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In Review: Central Bank Impact on Asia-Pacific ETFs

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:09:42 -0400

If global central banks were teenagers, it would be fair to say these entities are quite vulnerable to peer pressure. Taking a page from a 1980s after-school special, it is not unreasonable to say central banks in the Asia-Pacific region this week succumbed to a line of thinking akin to

New Zealand ETF Down Slightly After RBNZ Intervention News

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:44:32 -0400

The iShares MSCI New Zealand Capped Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: ENZL), the lone ETF devoted exclusively to New Zealand, is trading modestly lower Wednesday after Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Graeme Wheeler confirmed the central bank has been intervening in the foreign exchange market.

Wheeler made the

ETF Insider: How To Play Earnings This Week

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:20:06 -0400

China growth fears and earnings jitters will remain key themes this week as investors look to decipher fundamental data releases, both at home and abroad, amid the bull market on Wall Street. In Europe, news of Giorgio Napolitano staying in office spurred a confidence rally in the bond market, although the eurozone as a whole still remains on edge as evidenced by the euro’s weakness in the currency market [see also How To Take Profits And Cut Losses When Trading ETFs]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: Industrial Select Sector SPDR : Durable goods data due out this Wednesday will put the industrial sector in focus. Analysts are expecting for this monthly figure to show a contraction of 3.2% compared to the previous reading of positive 5.6%. MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund : This ETF [...]

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Two Country ETFs Vulnerable to a China Slowdown

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:15:33 -0400

In the fourth quarter, China's gross domestic product grew 7.9 percent, according to official data, and economists are forecasting growth of 8.1 percent this year. Obviously, that growth rate is far superior to what investors will find in the developed world and it easily surpasses forecasts for Brazil and India,

4 Developed Market ETFs Better Than SPY

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:54:54 -0400

While the last few days have been nothing to write home about, there is no denying that U.S. stocks are off to a solid start in 2013.

A look at the chart of the SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) indicates the current rally was born in November

ETF Insider: Correction Pressures Are Mounting

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:13 -0400

The bears swept in Monday morning after worrisome news from the Euro zone over the weekend prompted a rapid sell-off at Wall Street’s opening bell. Profit taking pressures were quick to emerge after it was reported that European policymakers proposed a tax on Cypriot bank deposits, leading many to worry that this policy change could spill over to larger nations in the debt-burdened currency bloc, namely Italy and Spain [see also How To Hedge With ETFs]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: SPDR Homebuilders ETF : Homebuilders will come into the spotlight on Tuesday morning as investors digest the latest housing starts data from last month. Analysts are expecting for this figure to show modest growth coming in at 913,000 units versus last month’s reading of 890,000. Market Vectors Germany Small-Cap ETF : This German equity ETF could [...]

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ETF Insider: Bears Lurking In Uncharted Territory

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:12:19 -0400

With the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing to all-time highs last week it’s no surprise to see the divide between the bulls and the bears reach extremes as well. While some investors are calling this the start of the next great bull-run, others are equally convinced that equities are long-overdue for a major correction. As such, the bulls continue to cite the string of upbeat economic data that has been hitting the street while the bears are eyeing the stellar run-up thus far on the year as an opportunity to profit from an imminent pullback [see also How To Hedge With ETFs]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: SPDR S&P Retail ETF : U.S. retailers may be in for a volatile trading session this Wednesday as investors digest the latest sales data. Analysts are expecting [...]

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3 ETFs To Watch This Week: EWJ, XRT, ENZL

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:00:44 -0400

Strong economic reports coupled with bullish momentum had the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging into uncharted territory, posting record-breaking all-time highs last week. The Institute for Supply Management non-manufacturing index climbed to 56% in February from 55.2% the month before, a good sign for the services sector. The labor market also posted encouraging data as private sector employment, initial jobless claims, payrolls and unemployment reports all came in better than expected. This week, investors will once again see a slew of economic reports. Below, we outline three ETFs that should see a fair amount of activity during the week ahead [see also 7 Simple & Cheap ETF Model Portfolio]: 1. MSCI Japan Index Fund Why EWJ Will Be In Focus: This fund is designed to measure the performance of the Japanese equity market, and it is home to over $6.4 billion in total assets. It will be important to keep a close eye [...]

