ETF/ETN assets under management climbed 8.4% to $1.15 trillion, most of which came from market gains rather than new investments.  The largest product, SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), ended the month with more than $99 billion in assets and is on track to soon cross the $100 billion threshold.

Trading activity slipped with dollar volume (value traded) across all ETPs coming in at $1.16 trillion for the month.  This is a -13% drop from December and a whopping -60% plunge from the $2.92 trillion pace in August 2011.  Monthly dollar volume for January was the lowest since December 2010’s $1.11 trillion.  Of course there were 21% fewer ETPs at that time, so January’s results were even worse on an “average per fund” basis.

Nonetheless, the number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) actually increased from 7 to 8 in January.  The percentage of all ETP dollars traded by this group slipped from 56% to 55%.  This suggests trading activity is moving down the food chain, away from the top tier.  The trend was also evident in the next tier; the number of products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day grew from 68 to 72 while their percentage of all ETP dollar volume slipped from 89% to 88%.

Data sources:  Daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, AUM from ETF Industry Association, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge

New products launched in January (sorted by name):

1. AdvisorShares Accuvest Global Opportunities ETF (ACCU)
2. AdvisorShares Rockledge SectorSAM ETF (SSAM)
3. Direxion S&P 1500 RC Volatility Response Shares (VSPR)
4. Direxion S&P 500 RC Volatility Response Shares (VSPY)
5. Direxion S&P Latin America 40 RC Volatility Response Shares (VLAT)
6. iShares MSCI Australia Small Cap Index Fund (EWAS)
7. iShares MSCI Canada Small Cap Index Fund (EWCS)
8. iShares MSCI Denmark Capped Investable Market Index Fund (EDEN)
9. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA Index Fund (EEME)
10. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Latin America Index Fund (EEML)
11. iShares MSCI Finland Capped Investable Market Index Fund (EFNL)
12. iShares MSCI Germany Small Cap Index Fund (EWGS)
13. iShares MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index Fund (EWHS)
14. iShares MSCI Norway Capped Investable Market Index Fund (ENOR)
15. iShares MSCI Singapore Small Cap Index Fund (EWSS)
16. iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small Cap Index Fund (EWUS)
17. iShares MSCI World Index Fund (URTH)
18. PowerShares S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility Portfolio (EELV)
19. PowerShares S&P International Developed Low Volatility Portfolio (IDLV)
20. ProShares German Sovereign/Sub-Sovereign ETF (GGOV)
21. ProShares 30 Year TIPS/TSY Spread (RINF)
22. ProShares Short 30 Year TIPS/TSY Spread (FINF)
23. SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Asia Pacific ETF (GMFS)

January new product reviews are contained in First Seven New ETFs of 2012, Nine More ETFs Emerge, and Seven Single-Country ETFs from iShares on BATS.

Product closures/delistings in January (sorted by name):

none

Product changes in January:

1. Barclays GEMS Asia 8 ETN (AYT) was renamed iPath GEMS Asia 8 ETN (AYT) 1/10/12.
2. Barclays GEMS Index ETN (JEM) was renamed iPath GEMS Index ETN (JEM) 1/10/12.
3. Barclays Asian & Gulf Currency Revaluation ETN (PGD) was renamed iPath Asian & Gulf Currency Revaluation ETN (PGD) 1/10/12.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. Five of the Van Eck’s new ETFs that replaced HOLDRS will undergo share splits effective February 14.  Market Vectors Oil Services (OIH), Market Vectors Biotech (BBH), and Market Vectors Retail (RTH) will split 3-for-1.  Market Vectors Pharmaceutical (PPH) and Market Vectors Bank and Brokerage (RKH) will split 2-for-1.
2. Global X announced that February 16, 2012 will be the last day of trading for 8 Global X ETFs: Global X Russell Emerging Markets Growth (EMGX), Global X Russell Emerging Markets Value (EMVX), Global X Mexico Small-Cap (MEXS), Global X Oil Equities (XOIL), Global X Farming (BARN), Global X Fishing Industry (FISN), Global X Food (EATX), and Global X Waste Management (WSTE).

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

Closure activity hit a new monthly high with 23 delistings.  The previous record was set in May 2009 when PowerShares cleaned house by closing down 19 faltering funds.  All 23 closures in December were ETFs (no ETNs) and resulted in seven fewer product listings at month’s end.  This was the first monthly decline of ETP listings since May 2010.

The year ended with 1,369 exchange-traded products listed for trading in US markets.  The current count, consisting of 1,166 ETFs and 203 ETNs, represents a 24.6% increase over year-end 2010.  Actively managed ETFs remain an insignificant portion of the population, numbering just 39.

Asset growth did not keep pace with product growth.  Total assets under management ended the year at $1.06 trillion, only 5.1% above the $1.01 trillion at the start of the year.

For the month of December, assets under management slipped by 0.4%.  Trading activity declined about 19%, which is not surprising given the typical light volume during the year-end holidays.  The decline was not equally shared between ETFs and ETNs, with ETF daily average dollar volume dropping 18.9% while ETN trading saw a massive 41.8% dropoff.  Dollar volume across all products averaged just $63.5 billion per day. 

The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) plunged from 13 to just 7 in December while still accounting for more than 56% of all ETP dollars traded.  Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day decreased from 76 to 68 while grabbing 88.9% of all ETP dollar volume.

