Posted: 10 Dec 2009 12:54 AM PST

U.S. ETF Industry Highlights Financial Market Recap Market Performance: Month of November Strategy Focus: Build America Bonds: The Dawn of a New Fixed-Income Asset Class ETF in Focus: PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (BAB) PowerShares ETF Highlights

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (BAB);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

VIX May Double in ’10 as Stock Gain Slows

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 01:03 AM PST

The benchmark index for U.S. stock options may almost double in 2010 on investors’ concern that the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index’s rally outpaced prospects for economic and earnings growth

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

France Said to Consider Following U.K. Bank Bonus Tax

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 01:45 AM PST

French banks would pay the charge, though the rate hasn’t been set, said the officials, who declined to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to the press. Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said yesterday all banks in the U.K. awarding discretionary bonuses of more than 25,000 pounds ($40,000) must pay a one-time levy of 50 percent. France is unlikely to impose a lower rate, an aide to Sarkozy said.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI-France (EWQ);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 01:50 AM PST

Taxes rise in Britain, as the government struggles to get public finances in order

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI-U.K. (EWU);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Schofield UK AAA

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 03:16 AM PST

Worse than assumed..

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI-U.K. (EWU);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Pimco Buys Abu Dhabi, Qatar Bonds After Dubai Shock

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 04:07 AM PST

Pacific Investment Management Co., which runs the world’s biggest bond fund, is buying the debt of Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy WisdomTree Middle East Dividend ETF (GULF); buyMarket Vectors-Gulf States (MES);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 04:59 AM PST

The Trustees of Eaton Vance Limited Duration Income Fund (NYSE Amex: EVV) and Eaton Vance Short Duration Diversified Income Fund (NYSE: EVG), each a closed-end investment company (collectively, the “Funds” and each a “Fund”), authorized the Funds’ participation in the Term Asset-Backed Loan Facility (“TALF”) program beginning December 14, 2009.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Eaton Vance Short Duration Diversified Income Fund (EVG); buy Eaton Vance Limited Duration Income Fund (EVV);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Military use of consumer technology: War games

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 07:22 AM PST

Consumer products and video-gaming technology are boosting the performance and reducing the price of military equipment

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (PPA);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Small business, big problem

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 07:25 AM PST

Smaller firms have far fewer choices. Too puny to be able to tap capital markets, they are at the mercy of the banks. America’s large firms get 30% of their financing from the banks; its smaller enterprises rely on them for 90% of their financing needs. In Europe small companies are in a similar bind. Bank lending to businesses in the euro zone fell by 1.2% year-on-year in October. True, lower lending volumes reflect weakening demand for bank credit as well as constrained supply.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell KBW Regional Banking ETF (KRE);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 08:12 AM PST

China, the world’s largest steel consumer, will impose provisional duties on some U.S. and Russian imports following anti-dumping and subsidy investigations, escalating a trade spat started in September.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Market Vectors Steel Index Fund (SLX);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 08:16 AM PST

Despite repeated downward revisions in recent years in its forecasts of global oil supply in 2030, the IEA has not until now committed itself to a firm prediction for when oil supplies might cease to grow. Its latest energy outlook, released last month, says only that conventional oil (as opposed to hard-to-extract sources like Canada’s tar sands) is “projected to reach a plateau sometime before” 2030.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy Portfolio (PBW);buy United States Oil Fund LP (USO);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 03:40 PM PST

The rebound in the Chinese economy accelerated again in November with industrial production rising by a larger-than-expected 19.1 per cent compared to the year before.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 (FXI); buy SPDR S&P China ETF (GXC);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 10:20 PM PST

The International Energy Agency has revised up by 130,000 barrels a day its forecast for 2010 global oil demand, which is now expected to average 86.3 million barrels a day. That represents an increase of 1.7%, or 1.5 million barrels a day, compared to 2009.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy United States Oil Fund LP (USO); buy iShares S&P Global Infrastructure Index Fund (IGF);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Barclays Suspends Further Sales and Issuance of iPath MSCI India Index ETN

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:07 AM PST

AS DISCLOSED IN THE PRICING SUPPLEMENT RELATING TO THE NOTES UNDER THE HEADING RIISK FACTORS THE MARKET VALUE OF THE SECURITIES MAY BE INFLUENCED BY MANY UNPREDICTABLE FACTORS, THE MARKET VALUE OF THE NOTES MAY BE INFLUENCED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE LEVELS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR THE NOTES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE SUSPENSION, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, MAY INFLUENCE THE MARKET VALUE OF THE NOTES.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iPath MSCI India Index ETN (INP); buy WisdomTree India Earnings Fund               (EPI);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Carlyle turns its sights on Turkey

