Six More ETFs From Direxion
On Thursday (3/11/2010) Direxion added six new funds to its menu, giving investors leveraged and inverse opportunities in the BRIC countries, India, and the semiconductor sector. This was Direxion’s second batch of new ETFs this year. Back in February they launched two leveraged and inverse...
RBL: New Russia ETF from SPDR
Thursday (3/11/2010) was the first day of trading for SPDR S&P Russia ETF (RBL). The fund follows the S&P Russia Capped BMI Index, which seeks to reflect the performance of investable stocks domiciled in Russia. RBL will compete mainly with Market Vectors Russia (RSX), which until now has been...
Claymore Introduces 3 Me Too ETF Clones
Claymore, the ETF sponsor that has closed 17 funds and has 12 more on ETF Deathwatch, introduced three new ETFs yesterday (3/9/10). They appear destined for a similar fate. The three new ETFs are Claymore Wilshire 5000 Total Market ETF (WFVK), Claymore Wilshire 4500 Completion ETF (WXSP), and Claymore...
PHYS is Not an ETF
I previously wrote an article entitled PHYS: Now You Can Store Your Gold in Canada. After discussions with Michael Traynor of the National Stock Exchange, I agree with their conclusion that PHYS is not an ETF. In some ways, PHYS is similar to other physically-backed gold products such as SPDR Gold...
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...
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...
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...
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...
