Vanguard Adds Comprehensive Set of Bond ETFs
Vanguard has launched seven bond ETFs that provide investors exposure to several segments of the government, corporate and MBS fixed income markets.
ETF News
New India ETF from iShares Starts Trading
iShares has launched the S&P India Nifty 50 Index Fund (INDY). The new fund tracks a rupee-denominated index designed to measure the performance of the 50 largest and most liquid companies in the Indian equity market that are available to international investors.
Van Eck Adds Small-Mid Cap Gold Miners ETF
Van Eck has added another gold miners ETF to its line-up with the introduction of the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ).
Merger Arb ETF Starts Trading
Index IQ has launched the first merger arbitrage ETF. The IQ ARB Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA) tracks an actively managed index that invests in global companies that are the target of a merger or takeover.
Invesco PowerShares Lists Build America Bond ETF
A taxable municipal bond ETF focused on “Build America” bonds started trading this week. The PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (BAB) tracks an index designed to track the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated investment grade taxable municipal debt publicly issued under the Build America Bond program in the U.S. domestic market.
International ETFs are New Favorite
International ETFs have surpassed ETFs based on company size as the favorite vehicle for exchange traded fund investors. State Street’s October Snapshot report points out that International ETF assets now total $165.6 billion, slightly higher than Size ETFs with $161.2 billion of assets.
Schwab Introduces Commission Free ETFs
Charles Schwab has entered the ETF market with a line-up of four commission free ETFs and plans to launch four more by year end. All eight ETFs have low expense ratios, no online trading commissions for Schwab clients and can be purchased in blocks as small as one share per trade.
PIMCO Adds to Menu of Treasury ETFs
PIMCO continued to expand its line-up of fixed income ETFs with the introduction of two Treasury funds. The PIMCO 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund (FIVZ) tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index.
Jefferies Launches Agriculture and Metals ETFs
Jefferies Asset Management has launched two new ETFs. The Jefferies TR-J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund (CRBA) tracks an index of companies engaged in the production and distribution of agricultural commodities and agricultural commodity-related products and services.
IndexIQ Introduces Inflation Fighting ETFs
Two new ETFs designed to help investors hedge against inflation have been introduced by IndexIQ. The IQ CPI Inflation Hedged ETF (CPI) and IQ ARB Global Resources ETF (GRES) are both designed to provide investors with additional tools to protect their assets by seeking a real return at or above the rate of inflation.