Making Money Alert

Sections

Articles

ETFs

ETF Talk: Profit from Aging Baby Boomers

05/16/2012   As the Americans continue to age and to live longer lives, what could offer a more stable investment than healthcare? The Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT), in particular, provides just such an investment… …

ETF Talk: Water Offers Untapped Opportunity

05/09/2012   As we prepare for the summer heat, water presents a significant investment opportunity -- especially as states like California and Texas face the droughts associated with an unseasonably warm winter… …

ETF Talk: Watching for the Cows to Come Home

05/02/2012   Every human needs food to survive, so wouldn’t it be great to make money from it? As a matter of fact, we can. The global agriculture business provides a fairly stable investment with growth potential… …

ETF Talk: Oil Futures Offer Slick Investment

04/25/2012   Lofty oil prices have taken center stage, and the rhetoric is likely to get hot about the issue as we advance toward the presidential election. Although oil prices historically tend to decline during… …

ETF Talk: Natural Gas Shows Signs of Recovery

04/18/2012   As spring continues to bloom, even the natural gas markets are showing signs of coming back to life after hitting their lowest point of the year. One exchange-traded fund (ETF) in particular that I have… …

ETF Talk: New Fund Offers High Income, Capital Appreciation

04/11/2012   A new exchange-traded fund (ETF) that has gained my attention for the dual way it can help you profit is the iShares Morningstar Multi-Asset Income Index Fund (IYLD). The fund specifically seeks to replicate… …

ETF Talk: Small Caps Ride High

04/04/2012   Small-cap exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been on a decided uptrend so far in 2012. Despite the market’s pullback today, ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 ETF (SAA) is up 20.2% so far this year through… …

ETF Talk: Small- Cap Shows Surprising Strength

03/28/2012   When markets turn upward as they have lately, small-cap stocks typically can be counted on to produce bigger gains than their large-cap counterparts. The trend is reflected once again during the past… …

ETF Talk: CUT is Slicing Through the Competition

03/21/2012   It’s March Madness time, and for many of us, it’s the season to watch the best college basketball players in the country run up and down the hardwood. But when it comes to investing, I’ve… …

ETF Talk: Residential Real Estate Fund is on the Rise

03/14/2012   With residential real estate showing signs of a budding recovery in certain markets, let’s look at one of my favorite funds in the sector, iShares FTSE NAREIT Residential Plus Capped Index ETF (REZ)… …

ETF Talk: Let Uranium Fuel Your Portfolio

03/07/2012   The Global X Uranium ETF (URA) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is capable of energizing of your investment portfolio. The fund jumped 22% in the first three weeks of January, but it has been on… …

ETF Talk: Vietnam Grows Like a Reed

02/29/2012   With all of the recent talk about the economic turmoil in Europe, the growth in emerging market economies could be a bit overlooked. But let’s not overlook this potential opportunity for investors… …

ETF Talk: Ride the Market's Rise with DIA

02/22/2012   If you are hoping to profit from the market’s recent run-up, consider buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that gives you exposure to some of the best-established companies available. One way to… …

ETF Talk: A Chance to Buy into Biotech

02/15/2012   The biotechnology sector has been rising as quickly as a child’s fever. The key question is whether this suddenly hot sector will slow down or possibly cool off in the coming days and weeks. Part… …

ETF Talk: India Shows Tiger-Like Strength

02/08/2012   After the precipitous fall of the emerging markets during the second half of last year, many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) devoted to those countries are coming back twice as fast. India, in particular,… …

ETF Talk: Corporate Bonds Outshine U.S. Treasuries

02/01/2012   The U.S. economy effectively can be viewed in two parts: the consumer sector and the corporate sector. While the consumer economy is hamstrung by excess debt and a mortgage mess that will take time to… …

ETF Talk: Apple Sweetens up Technology ETF

01/25/2012   Apple’s blockbuster earnings announcement late yesterday showed that consumers still have a voracious appetite for the newest gadgets. To profit from that trend, consider buying Technology Select… …

ETF Talk: Low-Volatility Funds Offer Reduced Risk

01/18/2012   Halfhearted optimism could be the phrase that best describes how investors are feeling, as we’ve seen a nice rally during the past two weeks of trading. With few, if any, of the major headwinds… …

ETF Talk: A Proven Formula is Diversification and Income

01/11/2012   A diversified approach to investing has proven to be a wise strategy to deal with market volatility, especially during the past six months. Dividend-paying stocks also have shown their worth during that… …

ETF Talk: Finding Opportunity on the Farm

01/04/2012   Our farming communities remain a vital sector of the U.S. economy. If you are a part of this community, there is no doubt that you are one of the more knowledgeable people in the country when it comes… …

ETF Talk: Don't Go Long the Euro Just Yet

12/28/2011   The biggest story going into 2012 likely will be the fate of the euro. In recent months, we have witnessed politicians, finance ministers and central bankers in Europe struggle to find a solution to a… …

ETF Talk: This Bond Fund Offers Diversity and Yield

12/21/2011   Safe-haven investments are hard to come by in this market. All markets seem to go north or south together. With risks rising and interest rates microscopically low, it is hard to find a relatively safe… …

ETF Talk: Seeking Safety in America

12/14/2011   With the markets more interconnected than ever before, it is understandable if you feel threatened by the negative headlines coming out of Europe. While the U.S. market is hurt by what is happening in… …

A Great Year for ETFs

12/07/2011   Although it hasn’t been a very prosperous year for most investors, it has been a great year for the ETF industry. In 2011, the industry introduced 188 new funds, and those funds thus far have gathered… …

ETF Talk: Introducing a New Preferred Fund

11/30/2011   The new iShares International Preferred Stock Index Fund (IPFF) is a unique exchange-traded fund (ETF) that allows investors access to international preferred shares that trade on foreign exchanges. IPFF,… …

ETF Talk: This Real Estate Fund Outperforms the Rest

11/22/2011   While the real estate market has been in the dog house since the beginning of the Great Recession, I found a fund focused on real estate that actually has been holding up reasonably well most of the year… …

ETF Talk: German Bonds Offer Refuge

11/16/2011   If you have been paying even a modicum of attention to the debt contagion issues in Europe, you know that the safest play in Europe might be Germany. Specifically, I’m talking about German debt… …

ETF Talk: Retail Could Be a Gift for Your Portfolio

11/09/2011   The holiday season is approaching and the sector that you may want to focus on for investment opportunities is retail. October retail sales numbers were less than stellar, so it adds importance to the… …

ETF Talk: Invest in the Necessities

11/02/2011   A recurring theme of our features about ETFs in the last few weeks has revolved around trying to find the last bastions of safe investing in a market where uncertainty and fear prevail. In this week’s… …

ETF Talk: A New Dividend-Driven Schwab Fund

10/26/2011   One of the newest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) currently available to investors is the Schwab U.S. Divided ETF (SCHD). The fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield… …

ETF Talk: Broad-Based Fund Gives Hope

10/19/2011   When the nightly news reports stock market news, you generally are provided with prices for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Index and the NASDAQ Composite. But as savvy investors, we know there… …

ETF Talk: One Man's Junk Could Be Your Treasure

10/12/2011   With markets undergoing a correction in the past few weeks, now is a good time to evaluate sectors that will outperform if we see a recovery from the near-hysteria about the sovereign debt problems in… …

ETF Talk: Going Short in a Big Way

10/05/2011   With negative sentiment reaching all areas of the globe, this week’s ETF Talk highlights one of the ways to profit if the market continues to fall. One of the most volatile equity markets… …

Get Your Red-Hot ETF Report

10/05/2011   We all know by now that the third quarter was a dismal one for equities. And while the selling was fierce in the broad market, it was even more intense in many sector and individual country exchange-traded… …

ETF Talk: Let Uncle Sam Protect You in a Crisis

09/28/2011   When the going gets tough, the tough go for dollars. The PowerShares DB US Dollar Bullish (UUP) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that lets you profit when the value of the U.S. dollar strengthens… …

ETF Talk: Steady-Performing Utilities Shine Again

09/21/2011   One of the best-performing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) this year is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU), up 10.4% year to date. Why is this fund excelling? Well, the fund primarily invests in companies… …

ETF Talk: A Conservative Fund Offers Protection from Big Losses

09/14/2011   With the market’s recent volatility, you may have wondered if there is any place to invest your money in hopes of generating a respectable return that will not leave you vulnerable to a big loss… …

