Sector ETFs

BlackRock, the ETF provider of the popular iShares brand, has just launched nine international sector ETFs that provide exposure to both developed and emerging markets. The new ETFs will trade on the NYSE Arca. The unique funds will track their respective MSCI All Country World ex USA sector index and carry a 0.48% expense ratio, [...]

A new actively managed ETF is set to launch this week. Though many active ETFs have been introduced over the past several months, this one is the first of its kind. AdvisorShares will initiate trading on its new actively managed long/short ETF, which will aim to capture profits regardless of the market’s direction. Investors looking [...]

Through structured products, exchange-traded funds are earning another use by the banking industry. Normally centered on popular indexes, structured products can better track returns with exchange-traded funds. Two banks, Bank of America and Credit Suisse, both issued notes this week using exchange-traded funds as their underlying indexes. Bank of America launched a two-year leveraged note [...]

Considered one of the most boring industries, utilities are emerging as one of the most interesting for the dividend investor. With the chance of capital gains and yields that beat treasuries, investors should give a second glance to utility ETFs. One utility ETF, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR exchange-traded fund (XLU: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, [...]

Rydex will close 12 of its leverage exchange-traded funds, saying farewell to an industry largely locked down by larger issuers Direxion and ProShares. The closures follow its acquisition by Guggenheim Capital. The twelve funds to be closed are: 1. Rydex 2X Russell 2000 (RRY) 2. Rydex Inverse 2X Russell 2000 (RMM) 3. Rydex 2X S&P [...]

While other sponsors are busy tending to a growth in fixed income ETFs, PowerShares is carving out a niche of its own in small cap funds. The issuer launched nine funds on Wednesday. The funds and their respective ticker symbols are as follows: 1. PowerShares S&P SmallCap Consumer Discretionary Portfolio (XLYS: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, [...]

After a special Sunday vote on health care reform in the House, health care ETFs look strong, posting early gains ahead of a bill that will add 30 million customers to their client list. Although health care has been stagnating through 2010, new legislation could improve profits at the nation’s largest health care providers. Year-to-date, [...]

State Street has blanketed the fixed income ETF space with a new filing with the SEC for seven funds. The new ETFs will cover some of the most popular fixed-income products currently trading on the stock exchanges. The seven new ETFs are as follows: 1. SPDR S&P Agency Bond ETF 2. SPDR Barclays Capital Corporate [...]

WisdomTree has announced it will close 10 exchange-traded funds, which have been unable to garner significant volume from investors. The 10 funds announced for closure currently contain less than $180 million in assets. The WisdomTree funds slated for closure are: -WisdomTree International Financial Sector Fund (DRF) -WisdomTree International Health Care Sector Fund (DBR) -WisdomTree International [...]

Mutual fund titan Fidelity Investments has indicated that it may soon launch a variety of exchange-traded funds. The company would be the last of the major mutual fund companies to enter the ETF business. Statements from Roger Lawson, the number two executive at Fidelity, implied the company may launch a range of ETFs similar to [...]