New Emerging Markets Bond ETF - PFEM
We have a new emerging markets bond ETF from PowerShares on the market...
- PFEM - PowerShares Fundamental Emerging Markets Local Debt Portfolio
The new fund correlates with the Citi RAFI Bonds Sovereign Emerging Markets Extended Local Currency Index. PFEM will target government debt assets in 18 emerging market countries such as Russia, Indonesia and Korea. You can get a full list of the funds holdings here.
As of today, PFEM is trading around $24.89 and to check out some similar exchange traded products, then look to the...
New Inverse Leveraged South Korea ETF - KORZ
At the end of April Direxion launched a new 3x leveraged ETF focusing on South Korea. And they are now back again with a similar ETF, but only this time it's an inverse leveraged South Korea ETF...
- KORZ - Direxion Daily South Korea Bear 3X Shares ETF
Like it's counterpart, it will track the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index, only seek inverse results to the benchmark. But it will also seek a 3x leveraged daily return as well. Some of the top sectors represented in the fund are information technology, consumer discretionary and industrials.
You can get full details for the ETF on the Direxion fact sheet and as of today it is trading around $41.24. And if you want to see similar ETFs, look no further than the...
New Leveraged Inverse Brazil ETF - BRZS
Late last month Direxion launched a new 3x leveraged ETF focusing on Brazil. We now this month they launched a similar ETF, but only this time it's an inverse leveraged Brazil ETF...
- BRZS - Direxion Daily Brazil Bear 3X Shares
Like it's counterpart, it will track the MSCI Brazil Index, only seek inverse results to the benchmark. But it will also seek a 3x leveraged daily return as well. Some of the top sectors represented in the fund are financials, materials and consumer staples.
You can get full details for the ETF on the fact sheet and as of today it is trading around $38.43. And if you want to see similar ETFs, look no further than the...
New Senior Load ETF - FTSL
First Trust has launched a new senior loan ETF this week...
- FTSL - First Trust Senior Loan Fund
The new ETF is actively managed and according to First Trust, the goal of the fund is to provide high current income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of first lien senior floating rate bank loans as well as provide capital appreciation.
Some of the top current holdings in the new fund include AOT Bedding, Blue Buffalo Company and Chrystler. You can get full details for the fund on the fact sheet and as of today it is trading around $50.07
ALT is Getting Delisted by iShares
iShares will be closing down one of its ETFs...
- ALT - iShares Diversified Alternatives Trust
The fund originally started trading in October of 2009, but will be liquidated near the end of May. The main reason for the closing is lack of investor interest. The ETF has been around for a few years, but iShares doesn't feel it will be a successful fund, so they are pulling the plug. So of you have this fund in your portfolio, make sure you make the proper precautions.
South Korea ETFs
If you're looking to target South Korea's economy as an investment strategy, then you may want to know about these three South Korean funds currently on the market. Whether you're looking to make an investment play or protect some South Korean risk or exposure, you should check out the...
- List of South Korea ETFs
Vanguard Changes Benchmarks on 8 ETFs
A few days ago, Vanguard changed the underlying indexes on 8 of its ETFs. Earlier in the month the firm changed 4 other ETF benchmarks to FTSE indexes and now it is changing eight more funds to CRSP indexes. Six of these ETFs changed benchmarks only, not symbols or names...
- VBK - Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Small-Cap Growth Index
- VBR - Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Small-Cap Value Index
- VOE - Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Mid-Cap Value Index
- VOT - Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Mid-Cap Growth Index
- VUG - Vanguard Growth ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Large-Cap Growth Index
- VYV - Vanguard Value ETF now correlates with the CRSP US Large-Cap Value Index
And these two funds not only switched indexes but they got a name change as well...
- MGK - Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth ETF is now the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF and correlates with the CRSP US Mega-Cap Growth Index.
- MGV - Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value ETF is now the Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF and correlates with the CRSP US Mega-Cap Value Index.
So if you have any of these funds in your portfolio, make sure you are aware of these changes and how they impact performance. For more information, visit the Vanguard website.
New Actively Managed Style ETFs - IELG and IESM
We have two new actively managed ETFs from iShares on the market...
- IELG - iShares Enhanced US Large Cap ETF
- IESM - iShares Enhanced US Small Cap ETF
As you can see, IELG focuses on Large-cap companies, while IESM targets the small caps. Both funds are managed by BlackRock research as opposed to tracking an index and according to the press release, the funds were designed in partnership with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and institutional investors, specifically public pensions, to provide a broader range of solutions to help manage equity exposures and risk.
As of today, IESM is trading around $24.40 and IELG is at $24.67. And if you want to see similar ETFs, then check out these lists...
New South Korea ETF - KORU
The other day we discussed a new leveraged Brazil ETF from Direxion, and on the heels of that launch was a leveraged South Korea ETF as well...
- KORU - Direxion Daily South Korea Bull 3x Shares ETF
The new country ETF seeks a 3x leveraged return on the daily performance of the MSCI Korea 25-50 Index. Both the fund and the benchmark target mid and large-cap companies either in South Korea or that conduct most of their business in the country. And some of the top industries represented are information technology, consumer discretionary an financials.
As of today, the new ETF is trading around $40.70 and you can get full details on the KORU fact sheet.
ETF and Tax Day
Uh-oh, April 15th. Today is d-day in the world of taxes. For some that's a good thing, for some...not so much. But for those who invest in ETFs, it's not so bad. Why? Well, see for yourself...
And for those who want to learn a little bit more about ETFs, taxes and dividends...