San Francisco-based iShares, which was acquired by BlackRock from Barclays last year, has more than 180 U.S.-listed ETFs. But the distribution of assets is far from even across these funds. At the end of 2009, the ten largest iShares ETFs–only about five percent of the issuer’s product line–accounted for 50% of total assets. So there’s obviously a lot more to the iShares product line than the handful of mega-tickers–IVV, EFA, TIP, and AGG, just to name a few–that every ETF investor knows. Below, we highlight ten iShares ETFs that may deserve a closer look for inclusion in your portfolio. [click to continue…]
With concrete steps towards a globally-supported climate change initiative finally materializing, many investors have been considering the addition of a “green energy ETF” to their portfolios, speculating that mandates to reduce emissions will funnel investment dollars towards alternative energy technologies. Wind and solar power ETFs have seen significant cash inflows and jumps in price over the last year, as a positive regulatory environment offers potential for a major boost to these still developing sectors of the energy market. [click to continue…]
Over the past two years, the primary focus of world leaders has been the series of economic crises that have threatened to erase years of progress and growth. With all available resources dedicated towards avoiding a prolonged downturn, many social and environmental issues have been moved to the back burner. Now, with a seemingly stable [...]
Through the first six months of the Obama administration, campaign promises were largely moved to the back burner while all available resources were devoted to an economy spiraling further and further into recession. Now that the country has lifted itself out of the recession and a recovery, albeit a fragile one, is underway, Washington has [...]
Bickering between Democrats and Republicans is nothing new, an American tradition right up there with apple pie, baseball, and fireworks on the 4th. Even on issues that would seem to lend themselves towards a consensus resolution, the two parties have found ways to create disagreements, allowing them to play to the American public and paint [...]
As the ETF industry has exploded on to the scene in recent years, sponsors have aggressively launched funds in an attempt to gain market share. While many of these new ETFs have attracted sufficient investor funds to justify continued operation, some have failed to garner a level of investment necessary to support an active, liquid market [...]