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 12:11 AM PST

Private equity is in its infancy in Turkey, but several groups have expressed a strong interest in its fast-developing infrastructure and growing market for consumer goods. Private equity buyers have closed deals this autumn to take stakes in Tuvturk, the vehicle inspection group, and in the ground handling company Havas.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares MSCI Turkey  Investable Market Index Fund (TUR); buy Turkish Investment Fund (TKF);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:03 AM PST

AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) said today that it will increase spot market prices for its carbon steel products by $30 per ton for all new orders accepted for shipment

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Market Vectors Steel Index Fund (SLX);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Albert Edwards: The Leading Indicators Foretell The Next Leg Down

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 04:23 AM PST

SocGen’s uber-bear Albert Edwards has new, fascinating report on about the next leg down in stocks. What makes it particularly interesting is his allusion to trading patterns in Japan.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS (DIA); buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares (SDS); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (QQQQ); sell iShares Russell 2000 (IWM);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Neiman Enlists Designers in Cost-Cutting Plan

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 09:32 AM PST

Burton Tansky, the 71-year-old rag-trade journeyman who has led Neiman Marcus Group for nearly a decade, is quietly refashioning the upscale department store chain for an age of more belt-tightening and less conspicuous consumption. Mr. Tansky pressed suppliers to produce lower-priced versions of key designer styles in a stark reversal for a chain long labeled “Needless Markup” by more frugal-minded shoppers

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury Index ETF (ROB);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:23 PM PST

Tax-exempt bonds with long maturities are gaining more in price this month than those due in less than 10 years as states and cities sell taxable Build America Bonds with federal interest-rate subsidies.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Market Vectors High Yield Muni (HYD);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

The Coming Wave Of Debt Defaults

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:31 PM PST

The trouble in the commercial real estate markets is getting ugly, as the precarious situation of Dubai World has made all too clear.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares DJ US Real Estate (IYR); sell iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (HYG);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Mexico’s Drug Trafficking Organizations

Posted: 10 Dec 2009 12:07 AM PST

There are two cartel wars currently raging in Mexico that have combined to produce record levels of violence in 2009. The first war is the struggle between the government of Mexico and the drug cartels. The second, a parallel war, is the fight among the various cartels as they compete for control of lucrative supply routes.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI-Mexico (EWW);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 03 Dec 2009 03:46 AM PST

Billionaire US investor Jim Rogers is advising investors to desert the greenback and put their money into commodities. The influential former partner of financier George Soros says the US dollar is a flawed currency that has no future.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (DBA); buyPowerShares DB Oil Fund (DBO); buy PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund (UDN); buy iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG); buy ELEMENTS MLCX Grains Index Total Return (GRU); buy GS Connect S&P GSCI Enhanced Commodity Total Return Strategy Index ETN (GSC); buy iPath Dow Jones-AIG Industrial Metals Total Return Sub-Inde ETN (JJM);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

MXF November Monthly Update

Posted: 03 Dec 2009 04:55 AM PST

MXF November Monthly Update

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Mexico Fund (MXF);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Gold Falls Below $1,200 After Payrolls

Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:43 PM PST

After initially paring losses on stronger-than-expected payrolls data, gold futures have sunk back below a key $1,200 support level as the dollar strengthens.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell streetTRACKS Gold Trust (GLD);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

China eyes industrial bases in Africa

Posted: 04 Dec 2009 12:59 AM PST

Robert Zoellick, the president of the World Bank, said Beijing had shown “strong interest” in proposals to set up manufacturing bases to help African countries achieve high growth paths similar to Asian ones.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares MSCI-South Africa (EZA); buy Market Vectors-Africa Index ETF (AFK);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 02:50 AM PST

HOW CAN THE RECESSION BE OVER? There are four items that go into the NBER recession call: 1. Employment 2. Real personal income excluding government transfers 3. Industrial production 4. Real sales 3 of the 4 economic indicators that the NBER uses to access business cycles are still in decline

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares (SDS); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); sell iShares Russell 2000 (IWM);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Marc Faber: Dubai Was Just The Tip of The Sovereign Default Iceberg

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 03:49 AM PST

Marc Faber warns that further sovereign defaults are ahead. Dubai was just a teaser.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Fund (IGOV);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Deep down, even the fiercest equity bulls must be doubting themselves

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 04:31 AM PST

We have just had the worst decade’s performance for equity investors on record. Relative to government bonds, equities have been an even bigger disaster. Surely after such a terrible decade for equity investors things can only get better?

