TD Ameritrade Introduces Commission-Free ETFs
Clients of TD Ameritrade will now be able to trade 100 exchange traded funds commission-free. The ETFs eligilble for commission-free trading include funds from Blackrock’s iShares and Vanguard.
admin
Another 8% Quarter for Brazil
Second quarter growth in Brazil exceeded all expectations with GDP expanding at 8.8% compared to the same period a year earlier. According to the AP, the Brazilian Finance Ministry had forecast growth of between 0.5 percent and 1 percent for Q2.
Singapore Stays Strong
Singapore’s strong economy has resulted in a strong stock market even as US equities have weakened over the past few months. The MSCI Singapore Index Fund (EWS) is up nearly 10% since March 1 compared to a 5% decline for the S&P 500 over the same time period.
Van Eck Launches India Small-Cap ETF
Van Eck has an introduced a new exchange traded fund that focuses on small-cap companies in India. The Market Vectors India Small-Cap Index ETF (SCIF) tracks an index of 122 companies that generate the majority of revenue in India and have an average market cap of $456 million as of July 23, 2010.
Treasuries Take Off
The lackluster economy has stalled stocks and sent investors in search of safe returns. As a result, one of the best performing asset classes in recent months has been long term treasuries.
Semiconductors Underperform
Semiconductor stocks have underperformed the broader market as the outlook for the tech sector has become more uncertain. The exchange traded fund S&P North American Technology-Semiconductors Sector Index Fund (IGW) with top holdings including Texas Instruments, Intel and Applied Materials, is down 15% since the beginning of May.
Claymore Closes 4 ETFs
Claymore plans to close four exchange traded funds that failed to attract enough investor interest.
Stocks Resume Slide
Stocks fell on July 16 after gaining ground in eight straight trading sessions. The SPDR S&P500 (SPY) fell 2.75% on Friday, ending a streak in which stocks gained 7.3%.
Volatility is Back
Volatility made a comeback in the second quarter. The S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) is up nearly 50% since the beginning of April compared to nearly a 13% decline for the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) over the same time period.
Homebuilders Retreat
May’s correction hurt housing related stocks more than most other sectors. The SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) declined over 20% since May 3 before rebounding slightly last week.