ETF Talk: Buyback Fund Bets on Management

09/07/2011   A sign of confidence is reflected by the management of any company that uses a portion of its available cash to buy back a significant number of the company’s shares on the open market. The… …

ETF Talk: Predicting the Future Profitability

08/31/2011   When the markets are in turmoil, we know that volatility increases. Professional investors will look at the VIX or the Chicago Board Options Exchange’s volatility index, also known as the “Fear… …

ETF Talk: The Path of Least Volatility

08/24/2011   If you want to invest in the equity markets while economic uncertainty dominates the headlines, consider the PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (SPLV). And, if you read and watch market… …

ETF Talk: I've Got a Good TIP for You

08/17/2011   The past few weeks have been quite a wild ride for the equity markets, featuring large swings and a flight to quality. As history has shown us during times of turmoil, investors take cover in the bond… …

ETF Talk: The Strong Taste of the Swiss Franc

08/10/2011   The Swiss franc so far this year has been a welcome refuge from a variety of international economic and debt-related woes. The currency has given investors a rare safe haven from the ravages of debt in… …

ETF Talk: When Times Get Tough, Hug a Bear

08/03/2011   Investors typically like to avoid stocks that are poised to go down, but I am bringing your attention today to an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that is designed to help you to profit from such situations… …

ETF Talk: Fledgling Fund Lets You Invest in the Growth of Smartphones

07/27/2011   Smartphone manufacturing is booming, and a fund already has been launched that is designed to let investors profit from the trend. As long-time followers of my ETF Talk features know, I typically do not… …

Golden Poetry

07/27/2011   “The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson Leave it to a poet to put the issue of investing in gold in such quintessential… …

ETF Talk: Rising Again with Japan

07/20/2011   The SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan Fund (JSC) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that gives you a chance to profit from the Japanese efforts to rebuild from the nation’s recent catastrophes… …

ETF Talk: Bonding with Emerging Markets

07/12/2011   The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasted in June that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth could hit 6.6% this year in developing economies -- roughly three times the growth of advanced economies… …

ETF Talk: Dividend Diversification and Appreciation

07/06/2011   With all of the negative stories in the news -- the U.S. unemployment rate above 9%, the debt ceiling debate, and talk of the dollar losing its status as the world’s reserve currency -- diversification… …

ETF Talk: Biotechnology is Building Buzz

06/29/2011   Even though the stock market has dipped overall so far this month, one of the sectors that I expect to lead a budding resurgence in equities is biotechnology. In fact, I am tracking funds in that promising… …

ETF Talk: Are ETFs too Complicated?

06/22/2011   I recently read an article in the Los Angeles Times that basically argued that most investors don’t understand ETFs. The article cited a survey by Chicago market research firm Mintel that showed… …

ETF Talk: Consider Sweetening Your Portfolio

06/15/2011   Commodities have taken a beating recently, amid news reports about a slowing global economy. However, there are two commodities that show consistently strong demand and are retaining their value fairly… …

ETF Talk: Domestic and Foreign TIPS Hedge Against Inflation

06/09/2011   Inflation-protected bonds offer a good way to hedge your portfolio against rising inflation. When denominated in a foreign currency, index-protected bonds also can cushion you from a falling U.S. dollar… …

ETF Talk: Transportation Funds Could Get Your Portfolio Moving

06/01/2011   The debate on whether the U.S. economy is advancing again rages on, with bulls making the case that a slow and steady recovery remains in place. If the bulls are correct, and the overall economy is recovering,… …

ETF Talk: The Aluminum Alternative

05/25/2011   Just as aluminum is a substitute for more expensive materials in finishing the facades of homes, it also is a viable alternative for investors interested in commodities. While silver is among the commodities… …

ETF Talk: Which Silver ETF Shines the Brightest?

05/18/2011   Despite this month’s massive pullback, silver is a commodity that offers a hedge against inflation and a chance to ride a potential rebound in the price of the shiny metal. It may turn out that… …

My Top ETFs for 2011 Revisited

05/11/2011   One of my presentations here at the Las Vegas MoneyShow is a look at my top ETF selections for 2011. In the past, I’ve identified seven of the best ETFs out there that I think will outperform during… …

ETF Talk: The Basics Revisited

05/04/2011   No matter how much of an expert you’ve become in a particular field, it’s always a good idea to step back and review. When it comes to investing with exchange-traded funds (ETFs), there are… …

ETF Talk: Let Your Portfolio Entertain You

04/27/2011   There’s no denying that the equity markets have been über-resilient of late. Even through the Japanese tsunami and Middle East unrest led to market pullbacks, the trend remains upward. If the… …

ETF Talk: Inject Profits with Biotech

04/20/2011   One of the sectors that I think has the best growth potential right now is biotechnology. There are a number of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that let you invest in biotechnology stocks and I recommended… …

ETF Talk: Gold Shines as an Alternative Investment

04/13/2011   Stocks have shown some vulnerability lately but there is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on a commodity that seems to be in a decided uptrend, even though it pulled back a bit this week. This… …

ETF Talk: Riding Long-Term Treasuries Higher

04/07/2011   For the past few weeks, I’ve given you ways to profit despite the chaos we’ve seen around the globe -- particularly in the Middle East and Japan. Today, I have another investment to highlight… …

ETF Talk: Japan's Comeback Bet

03/30/2011   This week’s ETF Talk expounds on the Japanese crisis and how it could affect you financially. In last week’s ETF Talk, we talked about Japan’s inevitable recovery. As the country begins… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011

03/30/2011   Over the past two months, we’ve talked about the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that make up my top seven list for 2011. Now that our series is complete, I wanted to give you a quick recap on each… …

ETF Talk: A Steely Bet on Japan's Recovery

03/24/2011   As recently devastated Japan ramps up building efforts along with emerging markets in Asia and Latin America, demand for steel will be on the rise. To let you profit from this emerging trend, I found… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part VII

03/16/2011   Over the past six weeks, we’ve talked about the ETFs that make up my top seven list for 2011. Today, we conclude our series, and this time it’s all about a bet against bonds. But before we… …

ETF Talk: Diversifying in Central Europe

03/16/2011   In last week’s ETF Talk, I mentioned the opportunities for investors in emerging markets such as India. This week, I want to introduce you to another exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on a… …

My Top-Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part VI

03/09/2011   During the past five weeks, we’ve talked about the ETFs that make up my top-seven list for 2011. Today, we continue with our series, and this time it’s all about a bet against Europe’s… …

The ETF Price War -- Guess What? You Win!

03/09/2011   ETF issuer Vanguard recently announced that it was slashing costs on a bevy of its fund offerings. The latest move from Vanguard is part of an industry-wide move to cut fees and attract bigger chunks… …

ETF Talk: A Bet on an Indian Turnaround

03/09/2011   If you’d like to get on board the opportunities in emerging markets -- and especially in the fast-growing BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China -- I know of country-specific exchange-traded… …

My Top-Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part V

03/02/2011   Over the past four weeks, we’ve talked about the ETFs that make up my top-seven list for 2011. Today, we continue with our series, and this time it’s all about doubling down on the Dow. But… …

ETF Talk: Profiting from the Commodities Boom

03/02/2011   I want to introduce you to an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that gives you access to commodities that offer an appealing investment opportunity right now. Key reasons for an ongoing surge in commodity prices… …

ETF Talk: A Refreshing Addition to Your Portfolio

02/23/2011   I’ve found an ETF that lets you tap into the growing international demand for products from some of America’s best-known food and beverage companies. The PowerShares Dynamic Food & Beverage… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part IV

02/23/2011   Over the past three weeks, we’ve talked about several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that have made my top-seven for 2011 list. Today, we continue with our special Alert series, and this time, the… …

ETF Talk: Banking on the Financial Sector

02/16/2011   Financials led the U.S. stock market higher on Monday, Feb. 7, and they have been trending upward ever since. Reasons for the resurgence include a string of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, potential… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part III

02/16/2011   Let’s continue now with our special Alert series called, “My Top Seven ETFs for 2011.” Each week, I’ll be letting you in on the ETFs that I think are best positioned to perform… …

ETF Talk: You Can Profit from the Egyptian Crisis

02/09/2011   Stories and images of the Egyptian uprising have flooded our television screens and newspapers. As we wait anxiously for the outcome of the revolt in this authoritarian state, there is a way to attempt… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part II

02/09/2011   We began a special Alert series last week called, “My Top Seven ETFs for 2011.” Each week, I’ll be reporting about the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that I think are best positioned to… …

ETF Talk: Riding the S&P 500 Roller Coaster to New Heights

02/02/2011   I want to introduce you this week to two exchange-traded funds (ETFs), launched by ProShares on Jan. 4, that allow you to hedge against the kinds of big market swings that occurred last year. The first… …

My Top Seven ETFs for 2011 -- Part I

02/02/2011   Today, I’m starting a special Alert series I call, “My Top Seven ETFs for 2011.” Each week, I’ll be telling you about a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) that I think is well positioned… …

ETF Talk: Eyeing a Food-Fueled Fund

01/26/2011   You may have noticed price hikes in the grocery aisles lately for a number of the goods that you buy regularly, particularly sugar, meat and coffee. The rise in food prices has been driven by a combination… …

Are ETFs Really That Complicated?

