Once investors have narrowed down the universe of 900+ exchange-traded products to those that could potentially match the risk/return profile they’re seeking, the real work begins (see Five Free Tools For Finding The Right ETF). When comparing ETFs to find the best fit for a portfolio, one of the metrics most frequently analyzed is the fee structure. While differences in expense ratios may not have a material impact on short-term trades, the long-term impact of compounding costs for buy-and-holders can be significant (see other metrics to consider when comparing ETFs). [click to continue…]
Following a year that saw some of the worst performances in recent memory, many asset classes have bounced back in 2009. But some have performed better than others, and as the year draws to a close we take a look at some of the best-performing ETFs. The year’s top gainers include a few of the largest and most-heavily traded funds, but the majority of those that made the list are lesser known ETFs likely off the radar of many ETF investors. [click to continue…]
The ETF industry has expanded by leaps and bounds in recent years, with new issuers entering the arena and countless new product launches that offer investors the ability to gain exposure to various geographic regions and investment styles. The first ETFs were essentially “plain vanilla” products that mirrored widely-followed equity benchmarks. Today, the vast majority of ETF assets is still invested in these more traditional funds, but numerous more exotic products are gaining in popularity. Enhanced index ETFs, actively-managed ETFs, long/short ETFs, and leveraged ETFs are just a few of the innovations that have been embraced by investors.
Some contend that the ETF industry is nearing a saturation point, noting that dozens of funds have struggled to attract a sufficient asset base and could be in danger of closing. We think quite the opposite. Although investor demand is difficult to predict, here’s a look at ten ETF strategies we’d like to [...]
