ETF Stats for May 2009
The month of May brought the largest monthly decline ever in the number of US-listed ETFs and ETNs. Active listings changed by -14 after averaging more than +17 new products per month during the past three calendar years. Additionally, the six-month moving average of net new listings turned negative...
Geithner To Get a Spanking in China
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner visits China next week. This does not necessarily mean the currency crisis will be at fever pitch. We’ve already had a large move in a matter of days in key currency and interest rate levels. Next week may bring a “sell the news” mood for traders...
Unemployment: The Number To Watch
Amid all the so-called “green shoots” that persuade some people the economy is on the road to recovery, employment numbers are conspicuously absent. Yet unemployment is really the core problem in many ways. Jobless people don’t spend much money, they certainly don’t add money...
Commodity Stocks Unite (HAP)
With the dollar cratering and commodity prices climbing (almost) like it’s 2007, stock investors are showing more and more interest in the natural resource related sectors. Yes, it is now possible through various ETFs and ETNs to get direct exposure to many commodity markets, but stocks are more...
Silver: Four Ways to Go Long
Silver has a long history. Ancient cultures used silver for trade, jewelry, and crafts. Silver ore was first processed by the Chaldeans around 2500 BC as well as in Asia Minor (Turkey). In an effort to meet rising societal demand, ancient Mediterranean cultures eventually looked to silver deposits...
Emerging Market Sector ETFs Hit The Tape
First there were sector ETFs. Then there were emerging-markets ETFs. Now, in the never-ending quest to slice the pie thinner and thinner, we have emerging markets sector ETFs. According to the official press release, a new company called Emerging Global Advisors (EGA) this week (Thursday 5/21/09)...
ETF Death Toll Climbs to 113
May 18 was the last trading day for 19 ETFs from PowerShares. If you did not sell your shares by the deadline, you now get to experience the ETF liquidation process first-hand. Final distribution amounts will be determined at today’s close. However, PowerShares stated on May 1 that the funds...
Nuclear: The Next Energy Trend (NLR)
Catching the mega trend is a tricky business. If you’re paying attention, you might have a chance. Green energy was one such trend – and now we think another such trend may be developing in nuclear energy. When oil jumped significantly a couple of years ago, Hummers were still popular. Most...
MacroShares Suffer Another Body Blow
The MacroShares Housing shares IPO auction process has failed, dealing another body blow to the MacroMarkets team. According to an article by Index Universe, the IPO auction process failed due to an imbalance of demand between the Up shares and the Down shares. The company says it will now launch...
MarketVectors Nuclear Energy ETF (NLR) on Video
Spot uranium prices are moving strongly off recent lows, up about 25% in the last month. Uranium miners and other stocks in the space are catching a strong bid. Our Fronteer (FRG) pick has worked out well, but for those seeking a diversified basket of stocks, NLR is the way to go. This sector also...