01/19/2011   I recently read an article in the Los Angeles Times that basically argued that most investors don’t understand ETFs. The article cited a survey by Chicago market research firm Mintel that showed… …

ETF Talk: Choose One and You're Done

01/19/2011   The universe of ETFs has been growing rapidly since their introduction to the investing world in 1993. At last count, the total is 911 funds -- 827 ETFs and 84 exchange-traded notes (ETNs) -- that cover… …

ETF Talk: New ETN Follows Fabian Plan Strategy

01/12/2011   If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, do not be surprised if today’s ETF Talk reveals a hint of pride as I describe a fund that seems designed to follow the trend-tracking strategy… …

Get Your Year-End ETF Report

01/05/2011   Want to know which ETFs led the market higher in 2010? Want to find out which ETFs crashed and burned last year? Do you want a comprehensive list of all U.S.-listed ETFs? Then you’re in luck! Our… …

ETF Talk: What the Bleep Are Rare-Earth Metals?

01/05/2011   The Chinese government is taking steps that are driving up the prices of rare-earth metals and creating an opportunity for investors who are willing to take a risk. Indeed, I am watching a fast-rising… …

ETF Talk: Rising Oil Prices Offer Investment Gift

12/22/2010   Motorists driving to visit family and friends this holiday season may not like rising oil prices, but the trend does provide investors with another way to profit. Oil is among the commodities that have… …

ETF Talk: Small-Cap Fund Notches Big Returns

12/15/2010   One of the best ways to turn a handsome profit through U.S. stocks during the past year has been through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that invests in the Russell 2000. The iShares Russell 2000 Index… …

10 Best & 10 Worst ETFs of the Year

12/15/2010   I’ve called 2010 the “year of volatility” for stocks, as we’ve been witness to some huge price swings in the market during the past dozen months. This year, however, the market… …

ETF Talk: Retail Offers Investors a Holiday Gift

12/08/2010   With Christmas approaching, the buying behavior of shoppers so far shows that they are hitting the stores and opening their wallets. With robust November retail sales, I am eyeing an exchange-traded fund… …

ETF Talk: Eyeing Dividends to Cushion Volatility

12/01/2010   The recent volatility in the stock market may be a little worrisome to you, but one of my currently recommended exchange-traded funds (ETF) is producing gains from both capital appreciation and dividend… …

ETF Talk: China Offers a Tempting Short Trade

11/23/2010   If you think that the Chinese government’s recent moves to cool its economy will persist and cause stocks there to drop further, you may want to short the Chinese market through an exchange-traded… …

ETF Talk: Seeking to Profit from Weakening Treasuries

11/17/2010   The Fed’s recent decision to buy $600 billion in Treasury bonds gave the stock market at least a short-term boost and opened the path for investors to profit outside of buying equities. Yesterday’s… …

ETF Talk: Unveiling a Basket Full of Glitter

11/10/2010   More and more, investors are trying to protect themselves from market volatility. With the Fed’s recent commitment to buy $600 billion in Treasury bonds, inflationary expectations are rising along… …

ETF Talk: Copper Is Shining Brightly

11/03/2010   Soaring prices for gold and silver have led to speculation that metals such as copper could follow suit. If so, a proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) solely devoted to copper might be worth your consideration,… …

ETF Talk: Is China Ripe for Investment Again?

10/27/2010   China is one of the most tempting markets in the world but it also carries big risk. The country’s enormous population of more than 1.3 billion people and gross domestic product growth of close… …

ETF Talk: Technology Offers a Smart Investment

10/20/2010   Technology stocks have been rising sharply recently and they appear to have momentum to climb even further. Innovation is one of the reasons why this sector has the potential for a continued ascent, even… …

ETF Talk: Readying a Leveraged Short Play

10/13/2010   The stock market is in the unusual situation of rising in response to bad news. I personally have my doubts about how much longer this odd trend can continue. For those of you who want to be able to profit… …

ETF Talk: New Commodity Index Fund Offers Market Alternative

10/06/2010   Commodity investing traditionally has been a challenge for individuals to pursue, but a new ETF has rolled out as a user-friendly alternative to what has been available in the past. The United States… …

ETF Talk: A Preferred Way to Profit

09/29/2010   The stock market’s recent rise has me watching an equity fund that invests in preferred stocks. The S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index Fund (PFF) seeks investment results that track the S&P… …

ETF Talk: Exploring Emerging Market Opportunities

09/22/2010   Every once in a while, I like to highlight a recommendation that I am making in one of my paid services to showcase a broad market trend that is worth bringing to your attention. While the U.S. stock… …

ETF Talk: Eyeing a Sweet New Kiwi Fund

09/15/2010   I have a new fund to share with you today. It is the iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (ENZL), the first-ever pure play exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering exposure to New Zealand… …

ETF Talk: Benefiting from Mergers and Acquisitions

09/08/2010   I love when a stock that I own soars in value because an announcement has just been made that it will be acquired by a deep-pocketed new owner. Of course, such situations only occur rarely for individual… …

ETF Talk: Germany Is Leading Europe's Recovery

09/01/2010   News coming out of Europe has been pretty bleak this year, to say the least. As if Greece’s debt woes weren’t bad enough, dismal news from Ireland, Portugal and Spain (the so-called PIGS)… …

ETF Talk: Following the Trail of Frontier Markets

08/25/2010   Seeking new frontiers with your investment portfolio? Then why not take a trip to a select group of emerging markets offering refuge from the recent slide in most global markets? It may surprise you,… …

Radio Show Update: 7 Secrets for ETF Investors

08/18/2010   In our most recent radio show, we talked about the dangers inherent in municipal bonds, and how a blowup in some remote municipality could result in a decline in all municipal bonds. We also discussed… …

ETF Talk: Global Fund Offers Enticing Dividend Yields

08/18/2010   With the world’s stock markets showing weakness recently, one strategy for investors to cushion the fall and still allow for the potential of capital appreciation is to invest in dividend-paying… …

ETF Talk: Using Technology to Overcome Economic Weakness

08/11/2010   I am fast becoming a fan of technology as an investment opportunity. When I read the headline for the Aug. 4 lead story in The Wall Street Journal, it confirmed my view that technology is a sector that… …

ETF Talk: Consumer Staples Offer Growth Opportunity

08/04/2010   Bullish market signals, combined with a weakening economy, complicate investing decisions; however, I do have an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that you may want to consider. This fund tracks companies that… …

ETF Talk: Eyeing Indonesia

07/28/2010   The Indonesian equity market ranked as one of the best-performing markets in the world through the first half of 2010. Van Eck's Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (IDX), a fund designed to track the Indonesian… …

ETF Talk: Finding Profits in Thailand

07/21/2010   Even though equities have been retreating in much of the world, there are markets in Asia that have fared well so far in 2010. Not only have I noticed the trend, but I have my eye on several country-specific… …

ETF Talk: Resilient Malaysia Outperforms Bigger Markets

07/14/2010   While equities have been retreating in much of the world, there are markets in Asia that have fared well so far in 2010. Not only have I noticed the trend, but I have my eye on several country-specific… …

ETF Talk: Hail the Safety of Long-Term Treasury Bonds

07/07/2010   The stock market’s volatility is enough to make any investor a bit cautious. You can go long or go short but the daily gyrations of the market are enough to make even the riskiest investing personality… …

ETF Talk: Hitting a Gold Streak

06/30/2010   Gold is one of the most enticing investments in the world right now. The price of the yellow metal hit a record high this month, and each short-term pullback has been followed by a new advance. The upward… …

ETF Talk: Is the Promise of Telecommunications Falling Short?

