The evolution of the ETF universe has spawned dozens upon dozens of innovative offerings that make it easy and cost-effective to tap into strategies and asset classes that were previously out-of-reach for mainstream investors, including global markets. When picking which countries to invest in, those with high employment rates may be an appealing option, as these economies often exhibit high productivity levels and lower poverty rates. Though some of these countries may not always be the first options that come to mind, their rather impressive track records certainly warrant a closer look by investors [see Free Report: How To Pick The Right ETF Every Time].
When it comes to diversifying a portfolio, many investors turn toward emerging market equities for their lucrative potentials. And while BRIC and other popular Asian nations are usually investors’ top picks to achieve this key exposure, investors may benefit from taking a closer look at an often overlooked opportunity: Africa. Though known for its geopolitical [...]
The FTSE Group, one of the leading indexing firms, recently announced the results of its Annual Country Classification Review, the process by which global equity markets are classified as Developed, Advanced Emerging, Secondary Emerging or Frontier using a scale of 21 “Qualities of Market” criteria. There were no reclassifications this year, but a couple more additions [...]
The aftermath of the most recent financial crisis has yet to be fully resolved as much of the developed world is still plagued by the weight of its own debt. In Europe, lawmakers are struggling to ensure stability as many of the largest economies in the region are slowly and surely losing their fiscal footing [...]
Throughout the past couple of years, investors have witnessed just how far and how deep the Euro Zone’s debt crisis has spread throughout the global financial market. As looming uncertainty and volatility continues to be a dominating force, many have flocked to their preferred ”safe haven” investments, abandoning some of the more profitable and potentially lucrative corners of the market. [...]
Investors on Wall Street have endured a grueling week as political turbulence in the overseas currency bloc paved the way for volatile trading and rampant profit taking. On the product development front, ArrowShares made its entrance into the ETF industry with the launch of the Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD). Van Eck beefed up its fixed [...]
One important question that is often overlooked when discussing the price of oil is asking who exactly profits (aside from seasoned futures traders) when fossil fuel prices rise. As you might have expected, the answer to the previous question has more than a handful of correct responses; one of these in particular may offer investors [...]
MSCI, the firm responsible for developing and maintaining some of the most widely-followed indexes in the world, announced on Wednesday that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates would remain classified under frontier status until at least the middle of 2012, ending speculation over whether the two Middle East economies would be upgraded to emerging status. [...]
Investors have become familiar with the term “contagion” in recent years, but most are accustomed to hearing the phenomenon discussed in relation to sovereign debt defaults in Europe or across U.S. municipalities. But in recent days the Middle East has seen a wave of revolutionary protests and rallies spread across the region, as what began [...]
For businessmen and women who regularly travel to the Middle East, last week saw the unveiling of a nightmare: a BlackBerry blackout across much of the region starting later this year. The United Arab Emirates announced recently that it will begin banning users of BlackBerry mobile phones from using email, instant messaging, and web browsing [...]
On the western coast of the Persian Gulf, one tiny country has earned a slew of rather unique distinctions that would surprise most U.S. investors. Qatar–which on a map looks like a tiny thumb sticking into the Persian Gulf–is among the fastest growing economies in the world. Though tiny in terms of population, the country’s [...]
