Bond

Charles Schwab, ETF issuer known for its low expense products and online commission incentives, has just launched three new bond ETFs that provide exposure to different types of US Treasuries. According to the press release, the new ETFs will provide investors with access to short-term, intermediate-term and inflation-protected securities. Below is a list of the [...]

The PowerShares High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (PHB) from Invesco is now tracking a new index, and thus has been renamed. While keeping the same ticker symbol on the NYSE Arca, PHB is now known as PowerShares Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond Portfolio, effective August 2, 2010. PHB is now tracking the Research Affiliates’ Fundamental [...]

Of the Market Vector’s Municipal Bond family of funds from Van Eck, the five ETFs offered to the public have announced August distributions. The distributions for this month will range from $0.028/share to $0.140/share. Below is a list of the five ETFs and their distribution: 1.  Market Vectors Intermediate Municipal Index ETF (ITM) $0.062   2.  [...]

ALPS Advisors has filed a new actively-managed fixed income ETF with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Of the ten current ETFs in ALP’s lineup, this new fund would be the first to focus on the fixed income sectors. The SEC filing identifies the new fund as “RiverFront Strategic Income Fund” and states that it will [...]

A handful of weak economic indicators has propelled gold to an all-time high. With a blend of low interest rates, weak dollar, rising jobless claims, and erratic equities, U.S. investors are fleeing to the shelter of gold. Gold futures closed at a record high of $1,248.70 an ounce Thursday. SPDR Gold Trust ETF (GLD: Profile, [...]

Claymore Securities has launched a bundle of seven new fixed income exchange-traded funds with differing maturity dates. The ETFs, very much similar to target date mutual funds, allow investors to pick a selection of bonds with a certain maturity date ranging from 2011-2017. The new funds are named BulletShares and offer blends of fixed income [...]

Two sponsors, PowerShares and State Street Global Advisors, are fighting for control over the Build America Bond space. The two firms, both competitors, have battled on annual expense ratios, but now PowerShares is looking to take the space with another issue. The newest Build America Bond ETF is none other than the PowerShares Intermediate Build [...]

Alongside the popular Build America Bond ETF by PowerShares, State Street has launched another similar exchange-traded fund. The State Street fund offers little difference against PowerShares’ ETF, even adopting the same (.35%) annual expense as its PowerShares rival. State Street’s fund is designed to track a new category of municipal debt subsidized in part by [...]

The disconnect between municipal bond interest from the marketplace and insurers is growing larger. While investors pile cash into muni ETFs, insurers on the front lines of municipal bond investing are leaving. Currently, only one municipal bond insurer is writing new policies, a stark contrast to seven active writers in 2008, the Wall Street Journal [...]

First Trust will dress up a line of stock funds with a new bond fund, according to a recent filing with the SEC. The company’s first foray into the bond market will include an index centered on the largest US companies. First Trust is expanding at an incredible pace, filing for both a new fixed [...]