06/23/2010   The latest cell-phone innovations and the expanding number of applications available to users are gaining my attention as an investor. What also is on my mind is that the telecommunications company that… …

On ETFs and the 'Flash Crash'

06/23/2010   On May 6, the market experienced something it really never has seen before. The huge “flash crash” that caused the Dow to swing more than 1,000 points in a little more than an hour represented… …

ETF Talk: Ripening Real Estate Recovery?

06/16/2010   Real estate was hit hard during the recession, and the recovery of real estate prices has been shaky at best. Economic problems continue putting pressure on the sector, and an unexpected drop in May’s… …

ETF Talk: Watching for Further Declines in China

06/09/2010   China offers both promise and risk. A key to investing often is to steer clear of markets when other investors become overly enamored with them and to look for a better time to buy. The advent of exchange-traded… …

Get Your Monthly ETF Intelligence Report Today

06/02/2010   As regular readers of the Alert know, I am a huge fan of ETFs. An ETF is like a virtual basket of stocks that usually tracks a specific index or sector. To put it another way, ETFs are like a homologous… …

ETF Talk: Profiting from the Fall of Financials

06/02/2010   The idea behind shorting equities is to profit when their prices are falling. Since markets tend to rise historically, you need to pick your spots for shorting carefully. The challenge, of course, is… …

ETF Talk: Go Intermediate Treasury Bonds!

05/26/2010   A fall below 10,000 this week in the Dow Jones Industrial Average -- before Tuesday’s late-afternoon rally -- shows that equities are on shaky ground right now. But in my experience, there’s… …

ETF Talk: Taking a Crude Path

05/19/2010   The devastating oil spill off of the Louisiana coast has been followed by declining oil prices and increasing questions among investors about the future direction of the commodity. However, the oil spill… …

ETF Talk: Is the Fund Down Under Ready to Rise Again?

05/12/2010   The market’s recent pullback could be considered a buying opportunity if you expect the trend in emerging markets to reverse and resume their bullish ways. One region that might be worth looking… …

ETF Talk: A Retail Ray of Light

05/05/2010   The stock market’s striking decline in recent days does not mean that investors have no place to take advantage of an economic rebound. One of the most likely sectors to attain sustained growth… …

ETF Talk: Are Airlines Ready to Climb?

04/28/2010   Airlines and their related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recently got a boost, as they hit 52-week highs, given lift by the broader market rally. The recent Icelandic volcano eruption kept European flights… …

The Top 10 Income ETFs

04/21/2010   In a recent radio show broadcast, I offered my listeners a free special report, “The Top 10 Fixed-Income ETFs for 2010.” I made this report available for free, because I believe most fixed-income… …

ETF Talk: What Goes up Must Come Down

04/21/2010   I expect a short-term market retreat in the near future that could produce a nice opportunity to turn quick profits by taking short positions. Of course, any decision to go short should not be taken lightly,… …

ETF Talk: Ready to Ride Banking's Rebound?

04/14/2010   Rising interest rates usually help banks increase the spread between the amount that they pay for deposits and what they can charge for loans. It is one of the reasons why banks that are not hamstrung… …

ETF Talk: Asian Fund 'Chips' Its Way toward Further Gains

04/07/2010   With many markets around the world still on the rise, you may be able to grab some quick profits by taking a stake in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that features a strongly performing anchor stock. The… …

ETF Talk: Looking Beyond Emerging-Market Debt

03/31/2010   While the United States and much of the Western world struggle with an anemic economy, a number of emerging-market economies are among the world’s largest and fastest growing. Although the news… …

ETF Talk: The Potential Silver Lining of ObamaCare (XLV)

03/24/2010   After months and months of debates, gridlock and uncertainty, President Obama signed into law his coveted health-care overhaul, “ObamaCare,” with implications for you and your investment portfolio… …

ETF Talk: Is It a China Miracle or a Mirage?

03/17/2010   The promise of the Chinese market is both alluring and foreboding at the same time. It is enticing due to the country’s estimated average 9.3% economic growth rate for the past 25 years, 1.3-billion… …

ETF Talk: It's Time to Talk Turkey

03/10/2010   If you’re anything like me, you enjoy turkey at Thanksgiving. But my sights at this time of the year now are set on the country of Turkey, which is offering what could be an appetizing investment… …

ETF Talk: New Fund of Funds Focuses on High Yields

03/03/2010   High-yield investments include heightened risk but one way to mitigate potential fallout is through diversification. A new “fund of funds” ETF now is available that offers diversification… …

ETF Talk: Eastern Europe Offers Potential Escape Route

02/24/2010   Years ago, people risked their lives to escape from the tyranny of the former Soviet bloc countries. Now, those same nations may prove to be an effective place for investors to flee from the debt problems… …

ETF Talk: Europe's Worrisome Debt

02/17/2010   Greece’s fiscal woes have dominated the news in recent weeks but what you may not know is how to profit from the news. Although the European Union has promised to address the situation, Greece is… …

ETF Talk: Let's Get Back to Basics

02/09/2010   I thought that this week we should review some of the basic "rules" behind investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). I have been touting ETFs as excellent investment growth vehicles, but anything… …

ETF Talk: Not Your Father's Precious Metals -- Part II

02/03/2010   The rollout of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on precious metals other than gold and silver is well worth bringing to your attention. Last week, I featured a fund that invests in platinum and this… …

ETF Talk: Not Your Father’s Precious Metals -- Part I

01/27/2010   Precious metals such as gold and silver have enjoyed a strong move higher in recent months, so the roll out of two new funds focused on other precious metals is worth highlighting. I like funds to establish… …

ETF Talk: Is Energy Running out of Steam?

01/20/2010   With the energy sector exhibiting a second-straight year of weakened demand, the situation could be appealing to investors who may be willing to short utilities in a search for quick profits. Exchange-traded… …

ETF Talk: Investing with the Strength of Steel

01/13/2010   As we usher in a new year, the economy is projected to improve from the doldrums of 2009. One way to ride the expected economic turnaround this year is to invest in steel. Savvy investors can invest in… …

The List Is in -- Get Your ETF Report Now

01/06/2010   The list is in, and it’s time you got your copy. I am talking here about the final ETF Report of the year -- a report that contains both the fourth-quarter performance, and the full-year performance… …

ETF Talk: Municipal Bonds Offer a Conservative Way to Profit

01/06/2010   With the Fed focused on keeping its zero-interest rate policy intact as we enter 2010, conservative bond funds are gaining appeal. Such ETFs offer a way to add balance to equity-leaning portfolios, and… …

ETF Talk: Profiting from the Falling Euro

12/30/2009   Investors who like to profit from well-timed currency investments may want to consider betting against a weakening euro. Indeed, the U.S. dollar rallied overnight and pushed the euro down today as U.S… …

ETF Talk: Oh, How I Love Thee

12/23/2009   Subscribers to my investment newsletters and trading services know about my passion for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Over the past year, I have provided you with features relevant to investors who are… …

ETF Investing --- What You Need to Hear

12/16/2009   The world of ETFs keeps getting better and better. We now can invest in almost any asset class, currency or country in the world with just a few clicks of a mouse. But to use ETFs properly, you have to… …

ETF Talk: Betting on the Buck

12/16/2009   The U.S. dollar had been getting hammered for much of the past year, but recent debt problems in Europe are giving the greenback a lift. Fortunately, there are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that you can… …

ETF Talk: SPY Offers Investment Intrigue

12/09/2009   The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has an attention-grabbing ticker, but the broad market stock fund’s mission is no mystery. This exchange-traded fund (ETF) is designed to track the performance of the… …

ETF Investing Strategies -- What You Need to Hear

12/02/2009   The world of ETFs keeps getting better and better. We now can invest in almost any asset class, currency or country in the world with just a few clicks of a mouse. But in order to use ETFs properly, you… …

ETF Talk: Emerging Markets Present Big Opportunities, Risks

12/02/2009   Emerging markets typically offer the greatest opportunities -- and the most risk. If you have tracked the markets closely in just the past week, you likely noticed sizable one-day swings up and down largely… …

ETF Talk: Does the Yen Offer a Safe Haven?