Data sources:  Daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, AUM from ETF Industry Association, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in December (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. SPDR Barclays Capital Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN) [Two New SPDR Bond ETFs Extend Lineup]
2. SPDR Barclays Capital Short Term Treasury ETF (SST)
3. Global X NASDAQ 500 ETF (QQQV) [Global X Introduces ETFs Of New NASDAQ Indexes]
4. Global X NASDAQ 400 Mid Cap ETF (QQQM)
5. PowerShares DB US Inflation ETN (INFL) [Inflation/Deflation ETN Pair Available from PowerShares]
6. PowerShares DB US Deflation ETN (DEFL)
7. Direxion All Cap Insider Sentiment Shares ETF (KNOW) [Direxion Launches Two Insider ETFs: KNOW and INSD]
8. Direxion Large Cap Insider Sentiment Shares ETF (INSD)
9. Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF (GREK) [GREK Gets You To The Greek]
10. RBS NASDAQ 100 Trendpilot ETN (TNDQ) [RBS Extends Trendpilot Concept to NASDAQ 100]
11. Market Vectors Bank and Brokerage ETF (RKH)
12. Market Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH)
13. Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH)
14. Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH)
15. Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH)
16. Market Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH)

Product closures/delistings in December (sorted by name):

1. Guggenheim BulletShares 2011 Corporate Bond ETF (BSCB) [BSCB: Not Your Typical ETF Closure]
2. HOLDRS B2B Internet (BHH) [Termination of 17 HOLDRS Marks End of an Era]
3. HOLDRS Biotech (BBH)
4. HOLDRS Broadband (BDH)
5. HOLDRS Europe 2001 (EKH)
6. HOLDRS Internet (HHH)
7. HOLDRS Internet Architecture (IAH)
8. HOLDRS Internet Infrastructure (IIH)
9. HOLDRS Market 2000+ (MKH)
10. HOLDRS Oil Service (OIH)
11. HOLDRS Pharmaceutical (PPH)
12. HOLDRS Regional Bank (RKH)
13. HOLDRS Retail (RTH)
14. HOLDRS Semiconductor (SMH)
15. HOLDRS Software (SWH)
16. HOLDRS Telecom (TTH)
17. HOLDRS Wireless (WMH)
18. HOLDRS Utilities (UTH)
19. IQ Taiwan Small Cap ETF (TWON) [Three IndexIQ ETFs To Disappear Today]
20. IQ Hong Kong Small Cap ETF (HKK)
21. IQ Japan Mid Cap ETF (RSUN)
22. Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund (CRBA) [Last Day For CRBA and CRBI]
23. Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund (CRBI)

Product changes in December:

1. AdvisorShares performed an extreme-makeover of an ETF rather than closing and liquidating the old one and launching a new one.  AdvisorShares Mars Hill Global Relative Value (GRV) received a new name, new ticker symbol, new objective, new manager, and new portfolio effective 12/1/11.  It is now known as the AdvisorShares Accuvest Global Long Short ETF (AGLS).
2. All Direxion Shares 2x Bull and Bear ETFs converted to 3x leverage on 12/1/11.  The change affected ten ETFs.
3. Guggenheim Enhanced Ultra-Short Bond ETF (GSY) became Guggenheim Enhanced Short Duration Bond ETF (GSY) effective 12/5/11.
4. Global X China Technology Fund (CHIB) changed its name, ticker, underlying index, and listing exchange, becoming the Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF (QQQC) effective 12/13/11.
5. The exchange offer for six HOLDRS into similar new Market Vector ETFs (which was initiated 11/10/11) successfully closed on 12/20/11 with about two-thirds of the available shares/assets transferring.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. Global X announced that February 16, 2012 will be the last day of trading for 8 Global X ETFs (pdf).  The closing funds are Global X Russell Emerging Markets Growth (EMGX), Global X Russell Emerging Markets Value (EMVX), Global X Mexico Small-Cap (MEXS), Global X Oil Equities (XOIL), Global X Farming (BARN), Global X Fishing Industry (FISN), Global X Food (EATX), and Global X Waste Management (WSTE).

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

Assets under management slipped by 1.6% but held above the $1 trillion mark.  Trading activity declined 15% for ETFs and 4% for ETNs.  Dollar volume averaged $78.8 billion per day. 

The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) dropped from 18 to 13 and accounted for about 66% of all ETP dollars traded.  This is down from 70% last month, so other products are seeing their share of the action increase.  Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day decreased from 89 to 76 yet still accounted for 91.1% of dollar volume.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in November (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. PIMCO Australia Bond Index Fund (AUD) [New PIMCO International Bond ETFs Lack Data]
2. PowerShares KBW Bank Portfolio (KBWB) [PowerShares Fills the Void for KBW Indexed ETFs]
3. PowerShares KBW Regional Banking Portfolio (KBWR)
4. PowerShares KBW Insurance Portfolio (KBWI)
5. PowerShares KBW Capital Markets Portfolio (KBWC)
6. Russell Developed ex-U.S. Low Beta ETF (XLBT) [Russell Takes Factor ETFs International]
7. Russell Developed ex-U.S. Low Volatility ETF (XLVO)
8. Russell Developed ex-U.S. High Momentum ETF (XHMO)
9. PowerShares DB Inverse Japanese Government Bond Futures ETN (JGBS) [PowerShares Adds Inverse Versions of Japanese Bond ETNs]
10. PowerShares DB 3x Inverse Japanese Government Bond Futures ETN (JGBD)
11. PIMCO Canada Bond Index Fund (CAD) [New PIMCO International Bond ETFs Lack Data]
12. PIMCO Germany Bond Index Fund (BUND)
13. Global X Social Media Index Fund (SOCL) [Global X Hopes You Will “Like” Its New Social Media ETF]
14. United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) [Now You Can Buy Copper in a Fund Format]
15. iShares S&P International Preferred Stock Index Fund (IPFF) [New iShares International Preferred ETF Is Mostly Canadian]
16. UBS ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk On ETN (ONN) [New Risk On Risk Off ETNs Tuned to Recent Market Conditions]
17. UBS ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk Off ETN (OFF)

Product closures/delistings in November:

none

Product changes in November:

1. Direxion implemented reverse splits on six ETFs effective 11/10/11.  The affected funds are FAS, EDC, TMV, DRV, and LBJ at 1-for-5 and RUSL at 1-for-3.  Press release (pdf). 
2. The two Internet IPO ETNs from UBS dropped “IPO” from their names [New Internet IPO ETNs Do Not Participate in IPOs] and underlying indexes effective 11/21/11.  UBS ETRACS Internet IPO ETN (EIPO) became UBS ETRACS Next Generation Internet ETN (EIPO) and UBS ETRACS Monthly 2x Leveraged Internet IPO ETN (EIPL) became UBS ETRACS Monthly 2x Leveraged Next Generation Internet ETN (EIPL).