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Two Non-Easing Country ETFs Shining Bright

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:35:12 -0500

Last week, the S&P 500 endured its first weekly loss of 2013 due in large part to rampant speculation that the Federal Reserve is mulling a slowdown of or outright halt of its $85 billion-a-month bond-buying activities.

Known as quantitative easing, central bank asset-buying programs have arguably become an addictive gambit

New Zealand ETF Falls Despite Intervention Comments

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:19:56 -0500

In what may be seen as a surprise to some traders, the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: ENZL) is off about 2.7 percent Wednesday even after New Zealand's Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler made comments regarding a possible intervention in the foreign currency market

Asia-Pacific ETFs for Currency Wars

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:59:59 -0500

It's not just the Fed. All over the world, central banks are taking action to weaken their currencies as a means of stimulating their domestic economies and protecting exporters. Rampant monetary easing and cutting of interest rates has prompted talk of global currency wars, a scenario under which there will

3 ETFs To Watch This Week: ENZL, EWJ, EWC

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 04:00:56 -0500

Investors continued to keep their focus on the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations last week despite some expected, yet rather surprising, news from the Fed. On Wednesday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, delivered his commentary after the central bank’s latest policy announcement. As was expected, the Fed extended its bond-buying program in an effort to boost the jobs and the economic recovery. Though the central bank stressed that they are by no means putting monetary policy on “auto-pilot,” they did set a 6.5% threshold for the unemployment rate. Bernanke also brought attention to the looming fiscal cliff, stating that it is already “clearly” affecting the economy. Putting pressure on Congress, he stated “I don’t think the Federal Reserve has tools to offset the effect… We’d have to temper the expectations of what we can accomplish.” This week, investors will once again see a number of economic reports from around the world. Below, we outline three [...]

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7 Smallest Emerging Market Countries And The ETFs to Play Them

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:00:24 -0500

Through the evolution of the global economy and ETF marketspace, investors now have access to funds and companies that they may have never even known about only five years ago. Perhaps one of the largest leaps for international investors is the opening up of frontier and emerging markets, a high risk and reward strategy many have used while developed economies are showing slow growth and returns. The new international investors have also done wonders for industries in emerging markets looking for funding, but the general population doesn’t have the time or money for this kind of investing [For ETF industry news, sign up for the free ETFdb Newsletter]. Below, we highlight some of the smallest markets that ETF providers have deemed fantastic investment opportunities and created products around: 1. Vietnam The smallest economy with an ETF devoted to it, Vietnam’s GDP for 2011 is reported at $122 billion U.S. dollars. Compared to [...]

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7 ETFs For The Best Country Brands

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:00:37 -0500

In a global environment riddled with uncertainties and looming debt burdens, it isn’t always the biggest or fastest growing economies that lure investors. Going beyond gross domestic product data, international investors often find themselves flocking to destinations that boast “safe haven” reputations, and not necessarily the most attractive balance sheets. In an effort to more accurately pinpoint people’s sentiment regarding specific nations, FutureBrand has constructed an annual Country Brand Index, which incorporates a multitude of factors that go beyond traditional economic metrics [see also ETFs For The World's Most Valuable Emerging Market Brands]. A nation’s reputation, or its brand, stands to offer valuable insights into how potential investors will evaluate opportunities in that country’s market. The Country Brand Index, CBI for short, ranks countries by their perceived brand value as determined by performances across five key dimensions, including: value system, quality of life, good for business, heritage and culture, and tourism. The CBI encapsulates everything from the nation’s cultures, to [...]

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ETFs For Fiscal Cliff Safety

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:09:24 -0400

The U.S. Presidential election is just weeks away, along with potential spending cuts and expiring tax breaks. Neither candidate really has a clear cut vision on avoiding or mitigating the impending fiscal cliff, so investors should get ready with protective stocks and exchange traded funds....

