First Trust

Somewhat hidden among the blistering pace of new ETF introductions this year is the proliferation of international small-cap funds. The race to roll out more global small-cap ETFs has even prompted some ETF sponsors to try their luck with concepts that previously failed. It's easy to understand...

Due to real estate constraints in the headline, we should say that we're going to look at five non-OPEC countries that have corresponding ETFs, some of which have actually outperformed Brent crude futures in 2012 and a couple of which could even offer a buffer should oil prices pullback. Oil...

Our Canadian neighbors are no doubt familiar with the CBC television network's "Hockey Night In Canada" NHL broadcast that made its TV debut in the early 1950s. As far as investors are concerned, there is a new Canada-specific ETF skating the rink these days, but since this neighborhood isn't short...

Following a flurry of new ETF introductions on Wednesday ETF issuers are showing they're not content to merely introduce a few new funds here and there as at least eight new ETFs will make their debuts on Thursday February 16, 2012. BlackRock's (NYSE: BLK) iShares business, the world's largest ETF...

When it comes to investing overseas, there's no shortage of cute phrases and acronyms to be applied to various groups of countries. In Europe we have the PIIGS. Of course, BRIC has become perhaps the most ubiquitous emerging markets acronym of all, though CIVETS is no slouch either. There's...

The pace of new product introductions from ETF issuers has been impressive to start 2012 and if Wednesday February 15 is any indication, that pace isn't slowing anytime soon. At least seven new funds from two different major ETF sponsors are scheduled to make their debuts tomorrow and six of those...

It's no secret that the early stages of 2012 have brought favorable results for select ETFs. And there have been disappointments along the way, too. Still, it's fair to say many plain vanilla long ETFs are off to fine starts this year, but when screening for those that were up 20% or more year-to...

Those not living in a cave know that Facebook has filed for an initial public offering and that the mere filing has been great news for one ETF in particular. Simply put, Facebook fervor has lit a fire under the Global X Social Media Index ETF (Nasdaq: SOCL). Today, SOCL is flirting with $15 and...

Not looking to offend anyone's religion or views on the matter (all are welcome in this space), we'll briefly recall the biblical story of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead. The parable is essentially a lesson in persevering through hard times and in that vein, it's relevant to the financial...

Let's be real. There's an aura of controversy surrounding exchange traded funds. Whether it is much maligned leveraged ETFs or those funds that are viewed by some as having too narrow of a focus, there's no shortage of unpleasant commentary on ETFs out there. Sometimes it's warranted. After all,...

Don't sleep on platinum. The white metal with far more industrial applications than gold currently trades around $1,550 an ounce, or about $100 an ounce below where its yellow rival resides. However, platinum started the year around $1,400 an ounce and that rapid ascent has made it one of the year'...

For those that love alliteration, we proffer this line up "Tricks or Treats Following Tech Titan Thursday?" Seriously, that's what Thursday's after-hours session as a quartet of tech titans stepped into the earnings confessional. Three of the four were greeted with open arms by investors with...

First Trust, one of the fastest growing U.S. ETF issuers, filed plans for seven new country-specific ETFs, all of which will compete directly with existing products from iShares, the worlds largest ETF issuer. The new ETFs First Trust may introduce are the First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund, First...

One thing 2011 was not short on was the introduction of new exchange-traded products. In fact, a record 308 ETFs and ETNs came to market last year and plenty of those funds were of the emerging markets variety. Problem is 2011 was not the best of years to be rolling out new emerging markets fare as...

It's back. One of our most popular features from the December 2010 holiday season returns as Benzinga examines some of the top new ETFs of 2011 and the issuers behind those funds. And what a year to do that. Sure, the pace of ETF closures has picked up recently, but when the ball drops on 2011,...