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares (SDS); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); buy streetTRACKS Gold Trust (GLD); buyPIMCO 7-15 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund (TENZ);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 06:32 AM PST

An American billionaire investor, Wilbur L. Ross, plans to buy shares of China Longyuan Power Group, the largest wind power generator in Asia Follow the billionaire – 26% China Weighting in TAN

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Claymore/MAC Global Solar Energy Index ETF (TAN);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Gallup Economic Weekly: Thanksgiving Week Disappoints

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 08:08 AM PST

PRINCETON, NJ — Gallup’s Thanksgiving week results tend to confirm fears of a weak holiday sales season as consumer spending was unchanged from the prior week, even though it included Friday and Saturday of the Black Friday weekend. At the same time, Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index and its Job Creation Index were essentially unchanged from the prior week. A rather gloomy consumer mood and consumer spending — trailing last year’s financial crisis-depressed comparables by 25% -

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Retail HOLDRS (RTH); sell SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT); sell iShares FTSE NAREIT Retail Index Fund (RTL);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Dubai Panic Sparks Few Deals in Emerging-Market Bonds

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 09:34 AM PST

emerging-market bonds overall have proved very good, though volatile, investments. Investors have endured some stomach-churning drops during the crises, but someone who held a broad basket of those bonds in a mutual fund, which reduces your exposure to individual issuers, has done well.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt (MSD);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 12:48 PM PST

Report says sales rose 14% over last year and shoppers on average spent more online than they did on Black Friday.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Internet HOLDRS (HHH);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

JP MORGAN SAYS TO STAY IN THE RISK TRADE

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 11:48 PM PST

The latest portfolio strategy from JP Morgan continues to favor the bullish side of the trade. They see the Dubai dip as an opportunity to buy into some emerging market names at a discount. Dubai does little to change their outlook as the risk of contagion remains very low. This means the risk trade lives to fight another day. Thus, they continue to favor a broad overweight of emerging market bonds, credit, equities and currencies. In other words, they like the highest of t

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC); buy PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund (UDN); buy S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); buy iShares MSCI-Emerging Markets (EEM); buy MFS Government Markets Income Trust (MGF);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Russia Must Cut Rate 2 Points This Month, Gilman Says

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 11:57 PM PST

The central bank on Nov. 24 cut the benchmark a ninth time since April to a record low 9 percent in an effort to reduce the extra return on ruble investments and cap speculative gains in the currency that are hurting exporters. Even after policy easing, Russia remains a “no-brainer for the short-term carry trade,” Gilman said, as the country’s benchmark is still higher than rates in Brazil, India and China.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Currency Shares Russian Ruble Trust (XRU);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 02:15 AM PST

Strategists at Credit Suisse are currently expecting a near-term equity sell-off, but are not yet concerned about the downturn evolving into a larger bear market decline. Why have they turned a bit more cautious? A series of psychological, fundamental and technical events:

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS (DIA); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (QQQQ); sell iShares Russell 2000 (IWM);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 02:42 AM PST

Buying call options on volatility has rarely looked as attractive as is the case today if this Dubai situation turns into something even fractionally similar to what happened in places like Thailand, Russia or Argentina. Once the complacency is shaken out of the market, which in our view would be a good thing, it is going to give those who have been skeptical over this “liquidity-induced” rally a chance to take out our rulers and sharpen our pencils.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iPath S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ); buy iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 05:32 AM PST

LATELY, Tyler Cowen has been pushing an Austrian view of economic activity in China, namely, that government policies are generating far too much investment in certain sectors of the Chinese economy, setting the stage for an eventual collapse as resources are re-allocated back to productive uses. Over the weekend, Mr Cowen developed the argument in a New York Times piece:

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 (FXI); sell Claymore/AlphaShares China Real Estate ETF (TAO);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Why Black Friday Data Points To A Grim Holiday Season