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. AdvisorShares announced an extreme-makeover of an ETF rather than closing and liquidating the old one.  AdvisorShares Mars Hill Global Relative Value (GRV) will receive a new name, new ticker symbol, new objective, new manager, and new portfolio effective 12/1/11 becoming the AdvisorShares Accuvest Global Long Short ETF (AGLS).
2. All Direxion Shares 2x Bull and Bear ETFs converted to 3x leverage on 12/1/11.  The change affects 10 ETFs.
3. Global X China Technology Fund (CHIB) will change its name, ticker, underlying index, and listing exchange, becoming the Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF (QQQC) effective 12/13/11.
4. The exchange offer for six HOLDRS products into similar new Market Vector ETFs (which was initiated 11/10/11) will close on 12/20/11.
5. The six new funds that are scheduled to begin trading on 12/21/11 are: Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH), Market Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH), Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH), Market Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH), Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH), and Market Vectors Bank and Brokerage ETF (RKH).
6. Merrill Lynch announced the early termination of the eleven HOLDRS not included in the Van Eck Market Vectors exchange offer.  Accordingly, 12/23/11 will be the last day of trading for BDH, BHH, EKH, HHH, IAH, IIH, MKH, SWH, TTH, UTH, and WMH.

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

The surge in stock prices brought assets back to $1.1 trillion, with September now being the only month this year where assets failed to hold above the trillion-dollar mark.  Trading activity declined nearly 5% for the month, which is not at all encouraging in a month of huge price gains.  Dollar volume averaged just $92.5 billion per day.

The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) slipped from 20 to 18 and accounted for more than 70% of all ETP dollars traded.  Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day increased slightly from 86 to 89 and accounted for 92.2% of dollar volume.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in October (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. CurrencyShares Chinese Renminbi Trust (FXCH) [A Dozen New ETFs in the First Dozen Days of October]
2. ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (UVXY)
3. ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY)
4. AdvisorShares TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF (TTFS)
5. Russell Small Cap Aggressive Growth ETF (SGGG)
6. Russell Small Cap Consistent Growth ETF (SCOG)
7. Russell Small Cap Contrarian ETF (SCTR)
8. Russell Small Cap Low P/E ETF (SCLP)
9. UBS ETRACS Monthly 2x Leveraged ISE Cloud Computing TR Index ETN (LSKY)
10. ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Natural Gas (BOIL)
11. ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Natural Gas (KOLD)
12. Market Vectors Renminbi Bond ETF (CHLC)
13. VelocityShares 3x Long Gold ETN (UGLD) [VelocityShares Launches Eight Precious Metals ETNs]
14. VelocityShares 3x Inverse Gold ETN (DGLD)
15. VelocityShares 3x Long Silver ETN (USLV)
16. VelocityShares 3x Inverse Silver (DSLV)
17. VelocityShares 2x Long Palladium ETN (LPAL)
18. VelocityShares 2x Inverse Palladium ETN (IPAL)
19. VelocityShares 2x Long Platinum ETN (LPLT)
20. VelocityShares 2x Inverse Platinum ETN (IPLT)
21. iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund (LEMB) [LEMB Joins Crowded Emerging Markets Local Currency Niche]
22. iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index Fund (USMV) [New iShares Low Volatility Suite]
23. iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index Fund (EFAV)
24. iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index Fund (ACWV)
25. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund (EEMV)
26. Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) [Schwab Grabs Lowest Cost Dividend ETF Crown]
27. RBS Global Big Pharma ETN (DRGS) [RBS Launches Questionable Pharma ETP]

Product closures/delistings in October:

1. PowerShares Active AlphaQ (PQY) [Active ETFs Continue to Struggle: PQZ and PQY Close]
2. PowerShares Active Alpha Multi-Cap (PQZ)
3. Direxion Airline Shares (FLYX) [FLYX Fails to Fly]

Product changes in October:

1. ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ) had a 2-for-1 split effective 10/13/11.
2. ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS), ProShares UltraShort Real Estate (SRS), and ProShares UltraShort Utilities (SDP) had 1-for-3 reverse splits effective 10/13/11.
3. WisdomTree Dreyfus Euro Fund changed its objective and its name to WisdomTree Euro Debt Fund (EU) effective 10/19/11.
4. Five SPDR ETFs formerly based on KBW indexes changed to S&P Select Industry indexes effective 10/24/11.  The new fund names are SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE), SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE), SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (KIE), SPDR S&P Mortgage Finance ETF (KME), and SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE).
5. WisdomTree Dreyfus New Zealand Dollar Fund (BNZ) changed its objective, name, and ticker symbol to WisdomTree Australia & New Zealand Debt Fund (AUNZ) effective 10/25/11.  The fund had a special distribution of $3.05 prior to the change.
6. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Beta Fund (BTAH) changed its name to QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral High Beta Fund (BTAH) effective 10/26/11.
7. EGShares Emerging Markets High Income Low Beta ETF (HILO) changed its name to EGShares Low Volatility Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (HILO) effective 10/28/11.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. Direxion plans to reverse split six ETFs effective 11/10/11.  The affected funds are FAS, EDC, TMV, DRV, and LBJ at 1-for-5 and RUSL at 1-for-3.  Press release (pdf). 
2. All Direxion Shares 2x Bull and Bear ETFs will convert to 3x on 12/1/11
3. Van Eck Global and Merrill Lynch announced an agreement to seek SEC and shareholder approval for a fourth quarter 2011 exchange of six HOLDRS products into similar to-be-released Market Vector ETFs under the same ticker symbols.  The new funds will be Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH), Market Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH), Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH), Market Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH), Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH), and Market Vectors Bank and Brokerage ETF (RKH).

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

Assets under management slipped below the $1 trillion mark for the first time since crossing above that magic threshold in December 2010.  Negative market action is to blame for the dip, as year-to-date net inflows are in excess of $75 billion.  Total assets stood at $973 billion at the end of September.

Trading activity tapered off from the abnormally high August levels, although total monthly dollar volume across all ETPs remained above $2.0 trillion and averaged more than $97 billion per day.

