Archive | February, 2010

February 28, 2010 – ETF Podcast

Market Update, Euro ETFs, International ETFs Click here to listen to the show: 2-28-10 Continue Reading...

Can Foreign Currency ETFs Make A Comeback?

There are several reasons that investors have been buying the U.S. dollar with PowerShares DB Bullish (UUP). When there is uncertainty about the direction of global stock assets, “safety-seekers” often acquire the greenback. And when the U.S. economy shows signs of strength relative to other developed nations, Uncle Sam’s currency also gains ground on the exchanges. Of course, it [...] Continue Reading...

European Markets Under Siege, U.S. Economic News “Horrendous!”

European ETFs and their respective Currency ETFs have been getting squashed. Nobody seems to want to invest in Greece, Spain or Italy. Many believed that the U.S. represented a brighter spot. Yet the news… oh boy! Sales of new and existing homes have plunged. Consumer confidence sank. And jobless claims rose dramatically. - Is another recession around the corner? Is [...] Continue Reading...

European ETFs Receive “Riskiest” Label

In a recent editorial, I explained why regional European funds might come back in favor. I even made a case for why iShares MSCI Italy (EWI) could be particularly rewarding. By the same token, however, I am not taking that risk personally. The only significant exposure to European stocks that my investment advisory clients might have is through Vanguard Total World (VT). I [...] Continue Reading...

Who Wants to Go Long On “Short ETFs”?

Short ETFs are definitely not for everyone. If you believe indicators like rising interest rates and increasing unemployment are forecasting a major correction, then now may be the time to examine Bear Market ETF possibilities. If, however, you think the markets are consolidating… and just pulling back the way that they should… maybe there’s a foreign ETF in your future. Perhaps you might see which foreign [...] Continue Reading...

Can You Substitute ETFs for the So-Called “Best Mutual Funds?”

Rob Silverblatt recently penned an article for U.S. News & World Report titled, “The Best Mutual Funds For 2010.” The article explains that… in order to come up with its winners… the publication utilized data on risk, expenses, future prospects and performance. Unfortunately, many “Best of the Best” lists fail to uncover future stand-outs. For one thing, when a mutual fund [...] Continue Reading...

Climbing Aboard Transportation ETFs

Stock assets worldwide seem caught in a tug of war between the bulls and the bears. One day, industrial production in China may suggest smooth sailing ahead. The next day, the European Union’s debt dilemma over Greece, Italy and Spain scares investors away from risk. On Thursday, February 25, 2010, we look at the effects that the back-n-forth is having on [...] Continue Reading...

Oil ETFs: Still Crazy After All These Years

Oil ETFs miserably fail at replicating the spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude. If you’d like to learn why this is so, you may wish to review a well-written article that explains contango and backwardation. However, my goal is far more basic. I only wish to help investors visualize just how far off the performance mark an Oil ETF can [...] Continue Reading...

Metal and Mining ETFs May Not Lag For Long

Do you still believe the global growth story? HSBC analysts do. They believe that the demand for copper, iron ore, coal, platinum and other resources is likely to pick up steam. If they are right, you might want exposure to Metal and Mining ETFs. So far in 2010, though, they’ve lagged broader developed and developing market benchmarks. Platinum, Coal And More: [...] Continue Reading...

Could European Regional ETFs Advance Back To Their Averages?

If you’re one of those folks who believes in the concept of a “regression to the mean,” then you had a rationale in 2008 for why Dow 14000 would crater below Dow 10000. Similarly, you had reason to expect that stocks with P/Es above 20 would eventually work their way back to long-term averages of 16. What you rarely heard, however, was [...] Continue Reading...

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