ETF Database » EMB

iShares Launches More High Yield ETFs (GHYG, IYLD)

Michael Johnston — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:42:21 +0000

iShares continued its introduction of ETFs targeting high yielding asset classes with the debut of two more funds on the BATS Exchange this week. The Global HighYield Corporate Bond Fund (GHYG) completes a trio of junk bond ETFs to debut this week that target markets outside the U.S., while the Morningstar Multi-Asset Income Index Fund (IYLD) will be an ETF-of-ETFs that targets high yielding asset classes. Under The Hood: GHYG GHYG will seek to replicate the Market iBoxx Global Developed Markets High Yield Index, a benchmark that includes bonds rated below investment grade from issuers in developed markets around the world. GHYG will be tilted heavily towards the U.S., which accounts for about 70% of holdings. The next largest country allocations are Luxembourg (7%), the Netherlands (4%), France (4%), and Canada (3%). The remainder of the portfolio includes primarily Western European countries; there is no allocation to developed Asian markets [...]

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ETF Insider: Euphoria Simmers After Mixed Data

Daniela Pylypczak — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:00:48 +0000

Equity markets oscillated between minor gains and losses throughout most of the week as profit taking pressures were abundant after investors digested a number of mixed economic data releases. Investors were frustrated with reports from the housing market which showed that the real estate market recovery is still sluggish at best. Consumer-confidence and durable goods orders data also missed analyst expectations. Nonetheless, investors on Wall Street ended the week on a positive note after consumer sentiment and spending data both surpassed analyst expectations on Friday. Actionable ETF Trade Ideas Last Week’s Actionable ETF Ideas Ticker Position Performance GXC Long -1.3% EMB Long +0.1% DBA Long -1.4% Our picks from Monday’s Insider posted a disappointing performance as our equity and commodity positions turned sour, leaving only our fixed income trade in green territory. Below, we highlight how our trade ideas fared during the week [sign up for a free trial of ETFdb Pro to get actionable [...]

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ETF Insider: Do Fundamentals Justify The Wall Street Rally?

Stoyan Bojinov — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:20:38 +0000

Stock markets retreated last week as sparse economic data releases paved the way for profit taking. This week will see a host of important fundamental news on the home front as investors digest durable goods orders, GDP, and consumer spending data. Markets are off to a hot start as Ben Bernanke’s speech on Monday morning lifted hopes for an additional round of stimulus, however expectations for further quantitative easing are still purely speculation at this point. The bull-train is gearing up again, although investors will need some fundamental evidence for the rally to be sustained. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: State Street SPDR Homebuilders ETF (XHB): The Case-Shiller home prices index is slated to come out on Tuesday morning, which could spark volatile trading in XHB as investors gain insights into the health [...]

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Bond ETFs For Every Objective

Michael Johnston — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:53 +0000

As the lineup of exchange-traded products has expanded dramatically in recent years, financial advisors have found themselves with more tools at their disposal than ever before. The extreme granularity of many of the equity products out there allows for cheap, low maintenance targeting of specific corners of the investable universe, while the development of some increasingly complex products has opened up strategies that were previously inaccessible. But perhaps the most impressive innovation in recent years has come on the bond side of the market, where the arsenal has expanded considerably over the past two years. Whatever your objective for the fixed income side of client portfolios, odds are there is an ETF that can be used to help you out. Below, we highlight ten common objectives when it comes to managing a bond portfolio–as well as the ETFs that can be used to achieve those goals [for more ETF insights, sign [...]

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International Bond ETF Guide: All the Options For Ex-U.S. Fixed Income Exposure

Michael Johnston — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:09 +0000

Just a few years ago there were only a handful of bond ETFs available to U.S. investors, and almost all of them focused on securities from U.S. issuers denominated in U.S. dollars. One of the most noteworthy innovations to shape the ETF industry over the last several years has been a significant growth in international bond products; as issuers have worked around concentration-related issues and other hurdles, the universe of bond ETPs targeting markets beyond U.S. borders has grown tremendously. The current economic environment has no doubt contributed to the growth of international bond ETFs; paltry yields on U.S. debt and concerns over the long-term outlook for the euro have understandable sparked interest in ex-U.S. bonds as a way to both boost yields and diversify away some risk [see Better-Than-AGG Total Bond Market ETFdb Portfolio]. With dozens of international bond ETPs now on the market, investors have the flexibility to [...]

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Are Gold ETFs The Best Defense Against Euro Drama?

