Reading »

Is It an ETF Bargain?
October 14, 2007 – Is there a method to evaluate the valuations and attractiveness of major market indexes and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that follow them? Morningstar’s 100-plus equity analysts can help give some insight. With more... Continue Reading »

Wal-Mart’s Search for Growth Expands Consumer ETFs?
October 9, 2007 – Exchange traded funds (ETFs) with Wal-Mart (WMT) as their top holding could see some major movement within the next few years. The world’s largest retailer, has announced plans to more than double its stores... Continue Reading »

Will the Luxury ETF Feel the Effects of the Falling Dollar?
October 8, 2007 – The high-end Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury (ROB) exchange traded fund (ETF) has been a strong performer lately and one of the factors behind its success could be Coach’s (COH) popularity. Coach, which is a... Continue Reading »

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

A Wal-Mart ETF?
October 4, 2007 – Would you invest in an exchange traded fund (ETF) that typically invests at least 90% of its total assets in stocks of companies that derive a substantial portion of their revenue from Wal-Mart (WMT)?... Continue Reading »

An ETF of Wealth
October 2, 2007 – Is there an exchange traded fund (ETF) that tracks the spending habits of the rich? Indeed there is: This summer the Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury Index ETF (ROB) launched, and it has a higher... Continue Reading »

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

Thanks Be to Consumer Staples ETFs
September 19, 2007 – Take a minute to say "thank you" for consumer staples exchange traded funds (ETFs). These special friends tend to be reliable through the good times and bad. That’s because U.S. consumers "need" soda, macaroni... Continue Reading »

Retail ETFs Drag
September 17, 2007 – Retail sales have disappointed economists’ expectations, fueling doubt concerning the American consumer and retail-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs). The sales numbers are likely to cause worry that consumers are feeling pressure from the credit... Continue Reading »

August Shopping Sprees Could Contribute to Retail ETFs’ Performance
September 6, 2007 – Retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) Retail HOLDRs (RTH) and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) might benefit from some recent retail earnings reports. Of the 31 retailers that reported their store sales for August today, 20... Continue Reading »

An ETF That Works for You
August 30, 2007 – An exchange traded fund (ETF) that will track and research the market for you? While it might sound too good to be true, such an ETF does exit. The Claymore/Zacks Sector Rotation (XRO) tracks... Continue Reading »

Will Back-to-School Shopping Supply Retail ETFs with a Boost?
August 19, 2007 – As back-to-school shopping season begins, some retail exchange traded funds (ETFs) could get an extra boost. This year, the International Council of Shopping Centers predicts that shoppers will be bargain hunting, and the average... Continue Reading »

Coffee ETF Could Give Portfolios a Jolt
August 11, 2007 – Starbucks (SBUX) might be included in an exchange traded fund (ETF) such as PowerShares Dynamic Food and Beverage (PBJ) soon because it’s likely to see an increase in coffee consumption with the good news... Continue Reading »

Protect Your ETF Portfolio
August 9, 2007 – In unsteady market times such as these, exchange traded fund (ETF) investors tend to seek safer investment options. Many look to bond ETFs for security. "Megacap" stocks within ETFs also tend to be stable,... Continue Reading »

An ETF That Invests in the Wealthy
August 8, 2007 – An exchange traded fund (ETF) that could catch the eye of Paris Hilton or Donald Trump? An ETF that profits from ridiculously lavish spending? It’s too soon to see if that will happen, but... Continue Reading »

With Beer so Frothy and Delicious, Why No Beer ETF?
August 3, 2007 – How can a beer exchange traded fund (ETF) not exist when beer can be so refreshing on a hot summer day? Surely the world’s oldest and most popular alcoholic beverage should have its own... Continue Reading »

Two ETF Sectors Play Defense Against Roller-Coaster Market
August 2, 2007 – The health care and consumer staples arenas, and the exchange traded funds (ETFs) that track them, are two sectors that traditionally weather rocky market storms. Companies within these sectors tend to maintain stable revenue... Continue Reading »

Subprime Industry’s Financial Disease Spreads to ETFs, Continues to Make Them Weaker
July 12, 2007 – Subprime industry woes have been negatively affecting various sectors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) since early this year. (Although some might argue the subprime industry slip started earlier than that.) As this industry sinks,... Continue Reading »

Go Shopping for a Retail ETF
July 6, 2007 – Investor news flash: For those of you who love to shop, or have wives that love to, you can channel that energy and money into your exchange traded funds (ETFs). Retail and consumer goods... Continue Reading »

Going Shopping For A Retail ETF
May 21, 2007 – The retail focused exchange traded fund (ETF) PowerShares Dynamic Retail(PMR) is up 0.1% this year, reflecting a closed-wallet for most American consumers. Top holdings for this ETF include Safeway-6%, Kohl’s-6% and Sears-5%. Reports confirm... Continue Reading »

Consumer Electronics Show Forecasts Fuel for ETFs
January 9, 2007 – The Consumer Electronics Show kicked off in Las Vegas estimating factory-to-dealer sales of electronics will exceed $155 billion in 2007.  This is great news for exchange traded funds (ETFs) with a technology focus.  2006... Continue Reading »

Holiday Shopping Results For Retail ETFs
January 3, 2007 – For those investors who own retail exchange traded funds (ETFs), let’s look at how the holiday retail season panned out. Holiday shoppers eventually came around and analysts believe this spending will continue into January... 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 »

Wal-Mart Wants Fashionistas-Will This Help Retail ETF?
December 24, 2006 – If you have investments in the retail exchange traded fund (ETF) Retail HOLDRs (RTH), then Wal-Mart is a company you probably follow, considering it makes up 18% of the fund. Wal-Mart has been trying... Continue Reading »

Shopping For Your Retail ETF
December 18, 2006 – Your retail exchange traded fund (ETF) may still come out ahead, as the holiday shopping season is proving to be encouraging.