The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) held steady at twenty and accounted for more than 73% of all ETP dollars traded.  SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) was single handedly responsible for 35.5% of all ETP trading activity.

Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day declined from 100 to 86 and accounted for 92.6% of dollar volume.  Products averaging more than $10 million of trading per day slid from 289 to 248, yet grabbed 98.5% of all ETP dollars traded.  The last 1.5% of dollar volume was spread thinly across the remaining 1,087 products.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in September (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Momentum Fund (MOM) [New Long/Short QuantShares: Long On Expenses, Short On Expectations]
2. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Size Fund (SIZ)
3. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Quality Fund (QLT)
4. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Momentum Fund (NOMO)
5. UBS ETRACS 1-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXAA) [New ETRACS VIX ETNs With 5.35% Annual Expenses]
6. UBS ETRACS 2-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXBB)
7. UBS ETRACS 3-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXCC)
8. UBS ETRACS 4-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXDD)
9. UBS ETRACS 5-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXEE)
10. UBS ETRACS 6-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (VXFF)
11. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 1-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (AAVX)
12. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 2-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (BBVX)
13. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 3-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (CCVX)
14. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 4-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (DDVX)
15. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 5-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (EEVX)
16. UBS ETRACS Daily Short 6-Month S&P 500 VIX Futures ETN (FFVX)
17. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Value Fund (CHEP) [New Long/Short QuantShares: Long On Expenses, Short On Expectations]
18. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Beta Fund (BTAH)
19. QuantShares U.S. Market Neutral Anti-Beta Fund (BTAL)
20. PowerShares Fundamental Investment Grade Corporate Bond Portfolio (PFIG) [PowerShares Fundamental Investment Grade Bond ETF Launched]
21. RBS Oil Trendpilot ETN (TWTI) [Timing Oil Futures With TWTI]
22. UBS ETRACS ISE Solid State Drive Index ETN (SSDD) [UBS Attempts Solid State Drive ETN Offering]
23. UBS ETRACS Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Solid State Drive Index ETN (SSDL)
24. iPath Inverse S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN II (IVOP) [IVO Terminates and IVOP Fills the Void]
25. Teucrium Soybean Fund (SOYB) [Teurcium Launches Three Single Ag Product ETFs]
26. Teucrium Sugar Fund (CANE)
27. Teucrium Wheat Fund (WEAT)
28. Credit Suisse Market Neutral Global Equity ETN (CSMN) [CSMN: Market Neutral ETN from Credit Suisse]
29. FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund (GUNR) [Northern Trust Launches FlexShares]
30. FlexShares Morningstar U.S. Market Factor Tilt Index Fund (TILT)
31. FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTT)
32. FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund (TDTF)
33. Guggenheim Yuan Bond ETF (RMB) [RMB vs DSUM: Comparing the New Dim Sum Bond ETFs]
34. PowerShares Chinese Yuan Dim Sum Bond Portfolio (DSUM)
35. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) [State Street Adds Three ETFs to SPDR Select Industry Lineup]
36. SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS)
37. SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW)

Product closures/delistings in September:

1. FaithShares Christian Values (FOC) was delisted prior to the opening on 9/1/2011, and its last day of trading was 8/31/2011 [Last FaithShares ETF Closes].
2. iPath Inverse S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (IVO) triggered an early termination on September 12 and had its last day of trading on 9/16/2011 [IVO Terminates and IVOP Fills the Void].
3. JETS Contrarian Opportunities Index Fund (JCO) had its last day of trading 9/29/2011 and will be liquidated in early October [Javelin Shutters Last JETS ETF].

Product changes in September:

1. CurrencyShares Russian Ruble Trust changed its ticker symbol from XRU to FXRU effective 9/12/2011.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. PowerShares Active AlphaQ (PQY) and PowerShares Active Alpha Multi-Cap (PQZ) will close in October.  Their last day of trading was 9/30/2011.
2. Direxion Airline Shares (FLYX) will have its last day of trading on 10/10/2011 and then be delisted and liquidated [Direxion Airline Shares Take Off Into Turbulence].
3. ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ) will undergo a 2-for-1 split effective 10/13/2011.
4. Five SPDR ETFs based on KBW indexes will change to S&P Select Industry indexes on or around the end of October.  The new fund names are SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE), SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE), SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (KIE), SPDR S&P Mortgage Finance ETF (KME), and SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE).
5. Direxion plans to reverse split six ETFs effective 11/9/2011.  The affected funds are DRV, EDC, FAS, and TMV at 1-for-5 and RUSL at 1-for-3.  Press release (pdf). 
6. All Direxion Shares 2x Bull and Bear ETFs will convert to 3x on 12/1/2011.
7. Van Eck Global and Merrill Lynch announced (pdf) an agreement to seek SEC and shareholder approval for a fourth quarter 2011 exchange of six HOLDRS products into similar to-be-released Market Vector ETFs under the same ticker symbols.  The new funds will be Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH), Market Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH), Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH), Market Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH), Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH), and Market Vectors Bank and Brokerage ETF (RKH).

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

Trading typically slows in August, but this year surged 99% from July.  Total monthly dollar volume across all ETPs surpassed $2.9 trillion.  ETN trading activity was up 209% to $73 billion.  An average day in August saw $127 billion of ETPs change hands.

The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) doubled to twenty and accounted for more than 73% of all ETP dollars traded.  SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) alone accounted for more than 36% of all ETP trading activity.

Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day jumped from 76 to 100 and accounted for more than 93% of all dollars traded.  Products averaging more than $10 million of trading per day increased from 234 to 289, grabbing nearly 99% of all ETP dollars traded.