Stoyan Bojinov — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:03:53 +0000

Investors’ confidence has taken a serious beating over the past few months as debt drama on both sides of the Atlantic ocean has paved the way for volatile price action across financial markets. Despite better-than-expected economic data releases on the home front, Euro zone debt woes have definitively taken center stage; sentiment on Wall Street has been largely influenced by rumors and headlines from overseas, while positive fundamental developments have been largely ignored. Amidst the ongoing uncertainty, many have turned to traditional safe haven asset classes, with gold being a popular choice [see Cheapskate Hedge Fund ETFdb Portfolio]. However, the precious yellow metal has lost a bit of its luster throughout this recent turmoil, as the hot commodity has failed to provide investors with much of a cushion. Gold is a versatile commodity, capable of serving as a hedge against inflation, while often times it is simply regarded as a [...]

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Getting The Most Out Of Your Bond ETFs

Jared Cummans — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:44 +0000

Interest in achieving fixed income exposure through exchange-traded funds has been a hot topic in recent years, with some advisors expressing serious concerns over the potential shortcomings in bond ETFs while others have fully embraced the efficiencies of the exchange-traded structure [see Are Bond ETFs Broken?]. The sheer size of the bond ETF space–in terms of both AUM and number of products–has increased dramatically since 2005. But the activity in the space has not been limited to pure growth in assets; a number of interesting innovations in the fixed income ETF arena have helped to address many of the issues that have been cited as potential concerns to investors and to enhance the overall experience of these products. Bond ETFs still aren’t perfect; many of the more popular products that are difficult to replicate exactly, exhibit certain biases that may be undesirable in certain environments and can create for recurring [...]

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Surprising ETF Standouts Of 2011

Michael Johnston — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:57:06 +0000

After a record-setting October gave investors hope that 2011 would finish on a strong note, the first couple weeks of November have effectively taken any wind out of those sails. The culprit–surprise, surprise–has been the cash-strapped PIIGS economies of Europe, with Italy now grabbing the spotlight as a serious credit risk and a grave threat not only to Europe but to global financial markets. And just like that, it appears as if we are heading to dismal end to a generally dismal year for many investors. The asset classes that had powered big recoveries in 2009 and 2010, such as commodities and emerging markets, have largely fallen flat this year. Most major benchmarks are in the red year-to-date, and it’s probably a safe bet that many investors have lost money this year. There are, of course, a few bright spots; certain asset classes always thrive in chaos and others manage [...]

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For ETF Investors, Currency Exposure Matters (More Than You Might Think)

Stoyan Bojinov — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:00:39 +0000

Equity markets have taken investors for a wild ride over the past three months with chaotic trading dominating virtually every nook and corner of Wall Street. Amidst the volatility, investors have been seeking out refuge and fleeing to “safer” asset classes; although rational, this approach inevitability overlooks certain corners of the market that may in fact be a lot less riskier than most investors might think. Currency exposure in particular is often times overlooked, especially when stock markets are unfriendly, due to preconceived notions about the risks and rewards associated with this misunderstood asset class. When picking an ETF investment, many advisors don’t give a whole lot of thought to currency exposure, often times deeming it as far too risky or complex for their portfolio’s needs. In fact, many investors may not have a strong opinion on the Brazilian real, Japanese yuan, or the Australian dollar [see Currency ETFs Of [...]

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iShares Launches Emerging Markets Bond ETF (LEMB)

Michael Johnston — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:30:16 +0000

iShares, the firm behind the most popular ETF in the Emerging Markets Bonds ETFdb Category, rolled out another similar product to complement EMB on Thursday. The new Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund (LEMB) will offer investors exposure to debt of emerging markets issuers that is denominated in local currencies, such as the South Korean Won, Brazilian Real, Mexican Peso, and Polish Zloty. The existing JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Fund (EMB), which debuted in late 2007 and has attracted more than $3 billion in assets, holds debt that is issued by entities in emerging markets but denominated in the U.S. dollar [for updates on all new ETF launches, sign up for the free ETFdb newsletter]. Under The Hood The new LEMB will seek to replicate the Barclays Capital Emerging Markets Broad Local Currency Bond Index, a benchmark that includes about 290 individual bonds and has an effective duration [...]

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ETF Database » EMB

iShares Launches More High Yield ETFs (GHYG, IYLD)

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ETF Insider: Euphoria Simmers After Mixed Data

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ETF Insider: Do Fundamentals Justify The Wall Street Rally?

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Bond ETFs For Every Objective

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International Bond ETF Guide: All the Options For Ex-U.S. Fixed Income Exposure

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Are Gold ETFs The Best Defense Against Euro Drama?

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Getting The Most Out Of Your Bond ETFs

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Surprising ETF Standouts Of 2011

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For ETF Investors, Currency Exposure Matters (More Than You Might Think)

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iShares Launches Emerging Markets Bond ETF (LEMB)

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