ETF Stats for February 2010
Note (added 3/2/10): This article contains errors due to the fact that PHYS is not an ETF. Corrections include: New ETPs for the month = 17 (16 ETFs and one ETN); currently listed products = 964 (873 ETFs and 91 ETNs); table requires adjustments to reflect new quantities; new launch #18...
PHYS: Now You Can Store Your Gold in Canada
Note (added 3/2/10): The article below contains an error. PHYS is actually a closed-end fund, not an ETF. For more information, see PHYS is Not an ETF. Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS), the latest physically backed gold exchange-traded product began trading yesterday (2/26/10) on the NYSE. The...
TWOL, TWOZ: Leveraged & Inverse Short Term Bond ETFs
Direxion Shares broke some new ground on 2/25/2010 with the first 3x leveraged and inverse ETFs to track short-term Treasury bond prices. Direxion Daily 2-Year Treasury Bull 3x Shares (TWOL) and Direxion Daily 2-Year Treasury Bear 3x Shares (TWOZ) are now available for those who wish to bet on shorter-term...
EUO: Profit as The Euro Plunges
The Euro, currently used by 22 countries, is one of the most important world currencies. It was introduced to global financial markets in 1999 and reached major-currency status in record time. The Euro is now the second-most heavily traded currency in the foreign exchange (forex) market next to the dollar. Now...
BRXX: New Brazil Infrastructure ETF
Proving once again that emerging markets are fertile ground for new ETFs, yesterday (2/24/10) brought the launch of EGS INDXX Brazil Infrastructure Index Fund (BRXX) by Emerging Global Shares. This follows last week’s introduction of a similar fund tracking China infrastructure stocks (CHXX). The...
Retirement Reboot: Embracing Goal Based Investing
Traditional retirement planning is under siege. After two bear markets in the last decade, industry insiders are challenging some long-held assumptions. One such assumption is defining “success” without context, as in positive return against a benchmark. Retirement plans used to be considered...
Do Not Buy CSLS
Credit Suisse Long/Short Liquid Index ETN (CSLS) was listed for trading yesterday (February 22, 2010). It is not a hedge fund ETN, and it does not track the similarly-named Credit Suisse Tremont Long/Short Equity Hedge Fund Index. It is an unsecured debt obligation of Credit Suisse. Furthermore, Credit...
PCEF: Closed-End Funds Inside An ETF
Yesterday (2/19/2010) was the first day of trading for PowerShares CEF Income Composite Portfolio (PCEF). This is an ETF whose portfolio consists of closed-end funds. In other words, PCEF is a “fund of funds.” Closed-end funds (CEF) have been around for decades, and were in fact an ancestor...
Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Investors
Chances are you’re interested in better ways to handle your investments. That’s why you are reading this article. One big question often goes unanswered by people on this quest: Should you manage your own money? A US News article last year addressed the wisdom of being a self-directed investor—that...
EGPT: Egypt Now Available to ETF Investors
Market Vectors Egypt Index ETF (EGPT), the first single-country fund offering US investors exposure to Egypt, was launched yesterday (February 18, 2010). The underlying index includes publicly traded companies domiciled and primarily listed on an Egyptian exchange or that generate at least 50% of their...