Dividend and International ETFs for the U.S. Fiscal Cliff

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:03:54 -0400

The equities market and stock ETFs are in for a potential rough patch as the political uncertainty over the U.S. fiscal cliff could throw the markets into turmoil. Nevertheless, investors can hold onto dividend-paying stocks and diversify into international holdings to help weather any storm. As...

The Third Quarter's Top ETFs

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 09:50:00 -0400

A examination of Barron's recent Mutual Fund Report highlights a few little-known ETFs that MoneyShow's Tom Aspray thinks should be monitored closely in the coming weeks.

ETF Insider: Bulls Running Low On Fuel, Catalyst Needed

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:51:38 -0400

QE3 arrived last week and investors expressed their approval of the Fed’s decision to enact another round of stimulus as markets rallied higher across the board. Although news of quantitative easing was well received on Wall Street, it’s really a double-edged sword because it implies that the Fed is more or less worried about the sluggish recovery at home, which sends a cautious fundamental alert to longer-term investors. With stimulus hopes off the table now, investors will need to refocus on economic data releases in search of the next catalyst [see How To Pick The Right ETF Every Time]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index Fund (ITB): Homebuilders stocks will come into focus on Tuesday morning after the opening bell following the release of the latest Home builders index; analysts are expecting for [...]

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3 ETFs To Watch This Week: EWG, ENZL, EWJ

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:30 -0400

Stimulus hopes drove trading acitivty throughout much of last week until the FOMC finally delivered; equity markets around the globe reacted with great optimism on last Thursday to the Fed’s announcement of QE3. With policymakers now pledging their full support on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, markets have been injected with confidence that should help to keep benchmarks afloat despite looming uncertainties still plaguing the global recovery. This week, investors will once again see a number of economic reports around the globe, which will hopefully bring more momentum to the markets. Below, we outline three ETFs that should see a fair amount of activity during the week ahead [see also 7 Simple & Cheap ETF Model Portfolio]: 1. MSCI Germany Index Fund (EWG) Why EWG Will Be in Focus: This fund is designed to measure the performance of the German equity market, and it is home to over $3.3 billion in total assets. EWG [...]

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ETF Insider: Pressure On Fed To Follow

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:19:12 -0400

The bulls returned to Wall Street last week as the European Central Bank finally quenched the stimulus hopes of many. President Draghi announced the “open monetary transactions” plan which aims to ensure the financial stability of debt burdened member nations by giving the ECB flexibility when it comes to buying government bonds. This effort was well received all over the globe and the pressure is now on Chairman Bernanke to act; investors will keep a close watch on the Fed press conference this Thursday in hopes of an additional round of stimulus on the home front [see also ETF Technical Trading FAQ]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund (CYB): Markets overseas could experience volatile trading overnight as the latest China new yuan loans data comes out. CYB could gap in either direction Tuesday morning; [...]

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ETF Insider: Earnings, The Fed, And Spain Oh My!

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:51:37 -0400

Stocks ended on a positive note last week although Friday’s rally wasn’t enough to mask the looming uncertainties still plaguing virtually every corner of the global market. Asian markets remain wobbly on concerns over the Chinese economic recovery, while in Europe bond yields remain elevated as investors await for lawmakers to implement the Spanish rescue package. At home, volatility levels should remain elevated as well; corporate earnings season is picking up steam this week with several bellwethers reporting, including IBM, Bank of America, and Google, while the spotlight will likely focus on Chairman Bernanke as he testifies before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday [see also Risk On ETFdb Portfolio Now Available]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL): This ETF may gap at Tuesday’s open following the overnight reaction to [...]

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iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund Breaks Above 200-Day Moving Average - Bullish for ENZL

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:11:03 -0400

In trading on Friday, shares of the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund ETF (ENZL) crossed above their 200 day moving average of $29.59, changing hands as high as $29.67 per share. iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund shares are currently trading up about 0.5% on the day.

ENZL Makes Bullish Cross Above Critical Moving Average

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:51:53 -0400

In trading on Monday, shares of the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund ETF (ENZL) crossed above their 200 day moving average of $29.75, changing hands as high as $29.80 per share. iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund shares are currently trading up about 0.4% on the day.

