In the early days of the ETF industry, the vast majority of funds tracked well-known equity benchmarks, such as the S&P 500, Russell 1000, and Dow Jones Industrial Average. As the benefits of ETFs have become more widely known and understood, the number of issuers and ETFs has increased significantly, and so has the scope of asset class exposure available through ETFs.
Financial Advisor & RIA Center
RIAs and financial planners have unique challenges and opportunities in regards to ETF investing. ETFdb's Financial Advisor and RIA Center is geared towards financial advisors who use ETFs in client portfolios.
Over the past several years, the ETF industry has expanded by leaps and bounds, with new issuers and new funds appearing with great frequency. Equity ETFs have multiplied, offering exposure to stock markets that were previously inaccessible (or at least difficult to access efficiently) for most investors. The following fund launches in recent months highlight the ever expanding scope of equity ETFs:
With all the media coverage of the leveraged ETF controversy that has been brewing over the past several months, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the facts from the fiction. As firm after firm bans the use of these funds, a growing number of investors are unable to utilize leveraged ETFs. For those who do retain the ability to use these funds, the horror stories of return erosion and flood of lawsuits might cause even the most sophisticated investors to steer clear. But while the dangers of leveraged ETFs (if used by those who fail to understand their risk profile) are very real, the potential upsides can be equally spectacular.
