Vanguard recently reported that it was lowering fees on its sector ETF fund family.

Most of the fees are being reduced from 0.24 percent to .019 percent, slightly lower than many of competitor SSgA’s sector funds expense ratio of .20 percent.

Recently reported by Barrons, according to Lipper data, for the week ending Dec. 21st, equity funds (excluding ETFs) saw an outflow of $5.46 billion.

In contrast however, ETFs recorded an inflow of $6.23 billion.

For original article, click here.

Proshares recently filed with the SEC for a series of new volatility ETFs, including: ProShares Nasdaq 100 – 15 % Volatility Target ProShares Dow 30 – 15% Volatility Target ProShares Russell 2000 – 15% Volatility Target ProShares Russell 1000 – 15% Volatility Target ProShares MSCI EAFE – 15% Volatility Target ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets – 15% Volatility Target ProShares S&P MidCap400 – [...]

In a deal that was previously announced on August 12th, six Merrill Lynch HOLDRS began trading as Van Eck ETFs on December 21st. For original article click here . The list of newly rebranded ETFs are below: Market Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) Market Vectors Money-Center Bank ETF (RKH) Market Vectors Oil Services ETF (OIH) Market Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) Market Vectors Retail [...]

In an effort to gain marketshare in the rapidly expanding ETF industry, Etrade is the latest broker to offer a list of commission-free ETFs. A total of 93 ETFs are included from ETF issuers Wisdom Tree, Global X, and Deutsche Bank. Other brokers who have also offered lists of ETFs available for commission-free trades include, [...]

Nigeria’s stock exchange listed its first ETF in December, offering a gold backed fund.

The NewGold ETF was created by Absa Bank Limited of South Africa. New ETFs for the Nigerian market may be offered as soon as January.

For original article, click here.

Global X Funds relaunched a fund previously named the Global X China Technology ETF (CHIB) on the Nasdaq today, as the Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF (QQQC). The ETF tracks the technology sector in China, and its three largest holdings currently are ASM Pacific Techno, Lenova Group, and Baidu. For original article, click here [...]

India, the world’s largest consumer of gold, saw gold ETF assets nearly triple, from November 2010 to November 2011. There are currently 12 gold ETFs in India, with the first gold ETF launched in 2007. For original article, click here.

According to a recent report published by Citi, ETFs have been clear winners in the Asian markets as savers have been reallocating their wealth. Total assets in ETFs have grown to $60 billion, during a time in which the share of Asian household savings in mutual funds has fallen from 14% to 8%. For original [...]

Global Bond ETF assets rose 4.1% in November to more than $1.5 trillion, according to a report from BlackRock Investment Institute.

The total number of global ETF products including ETNs reached 4,200. For original article, click here.

Global X is launching a new ETF today. ticker GREK which tracks the Athens SE FT/ASE 20 weighted index.

The expense ratio will reportedly be .69%. For original article click here.

The Financial Times reported that issuer ETF Securities is on the block with an asking price of $1.6 billion, and Goldman Sachs has been hired as an adviser for the sale. The firm is noted for introducing the first ETFs backed by physical inventory of platinum and palladium. According to NSX, ETF Securities has accumulated [...]

An interesting convergence of two new and rapidly growing industries occurs Tuesday with the launch of the first ETF for the Social Media sector. It might be difficult to find two more exciting growth industries in recent times than either the social media explosion or the ETF industry. The new ETF, ticker SOCL, launched by Global [...]

Direxion has recently filed with the SEC for eight new 3x leveraged funds: Direxion Daily Silver Miners Bull 3x Shares Direxion Daily Silver Miners Bear 3x Shares Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 3x Shares Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3x Shares Direxion Daily Junior Industrial  Bull 3x Shares Direxion Daily Junior [...]

PIMCO has launched the Australia Bond Index Fund, soon to be followed byt the PIMCO Canada Bond Index Fund, and the PIMCO Germany Bond Index Fund. These three countries currently have some of the strongest balance sheets among developed nations.

For original press release, click here.

Vanguard expects to launch six new ETFs in Canada, at lower expense ratios that its competition. The new funds expected to roll out in the fourth quarter: The Vanguard MSCI Canada Index ETF. The Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF. The Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index ETF. The Vanguard MSCI U.S. Broad Market ETF. The Vanguard [...]

Euphoria over European debt crisis proposals continued this week, as well as additional positive news about strengthening of the U.S. economy, fueling the biggest monthly market rally since 1974.  The DOW gained 339 points to close above 12,000 at 12,208. Top ETF gainers for the past 4 weeks include: ERX Direxion Daily Energy Bull 3x Shares +58.9% FAS Direxion [...]

In a week of continued optimism about progress on European debt crisis solutions, the S & P 500 had its longest weekly rally since February. The S&P 500 closed at 1,238, up nearly 2% for the day, the highest close since August 3rd.  The DOW rose 267 points to close at 11,808 up 2.31% for the [...]

Schwab has licensed the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index for its new dividend ETF.  So far in 2011 Dow Jones has licensed 27 indexes for ETFs. Schwab has launched 14 other ETFs since 2009,  and the new  Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is offering lower expense costs than its competitors at .17%. Currently the two biggest [...]

Highlights of Schwab’s recent quarterly report includes some updates to the success of their current ETF strategy.

Total assets under management in Schwab ETFs reached $4.1 billion

Total assets in Schwab Management Portfolios – ETFs reached $2.4 billion

Update: Reportedly Schwab saw a 17% increase in ETF assets in the 3rd quarter.