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 07:21 AM PST

If you were counting on what Glenn Reynolds calls “the retail support brigade” to come riding over the hills, you might want to rethink. After last year turned in one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in decades, people were hoping that things might perk up this year, but Black Friday’s results don’t look too good for retailers. Sales were up a paltry 0.5% from last year, and that only because a lot more people came out bargain-hunting.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Retail HOLDRS (RTH); sell SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT); sell iShares FTSE NAREIT Retail Index Fund (RTL);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Hussman: 80% Chance Of A Market Crash Over The Next Year

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 02:13 PM PST

Fund manager John Hussman says he under-estimated how little investors have learned in the market crashes of recent years and thus has missed much of the market upside this year

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS (DIA); buy iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund (TLT); buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares (SDS); sell S&P 500 SPDR (SPY); sell iShares Russell 2000 (IWM); buy PIMCO 7-15 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund (TENZ);

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 02:20 AM PST

A few weeks ago, Claudio Borio, head of research at the Bank for International Settlements, warned in a solemn note to Group of 20 leaders that modern financial policymakers are “driving while just looking in the rear-view mirror”: western finance officials have focused so much on past risks that they fail to spot new dangers.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF; sell iShares S&P/Citigroup 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond Fund; sell iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Mexico’s Credit Rating Cut by Fitch on Fiscal Outlook

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 03:30 AM PST

“The global economic and financial crisis and falling oil production have accentuated weaknesses in the sovereign’s fiscal profile,’ Fitch said in a statement. “These weaknesses limit Mexico’s fiscal maneuverability in the face of future oil income shocks.”

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares MSCI-Mexico;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Utility players

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 03:34 AM PST

uying utility shares not only garners a yield nearly three times as high as the broader US stock market but often yields more than utilities’ own debt. Mr Gross reasons that, since governments seem inclined to allow all types of other businesses to earn only utility-type returns, one may as well invest in a sector already priced for such an outcome.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy SPDR-Utilities;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

City of London’s Corporate Governance and Voting Policy for Closed-End Funds

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:58 AM PST

City of London’s Corporate Governance and Voting Policy for Closed-End Funds

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

ETF Investing, With a Twist

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 05:19 AM PST

ETF Portfolio Management is using ETFs to create a twist on a hedge-fund strategy called “trend following,” which bets on sustained price movements to make returns with low correlation to the broad market. Trend-following funds are part of a group managing $92 billion that returned 18% last year when broader markets plunged, according to Hedge Fund Research. ETF Portfolio Management’s funds and the broad group of trend-following hedge funds have slightly negative returns in 2009.

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

China Wants to Slow Credit Boom

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 07:39 AM PST

Chinese banking regulators are putting pressure on the country’s banks to raise more capital and temper their rapid growth in lending, in a clear sign of official concern about the sustainability of the nation’s credit boom, senior Chinese bankers said Monday.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio; sell iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Citi Research: Nightmare on Commodity Street

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 08:36 AM PST

Thousands of very smart speculators have accumulated the biggest ever speculative physical raw material positions ever witnessed in the belief that either the dollar will collapse or an ongoing global ‘Supercycle’ will shake off the effects of the credit crunch and resume business as usual. They are funded in this venture by some of the lowest interest rates on record. What are the threats to their thesis?. They are as follows :

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund; sell iPath Dow Jones-AIG Commodity Index Total Return ETN; buyPowerShares DB Base Metals Double Short Exchange Traded Note; sell iPath Dow Jones-AIG Industrial Metals Total Return Sub-Inde ETN; sell iPathSM Dow Jones-AIG Nickel Total Return Sub-Index ETN;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Rand firms as South Africa exits recession

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 10:54 PM PST

The South African rand firmed on Tuesday after the country exited its first recession. A better-than-forecast gross domestic product figure for the third quarter, after three consecutive quarters of decline, meant that the country’s monetary loosening cycle was over. The rand edged up 0.1 per cent to R7.4583 against the dollar.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares MSCI-South Africa;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 10:57 PM PST

Take your top tier gold stocks and calculate the types of price scenarios their share prices are currently pricing in:

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF; buy Junior Gold Miners ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Medtronic Profit Soars 59%, Boosts Forecast

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 10:57 PM PST

…strong revenue growth and an implantable defibrillator business that appeared to shrug off problems affecting rivals.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares Dow Jones U.S. Medical Devices Index Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Now Chinese banks are under-capitalised