Industry assets under management was $1.06 trillion at the end of August, a decrease of -3.9% for the month and a gain of +5.4% year-to-date.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in August (in chronological order), along with links to analysis of each:

1. EGShares Emerging Markets High Income Low Beta ETF (HILO) [Emerging Markets+High Income+Low Beta=HILO]
2. Rydex S&P MidCap 400 Equal Weight ETF (EWMD) [EWMD, EWSM: New Equal-Weight ETFs from Rydex]
3. Rydex S&P SmallCap 600 Equal Weight ETF (EWSM)
4. EGShares India Consumer ETF (INCO) [INCO: India Consumer ETF Begins Trading]
5. Market Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) [Latching On to a Double-Digit Yield with MORT]
6. iPath S&P 500 Dynamic VIX ETN (XVZ) [XVZ: A Dynamic Volatility Strategy ETN]
7. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund (EEMS) [iShares Joins Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF Party]
8. iShares S&P Target Date 2045 Index Fund (TZW) [iShares Target Date Series Extended to 2050]
9. iShares S&P Target Date 2050 Index Fund (TZY)

Product closures/delistings in August:

1. ELEMENTS Benjamin Graham Total Market Value Index-Total Return ETN (BVT) [Ben Graham ELEMENTS ETNs Closing Today]
2. ELEMENTS Benjamin Graham Large Cap Value Index-Total Return ETN (BVL)
3. ELEMENTS Benjamin Graham Small Cap Value Index-Total Return ETN (BSC)

Product changes in August:

None

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. FaithShares announced its last remaining fund, FaithShares Christian Values (FOC), would close in September with the last day of trading set for 8/31/11.
2. PowerShares Active AlphaQ (PQY) and PowerShares Active Alpha Multi-Cap (PQZ) will close and liquidate after the last day of trading on 9/30/11.
3. Van Eck Global and Merrill Lynch announced (8/12/11 press release) an agreement to seek SEC and shareholder approval for a fourth quarter 2011 exchange of six HOLDRS products into similar to-be-released Market Vector ETFs.

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

Product closures started to pick up in July with the delisting of four ETFs and one ETN.  The dozen launches, coupled with the five closures, resulted in a net increase of just seven ETPs for the month.  July ended with a total of 1,295 listed products consisting of 1,123 ETFs and 172 ETNs.  The quantity of actively-managed ETFs held steady at 40.

Trading activity declined 11.9% for the month, which is inline with the 10% fewer trading days in July versus June.  The number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) increased from nine to ten accounting for nearly 62% of all ETP dollars traded.  SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) alone accounted for more than 34% of all ETP trading activity.

Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day increased from 74 to 76 and accounted for more than 90% of all dollars traded.  Products averaging more than $10 million of trading per day increased from 226 to 234, grabbing 98% of all ETP dollars traded.  That left just 2% of the dollar volume for the remaining 1,066 products to fight over.

Assets under management were $1.11 trillion at the end of July, a slight increase of +0.8% for the month and a gain of +9.7% year-to-date. 

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in July (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund (SKYY) [The Wait For A Cloud Computing ETF is Over]
2. iPath Long Enhanced S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VZZB) [VZZ Terminates and VZZB Fills the Void]
3. iPath US Treasury 5-Year Bull ETN (DFVL) [Nine New ETPs for Week Ending 7/15/11]
4. iPath US Treasury 5-Year Bear ETN (DFVS)
5. IQ Emerging Markets Mid Cap ETF (EMER)
6. Market Vectors CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT)
7. MAXIS Nikkei 225 Index Fund (NKY)
8. ProShares Hedge Replication ETF (HDG)
9. Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF (SCHZ)
10. WisdomTree Global Real Return Fund (RRF)  [Nine New ETPs for Week Ending 7/15/11]
11. ETRACS Internet IPO ETN (EIPO) [New Internet IPO ETNs Do Not Participate in IPOs]
12. ETRACS Monthly 2x Leveraged Internet IPO ETN (EIPL)

Product closures/delistings in July:

1. iPath Long Enhanced S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VZZ)  [VZZ Terminates and VZZB Fills the Void]
2. FaithShares Baptist Values Fund (FZB) [FaithShares To Charge Shareholders For July Closures]
3. FaithShares Catholic Values Fund (FCV)
4. FaithShares Lutheran Values Fund (FKL)
5. FaithShares Methodist Values Fund (FMV)

Product changes in July:

1. AdvisorShares and Madrona changed the name of the three “Madrona Forward” ETFs by removing the word “Forward” effective 7/13/11. [AdvisorShares Launches New Actively Managed ETFs].
2. FaithShares announced its last remaining fund, FaithShares Christian Values (FOC), would close in September with the last day of trading set for 8/31/11.
3. FaithShares changed its name to Exchange Traded Concepts and the FaithShares Trust has changed its name to Exchange Traded Concepts Trust effective 7/15/11.  Additionally, the prospectus supplement of 7/15/11 (pdf) announced that Yorkville ETF Holdings acquired a majority interest in FaithShares Advisors on 6/24/11.
4. Guggenheim Shipping ETF (SEA) changed its index to the Dow Jones Global Shipping Index effective July 27.
5. EGA Emerging Global Shares changed the names of five of its ETFs effective July 29.  The new names are EGShares Brazil Infrastructure ETF (BRXX), EGShares India Infrastructure ETF (INXX), EGShares China Infrastructure ETF (CHXX), EGShares India Small Cap ETF (SCIN), and EGShares Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON).

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. FaithShares Christian Values Fund (FOC) intends to close and liquidate after the last day of trading on 8/31/11.
2. PowerShares Active AlphaQ (PQY) and PowerShares Active Alpha Multi-Cap (PQZ) will close and liquidate after the last day of trading on 9/30/11.

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates:  Long XMPT.  No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

The number of actively-managed ETFs jumped to 40 after staying at 34 for a number of months.  The increase was the result of two Guggenheim funds being converted from passive to active on June 1 and four new ETFS from AdvisorShares.

Trading activity edged upward in June, with total ETP dollar volume increasing 7.4% to $1.67 trillion.  The Billion Dollar Club, those ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity, shrank from eleven to nine.  Those nine still  accounted for more than 60% of all ETP dollars traded.  SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) alone was more than 36% of all ETP trading activity.

Products with an average daily dollar volume greater than $100 million went from 67 to 74, representing nearly 91% of all dollars traded.  ETPs with an average above $10 million of trading per day decreased from 244 to 226 yet still grabbed 98% of ETP dollars traded.