11/25/2009   If you are concerned that the stock market’s rise in recent months could be running out of steam, you may want to consider protecting yourself by making a short-term investment in a stable foreign… …

ETF Talk: Striking Black Gold

11/18/2009   The continued weakening of the U.S. dollar could spur a mini-gusher for investors looking to profit from oil. Also known as black gold, oil is among the commodities that tend to be inversely related to… …

ETF Talk: 'Pure Play' Funds Target Texas and Oklahoma

11/11/2009   The term "pure play" commonly is used to describe investing in an individual sector or a region. Two new funds, rolled out in the past couple of weeks, give investors a chance to target… …

ETF Talk: Profit with the Right Materials

11/04/2009   The government-subsidized, 3.5% third-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) announced last week may or may not be a true indicator that the economy is turning around. But if the recovery… …

ETF Talk: Is Real Estate Really the Land of Opportunity?

10/28/2009   It remains to be seen whether a tepid recovery of the housing market now starting to take shape can be maintained. The good news for investors is that there are two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that allow… …

ETF Talk: Shorting Financials

10/21/2009   Financial stocks endured a battering during the credit crisis before a number of them started to recover in recent months. If you're like me, you're probably wondering if that trend will continue. You… …

ETF Talk : Forecasting a Dollar Turnaround

10/14/2009   The value of the U.S. dollar has been hammered in recent months, and observers -- me included -- feel that the greenback's decline is bound to run out of steam sooner rather than later. When this happens,… …

ETF Talk: Watching the Dip in Biotech

10/08/2009   An open question is what effect President Obama's health-care plan will have on biotechnology companies. There are no guarantees that provisions of the proposal that aim to increase research funding and… …

Get Your Q3 Intelligence Report Now

09/30/2009   As regular readers of the Alert know, I am a huge fan of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An ETF is like a virtual basket of stocks that usually tracks a specific index or sector. To put it another… …

ETF Talk: Feeling a Global Sugar High

09/16/2009   For the first time in 28 years, sugar prices have topped 21 cents per pound. That's an 88% increase year-to-date! If that isn't sweet enough, some analysts are projecting that the price of sugar could… …

Seven Secrets of Success for ETF Investors 3

09/16/2009   I recently returned home from a fantastic trip to San Francisco, where I gave several presentations to attendees of the Money Show. I must say that this year's show was not only well attended, but most… …

ETF Talk: A Return to Bargain Buying

09/09/2009   We've been hearing news that the worst of the recession may be over. This optimistic view was fueled by a push in the S&P 500 above the psychologically significant 1,000 mark, and by reports from… …

Seven Secrets of Success for ETF Investors

09/09/2009   I just returned home from a fantastic trip to San Francisco, where I gave several presentations to attendees of the Money Show. I must say that this year's show was not only well attended, but most of… …

Four ETF Strategies for a Dollar Crisis

09/09/2009   I've never been the kind of guy who responds well to scare tactics. In fact, it takes a lot for me to start climbing the wall of worry. So when I tell you that I am worried about what I think is a looming,… …

Seven Secrets of Success for ETF Investors 4

09/02/2009   I just returned home from a fantastic trip to San Francisco, where I gave several presentations to attendees of the Money Show. I must say that this year's show was not only well attended, but most of… …

ETF Talk: A Technology Buzz

09/02/2009   Technology has advanced enormously, compared with just ten years ago. Just consider how much people rely on cell phones and use a growing number of tech-savvy applications. Such devices now let users… …

Seven Secrets of Success for ETF Investors 2

08/26/2009   I just returned home from a fantastic trip to San Francisco, where I gave several presentations to attendees of the Money Show. I must say that this year's show was not only well attended, but most of… …

ETF Talk: I'm Hungry!

08/26/2009   The recession has forced people to reevaluate many facets of their lives. Things such as a steady job, luxury goods, and a comfortable lifestyle should not be taken for granted by anyone. While people… …

ETF Talk: Polishing up Silver

08/19/2009   With inflation fears weighing on many investors' minds during recent months, gold has become a useful hedge. But silver's performance this summer proves that gold is not the only way to invest profitably… …

ETF Talk: The Song of Singapore

08/12/2009   Singapore's economic outlook is not as rosy as a number of other Asian countries that are starting to see a recovery. However, the region's budding rebound sooner or later could help to pull Singapore's… …

ETF Talk: Why I Love Exchange-Traded Funds

08/05/2009   Subscribers to my investment newsletters and trading services know about my passion for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). During the past several months, I have provided you with features relevant to investors… …

ETF Talk: Seeking a Gusher in Oil

07/29/2009   The price of oil and gas is on the rise again. But oil has exhibited wide price swings both up and down during the past year that make predicting its future moves a bit dicey. If you feel like you've… …

ETF Talk: Commodities -- The Population Play

07/22/2009   As investors, one of our responsibilities is to pay close attention to the key trends affecting the global economy. One of those trends is an increasing worldwide population. Actual population growth,… …

ETF Talk: Learning to Love Leverage

07/15/2009   If you want to maximize the return from making a wise investment in an exchange-traded fund, then you soon may love the leveraged funds that Direxion has rolled out. Direxion launched eight ETFs during… …

ETF Talk: Is It Time for the Nuclear Option?

07/08/2009   For 30 years, no shovelful of soil was turned to construct a nuclear plant in the United States until 2006, when groundbreaking occurred for the National Enrichment facility in New Mexico. With elected… …

ETF Talk: Profiting from PIMCO

06/24/2009   Treasury bonds, traditionally viewed as a safe haven for investors, have become what I think may be the last, big bubble in the market. With the Obama administration offering nearly $2 trillion in Treasury… …

What is an ETF?

06/17/2009   I am constantly being bombarded with questions about exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Basic inquiries such as just what ETFs are, how they work and how they can be used in an investment portfolio are some… …

What is an ETF? 2

06/10/2009   I am constantly being bombarded with questions about exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Basic inquiries such as just what ETFs are, how they work and how they can be used in an investment portfolio are some… …

ETF Talk: Sunny Side Up

06/10/2009   The sun brings forth incredible heat that warms, illuminates and energizes our planet. With the Obama administration becoming a powerful advocate for a strategy of increased use of alternative energy… …

ETF Talk: A New Way to Invest in Hedge Funds

05/20/2009   The market crash of 2008 was disastrous for most private investors, mutual funds, brokerage accounts and 401(k)s -- but not for certain well-managed hedge funds. Indeed, individual hedge funds defied… …

ETF Talk: Can Chile Spice Up Your Portfolio?

05/13/2009   While I still believe that we are in the midst of a bear market rally, there are plenty of ways to generate profits during this period of unprecedented market volatility. Despite the 33% rally in the… …

ETF Talk: Unveiling Triple Leveraged Treasuries

05/06/2009   Since World War I, buying U.S. Treasury bonds has been one of the surest, safest and most popular bets an investor could make. In almost every recession, as stocks fall, shrewd investors turn to the safety… …

ETF Talk: Do You Have Nerves of Steel?

04/29/2009   The strength of steel is so renowned that it often is used metaphorically to describe unwavering soundness. At the same time, steel is a key input in the manufacturing of cars, buildings and household… …

ETF Talk: Is the Health Sector a Cure For Market Sickness?

04/22/2009   I am sympathetic toward any investors who may feel a little ill when looking at their beaten-down investment portfolios. Since the market's stomach-churning plunge last October and its subsequent volatility,… …

ETF Talk: Are Solar ETFs Heating Up?

04/15/2009   The sun brings forth incredible heat that warms, illuminates and energizes our planet. With the Obama administration becoming a powerful advocate for a strategy of increased use of alternative energy… …

ETF Talk: Beating Bear Markets

04/08/2009   Millions of people have seen their 401(k)s, IRAs and stock market portfolios hammered by the current bear market. As the S&P 500 and the Dow slid further and further last year, many investors flocked… …

ETFs: Please Drink Responsibly

04/08/2009   I've read a lot of bad press lately regarding ETFs, and in particular levered ETFs. There seems to be a backlash on the use of volatile, levered ETFs as a way to build long-term wealth. Well, to this… …

ETF Talk: Is the Latest Financial Stock Rally Sustainable?

04/01/2009   Recent rallies in the stock market and reports of profits at Citigroup and Bank of America during the first two months of the year are positive signs for financial stocks. However, it still may be premature… …

ETFs: Please Drink Responsibly 2

04/01/2009   I've read a lot of bad press lately regarding ETFs, and particularly levered ETFs. There seems to be a backlash on the use of volatile, levered ETFs as a way to build long-term wealth. Well, to this sentiment… …

Protect Your Portfolio Now with Short ETFs

03/25/2009   By Nathan Slaughter, Editor, The ETF Authority With the market rebounding sharply in recent days, now may be an opportune time to revisit an investment vehicle that produced incredible returns during… …

ETF Talk: Is China's Great Wall of Growth Showing Cracks?

