iShares Launches Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF
New products continue to emerge from the ETF IPO pipeline, albeit far more slowly than in the halcyon days of 2007-2008. Today brought iShares S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index Fund (EMIF). Volume today was light, but I suspect iShares has enough marketing muscle to keep EMIF off the...
Top ETF IPOs as of June 2009
In my ongoing analysis of ETFs, I segregate new ETFs (ETF IPOs) into their own category. Then, at the end of every month, those that have reached an age of six months or more are moved into my mainstream categories (sector, international, bond, etc.). Currently there are 52 funds (including the 10...
ZICAM, Banks, and the Illusion of Safety
Two days ago I remarked on the new, improved regulatory structure the Obama administration proposes for the financial services industry. On the same day, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a company called Matrixx Initiatives (MTXX) to stop selling its popular Zicam Cold Remedy. ...
Four More 2x Inverse International ETFs from ProShares
ProShares introduced four more double inverse international ETFs to their lineup today. The new funds provide 2x inverse exposure to MSCI indexes covering Europe, Pacific ex-Japan, Brazil, and Mexico. The ProShares catalog now contains 10 inverse international products and 84 ETFs in all. The new funds...
Playing Health Care Reform with Biotech ETFs (IBB & XBI)
Whether or not it fits your political philosophy, the climate in Washington appears conducive for politicians to address health care reform. This could mean opportunities for astute investors in health-related stocks. Congress is attempting to craft legislation to lower health care costs and expand...
Barron’s Likes It
Barron’s like it. We are referring of course to our weekly Invest With An Edge newsletter. The Barron’s Market Watch column, which is currently edited by Anita Peltonen, has been highlighting editorial content from our various publications since 1991. Usually it is just a few paragraphs...
New Financial Cops On The Way
On Wednesday President Obama is supposed to unveil his plan to overhaul the regulatory structure for banks and other financial institutions. Clearly such an overhaul is sorely needed. The SEC, CFTC, OCC, OTS, and assorted other agencies have been asleep for years. The question is whether the president...
Biotech ETFs
Biotechnology is one of those sectors fraught with potential and peril at the same time. Pick the right company developing the right drug at the right time and the stock will reward shareholders. Conversely, any bad news regarding a company’s clinical trials can quickly put shareholders in the...
Open Letter to ETN Sponsors
Dear ETN Sponsors, The time has come for you to address the ETN stigma. It is time to start moving the “unsecured debt obligation” structure of ETNs to something more appealing. Investors often lump together the similarly-named exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs)....
Some Good News For A Change?
Every once in a while, a reader will remark that we here at Invest With An Edge are too gloomy about everything. Chin up, they tell us. The world isn’t ending. To which we usually respond: Easy for you to say! Those of us who spend our days surrounded by market and economic data haven’t...
