ETF Research Reports
ETF Database published premium research reports on a monthly basis, offering in-depth analysis of various corners of the exchange-traded product market. Our premium reports include include:
- Review of outlook for relevant asset class
- Discussion of factors to consider when evaluating ETF options
- Statistical breakdown of all ETPs covering a specific asset class, including expenses, performance, and holdings
- Individual analyst reports on each ETF, including pros, cons, and in-depth analysis of the underlying portfolio.
December 2011: India ETFs In Focus
As the year draws to a close, investors are left scrambling for lucrative opportunities to help them escape the debt drama that is seemingly plaguing every corner of the developed world. Investment strategies in emerging markets have taken center stage yet again as many are opting to reallocate capital overseas in search of unmatched potential and uncorrelated returns. However, picking an investment destination abroad has proven to be a formidable challenge given the inherent risks of instability and inflation. With China easing its foot off the gas pedal, many have turned to neighboring India in search of robust economic growth.
India has been flying under the radar for many investors given the general wave of risk-aversion that has dominated stock markets all years thanks to ongoing worries stemming from the debt burdened Euro zone along with sluggish growth prospects at home. This South Asian giant is steaming with potential however, as favorable demographic trends and rising levels of discretionary income are fostering the growth of a swelling middle class. Increasing levels of urbanization have paved the way for a growing consumer base that demands housing, automobiles, electronics, and all sorts of consumer goods.
Not surprisingly, ETFs have become popular tools for accessing India’s stock market; the marriage of this promising asset class with the efficiencies of the exchange-traded structure is a winning combination that delivers enhanced transparency, lower costs, and potential tax benefits.
In this special report, we highlight the factors to consider when evaluating potential India ETF investments, and give our unbiased opinions on all the options out there. The educational article Evaluating India ETFs: Three Important Factors To Consider is available to all readers; the complete special report is available with a free 7-day trial to ETFdb Pro, which also includes access to more than 30 all-ETF model portfolios.
November 2011: Examining Emerging Markets ETFs
In recent years U.S.-based investors have gradually embraced allocations to emerging markets as a key component of long-term investment strategies, tapping into the tremendous growth potential of this asset class. As the developed economies of the world struggle to gain traction in a challenging economic environment, emerging markets are racing ahead and churning out eye-popping GDP growth rates.
Not surprisingly, ETFs have become popular tools for adding emerging markets exposure to a portfolio; the marriage of this promising asset class with the efficiencies of the exchange-traded structure is a winning combination that delivers enhanced transparency, lower costs, and potential tax benefits.
There are now close to two dozen ETFs offering broad-based exposure to emerging markets, in addition to several more country-specific and sector-specific funds. While these exchange-traded products have a lot in common, they are certainly not identical; there are nuances to each that will impact volatility and performance.
In this special report, we highlight the factors to consider when evaluating potential emerging markets ETF investments, and give our unbiased opinions on all the options out there. The educational article Emerging Markets ETFs: Factors To Consider is available to all readers; the complete special report is available with a free 7-day trial to ETFdb Pro, which also includes access to more than 30 all-ETF model portfolios.
October 2011: Dividend ETFs In Focus
Recent volatility in the stock market has prompted many investors to scale back risk exposure given the cloud of uncertainty looming over Wall Street. A sluggish global economic recovery coupled with fears of a potential financial crisis in the debt-burdened Euro zone have further increased the appeal of safe haven asset classes.
Dividend ETFs have been gaining popularity as investors have begun to re-allocate assets to “safer” corners of the market given the largely uncertain economic outlook. Investors have gravitated towards dividend paying securities that provide a meaningful current return in lieu of those that may offer tremendous potential for capital appreciation. The evolution of the exchange-traded product structure has brought forth the dividend investing strategy to investors of all types, given the low-maintenance and cost efficiency benefits associated with the ETF wrapper.
