The vast majority of the more than 1,400 ETFs now available are pretty straightforward; most investors can pretty quickly grasp the investment objectives based on a quick glance at the name and holdings. There are, however, some ETFs that investors do not understand well at all–products that are actually quite different from the perceptions that many have about them.
Below, we highlight a couple classes of ETF that are commonly misunderstood–and set the record straight [for more ETF insights, sign up for the free ETFdb newsletter]. [click to continue…]
Over the past several weeks, markets have become increasingly choppy as a number of issues are plaguing the global economy. America teeters on the brink of a recession while debt downgrades and slumping investor confidence have rattled European markets as well. Meanwhile, in emerging markets, inflationary concerns are continuing to wreck havoc leaving investors with [...]
ProShares announced the launch of the Hedge Replication ETF (HDG), a new product that will seek to provide returns characteristic of the hedge fund asset class. The new ETF is designed to maintain a high correlation to the HFRI Weighted Composite Index, an equal-weighted composite of more than 2,000 funds.
ETFs have been praised for improving the investing experience in a number of different ways. They have been the catalyst for a shift towards low cost indexing strategies, and have placed strong downward pressure on management fees throughout the investing landscape. They have improved tax efficiencies and intraday liquidity, allowing investors to move in and [...]
The introduction and rapid expansion of the ETF industry has no doubt been a very positive development for investors big and small. The low fees characteristic of the exchange-traded structure have allowed cost-conscious investors to minimize expenses without sacrificing returns, while the enhanced tax efficiency and intraday trading capabilities have contributed increased flexibility to the [...]
Less than a week into November, the month is shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory for the ETF industry. Vanguard (international real estate ETF), UBS (another MLP ETN), PIMCO (laddered Treasury fund), and Global X (Gold Explorers) have already launched new ETFs, and several more issuers are expected to [...]
The past few years have seen no shortage of innovation in the ETF space; targeted international products, state-specific funds, and single-commodity ETPs are just a few of the developments to come out of the rapidly-expanding industry. Some of the most interesting products to hit the market recently are found in the Hedge Funds ETFdb Category, [...]
Adam Patti is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of IndexIQ, a New York-based ETF issuer behind several of the most innovative ETF products to hit the market in recent years. He recently took time out of his busy schedule to discuss commodity investing, ETF options for protecting against inflation, and replicating hedge fund-like returns [...]
The speed with which the ETF industry has expanded has been a hot topic lately, with some analysts anticipating a wave of consolidation at some point this year as issuers pull the plug on products that have failed to gain traction. While there have certainly been a number of ill-conceived product ideas in recent years [...]
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 [...]
The rise of ETFs has led to the democratization of many asset classes which were once reserved for the ultra-rich. While investors have quickly adapted to ETFs offering exposure to commodities and quantitative strategies, another alternative asset has also seen a recent surge in popularity. Traditionally, hedge funds have been known for their ability to [...]