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 10:57 PM PST

China’s five largest banks submitted preliminary plans for raising capital to the industry regulator after they extended unprecedented amounts of new loans this year, according to four people with knowledge of the matter.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio; sell iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Wave of Debt Payments Facing U.S. Government

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 11:01 PM PST

Treasury officials now face a trifecta of headaches: a mountain of new debt, a balloon of short-term borrowings that come due in the months ahead, and interest rates that are sure to climb back to normal as soon as the Federal Reserve decides that the emergency has passed.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 12:19 AM PST

The top performing forecasters in Bloomberg’s survey of 46 firms predict the dollar will continue falling next year.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF; buy streetTRACKS Gold Trust; buy Rydex Euro Currency Trust; buy Junior Gold Miners ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Case-Shiller: Home Price Recovery Stumbles, Results Worse Than Expected

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 12:30 AM PST

Home prices fell 9.4% in September, according to the widely-respected S&P/Case-Shiller housing index. Analysts had been looking for a 9.1% decline, so this is a bit worse than expected.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares; sell iShares DJ US Real Estate;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

A Mad Rush as Gold Bugs Get the Boot

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 12:35 AM PST

Fleets of armored trucks piled with gold bars and coins have been streaming out of midtown Manhattan in one unexpected consequence of the gold craze.

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 02:55 AM PST

great chart from The Big Picture blog

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS; buy UltraShort S&P 500 ProShares; sell S&P 500 SPDR; sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Albert Edwards On Gold Mania, And Why Gold Is Very, Very Cheap

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 04:32 AM PST

Central bank hoarding of gold in 1970 ushered in the famous gold bull market. With central banks likely to be net gold purchasers in H2 2009 for the first time since 1988 the same starting gun is ringing out today. The price at which the USD would be fully backed by gold (as it was during the peak of the 70s mania) is $6,300. So there is a case for gold being “cheap.” Moreover, the 70s bull market was facilitated by tight energy markets, overly accommodative central banks and nerv

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy streetTRACKS Gold Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

John Paulson Making Big New Bet on Gold

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 04:35 AM PST

John Paulson, who scored about $20 billion of profits for his hedge fund between 2007 and early 2009 wagering against the housing market and financial companies, is launching a fund dedicated to buying up shares of gold miners and other bullion-related investments, according to three investors.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF; buy streetTRACKS Gold Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 06:35 AM PST

Société Générale has advised clients to be ready for a possible “global economic collapse” over the next two years, mapping a strategy of defensive investments to avoid wealth destruction.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell S&P 500 SPDR; sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock; sell iShares MSCI-Emerging Markets; sell iShares MSCI-EAFE; buy UBS E Tracs CMCI Food Tr; buy iPath Dow Jones AIG Sugar Total Return Sub Index; buy iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Fund; buyPIMCO 7-15 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Shut up, Lloyd Blankfein!

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:12 AM PST

Classic title

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

The Asia Pacific Fund October Monthly Update

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:25 AM PST

The Asia Pacific Fund October Monthly Update

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Asia Pacific Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

The Greater China Fund October Monthly Update

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:26 AM PST

The Greater China Fund October Monthly Update

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Greater China Fund, Inc.;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:31 AM PST

The Taiwan Greater China Fund Announces Commencement of Semi-Annual repurchase Offer

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Taiwan Greater China Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

A yuan-sided argument

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 07:59 AM PST

China allowed the yuan to rise by 21% against the dollar in the three years to July 2008, but since then it has more or less kept the rate fixed. As a result, the yuan’s trade-weighted value has been dragged down this year by the sickly dollar, while many other currencies have soared. Since March the Brazilian real and the South Korean won have gained 42% and 36% respectively against the yuan, seriously eroding those countries’ competitiveness.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 09:43 AM PST

Some retailers are finding ways to profit even in the face of declining sales. On Tuesday, luxury retailer Saks Inc. reported a surprise profit and Target Corp. notched its first rise in year-over-year net income in eight quarters. But both companies reported declines in sales at stores open for a year, and predicted more of the same in the current quarter, which includes Christmas.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Retail HOLDRS; sell SPDR S&P Retail ETF; sell iShares FTSE NAREIT Retail Index Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 01:14 PM PST

With the Fed in a holding pattern, markets have looked to economic data for their biggest moves in the last six months and that trend is likely to continue, Goldman Sachs economists said. “With the unemployment rate high, we expect the markets to continue to focus on employment data for indications of labor market improvement,” Goldman economists wrote in a research note.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell SPDR-Financial; sell S&P 500 SPDR; sell iShares Russell 2000; buy PIMCO 7-15 Year U.S. Treasury Index Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Lumber Futures Spike As Demand For Commodities Hits Fever Pitch

