The Cost of Retirement Happiness
US News recently discussed the secrets to a happy retirement. They found that people who are most content in their “golden years” have several common qualities. In addition to the proverbial good health and personal satisfaction, there were some fascinating findings: not too much TV, not being...
BRAF: An ETF Targeting Brazil’s Financial Sector
The Global X Brazil Financials ETF (BRAF) began trading yesterday (July 29, 2010). This is first ETF to target Brazil’s financial sector and the third of six planned Brazil ETFs from Global X Funds. According to the press release, the financial sector in Brazil is large and benefits from a decade...
SQM: Playing The Lithium Boom Chile-Style
With the boom in global demand for alternative-fueled vehicles, now may be a good time to break out your Periodic Table of Elements from science class. It’s time to learn something about lithium. Represented by the symbol “Li,” lithium is the lightest and least dense of the solid elements. Lithium...
SmartMoney Talks with Ron Rowland About ETF Industry Growth
SmartMoney interviewed me for an article dated July 16, 2010 about the growth of the ETF industry and how the competitive landscape is changing. Will Swarts’ article, “ETF Report Card: Bullishly Treading Water“, includes data from State Street Global Advisors and additional discussions...
LIT: Not a Pure Play On Lithium
Global X Lithium ETF (LIT) was listed for trading last Friday (7/23/10). The new ETF tracks the Solactive Global Lithium Index, which is designed to reflect performance of the largest and most liquid lithium battery producing and mining and refining companies in the world. It is not a pure play on...
EMLC: Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF From Market Vectors
ETF sponsors continue to impress with their ability to sniff out new market niches around which to build products. Van Eck is among the best in this regard. Last week (7/23/10) the firm introduced Market Vectors Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC), a fund whose name describes exactly...
Select Sector SPDR Trust Files Frivolous Suit On Invesco Over ETF Ticker Symbols
I’m not a lawyer but… This appears to me to be one of most frivolous investment-related lawsuits ever. The complaint filed Thursday (7/22/10) in U.S. District Court, Houston by the Select Sector SPDR Trust (”SPDR”) accuses Invesco PowerShares (and related companies) of trademark infringement...
AADR: Actively Managed International ETF
AdvisorShares WCM/BNY Mellon Focused Growth ADR ETF (AADR) began trading July 21, 2010. Its objective is long-term capital appreciation that beats international benchmarks by focusing on high-quality, large-cap, non-U.S. companies via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This is the third actively-managed...
Capitalize on Rising Sugar Prices (SGG)
Sugarcane, native to South and Southeast Asia, has been used since ancient times to sweeten food and drinks. It was a relatively obscure plant until the Middle Ages when people figured out how to refine, store, and trade it. Sugar eventually replaced honey as the world’s most popular sweetening...
Investing in Cloud Computing
Savvy tech investors are always looking for the next best thing. They’re not content with buying the Q’s (PowerShares Nasdaq 100 Index: QQQQ). They want the latest breakthrough technology stocks before everyone knows about them – think Twitter or cloud computing. The latter isn’t new, but...
