Each day, ETFtrends.com publishes news, strategy and commentary on ETFs in the realms of Commodities, Currency, Equities and Smart-Beta to name a few.
Here’s a look at the Top 15 Most Viewed Articles of the Week on ETF Trends, Aug. 15-19, 2016.
Click the headline to read the full article – enjoy!
1. How to Access Healthcare REITs Via ETFs
High-yielding, income-generating asset classes are benefiting this year as Treasury yields decline and the Federal Reserve puts off another interest rate increase. The group of beneficiaries includes exchange traded funds holding real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Within the REIT space, long-term investors may want to consider those ETFs with exposure to healthcare REITs, which are plays on the aging U.S. population. The Vanguard REIT ETF (NYSEArca: VNQ), SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (NYSEArca: RWR)and iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund (NYSEArca: IYR) are among the most popular REIT ETF plays. While these are some of the top-performing sector funds this year another fund gives investors exposure to healthcare REITs.
2. The Foibles of ETF Expense Ratios
ETFs have seen explosive growth, in part due to lower overall costs and with some assistance from active managers underperforming for a number of years.
Now, don’t get me wrong – low fees are great for investors, particularly long term (which most, if not all, investors should be).
3. A New Active ETF Tries to Improve on Modern Portfolio Theory
Virtus Investment Partners (NasdaqGS: VRTS) partnered with iSectors to launch an actively managed exchange traded fund that promises to track a type of next-gen modern portfolio theory approach.
On Wednesday, iSectors rolled out its flagship iSectors Post-MPT Growth ETF (NasdaqGM: PMPT). PMPT has a 1.55% total expense ratio.
4. ETF Option Strategy: Think Outside the Collar – Protecting the Zone
“Stay near me – do not take flight! A little longer stay in sight! Much converse do I find in thee… Float near me; do not yet depart!” William Wordsworth’s words in “To a Butterfly” (1801) can be aptly applied to traders and portfolio managers alike when speaking of option butterflies. Can this option structure be used for more than just speculative purposes? For savvy traders and portfolio managers it can be used as a replacement for more traditional hedging vehicles.
5. Analyzing the Inverse/Leveraged ETF Business: Q&A With Direxion’s Sylvia Jablonski
Direxion managing director Sylvia Jablonski is regarded as a recognized expert in the ETF industry.
Since joining Direxion in 2009, Jablonski has led the company’s sales team while focusing on global product implementation within the institutional and tactical client segment as well as promoting ETF education and strategy throughout the financial industry.
6. Another Positive for REIT ETFs
Investors have been giving real estate investment trusts a second look ahead of indexing sector reclassification, bolstering demand for REITs-related exchange traded funds. However, there is some other good news for the high-yielding asset class.
7. High Yields: Love ‘em if You Can Leave ‘em
Investor demand for high yield debt has been strong in recent months. And even though spreads have come down and the opportunity for capital appreciation is lower, there simply aren’t many other options for investors looking for yield.