ETF Insider: Stimulus Hopes Take Center Stage

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:04:08 -0400

After a week of worse-than-expected economic reports and ongoing tensions over Europe’s financial hopes, investors are looking ahead to this week’s FOMC meeting in hopes of a stimulus announcement. Elections in Greece have restored a bit of confidence nonetheless as early results over the weekend show the pro-austerity party in the lead. Despite this encouraging development, investors at home and overseas are still focused on rising Spanish and Italian bond yields[see ETF Technical Trading FAQ]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: Dow Jones US Home Construction index Fund (ITB): This ETF may see a surge in trading volumes throughout the week as housing market data hits the street. Housings starts are due out on Tuesday and analysts are expecting for a slight uptick, while existing home sales data is expected to dip slightly on [...]

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ETF Spotlight: Single-Country Funds

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 07:00:00 -0400

Income seekers have delved into the markets in search of attractive payouts during this low-yield environment. Some have found enticing yields in country-specific exchange traded funds; however, potential investors should not let yields blind them and consider the underlying risks associated with...

ETF Insider: Buy On The Dip With Caution

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:17:39 -0400

Equity markets have kicked off the week on a positive note although profit taking pressures continue to lurk around the corner as analysts scrutinize the Spanish bank-bailout plan proposed over the weekend. Domestic major equity indexes appear to have regained their footing; the S&P 500 Index has bounced off support at the 1,275 level and the next obstacle will be hurdling over resistance around the 1,350 level. One potential concern is the fact that 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures also appear to have regained their footing, which could foreshadow further volatility in the stock market if momentum returns to the fixed income space [see ETF Technical Trading FAQ]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: MSCI Germany Index Fund (EWG): This ETF may experience volatile trading on Wednesday as investors react to German CPI data released earlier [...]

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iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund Getting Very Oversold

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:48:20 -0400

In trading on Friday, shares of the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund ETF (ENZL) entered into oversold territory, changing hands as low as $28.09 per share. We define oversold territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100.

Protect Yourself From Rising Food Prices (MOO, AGU, PAGG, CROP)

Fri, 04 May 2012 17:33:28 -0400

With global demand surging, higher food prices are here to stay. Investors with long term timelines should consider the sector.

ETF Insider: More Earnings, More Volatility

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:07:29 -0400

With Euro zone debt woes creeping back onto Wall Street last week, investors were reminded of the looming challenges that will continue to pose headwinds for the currency bloc in the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, from a technical perspective, the longer-term uptrend in broad equity indexes including the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq remains in-tact; if these benchmarks tumble past last week’s lows, however, then there is a great possibility that a major correction will unfold, perhaps eating away most of this year’s gains [see Free Report: How To Pick The Right ETF Every Time]. Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF): This ETF could see major swings in price throughout the week as two bellwether financial firms report earnings results; Goldman Sachs is slated to [...]

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ETF Insider: No Rest For The Bulls

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:24:08 -0400

Equity markets continued their trek higher last week as encouraging economic data is a key driver of price action now that Euro zone woes have finally taken a backseat. In light of the positive fundamental improvements on the home front, this week is looking to be fairly uneventful in terms of major data releases aside from home sales figures. News from international markets also appear to be sparse in the coming days, which makes the trading week all the more unpredictable; will bullish momentum finally cool off or is any pullback a buying opportunity? Weekly Outlook Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (FXB): U.K. inflation data is on tap for Tuesday morning, which could spark volatile trading for the British pound in the currency market. Analysts are expecting for CPI [...]

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Three ETFs To Watch This Week: ENZL, FXB, XHB

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:29 -0400

Last week saw equities continue their surge, as the Dow made a case to hold well above the 13,000 level and the S&P was able to cross the 1,400 benchmark. While a number of investors are cheering on the rally, the rapid rise has many worried that some kind of pullback is overdue and that stocks may be unable to maintain current levels. But we have heard calls for a pullback all year long and markets have simply continued to charge onward. Looking ahead to the coming week, there will be several key economic indicators released all over the world, but for all intents and purposes, it will be a relatively quiet period compared to weeks past [see also Gold Hits Resistance, Time To Worry?]. Below, we outline three ETFs to keep a close eye on as the week unfolds: MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL) Why ENZL Will Be [...]