Assets under management were $1.10 trillion at the end of June, down -1.4% for the month and up +8.8% year-to-date.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in June (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. Global X Farming ETF (BARN) [BARN Completes the 4 Fs Rollout from Global X]
2. IQ Japan Mid Cap ETF (RSUN) [Index IQ Launches First Japan Mid Cap ETF]
3. Guggenheim ABC High Dividend ETF (ABCS) [Guggenheim ABCS Gives Us A-B-C But No Y]
4. db-X MSCI EAFE Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBEF) [Deutsche Bank Tries Flying Solo In US ETF Market]
5. db-X MSCI Emerging Markets Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBEM)
6. db-X MSCI Brazil Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBBR)
7. db-X MSCI Canada Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBCN)
8. db-X MSCI Japan Currency-Hedged Equity Fund (DBJP)
9. Global X SuperDividend ETF (SDIV) [Super Dividend or No Dividend?]
10. IQ US Real Estate Small Cap ETF (ROOF) [A New Small Cap REIT ETF With 4.3% Yield]
11. Direxion Daily Basic Materials Bull 3x Shares (MATL) [Direxion Adds Materials, Health, and Total Market ETFs]
12. Direxion Daily Basic Materials Bear 3x Shares (MATS)
13. Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3x Shares (CURE)
14. Direxion Daily Healthcare Bear 3x Shares (SICK)
15. Direxion Daily Total Market Bear 1x Shares (TOTS)
16. PowerShares Fundamental Pure Large Growth Portfolio (PXLG) [Two New RAFI Fundamental Pure Style ETFs From PowerShares]
17. PowerShares Fundamental Pure Large Value Portfolio (PXLV)
18. UBS ETRACS Natural Gas Futures Contango ETN (GASZ) [UBS Launches Spread ETNs on Oil and Gas Futures]
19. UBS ETRACS Oil Futures Contango ETN (OILZ)
20. iShares Floating Rate Note Fund (FLOT) [iShares Floating Rate Note Fund Launched]
21. PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Fund (HYS) [New PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield ETF Is An Attractive Offering]
22. AdvisorShares Madrona Forward Domestic ETF (FWDD) [AdvisorShares Launches Four New Actively Managed ETFs]
23. AdvisorShares Madrona Forward International ETF (FWDI)
24. AdvisorShares Madrona Forward Global Bond (FWDB)
25. AdvisorShares Meidell Tactical Advantage ETF (MATH)
26. EGShares Basic Materials GEMS ETF (LGEM) [EGShares Rebrands and Completes Emerging Market Sector Suite]
27. EGShares Consumer Goods GEMS ETF (GGEM)
28. EGShares Consumer Services GEMS ETF (VGEM)
29. EGShares Health Care GEMS ETF (HGEM)
30. EGShares Industrials GEMS ETF (IGEM)
31. EGShares Technology GEMS ETF (QGEM)
32. EGShares Telecom GEMS ETF (TGEM)
33. EGShares Utilities GEMS ETF (UGEM)
34. Morgan Stanley S&P 500 Crude Oil ETN (BARL) [Stocks and Oil Contango Problems Together In A Single Leveraged Product]

Product closures/delistings in June:

none

Product changes in June:

1. Guggenheim executed extreme-makeovers on two Claymore ETFs effective 6/1/11 changing the names, tickers, and management styles [New Guggenheim Funds Are Not New].  Claymore U.S. Capital Markets Bond ETF (UBD) changed to Guggenheim Enhanced Core Bond ETF (GIY) and Claymore U.S. Capital Markets Micro-Term Fixed Income ETF (ULQ) became Guggenheim Enhanced Ultra-Short Bond (GSY).
2. Effective 6/15/11: Direxion Daily China Bull 3x Shares changed its ticker from CZM to YINN and Direxion Daily China Bear 3x Shares changed its ticker from CZI to YANG.
3. PowerShares changed the name, indexes, and ticker symbols for seven members of its suite of Dynamic Style Box ETFs to FTSE RAFI Fundamental Pure Style Box ETFs effective 6/16/11.
4. Deutsche Bank changed the names of the five TDX Independence ETFs to db-X Target Date ETFs effective 6/17/11.
5. On 6/20/11, WisdomTree made changes to seven of its funds:
   • WisdomTree International Real Estate Fund (DRW) became WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Fund (DRW).
   • WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Fund (DBU) became WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Utility Fund (DBU).
   • WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Fund (DBN) became WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund (CCXE).
   • WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund (DKA) became WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund (GNAT).
   • WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund (DND) became WisdomTree Asia Pacific ex-Japan Fund (AXJL).
   • WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Fund (DNH) became WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund (AUSE).
   • WisdomTree World ex-U.S. Growth Fund (DNL) became WisdomTree Global ex-U.S. Growth Fund (DNL).
6. VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Short Term ETN (XIV) had a 10-for-1 split and VelocityShares Daily Inverse VIX Medium Term ETN (ZIV) had an 8-for-1 split effective 6/27/11.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. iPath Long Enhanced S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VZZ) hit an early termination trigger on July 1 by trading below $10 and will be redeemed on July 11, 2011.  The last day of listed trading for VZZ has not been announced.
2. On July 1, 2011, Global X announced a monthly distribution plan for Global X Canadian Preferred ETF (CNPF) and Global X Super Dividend ETF (SDIV).
3. FaithShares to close four ETFs in July with last day of trading July 15.
4. PowerShares Active AlphaQ (PQY) and PowerShares Active Alpha Multi-Cap (PQZ) with last day of trading on September 30, 2011.

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

The four-month streak of no closures ended in early May when Barclays called its 3x no-reset inverse S&P 500 ETN (BXDD) for redemption.  With 156 new product introductions already in 2011, it is easy to envision a time when closures eventually ramp up again.

Trading activity jumped in April, with total ETP dollar volume increasing 23% to $1.55 trillion.  The increase primarily benefited the products already in the upper tiers of trading activity, but a handful of newer offerings also saw large increases.

At the upper tier, the number of ETFs averaging more than $1 billion in daily trading activity (the Billion Dollar Club) jumped from seven to eleven while accounting for more than 61% of all ETP dollars traded.

One of the new names in the Billion Dollar Club this month is Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (VWO).  It recently surpassed iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) for assets under management and is now making great strides as a trading vehicle.

Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day held steady and accounted for 89% of all dollars traded.  Products averaging more than $10 million of trading per day increased from 230 to 244 and grabbed more than 98% of ETP dollars traded.  The remaining 1,010 funds had to fight for the leftover scraps, totaling less than 2%.

Assets under management were $1.11 trillion at the end of May, which is off -2.0% for the month, although they are +10.4% year-to-date. 

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in May (in chronological order), along with links to my initial analysis of each:

1. Global X Food ETF (EATX) (Profits From New Global X Food ETF Will Help Fight Hunger)
2. Global X Fishing Industry ETF (FISN) (Global X Goes Fishing)
3. Global X Mexico Small-Cap ETF (MEXS) (Second Mexico ETF Arrives 15 Years After First)
4. IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF (IOIL) (New IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF Is A Viable Alternative)
5. PowerShares S&P 500 High Beta Portfolio (SPHB) (Analysis of New High Beta and Low Volatility ETFs from PowerShares)
6. PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (SPLV)
7. First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) (Second Automotive Fund Now Available)
8. First Trust Mega Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FMK) (A Mega Cap ETF Joins the First Trust AlphaDEX Lineup)
9. Market Vectors LatAm Aggregate Bond ETF (BONO) (New BONO ETF Has Undocumented Foreign Currency Exposure)
10. IQ Hong Kong Small Cap ETF (HKK) (HKK: Small Cap Muscle for Hong Kong)
11. Global X Auto ETF (VROM) (VROM: And Then There Were Three Automotive Funds)
12. Russell Aggressive Growth ETF (AGRG) (Russell Launches Suite of Investment Discipline Index ETFs)
13. Russell Consistent Growth ETF (CONG)
14. Russell Growth at a Reasonable Price ETF (GRPC)
15. Russell Contrarian ETF (CNTR)
16. Russell Equity Income ETF (EQIN)
17. Russell Low P/E ETF (LWPE)
18. iShares Global Inflation-Linked Bond Fund (GTIP) (iShares Adds Global and International TIPs ETFs to Menu)
19. iShares International Inflation-Linked Bond Fund (ITIP)
20. PowerShares DB 3x Long US Dollar Index Futures ETN (UUPT) (PowerShares 3x Dollar ETNs Arrive)
21. PowerShares DB 3x Short US Dollar Index Futures ETN (UDNT)
22. Direxion Daily Agribusiness Bull 3x Shares (COWL) (Direxion Unveils +/- 3x Versions of Market Vectors Agribusiness and Russia ETFs)
23. Direxion Daily Agribusiness Bear 3x Shares (COWS)
24. Direxion Daily Russia Bull 3x Shares (RUSL)
25. Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3x Shares (RUSS)
26. Global X Canada Preferred ETF (CNPF) (Canadian Preferred for U.S. Consumption)
27. UBS ETRACS 2x Leveraged Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company ETN (BDCL) (Leveraged BDC ETN With 14.6% Yield Launched)
28. PowerShares Convertible Securities Portfolio (CVRT) (PowerShares Adds Convertibles ETF to Lineup)
29. Global X Fertilizers/Potash ETF (SOIL) (Global X Wants to Fertilize Your Portfolio)
30. Russell 1000 Low Beta ETF (LBTA) (Second Wave of Russell ETFs Comes Ashore)
31. Russell 1000 High Beta ETF (HBTA)
32. Russell 1000 Low Volatility ETF (LVOL)
33. Russell 1000 High Volatility ETF (HVOL)
34. Russell 1000 High Momentum ETF (HMTM)
35. Russell 2000 Low Beta ETF (SLBT)
36. Russell 2000 High Beta ETF (SHBT)
37. Russell 2000 Low Volatility ETF (SLVY)
38. Russell 2000 High Volatility ETF (SHVY)
39. Russell 2000 High Momentum ETF (SHMO)

Product closures/delistings in May:

1. Barclays ETN+ Short D Leveraged Exchange Traded Notes Linked to the Inverse Performance of the S&P 500 Total Return Index (BXDD) (BXDD Bites The Dust)

Product changes in May:

1. SPDR DJ Global Titans ETF (DGT) changed its index and name to SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) effective 5/2/11.
2. Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value (GVT) became Columbia Concentrated Large Cap Value Strategy Fund (GVT) effective 5/2/11.
3. Columbia changed the name of the other four funds acquired from Grail effective 5/23/11: 
   • Grail RP Growth ETF (RPX) became Columbia Growth Equity Strategy Fund (RPX)
   • Grail Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (RWG) became Columbia Large-Cap Growth Equity Fund (RWG)
   • Grail McDonnell Intermediate Municipal Bond ETF (GMMB) became Columbia Intermediate Municipal Bond Strategy Fund (GMMB)
   • Grail McDonnell Core Taxable Bond ETF (GMMB) became Columbia Core Bond Strategy Fund (GMTB).
4. Direxion changed the ticker symbols for Direxion Daily Natural Gas Related Bull 2x Shares from FCGL to GASL and Direxion Daily Natural Gas Related Bearl 2x Shares from FCGS to GASX effective 5/24/11. 

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. Guggenheim executed extreme-makeovers on two Claymore ETFs effective 6/1/11 changing the names, tickers, and management styles.  Claymore U.S. Capital Markets Bond ETF (UBD) changed to Guggenheim Enhanced Core Bond ETF (GIY) and Claymore U.S. Capital Markets Micro-Term Fixed Income ETF (ULQ) became Guggenheim Enhanced Ultra-Short Bond (GSY).  The new incarnations will remain on ETF Deathwatch.
2. PowerShares will change the name, indexes, and ticker symbols for its suite of 10 Dynamic Style Box ETFs to FTSE RAFI Fundamental Pure Style Box ETFs effective 6/16/11.  Additional information is available in the prospectus supplement(pdf).
3. WisdomTree plans to make the following name and ticker changes effective 6/17/11:
   • WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund (DND) to become WisdomTree Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Fund (AXJL)
   • WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Equity Income Fund (DNH) to become WisdomTree Australia Dividend Fund (AUSE)
   • WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Fund (DBN) to become WisdomTree Commodity Country Equity Fund (CCXE)
   • WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund (DKA) to become WisdomTree Global Natural Resources Fund (GNAT)
   • WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Fund (DBU) to become WisdomTree Global ex-US Utility Fund (DBU)
   • WisdomTree International Real Estate Fund (DRW) to become WisdomTree Global ex-US Real Estate Fund (DRW)

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.