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 11:17 PM PST

Investors are piling into any commodity they can get their hands on as the dollar crumbles and real assets spike.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Claymore/Clear Global Timber Index ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

VIX of the VIX

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 11:32 PM PST

The volatility of the CBOE SPX Volatility Index (VIX) in recent days is especially noteworthy as the measure of implied volatility in the S & P 500 Index (SPX) is once again bouncing near year-to-date lows.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 11:37 PM PST

A cautionary tale of capitalist hubris. An amazing video from PBS.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25; sell SPDR S&P China ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 11:50 PM PST

BofA Merrill Lynch lowered its 2010 growth forecast for global semiconductor industry and downgraded ten chipmakers, including Intel Corp (INTC.O), turning more cautious on the group on expectations of a modest overshoot in global supply chain inventories.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF; sell iShares Goldman Sachs Semiconductor Index;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 19 Nov 2009 12:15 AM PST

San Francisco-based Wells Fargo agreed to buy back all auction rate securities it sold through its brokerage unit before Feb. 13, 2008, the association said in a statement. The bank also will pay a $1.9 million fine and reimburse investors who sold their holdings at a discount after the market collapsed.

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Roach: China’s Market Will Crumble

Posted: 19 Nov 2009 12:42 AM PST

Morgan Stanley’s Stephen Roach still believes in the long-term China story, but he warns investors to wait for a much-needed market correction first.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25; sell SPDR S&P China ETF; sell Claymore/AlphaShares China Small Cap Index ETF; buy UltraShort FTSE/Xinhua China 25 ProShares;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 19 Nov 2009 12:53 AM PST

Warning to Closed-End Fund Director–Mr. Andrew Donohue keynote address at IDC Conference

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Senior Secured Floating Rate Bonds (SSFR): The Best Investments to Own When Interest Rates Rise

Posted: 19 Nov 2009 01:00 AM PST

That’s why I recommend you spread your risk and go with a well-diversified, closed-end fund that invests in hundreds of Senior Secured Floating Rate bonds at once. Such an approach ensures the impact of any bankruptcy is minimal. It also provides daily liquidity.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income II;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Brazil sparks wider currency control fears

Posted: 19 Nov 2009 01:03 AM PST

Brazil moved overnight to close a loophole that had allowed investors to avoid a 2 per cent tax on foreign investment in equities and bonds announced last month.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell WisdomTree Dreyfus Brazilian Real Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 02:06 AM PST

Great Info from the Council on Foreign Relations

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy SPDR S&P China ETF;
Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Freshest Data Shows The Recovery Is Nowhere Near V-Shaped

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 04:01 AM PST

This data appears to be at odds with the inflationary environment gold, commodities and equities have been giving off. Perhaps more important in this data is the fact that it shows investors are simply moving out of dollars and into real assets – not as a sign of inflation worries loom, but as investors lose faith in the longevity of the United States and the paper we print our money on.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund; sell PowerShares DB Oil Fund; buyUltraShort S&P 500 ProShares; sell streetTRACKS Gold Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Dave Rosenberg 11/17/2009

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 04:42 AM PST

Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Fisher suggested yesterday that the Q3 real GDP print will be taken down from 3.5% at an annual rate to 2.5% ? despite massive government stimulus. (Is that all you get for your money?) And the Philadelphia Fed survey of professional forecasters shows that this collection of 41 economists just took down their 2010 Q1 GDP call to 2.3% from 2.5% and for next year?s Q2 to 2.4% from 2.8%.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS; sell SPDR S&P Retail ETF; sell S&P 500 SPDR;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Gold – the next bubble?