Investors have embraced more than several dozen products offering exclusive exposure to dividend paying companies, taking full advantage of the return enhancement and diversification benefits associated with this timeless investment strategy. Those looking to beef up the current return of their portfolio’s equity component can choose from ETFs linked to dividend-weighted indexes, products that focus on companies with consistent distribution histories, or select from a variety of sector-specific funds from high yield corners of the market.
The ETFdb team of analysts assembled this report with the goal of highlighting all the aspects that should be considered when searching for the right dividend ETF, as well as giving our objective reviews of a dozen different products in this space. The research report Dividend ETFs In Focus is available to ETFdb Pro members, and is also accessible with a free 7-day trial to ETFdb Pro.
September 2011: In Search Of The Best Commodity ETF (or ETN)
Interest in exchange-traded commodity products has surged in recent years, as the marriage between this asset class and the relatively new structure has proven to be a very appealing combination to investors. Commodities bring the potential for both tremendous return enhancement and material diversification benefits, and the ETF boom of the past several years has brought this asset class within reach of more investors than ever before.
In addition to a host of resource-specific products–offering access to everything from copper to tin–there are now more than a dozen “broad-based” commodity ETPs that deliver exposure to a basket of commodities futures contracts, making them potentially powerful tools for investors with a longer time horizon.
While there is overlap between these different options, the current lineup of commodity ETPs is far from identical; from the composition of the underlying portfolio to the structural nuances to the “roll” methodology employed, the details of these commodity ETPs can end up having a major impact on bottom line return and volatility.
In this ETF Research Report, the ETFdb team delves into the world of commodity ETPs, making a case for the inclusion of commodities in a long-term portfolio, outlining factors to consider when analyzing potential investments, and providing an in-depth objective report on 13 different exchange-traded products.
The research report In Search Of The Best Commodity ETF is available to ETFdb Pro members, and is also accessible with a free 7-day trial to ETFdb Pro.
August 2011: Gold ETFs In Focus
Gold has regularly set new all-time highs in recent sessions, bringing the $2,000 per ounce level into play as investors continue to gravitate towards precious metals amidst heightened uncertainty. Investments in gold are no longer just for the paranoid, tin foil hat crowd; many investors have begun making moderate allocations to the metal in their long-term portfolios.
For investors of all types, exchange-traded funds have become the vehicle of choice for accessing gold; the liquidity and cost efficiency has proven to be appealing to everyone from billion dollar hedge fund managers to smaller individual investors. So it is not surprising that there are more than a dozen different ETPs that offer both direct and indirect exposure to gold; investors looking to bump up exposure to this commodity have plenty of products from which to choose.
This new research report covers the factors to consider when selecting gold ETFs, head-to-head comparisons of some of the most popular products, and in-depth analysis of 12 of the most popular gold ETPs. Our team of ETF analysts reviews the pros and cons of each, pointing out the characteristics that make various products unique. This report finishes up with our advice for the best gold ETFs in each category, including our picks for the most efficient physically-backed, futures-based, and equity-based products.
Access Gold ETFs In Focus: Developing An Efficient Precious Metals Portfolio
August 2011: China ETFs In Focus
China’s importance to the global economy has increased tremendously in recent years, as the Asian powerhouse has emerged as the primary driver of GDP growth a major trading partner of both developed and emerging economies around the world. As China continues the transformation from an export-based economy to a robust consumer driven market, there is no shortage of exciting investment opportunities.
There are nearly two dozen U.S.-listed ETFs on the market, each offering a unique spin on exposure to the world’s second largest economies. This report discusses the important factors to consider when selecting a China ETF, as well as a detailed review of the advantages and disadvantages of each product.
To access the entire China ETFs research report, sign up for a free 7-day trial to ETFdb Pro.
ETF Database is not an investment advisor, and any content published by ETF Database does not constitute individual investment advice. The opinions offered herein are not personalized recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. From time to time, issuers of exchange-traded products mentioned herein may place paid advertisements with ETF Database. All content on ETF Database is produced independently of any advertising relationships. Read the full disclaimer here.