April became the fourth month in a row without any closures.  However, the streak ends there as BXDD, Barclays’ 3x no-reset inverse S&P 500 ETN, becomes the first casualty of 2011 later this week.  The four-month stretch of no closures is the longest since 2007.

Trading activity plummeted in April, with total ETP dollar volume declining 30% to less than $1.3 trillion.  There were only 13% fewer trading days than March, so daily trading activity was down as well.

The number of ETFs in the Billion Dollar Club, those averaging more than one billion dollars in daily trading activity, dropped from eleven to just seven.  However, those seven funds accounted for more than 56% of all ETP dollars traded.  New to the list this month was iShares Silver Trust (SLV), which saw unprecedented trading activity of $67 billion due to the strong rally in silver.  SLV was the third most active ETF behind SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) at $374 billion and iShares Russell 2000 (IWM) at $84 billion.

Products averaging more than $100 million of trading per day numbered 67, a decrease of eight from March.  Those 67 funds, just 5.5% of all ETPs, accounted for 89% of all dollars traded.

Assets under management were $1.14 trillion at the end of April, up +5.5% for the month and +12.7% year-to-date.

Data sources:  AUM from National Stock Exchange, daily prices and volume of individual ETPs from Norgate Premium Data, fund counts and all other information compiled by Invest With An Edge.

New products launched in April (in chronological order):

1. Market Vectors Germany Small-Cap ETF (GERJ) (Market Vectors Unveils First Germany Small Cap ETF)
2. ProShares UltraShort 3-7 Year Treasury (TBZ) (ProShares Introduces Additional Inverse Treasury ETFs)
3. ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury (TBX)
4. SPDR Barclays Capital Issuer Scored Corporate Bond ETF (CBND) (Fundamental Indexing Comes To Investment Grade Bond ETFs)
5. Global X Waste Management ETF (WSTE) (Global X Waste Management ETF Launches)
6. ProShares Ultra High Yield (UJB) (ProShares Juices Up Junk and Investment Grade Bonds)
7. ProShares Ultra Investment Grade Corporate (IGU)
8. Market Vectors Russia Small-Cap ETF (RSXJ) (Market Vectors Russia Small-Cap ETF Now Trading)
9. SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) (Buying HYMB Requires a Leap Of Faith)
10. First Trust Asia Pacific Ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) (First Trust Adds 13 AlphaDEX ETFs to Lineup)
11. First Trust Brazil AlphaDEX Fund (FBZ)
12. First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA)
13. First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT)
14. First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM)
15. First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP)
16. First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FJP)
17. First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN)
18. First Trust South Korea AlphaDEX Fund (FKO)
19. First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY)
20. First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK)
21. First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC)
22. First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT)
23. iPath Pure Beta Agriculture ETN (DIRT) (Barclays Offers New Variation of 19 Existing Commodity ETNs)
24. iPath Pure Beta Aluminum ETN (FOIL)
25. iPath Pure Beta Broad Commodity ETN (BCM)
26. iPath Pure Beta Cocoa ETN (CHOC)
27. iPath Pure Beta Coffee ETN (CAFE)
28. iPath Pure Beta Copper ETN (CUPM)
29. iPath Pure Beta Cotton ETN (CTNN)
30. iPath Pure Beta Crude Oil ETN (OLEM)
31. iPath Pure Beta Energy ETN (ONG)
32. iPath Pure Beta Grains ETN (WEET)
33. iPath Pure Beta Industrial Metals ETN (HEVY)
34. iPath Pure Beta Lead ETN (LEDD)
35. iPath Pure Beta Livestock ETN (LSTK)
36. iPath Pure Beta Nickel ETN (NINI)
37. iPath Pure Beta Precious Metals ETN (BLNG)
38. iPath Pure Beta S&P GSCI-Weighted ETN (SBV)
39. iPath Pure Beta Softs ETN (GRWN)
40. iPath Pure Beta Sugar ETN (SGAR)
41. iPath Seasonal Natural Gas ETN (DCNG)
42. Market Vectors Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLTR) (Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF)
43. UBS E-TRACS Wells Fargo Business Development Company ETN (BDCS) (Exposure To Business Development Companies Now Available Via ETN)

Product closures/delistings in April:

none

Product changes in April:

1. Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF (GXG) underwent a 2-for-1 split effective April 11.
2. One Fund ETF (ONEF) was renamed Russell Equity ETF (ONEF) effective 4/15/11.
3. iShares FTSE NAREIT Industrial/Office Capped Index Fund changed its ticker symbol from FIO to FNIO effective 4/28/11.

Announced Product Changes for Coming Months:

1. Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value (GVT) becomes Columbia Concentrated Large Cap Value Strategy Fund (GVT) effective 5/2/11.  Columbia bought Grail and will replace Grail as the manager of this actively-managed ETF.
2. SPDR DJ Global Titans ETF (DGT) changes its name to SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) and will follow a new index effective 5/2/11.
3. Barclays ETN+ Short D Leveraged Exchange Traded Notes Linked to the Inverse Performance of the S&P 500 Total Return Index (BXDD) have been called for redemption with 5/4/11 being the last day of trading.
4. PowerShares will change the underlying indexes for its suite of 10 style-box ETFs from Intellidex Dynamic to FTSE RAFI Fundamental Pure Style Indexes effective 6/16/11.  The fund names and ticker symbols will also change.  Additional information is available in the prospectus supplement (pdf).

Previous monthly ETF statistics reports are available here.

Disclosure covering writer, editor, publisher, and affiliates: No positions in any of the securities mentioned. No positions in any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.  No income, revenue, or other compensation (either directly or indirectly) received from, or on behalf of, any of the companies or ETF sponsors mentioned.