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ETF Insider: Progress In Greece Will Tip Markets

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:44:07 -0500

Markets broadly climbed higher last week amidst ongoing uncertainty stemming from the Euro zone, although this week should offer investors more concrete insights on just how the Greek bailout negotiations are moving along. Wall Street is taking the day off today in observance of Presidents Day. With no major economic data releases due out this week on the home front, investors are sure to keep their eyes and ears fixed on developments in the currency bloc overseas. Weekly Outlook The coming week will be fairly light on central bank meetings, although several important housing market data releases will steal the spotlight on the home front. Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL): This ETF could gap on Tuesday morning following the release of the latest Reserve Bank of New Zealand [...]

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ETF Insider: Will Holiday Cheer Be Enough?

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:35:33 -0500

Euphoria was quick to evaporate from the markets last week as investors fretted over ongoing uncertainty in the Euro zone. Selling pressures prevailed across equity markets as lawmakers have yet to outline a comprehensive plan of action for restoring stability to the debt burdened currency bloc. Gold futures tanked as investors took profits in the yellow commodity, sinking its price down to $1,562 an ounce, and further tainting the precious metal’s safe haven reputation [see Are Gold ETFs The Best Defense Against Euro Drama?]. This week we outline three actionable short-term trade ideas as we expect for the roller coaster ride to continue as investors scramble to make bets and take profits before the holiday weekend. Weekly Outlook The coming week will be stacked with economic data releases at home and on the international front. Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market [...]

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Wednesday’s ETF Chart To Watch: MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL)

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:00:58 -0500

Equity markets started off yesterday on a weak note as Standard & Poor’s warning of a possible downgrade for all Euro zone member nations weighed down on investors’ confidence. Performance at home was mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.43% on the day, while the Nasdaq shed 0.23%. In the currency markets, the U.S. dollar inched lower while the euro displayed resilience after it was reported that the European Union was possibly considering doubling its bailout system. Gold futures staged a small recovery following yesterday’s sell-off, settling near $1,730 an ounce as the trading session drew to a close. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is slated to announce its decision regarding interest rates later today, which makes the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL) our ETF to watch for the day. Analysts are expecting for the rate to remain unchanged at 2.5%, although volatile [...]

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ETF Insider: Volatility Is Still Lurking

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:05:55 -0500

Domestic equity indexes snapped out of their loosing streak last week as investor confidence in the markets improved after a robust start to the holiday shopping season. The bulls charged through Wall Street on Wednesday after a global central bank initiative to lower the cost of dollar funding through swap arrangements sent a wave of buying-euphoria across equity markets. Excitement cooled off before the weekend, despite a better-than-expected U.S. unemployment report, and we expect for volatility to remain abundant this week given the unresolved Euro zone debt drama along with several key central bank meetings. Weekly Outlook The coming week will be a bit sparse on economic data releases on the home front, with central bank meetings across the globe dominating international news. Below, we highlight ETFs that may see an increase in trading activity as relevant market data is released and evaluated by investors: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (FXA): [...]

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WisdomTree Rolls Out Australian Bond ETF (AUNZ)

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:00:51 -0400

WisdomTree, the issuer behind a number of popular international debt ETFs, followed through today on the previously announced conversion of its Dreyfus New Zealand Dollar Fund (previously traded under the ticker BNZ) to the Australian & New Zealand Debt Fund (AUNZ). The revised fund will continue to be actively managed, with the investment objective changing to focus on bonds denominated in the local currencies of Australia and New Zealand. While there are now a number of international bond ETFs, AUNZ is yet another ETF first; the fund becomes the first to focus exclusively on the two developed Pacific economies. Aussie Dollar On A Roll Australia and New Zealand also represent two developed economies that have largely managed to avoid the deterioration of fiscal health that has plagued the U.S. and Western Europe. Both countries are rich in natural resources, and that commodity wealth in a major reason for the relatively [...]