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 05:42 AM PST

WHAT are the preconditions for a bubble? Perhaps there are four: easy credit conditions, a significant trend-breaking event, the lack of plausible valuation measures and an appealing story.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell streetTRACKS Gold Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Goldman Sachs: “V-Shaped Recovery Unlikely”

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 05:55 AM PST

Despite the sharp pickup in real GDP growth since the dark days of early 2009, we estimate that real final demand—net of the boost from fiscal policy—is still contracting at an annual rate of around 1% in the second half of 2009. Although we expect a moderate recovery of around 2% by the second half of 2010, such a 3-percentage-point improvement would be insufficient to offset the loss of 4-5 percentage points of stimulus from fiscal policy and the inventory cycle. Hence, real G

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell DJIA DIAMONDS; buy PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund; sellS&P 500 SPDR; sell Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock; sell streetTRACKS Gold Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

TF Oct Monthly Update

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 06:10 AM PST

The Thai Capital Fund October Monthly Update

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Thai Capital Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 06:22 AM PST

Altman Group hosted CEF conference…Here is link for replay if interested

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Michael Panzner: Commercial Real Estate Is A “Tsunami Unfolding”

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 09:18 AM PST

Today, Panzner calls a V-shaped recovery “ridiculous,” says commercial real estate is a bubble sure to burst, and is fearful that there’s far too much speculation on commodities, risky stocks and emerging markets. In short, he says “the world is a riskier place and will continue to stay that way going forward.”

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund; sell PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund; sell PowerShares DB Oil Fund; buy PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund; sell S&P 500 SPDR; sellstreetTRACKS Gold Trust; sell iShares MSCI-Emerging Markets;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

The Great Wallop : Chimerica

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 09:43 AM PST

A FEW years ago we came up with the term “Chimerica” to describe the combination of the Chinese and American economies, which together had become the key driver of the global economy. With a combined 13 percent of the world’s land surface and around a quarter of its population, Chimerica nevertheless accounted for a third of global economic output and two-fifths of worldwide growth from 1998 to 2007.

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 01:42 PM PST

With producers still collectively pursuing growth, the chances of a rebound in gas prices next year looks more remote than ever. Yet the S&P Supercomposite oil and gas E&P index—weighted 69% to gas production—commands a forward price/earnings multiple of 22 times. Such confidence is the very thing causing the industry to drill its way into trouble.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund; sell United States Natural Gas Fund, LP;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Hands warns governments on banks

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 10:58 PM PST

Guy Hands, head of private equity house Terra Firma, warned on Wednesday that unless governments pushed banks to restructure $7,000bn of leveraged loans that are due to mature by 2014, the US and Europe could face the “Japanese problem” of zero growth.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell ING Prime Rate Trust;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Africa: Corruption Perception – Nigeria’s Rating Worsens

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:08 PM PST

Nigeria dropped nine places to 130th position out of the 180 countries ranked on the global Corruption Perceptions Index Nigera allocation is 17% of AFK

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell Market Vectors-Africa Index ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:11 PM PST

Bing search engine continues to make incremental gains in search share, with new numbers bringing Bing’s share closer to double digits. SWH – 21% MSFT

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy Software HOLDRS;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

It’s Quiet…Too Quiet

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:21 PM PST

In that vein, Pat Neal, Jefferies’ stock and derivatives strategist, is telling clients to use the lull in the VIX to hedge stock portfolios. He sees a hidden disconnect between quiescent VIX and its component stocks that could spell trouble for stocks.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

U.S. consumers expect deep holiday discounts

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:33 PM PST

Almost 70 percent of consumers surveyed said they wanted to see discounts of at least 50 percent before they would buy something for the holidays, according to the survey by America’s Research Group.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: sell SPDR S&P Retail ETF;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Posted: 17 Nov 2009 11:40 PM PST

very interesting map of unemployment

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

Mobius Sees 40% BRIC Stocks Gain, Buy on Correction

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:16 AM PST

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) — Mark Mobius said stocks in Brazil, Russia, India and China are likely to rise by 30 to 40 percent within three to four years as higher economic growth and lower government debt spurs corporate earnings.

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25; buy iShares MSCI-Brazil; buy iShares MSCI-Emerging Markets; buy SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF; buy Market Vectors Russia ETF Trust; buy iPath MSCI India Index ETN; buyiShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund; buy Templeton Emerging Markets Fund, Inc;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion

The Case for the Chinese Yuan

Posted: 18 Nov 2009 12:38 AM PST

Investors may look back at the liquidity crisis of 2008 as the inflection point that affirmed China as a global economic superpower. During this time, the majority of emerging market currencies suffered as investors fled higher-risk currencies. However, the Chinese yuan largely tracked the safe haven flight to the U.S. dollar, and investments providing exposure to movement in the yuan generated a positive return and exhibited low volatility during the most volatile market environ

ETFDesk users see this as a potential opportunity to: buy WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund;

Check out how others are using ETFs to capitalize on this news or add your own opinion