Bank Loan Bosses: The competition for the most searched bond ETFs on ETF Trends this week was not even close. It boiled down to the PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio (NYSEArca: BKLN) and the new, actively managed SPDR Blackstone/GSO Senior Loan ETF (NYSEArca: SRLN).
Overall, six bond ETFs were among the 50 most searched tickers on ETF Trends during the week, but only SRLN and BKLN ranked near the top-20.
Surprise departures from the top-10 most searched: Gold ETFs dropped off this week, although it was not for lack of effort as commodities ETFs are trying to end 2013 on an upbeat note. [Commodities ETFs Look for Positive End to Bad Year]
New additions: SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (NYSEArca: SDY) and the PowerShares Buyback Achievers Portfolio (NYSEArca: PKW). Neither appearance is particularly surprising as dividend ETFs have grown in prominence (and assets) this year.
Members of the S&P 500 increased share buybacks by 8.6% during the third quarter to $128.2 billion up from the $118.1 billion spent on share repurchases during the second quarter, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. [Buybacks Reach Highest Level Since 2007]