03/18/2009   For the last 30 years, the economy that has achieved the fastest and most consistent growth in the world may well be China's. Despite the current global recession, the Chinese economy still grew 9.8%… …

ETF Talk: Are We Seeing a New, Economic Iron Curtain?

03/11/2009   If you watch CNN, MSNBC and other news channels regularly, you might think that the American economy was on the brink of total collapse. As bad as the 3.8% contraction of the U.S. economy in the fourth… …

ETF Talk: Treading Treacherous Waters for Dividends

03/04/2009   Dividends are a great way to earn some extra income. You also can grow your principal through capital appreciation with good dividend-paying equities. One way to gain both of these benefits is through… …

ETF Talk: Hungry for Profits?

02/25/2009   The ongoing recession has forced people to reevaluate many facets of their lives. Things such as a steady job, luxury goods, and a comfortable lifestyle should not be taken for granted by anyone. While… …

ETF Talk: Is Retail Out of Style?

02/18/2009   Consumer spending always is a key factor in economic growth. Economists tell us that consumers account for nearly 70% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). In light of the current economic situation,… …

ETF Talk: Is It Time for the Nuclear Option? 2

02/11/2009   For 30 years, no shovelful of soil was turned to construct a nuclear plant in the United States until 2006 when groundbreaking occurred for the National Enrichment facility in New Mexico. With elected… …

ETF Talk: Is the Boom in Treasuries About to Bust?

02/04/2009   The U.S. national debt is more than $5 trillion and those of us who pay taxes are on the hook for it. To give you an idea about the gargantuan U.S. debt load, the government owes its creditors more money… …

ETF Talk: Change We Can Believe in for 401(k)s

01/28/2009   Although exchange-traded-funds (ETFs) are finding their way into the portfolios of many investors, they have yet to make much headway in 401(k) retirement plans. But that situation could start to change… …

ETF Report 2008 -- The Final Results Aren't Pretty 2

01/28/2009   As you might expect, the final performance results for most ETFs in 2008 wasn't very pretty. In fact, it was downright coyote ugly! Interestingly, despite the tremendous bear market in 2008, the number… …

ETF Trader Ranked No. 4 in 20010

01/28/2009   The Hulbert Financial Digest just published its list of the Top 10 performing newsletters of 2008, and I am proud to report that my ETF Trader advisory service came in fourth overall! Our total return… …

ETF Talk: Why I Love Exchange-Traded Funds 2

01/21/2009   Subscribers to my investment newsletters and trading services know about my passion for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). During the past several months, I have provided you with features relevant to investors… …

ETF Report 2008 -- The Final Results Aren’t Pretty

01/21/2009   As you might expect, the final performance results for most ETFs in 2008 wasn't very pretty. In fact, it was downright coyote ugly! Interestingly, despite the tremendous bear market in 2008, the number… …

ETF Trader Ranked No. 4 in 20011

01/21/2009   The Hulbert Financial Digest recently published its list of the Top 10 performing newsletters of 2008, and I am proud to report that my ETF Trader advisory service came in fourth overall! Our total return… …

ETF Report 2008 -- The Final Results Aren't Pretty

01/14/2009   As you might expect, the final performance results for most ETFs in 2008 wasn't very pretty. In fact, it was downright coyote ugly! Interestingly, despite the tremendous bear market in 2008, the number… …

ETF Trader Ranked No. 4 in 2008

01/14/2009   The Hulbert Financial Digest just published its list of the Top 10 performing newsletters of 2008, and I am proud to report that my ETF Trader advisory service came in fourth overall! Our total return… …

ETF Trader Ranked No. 4 in 2009

01/07/2009   The Hulbert Financial Digest just published its list of the Top 10 performing newsletters of 2008, and I am proud to report that my ETF Trader advisory service came in fourth overall! Our +13.2% total… …

ETF Talk: Munis to the Rescue?

01/07/2009   As the economy slows, one reasonably safe sector that you may want to consider is municipal "muni" bonds. Muni bonds are issued by cities, states and other local governments to raise money for… …

ETF Trader Ranked No. 4 in 20012

12/31/2008   The Hulbert Financial Digest just published its list of the Top 10 performing newsletters of 2008, and I am proud to report that my ETF Trader advisory service came in fourth overall! Our total return… …

ETF Talk: OPEC Fails to Stem Falling Prices

12/24/2008   The Dec. 17 decision by OPEC to slash its daily oil production output by 2.2 million barrels a day failed to stop the downward slide in prices. The move does show that OPEC nations are banding together… …

ETF Talk: Back to Basics

12/10/2008   I thought that this week we should review some of the basic "rules" behind investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). I have been touting ETFs as excellent investment growth vehicles, but anything… …

ETF Talk: Your Passport to Diversification

12/03/2008   The same advantages of broad-based market funds that I shared in last week's ETF Talk also extend to international funds. Both kinds of ETFs provide diversification, low expense ratios, trading flexibility… …

ETF Talk: Funds That "Bogle" The Mind

11/28/2008   With the U.S. political landscape changing, the economy slumping badly and the auto industry seeking a share of the government's $700 billion financial industry bailout money, it is almost impossible… …

ETF Talk: Watch Out for Capital Gains in Your Mutual Funds

11/19/2008   Consider taking cover if you hold any mutual funds in taxable accounts. Many mutual funds that absorbed big losses still will incur significant capital gains for the 2008 tax year. Those capital gains… …

ETF Talk: Stop Losses and Avoiding Freefalls

11/12/2008   You and probably every other investor in the world right now are concerned about avoiding big losses in the equity markets. It certainly is understandable, in light of the big pullbacks in markets virtually… …

ETF Talk: Going Short Goes Mainstream

11/05/2008   Going short in the stock market once was something that only sophisticated investors felt comfortable doing. However, the advent of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now lets mainstream investors take short… …

ETF Talk: Clearing Up the Mystery of Mispriced Funds

10/29/2008   As much as I like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), I frown when they become mispriced. This happens when the market price of an index ETF is different from its underlying net asset value (NAV). If an investor… …

ETF Talk: Is Gold Going to Glitter Soon?

10/22/2008   With the Fed loosening the money spigot through interest rate cuts and other monetary tools, inflation is becoming more of a concern for investors. When that happens, gold often becomes a safe haven investment… …

ETF Talk: Revealing Fund Flaws

10/15/2008   Subscribers to my investment newsletters and trading services know about my passion for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). During the past several months, I have provided you with features aimed at helping… …

ETF Talk: Hot Shorts and Cold Longs

10/08/2008   Every quarter the Fabian team updates the performance of the existing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the most recent results are bleak. The latest findings through Sept. 30 indicate that the ETFs performing… …

ETF Talk: Looking Beyond the Latest Market Plunge

10/01/2008   Monday's 777-point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average followed by yesterday's 485-point rebound shows that the market is offering no clear direction. With media attention focused on the fallout… …

ETF Talk: The Income and the Risk of High-yield Bonds

09/24/2008   Volatility in the equity markets has been causing bonds to appear particularly enticing lately. Two weeks ago, I wrote about exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that use one of the safest investments, Treasury-only… …

ETF Talk: Presidential Election Plays

09/17/2008   It's decision time again. Every four years, America goes into election mode and the consequences of choosing a new president always have repercussions for the economy and for investors. But perhaps more… …

ETF Talk: Bonding Toward Safety

09/10/2008   Tuesday's huge drop in stocks and big spike higher in bonds should serve as a reminder that when it comes to volatile markets, bonds, not stocks, are often the better choice. In fact, during periods of… …

ETF Talk: Sailing the SEA of Opportunity

09/03/2008   This week's ETF Talk features the brand new Claymore/Delta Global Shipping ETF (SEA), the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) of its kind to offer investors a cost-efficient way to gain access to the transportation… …

ETF Talk: Strategies for A Difficult Market

08/27/2008   Some pundits are saying that we are in a recession; others call it a mere economic slowdown. In my opinion, what difference does this technical distinction make to you? The one thing everyone agrees on,… …

ETF Talk: Out of Africa

08/20/2008   The headline above may make you recall the classic movie "Out of Africa." But even if you're not a film buff, you need to know that Africa now has become a region with growing appeal for its… …

ETF Talk -- Terminology 101

08/13/2008   During the past several months, I have provided my ETF Talk readers with features aimed at identifying new funds, key sectors and important trends. I also like to go back to the basics once in awhile… …

