Beware of MLPs in ETF Wrappers: AMLP
Many investors have been looking forward to the day when they could buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF) containing a basket of Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). I am not one of them. Although I generally prefer ETFs over ETNs (exchange-traded notes), that is not the case when the investments being...
Van Eck Challenges Emerging Global Advisors for India Small Cap Dominance
Yesterday (8/25/10), Van Eck launched Market Vectors India Small-Cap Index ETF (SCIF), the second ETF to target India Small-Caps in as many months. Foreign single-country small cap funds are a relatively new growth area for the ETF industry. This marks the first time ETF investors will have a choice...
Grail and RiverPark To Liquidate Two ETFs (RPQ and RFF)
“By all appearances, the marketplace is not ready for these sector funds” stated the August 20 press release from Grail Advisors. It’s refreshing to see an honest statement on a subject that often falls victim to the spin machines. Shareholders of Grail RP Technology ETF (RPQ) or Grail RP Financials...
WMCR: Trying to Cheat Deathwatch
Representatives of most ETF firms don’t like seeing their products on ETF Deathwatch, although some follow the “any publicity is good publicity” theory. Then there is Claymore, a firm that seems to take avoiding ETF Deathwatch to great extremes. Last Friday (8/20), a Claymore press release trumpeted...
Registered Rep On The ETF Deathwatch
Registered Rep – The Source for Investment Professionals interviewed me for an August 11, 2010 article on exchange-traded funds that are struggling and may not survive. The article by Stan Luxenberg, On The ETF Death Watch, includes data and examples from my August ETF Deathwatch report as well as analysis...
Claymore Closing Four ETFs: EXB, ROB, CRO, and IRO
Claymore Securities announced August 13, 2010 its intent to close and liquidate four ETFs with the last day of trading set for September 10, 2010. I advise all shareholders to avoid the liquidation process by selling their shares on the open market prior to the de-listing date. Be sure to use a limit...
USCI – The Commodity ETF Evolves
The United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) began trading last Tuesday (8/10/10). The fund’s objective is to match the SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Index Total Return, less expenses. The underlying index is comprised of 14 futures contracts, selected on a monthly basis from a universe of 27. ...
ELD: Emerging Markets Local Debt, Active Edition
Yesterday (8/9/10) WisdomTree made a little bit of a splash with the launch of WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund (ELD). We call it a “splash” because the firm apparently lined up some big buyers even before the new ETF hit the tape. Assets are already at $125 million. ELD is very...
Schwab Introduces Three Commission-Free Bond ETFs
Schwab added to its lineup of low cost ETFs last Thursday (8/5/10) with the introduction of its first three fixed income funds: Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP), Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHR), and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). These new offerings follow Schwab’s game...
Worried about Deflation? Go Long Bonds with EDV
Since the financial crisis hit over two years ago, governments all over the world have taken a variety of steps to restore economic growth and investor confidence. The most popular tactic has been to throw enormous amounts of stimulus money into the economy. Central banks enhanced this fiscal stimulus...
