Innovation across the exchange-traded universe has brought forth a host of investment strategies to mainstream investors, allowing for access to previously difficult to reach corners of the global financial market. Aside from the well-know benefits of ETFs, like ease-of-use and transparency, the structure of these investment vehicles holds several, often times overlooked, tax benefits as well. Recent volatility in the markets has likely taken a toll on investors’ portfolio; however, some declines in asset values might have a silver lining, as they present the opportunity for financial advisors and self-directed investors alike to exercise effective tax management and make prudent use of unrealized losses [see 25 Things Every Financial Advisor Should Know About ETFs].
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The last five years have seen a tremendous expansion of the ETF industry, as assets have skyrocketed and the number of products available to U.S.-based investors has multiplied. That same period of time has also been a period of tremendous volatility in global financial markets; the last five years have witnessed an unprecedented financial crisis, [...]
For much of 2010, the energy sector has been in focus, particularly the crude oil corner of the market. As the Deepwater Horizon spill quickly became one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, the Obama administration issued an offshore drilling moratorium, that was only recently revoked. All the while, oil was sitting below [...]
There is no denying that the ETF boom is in full swing, as billions of dollars continue to flow into the industry every month despite a difficult economic environment. As individual investors and advisors alike become more informed on the nuances and potential benefits of ETFs, usage has surged. Part of the impressive surge in [...]
One of the greatest spectacles in sports kicks off in South Africa over the weekend, with 32 countries gathering to compete in the final stages of the World Cup. Even the economists of the world have taken an interest in the upcoming matches; ABN Amro recently released a note predicting that the world economy would [...]
Over the last two years, many investors have become acutely aware of the significant differences in the growth profiles of the world’s developing economies relative to advanced nations. Historically perceived as risky investments, emerging markets have now been firmly established as the primary source of global GDP growth, creating a surge in interest among U.S. [...]
Van Eck, the New York-based ETF issuer behind several of the most successful new product launches in recent years, introduced the Market Vectors Latin America Small-Cap Index ETF (LATM) on Wednesday. LATM, which will seek to replicate the performance of the Market Vectors Latin America Small-Cap Index, will be the first U.S.-listed ETF offering exposure [...]
In the final three quarters of 2009, emerging markets took the lead in the global recovery effort, delivering impressive growth rates as the world’s developed economies continued to struggle. China and India received the bulk of attention (and cash) from international investors, but South American equity markets had a banner year as well, led by [...]
The reasons for the rise of the ETF industry are numerous: intraday liquidity, (potentially) superior tax efficiency, and enhanced transparency relative to traditional actively-managed mutual funds have all contributed to the billions of dollars of inflows that these funds have seen in recent years. But the real attraction for most ETF investors is the reduced [...]
Following the midnight coup of president Manuel Zelaya last week, the political situation in Honduras has become increasingly tense, forcing both neighboring nations and global powers to choose sides in the as-of-yet relatively bloodless conflict that is threatening to destabilize the region. The situation in Honduras has sent many Latin American ETFs reeling over the last week, [...]
Score one for Goliath. Three weeks after Global X announced that it would launch the first ETF investing exclusively in Peruvian equities, iShares beat its much smaller rival to the punch, launching the MSCI All Peru Capped Index Fund (EPU). EPU, which has an expense ratio of 0.63%, provides investors with an opportunity to invest in [...]