ETF Strategies in a Difficult Market

08/13/2008   Some pundits are saying that we are in a recession; others call it a mere economic slowdown. The answer, in my opinion, is what difference does this technical distinction make to you? The one thing everyone… …

ETF Talk: Edouard Spares U.S. Natural Gas Supply

08/06/2008   History offers important lessons if we remember what happened in the past and use the information to our advantage. Tropical Storm Edouard offered the latest example of that adage in the natural gas sector… …

ETF Talk: Mining the Middle East for Dividends

07/30/2008   When the stock market is trending downward, it is difficult to know what to do. Amid the uncertainty is the proven benefit of owning dividend-paying stocks. Sure, the share prices of such stocks and equity… …

ETF Talk: Sectors Suffer Along with the Market

07/23/2008   Anyone who has invested in the stock market so far this year is probably feeling wounded from the losses. Investors following my Successful Investing advisory service have been guided to areas of relative… …

ETF Talk: Why I Love Exchange-Traded Funds 3

07/16/2008   Subscribers to my investment newsletters and trading services know about my passion for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). During the past several months, I have provided you with features relevant to investors… …

ETF Talk: The Rise of ETNs

07/09/2008   One of the greatest satisfactions that I receive is from highlighting key investment trends and passing them along to you before the rest of the investing world discovers them. A key development that… …

ETF Talk: Knowing Your Options

07/02/2008   Savvy investors have long taken advantage of the remarkable profits that options can produce in their investment portfolios. But what you may not know is that investing in options is now as easy as choosing… …

ETF Talk: Braving Frontier Markets

06/25/2008   When most American investors hear the word "frontier," they might be more likely to think about the Wild West than their investment portfolios and ETFs. That's why you may be surprised to learn… …

ETF Talk: Rydex Raises The Ante

06/18/2008   Investors who want alternatives to going long in stocks or equity-based ETFs, and are willing to take a gamble, now have eight new funds to consider. Rydex Investments began offering shares of the new… …

ETF Talk: Going Green Follow-Up

06/11/2008   Last month, I introduced you to what has become one of the hottest, most talked about exchange-traded fund (ETF) sectors -- green ETFs. As many of you already know, I live in California, and around here… …

ETF Talk: Socially Responsible Investing -- Ixnay on Vice

06/04/2008   I have a soft spot in my heart for people who want to invest in socially responsible ways. Life is short and we have limited opportunities to make a difference in this world before our time on earth is… …

ETF Talk: The Rise of The Raj

05/28/2008   In the inaugural ETF Talk feature on Feb. 27, I highlighted the tremendous, money-making possibilities of India, one of the world's most culturally rich, emerging market powerhouses. Back then, I wrote… …

Preaching The ETF Gospel 2

05/21/2008   You've probably heard that old saying, "To know me is to love me." Well, I am in no way vain enough to say that about myself, but I will change that old saying in a way that does apply to me… …

ETF Talk: Dialing For Dollars With Currency ETFs

05/21/2008   Anybody who's ever invested money in the financial markets has probably received an unsolicited call from a stockbroker trying to get him or her to open up an account with that broker's firm. This common… …

Preaching The ETF Gospel

05/14/2008   You've probably heard that old saying, "To know me is to love me." Well, I am in no way vain enough to say that about myself, but I will change that old saying in a way that does apply to me… …

ETF Talk: Actively Managed ETFs

05/07/2008   Active management used to be the exclusive province of the mutual fund industry, but thanks to some new exchange-traded funds (ETFs), those days of exclusivity are over. Actively managed mutual funds… …

ETF Talk: Avoid the Tax Trap of Commodity ETFs

04/30/2008   Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a great way to gain diversification and reduce money management costs that otherwise would cut the value of your holdings. But onerous tax problems have hit investors… …

ETF Talk: A Big, Fiery Ball of Profits

04/23/2008   It seems everywhere you look lately there are media headlines warning about a looming environmental crisis. We read about the need to "go green," and seriously begin thinking about alternative… …

ETF Talk: Real Estate ETFs

04/17/2008   ETF Talk has delivered key facts to you during the past couple of months about exchange-traded fund (ETF) sectors that range from some of the world's most precious resources -- from agriculture and precious… …

ETF Talk: Providing For The Common Defense

04/09/2008   I absolutely love exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and I use them almost exclusively in my own investment portfolio. This week, I am going to provide you with a quick reference guide to help you instantly… …

ETF Talk: It’s All So Very Precious

04/02/2008   At least the gains were precious while they lasted. The precious metals sector seemed to have been a safe haven from the downward trend in stock prices until recently. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that… …

ETF Talk: A Fist Full of Dollars

03/26/2008   The U.S. dollar is down, down, down, and the greenback continues declining to unprecedented lows against the euro and other foreign currencies. Indeed, the dollar has fallen against most of the major… …

ETF Talk: Water, Water Everywhere

03/19/2008   Water seems to be increasing in value by the day, and rising demand worldwide for clean water is a key reason why. Right now, an estimated 4,500 children worldwide die each day from unsafe water and deficient… …

ETF Talk: Shiny Gold, Nutritious Wheat, Tasty Corn and Sweet Sugar

03/12/2008   The commodity boom certainly is enticing aggressive investors. In last week's ETF Talk, we discussed commodity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that tracked an individual commodity, such as gold, silver or… …

ETF Talk: Into The Pits For A Splash

03/05/2008   In auto racing, you often hear about a car coming in for a pit stop and taking a “splash.” For those of you who aren't acquainted with racing lingo, that just means the car is going to be… …

ETF Talk: A Passage To India

02/27/2008   If you've ever read the great E.M. Forster and his seminal novel A Passage To India, you are probably already acquainted with the riches of India's culture. Now thanks to exchange-traded fund (ETF) providers… …

ETF News: Do You Know Your Options?

01/23/2008   There's no denying that we are in a treacherous market right now, but did you know that thanks to a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) from PowerShares you do indeed have a few options? The options I am talking… …

Another Explosive Year for ETFs

12/27/2007   It was another fantastic year for my favorite investment vehicles, exchange-traded funds or ETFs. To show you just how great a year it was, consider a few of the following statistics: At the end of 2005… …

Cover Me! News From ETF Land

12/05/2007   My friends over at PowerShares continue rolling out unique and innovative exchange-traded fund (ETF) products designed to accommodate the needs of nearly every investor. The latest from PowerShares is… …

New International Treasury Bond ETF

10/10/2007   State Street Global Advisors recently launched a new exchange-traded fund focused on bonds. It's the SPDR Lehman International Treasury Bond Fund (BWX). This new fund, which began trading on the American… …

ETFS: THE FUTURE OF INVESTING 3

10/03/2007   Come visit Doug in person as he brings his latest workshop to Southern California for an exclusive look at one of the fastest growing investment products in the world -- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)… …

ETFS: THE FUTURE OF INVESTING 2

09/26/2007   Come visit Doug in person as he brings his latest workshop to Southern California for an exclusive look at one of the fastest growing investment products in the world -- Exchange -- Traded Funds (ETFs)… …

ETFS: THE FUTURE OF INVESTING

09/19/2007   Come visit Doug in person as he brings his latest workshop to Southern California for an exclusive look at one of the fastest growing investment products in the world -- Exchange-Traded Funds. Whether… …

BLOGS AWAY: THREE ETFS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

09/12/2007   As I mentioned earlier, I just came back from the D.C. Money Show. At the show, I talked about three sector ETFs that I think will be hugely profitable for investors during the next 12 months. Hey, everybody's… …

ETF NEWS: THE NUCLEAR OPTION

09/05/2007   Are you ready for the nuclear age? If so, then the folks over at Van Eck Global have a new ETF just for you. It is the Market Vectors Nuclear Energy (NLR), which began trading last month. This new nuclear… …

ETF NEWS: SUPER SECTOR FUNDS

08/29/2007   Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's Super Sector funds! Sorry, but my pop-culture literacy wouldn't let me avoid the obvious Superman reference here when introducing the newest ETFs… …

BLOGS AWAY: MARKET UPDATE & ETF NEWS

08/22/2007   On this week's audio blog, I'll get you up to speed on the latest rumblings in this ultra-volatile market. Plus, hear about three new "Super Sector" ETFs that I'm eyeing. To listen to the audio… …

ETF NEWS: READY FOR THE NUCLEAR OPTION?