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Bright Spots In The ETF Landscape: Five Funds Holding Their Value In A Wild 2011

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:00:09 -0400

So far, this year has been tough for markets around the globe. Since the downgrade of U.S. credit quality in August, equity markets have become plagued with rampant volatility, discouraging capital inflows and prompting many investors to pull out of the markets entirely. Just when the debt-ceiling drama at home came to an end, euro zone debt-woes stole the spotlight, adding fuel to the fire. Tensions in the debt-stricken currency block overseas have only added to the growing cloud of uncertainty looming over global financial markets. Investors at home have been digesting platefuls of lackluster economic data, while emerging markets have been brutally beaten down as risk-aversion has become the dominant theme on Wall Street. Even the Fed’s announcement of “Operation Twist” sparked waves of panic-selling in the markets, as investors deemed the latest round of stimulus as far too small in scope to truly boost the sluggish U.S. economy. [...]

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New Zealand ETFs In Focus After Credit Downgrade

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:00:36 -0400

Investing in developed markets has been an extremely tough task as of late thanks to sluggish growth and debt woes in a variety of countries. In light of this, perceived ‘safe haven’ countries saw a great deal of inflows in this environment, leading to huge gains for markets such as Switzerland and other highly-rated nations. Yet, with the SNB’s historic decision to peg the franc to the euro, many investors scrambled to find new places to stash their cash in these troubled times, leading some to invest in nations such as those in the Asia Pacific or Nordic regions of the world. While this may have worked for a couple of weeks, it appears as though one of the key destinations for investors is no longer in the ranks of the safe haven club as New Zealand struggles with a downgrade to ‘AA’ by Fitch. In the move that hit the wires [...]

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ETF Insider: Markets At Fed’s Mercy

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:19:05 -0400

Domestic equity indexes climbed higher day after day last week, posting a very green performance as investors showed some (temporary) relief over the debt drama in Greece. In the bigger scheme of things however, there have been no real concrete measures undertaken by the ECB to fully restore confidence back in European financial markets; for that reason alone, we expect that volatile range-bound trading will remain the dominant theme across equity and currency markets. Gold had a tough time last week as stock markets rallied and the precious metal crept lower, dipping below the $1,800 an ounce level as the week drew to a close. Weekly Outlook The coming week is quite lacking in major economic releases on the home front, while international investors will also have an uneventful week so to speak. At home, the Fed meeting will most certainly be the dominant event commencing on Tuesday, with the [...]

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The Contrarian: Single-Country ETFs

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:52:17 -0400

Many exchange traded funds that track individual countries have been beaten to a pulp in 2011. Some bargain hunters see cheap valuations in these hard-hit ETFs despite global debt and economic tensions. Last week, we took a look at some of the most oversold ETFs measured by distance from the 50-day...

ETF Insider: Bullish Abroad, Defensive At Home

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:17:26 -0400

Domestic equities were shaky last week to say the least, managing to rally on Thursday and immediately sell-off on Friday following a very dismal employment report. Gold emerged as the strongest asset class, while crude oil futures fluctuated wildly much like equity markets across the globe. Earnings season officially starts this week and we are cautiously optimistic that companies will surpass market expectations, although a strengthening dollar could create headwinds. Our trade recommendations for this week are geared towards international exposure and one of our picks is very appealing from both a technical and fundamental perspective, making it a potentially attractive tactical tool for traders. Weekly Outlook The coming week will be anything but sparse of headlines as investors keep a close eye on the markets once Alcoa Inc. kicks off earnings season after the market closes on Monday. Corporate earnings will be the central focus in the next coming [...]

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Where international-stock funds are finding value

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:01:45 -0400

If money makes the world go around, the spinning stopped in the second quarter for many international-stock fund and ETF investors.

