The FaithShares Christian Values (FOC) traded between 2009 and 2011. While the Christian value investment objective was not a popular hit with investors, the FaithShares provider used its regulatory approval to re-invent itself as Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC), a company that helps money managers launch their own ETF ideas.
The Guggenheim Airlines (FAA) traded between 2009 and 2013. FAA had $21 million in assets when it closed. The ETF tracked a prominent sector with a strong relationship to oil. However, Balchunas believes there was not enough marketing muscle behind the ETF to properly promote it.
The iShares Diversified Alt Trust (ALT) traded between 2009 and 2013. ALT was the first iShares ETF to close in over a decade. The company believed that it had little-long term demand and decided to cut its losses.
The Focus Morningstar Large Cap (FLG) traded between 2011 and 2012. Scottrade’s FocusShares tried to compete with similar offerings by lowering its expense ratio, but investors weren’t keen on another “me-too” product.
The Global X Fishing Industry (FISN) traded between 2011 and 2012. The fund suffered poor timing with its large allocation in Japan during the large earthquake, tsunami and power plant disaster in 2011. If FISN traded today, it would have increased 31% over the past year.
For more information on new fund products, visit our new ETFs category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.