08/01/2007   Despite the current market sell off, the march toward more new ETF offerings hasn't subsided in the least bit. Case in point is the news out of Van Eck Global, which announced yesterday that the Securities… …

ETF NEWS: MORE PROSHARES ON THE WAY

07/05/2007   In monitoring the ETF front for my Alert readers, I am frequently reporting news from our friends over at ProShares. The latest from them is their filing of a petition with the SEC for permission to launch… …

ETF NEWS: A MAY EXPLOSION

06/06/2007   There was a plethora of new exchange-traded fund offerings released in May. Many of these offerings might be a bit intimidating to many investors. One of my main goals is to break these new offerings… …

ETF NEWS: HEALTHY HEALTHSHARES

05/31/2007   One sector of the market I am really excited about is health care. The demographics of an aging population alone are reason enough to be bullish on health care stocks over the next decade. However, you… …

THE YEAR OF THE ETF

05/16/2007   Many investment gurus considered 2006 the "year of the ETF" because of the continued expansion of these tools as alternatives to traditional mutual fund investing. There were nearly 150 new… …

DID ETFs CAUSE THE SELL-OFF?

03/07/2007   I have read and heard multiple commentaries this past week on how the proliferation of ETFs contributed greatly to the grandeur of the current market decline. That's like saying the invention of the light… …

ETF NEWS: PLAYING BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN

02/21/2007   Want to play both sides of the coin? More specifically, do you want to play both sides of the U.S. dollar? Well, now you can do so, thanks to two new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that were launched Tuesday… …

ETF NEWS: BACK TO BASICS

02/14/2007   Last week I got a question from an Alert reader that asked quite simply, “What is an ETF?” Now while this question may seem rudimentary to some of you, I took it as a reminder that I have… …

ETF NEWS: PLAYING DEFENSE

02/07/2007   Its budget time again in Washington and President Bush's new proposals are likely to include a lot of fresh spending on defense and homeland security. As an investor, there is one great way to take… …

ETF NEWS

01/17/2007   If you weren't with us last week, or if you somehow didn't get a chance to read last week's issue, you missed my mention of a great web site for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The site is ETFTrends.com… …

ETF TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2007

01/10/2007   If you don't already know what a big fan of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) I am, you've either got your head in the sand or you are a new Alert reader. For the benefit of those ostrich types out there,… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE 2

01/04/2007   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds, but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? Each week, I profile several… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE 3

12/20/2006   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds, but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? Each week, I profile several… …

THE YEAR OF THE ETF 2

12/14/2006   This year it seems as though the rest of the world has caught on to what I've been saying for years regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Let's take a quick look at the numbers and you'll see what I… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE 6

12/14/2006   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds, but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? Each week, I profile several… …

Pfizer Failure: An Important ETF Lesson

12/07/2006   By now, I know many of you have heard about the meltdown in the shares of drug-giant Pfizer (PFE). The company's stock price sank about 11% Monday, after news broke last weekend that Pfizer had cancelled… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE 4

12/07/2006   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds, but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? Each week, I profile several… …

MORE GOOD ETF NEWS

11/30/2006   These days it's very hard to keep up with all of the news that's fit to print on the exchange-traded fund (ETF) front. The average investor could get bogged down in the process of trying to keep on top… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE 5

11/30/2006   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds, but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? Each week I profile several… …

ETF PROFILES NOW ON YOUTUBE

11/22/2006   You probably all know by now what a huge fan I am of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but did you also know I do a regular ETF profile on my radio show, Making Money with Doug Fabian? This week we profiled… …

SPOTLIGHT ON ETFS

11/01/2006   Throughout the past week I have highlighted five exchange-traded funds (ETFs), one each day, on my radio show Making Money with Doug Fabian. The majority of these funds have been in the natural resources… …

NEW ON THE ETF FRONT

10/19/2006   So far here at the Money Show, my seminars on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and how to use them have been extremely popular. It seems as though investors can't get enough of ETFs, and given their long… …

GREAT NEW ETF TOOL

10/05/2006   Recently an Alert reader and avid radio show listener wrote me to let me know about a new tool designed to help ETF investors. I want to thank that listener -- you know who you are -- as what I discovered… …

OIL ETFS: A CRUDE OPPORTUNITY?

09/14/2006   The big news in the market this past week has been the destruction in oil prices. With the exception of today's slight uptrend in oil, the past seven days have seen crude prices slide precipitously. Oil… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR AN UNCERTAIN MARKET: A RECAP

09/07/2006   We recently completed a five-part series on using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during uncertain markets. Apparently, the series was very popular and I received many e-mails from Alert readers asking me… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR AN UNCERTAIN MARKET: PART V -- USING INDEX ETFS TO "BUY THE MARKET"

08/17/2006   We've now arrived at the final installment of our five-part series on Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) strategies for an uncertain market. This week the focus is about using index ETFs to essentially "buy… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR AN UNCERTAIN MARKET: PART IV -- CAPITALIZING ON COMMODITIES

08/10/2006   We've now arrived at the fourth installment of our five-part series on Exchange Traded Fund (ETFs) strategies for an uncertain market. This week, we're going to cover what I think is one of the best developments… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR AN UNCERTAIN MARKET: PART III -- USING BOND ETF'S DURING TOUGH TIMES

08/03/2006   We've now arrived at the third installment of our five-part series on Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) strategies for an uncertain market. This week's topic is bond ETFs, and specifically how they can be a… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR AN UNCERTAIN MARKET: PART II -- USING SECTOR FUNDS

07/26/2006   In part one of our five-part series on ETF strategies for an uncertain market, we discussed the new ETFs out there designed to take advantage of a decline in the overall equity markets. This week we… …

ETF STRATEGIES FOR A BEAR MARKET: PART I -- USING SHORT ETFS

07/20/2006   There's no doubt about, this market has been hammered over the past several months. Even the big spike in stocks today is largely a result of frustrated investors who are looking to capitalize on even… …

ETF TRADER -- BEATING THE MARKET BY A MILE

07/05/2006   We've reached the halfway point of this very volatile market year, and so far, our ETF Trader service has allocated to a wide variety of funds on both the long and short sides of the market. So how has… …

ETF UPDATE -- SHAKING THE WISDOM TREE

06/28/2006   You all know what a big proponent I am of ETFs. So when a company comes along with a new twist on these offerings, I want to share the news with you. The new fund company jumping into the ETF game is… …

ETF UPDATE -- LET THE BEAR ROAR, AND MULTIPLY BY 2!

06/21/2006   Don't you just love all the new ETFs that are coming to market? I certainly do, and based on their popularity, I think Wall Street is finally getting the message when it comes to what investors really… …

NEW ETFS TO WATCH

05/31/2006   There are two new developments in the ETF world that we'll be keeping a very close eye on. On Monday the first ETF to invest in shares of public gold-mining companies began trading on the American Stock… …

EMERGING MARKET ETFs: IS THE HONEYMOON OVER?

05/24/2006   The numbers are in, and they ain't pretty! Is the honeymoon over for investing in emerging market ETFs? Well, judging by what's happened since the Fed's May 10 decision to hike interest rates, you'd be… …

COMMODITIES TAKE THE ETF ROUTE

04/12/2006   If you've been a long-time listener to my radio show, or even if you've just started tuning in, you've probably already heard me singing the praises of exchange traded funds. I absolutely love ETFs for… …

ETFs – THE POWER TOOLS IN YOUR INVESTMENT SHED

03/22/2006   Those of you who are loyal listeners to my radio show know that I love using exchange-traded funds, or ETFs for short. ETFs are like mutual funds in that they invest in a "basket" of stocks… …

ETF NEWS 02/22/2006

02/22/2006   Dividend investors are an impatient sort, always seeking out ways to get more out of their money. Fortunately, the quest for high-paying investments has not gone unnoticed by one ETF provider: PowerShares… …

ETF NEWS -- 02/15/2006

02/15/2006   On Monday we saw the rollout of three new Exchange Traded Funds from the company that started it all, State Street Global Advisors. The new funds are designed to track three of this market's most talked… …

ETF NEWS 02/08/2006

02/08/2006   Although the timing was somewhat poor with this week's sell off in commodities, a new Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) has hit the market that deserves to be checked out. It is the Deutsche Bank Commodity Index… …

A RESOLUTION TO ETFs

11/23/2005   It may be a little premature to start thinking about New Year's resolutions, but I want to plant the seed early. Now that we have re-entered the market and we have made a strong commitment to equities,… …

Test message.