ETF Insider: Prudent Buying After Panic Selling

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:05:59 -0400

Investors poured into U.S. Treasuries last week as far worse than expected economic data from the manufacturing and housing sectors sent waves of anxiety through equity markets both in the U.S. and abroad. Surprisingly enough, amidst all the chaos even gold failed to climb much higher and the precious metal closed just above $1,540 for the week. Volatility in the energy market remains abundant as crude oil futures wildly fluctuated between $98 and $103 a barrel, managing to close just above the $100 level by the end of the trading week. Silver failed to regain the $40 level and futures contracts sank lower by about $2 throughout the week, closing at around $36.28 an ounce. As expected, the U.S. dollar continued to depreciate and we are cautiously holding our ground in anticipation of an equity-market rebound in the coming days. Against this backdrop, we see several technicals-based opportunities among the [...]

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Three ETFs To Watch This Week: BRF, FXE, ENZL

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:00:56 -0400

A deluge of bad data conspired to sink markets in the Holiday-shortened week as most major benchmarks finished the period down significantly. The S&P 500 sank by 2.8% on the week while the ten year Treasury Bond was boosted by heavy amounts of safe haven buying and flirted with the 3.00% mark to close out Friday’s session. This was largely due to the horrendous data on the jobs front as far less jobs than expected were created both when looking at the ADP report and the government numbers. The ADP report showed that just 38,000 jobs were created during the month, well below analyst estimates of 175,000 and it was further confirmed on Friday when the non farm payrolls rose by just 83,000 and the unemployment rate jumped 0.2% to the 9.1% mark. “The jobless data was clearly a shock to the system today, as investors were reminded that the [...]

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Van Eck Plans Mongolia ETF

Tue, 24 May 2011 07:00:07 -0400

Van Eck, the issuer behind a number of country-specific emerging markets ETFs, recently laid the groundwork to launch what would be the industry’s first Mongolia ETF. In an SEC filing last week, the company outlined an ETF that would seek to replicate a to-be-determined index that would consist of companies domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in Mongolia or that generates at least half of its revenue in Mongolia. The filing didn’t include an expense ratio or ticker symbol for the proposed fund. According to the ETF country exposure tool, there are currently four equity ETFs that include Mongolia in their top ten country allocations, though none makes a meaningful allocation. Mongolian stocks account for about 0.8% of the PowerShares Global Coal Portfolio (PKOL) and even less of the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund (EPP) and Vanguard Pacific ETF (VPL). First Mongolia ETF Mongolia’s economy has traditionally been based [...]

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5 Tasty Stocks That Will Profit From Food Inflation (MOO, ARGT, ENZL, COW)

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:50:39 -0400

With global demand surging, higher food prices are here to stay. Investors with long term timelines should consider the sector.

Food Price Inflation Still a Big Deal (MOO, ARGT, ENZL, COW)

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:19:37 -0400

With global demand surging, higher food prices are here to stay. Investors with long term timelines should consider the sector.

Some Black Swans Are 100% Predictable

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:01:00 -0400

Investing in authoritarian countries can be highly lucrative, but beware the inevitable blowback, writes Nicholas Vardy in Global Stock Investor.

New Zealand ETF: Post-Quake Opportunity?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:00:00 -0500

Last month a massive earthquake struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch on the country’s south island, killing more than 160 people and causing widespread destruction. The country’s equity markets took a beating in the wake of the natural disaster, plummeting as concerns spread that the quake would grind an already fragile recovery to a halt. According to government estimates, the clean-up could cost as much as NZ$ 15 billion, considerably more than the costs associated with a September tremor because the more recent disaster hit the city’s central business district. The Treasury department estimated that economic growth in New Zealand would be 1.5 percentage points lower in 2011 as a result of the quake, a significant decline for an economy that is in danger of entering its second recession in as many years. Finance Minister Bill English indicated that the impact of the quake combined with slower economic growth [...]

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10 ETFs for the Happiest Countries in the World

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:00:16 -0500

It turns out Americans are pretty happy, but nine other nations are a lot happier. While it might not be feasible to pack up and move, you can play the jovial mood with exchange traded funds (ETFs). Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank that ranks the happiest countries in the world, came...

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