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Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
September 13, 2011--Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth. While indicators point to some improvement in overall labor market conditions, the unemployment rate remains elevated. Household spending has continued to advance, but business fixed investment appears to be increasing less rapidly and the housing sector remains depressed. Inflation has moderated since earlier in the year, and longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable.
Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee continues to expect a moderate pace of economic growth over coming quarters and consequently anticipates that the unemployment rate will decline only gradually toward levels that the Committee judges to be consistent with its dual mandate. Strains in global financial markets continue to pose significant downside risks to the economic outlook. The Committee also anticipates that inflation will settle, over coming quarters, at levels at or below those consistent with the Committee’s dual mandate. However, the Committee will continue to pay close attention to the evolution of inflation and inflation expectations.
To support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at levels consistent with the dual mandate, the Committee decided today to continue its program to extend the average maturity of its holdings of securities as announced in September. The Committee is maintaining its existing policies of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Committee will regularly review the size and composition of its securities holdings and is prepared to adjust those holdings as appropriate.
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Source: FRB
Global X Funds Relaunches China Technology ETF (QQQC)
December 13, 2011--Global X Funds, the New York-based provider of exchange- traded funds (ETFs), today re-launched the Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF (Ticker: QQQC) on the NASDAQ.
The fund was previously named the Global X China Technology ETF (Ticker: CHIB).
The Global X NASDAQ China Technology ETF tracks the NASDAQ OMX China Technology Index, which is designed to track the performance of the technology sector in China. As of December 12, 2011, the three largest components of the index were ASM Pacific Techno, Lenovo Group, and BAIDU, INC.
QQQC is made up of securities of companies which have their main business operations in the technology sector: computer services; internet; software; computer hardware; electronic office equipment; semiconductors; and telecommunications equipment. Investors in the fund may stand to benefit from the fact that China now has more than 500 million internet users, representing an internet penetration rate just under 40% - significantly lower than the U.S. penetration rate of nearly 80% and demonstrating the potential for future user growth (State Information Office of the Internet, 2011). In addition, in Q3 of 2011, China passed the U.S. as the largest market for smartphones in the world, with shipments just under 24 million units – a 58% increase from the previous quarter, according to Strategy Analytics. When it comes to online gaming, China's online game market is expected to reach more than 60 million users by 2013, up from 15.5 million in 2009, according to Reuters, 2010. Finally, spending on broadband infrastructure equipment is expected to reach $1.15 billion in 2014, up from $925 million in 2011 and $688 million in 2010 (HIS iSuppli, 2011).
“China is driving its efficient manufacturing and rapidly expanding consumer base into higher value, technology-based products and services,” said Bruno del Ama, CEO of Global X Management.
Source: Global X
CFTC to Hold Open Meeting to Consider Three Final Rules
December 13, 2011--The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., on the following topics:
(1) Final Rule on Real-Time Reporting of Swap Transaction Data;
(2) Final Rule on Swap Data Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements; and
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Source: CFTC.gov
ALPS ETF Trust to liquidate 2 ETFS
December 13, 2011 — ALPS ETF Trust
announced today the scheduled liquidation of the Jefferies
TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund (CRBA)
and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity
Index Fund (CRBI) (collectively, the “Funds”).
The Funds will close to new investors on December 22, 2011 and will liquidate on December 28, 2011.
ALPS ETF Trust’s Board of Trustees’ decision was made after consultation with ALPS Advisors, Inc., the investment advisor to the funds. The Board considered current market conditions as well as prospects for growth in the Funds’ assets in the foreseeable future. The Board determined that it was advisable and in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to liquidate the Funds, which are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”).
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Source: Jeffries
ALPS ETF Trust to Liquidate 2 ETFs
December 13, 2011--ALPS ETF Trust announced today the scheduled liquidation of the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund (CRBA) and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund (CRBI) (collectively, the "Funds"). The Funds will close to new investors on December 22, 2011 and will liquidate on December 28, 2011.
ALPS ETF Trust's Board of Trustees' decision was made after consultation with ALPS Advisors, Inc., the investment advisor to the funds.
The Board considered current market conditions as well as prospects for growth in the Funds' assets in the foreseeable future. The Board determined that it was advisable and in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to liquidate the Funds, which are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the "NYSE Arca").
Thursday, December 22, 2011, is scheduled to be the last day of trading for the shares of the Funds on NYSE Arca. Beginning immediately through December 27, 2011, the Funds will be in the process of closing down and liquidating their portfolios. This process will result in the Funds not tracking their underlying indexes and their cash holdings increasing, which may not be consistent with the Funds' investment objectives and strategies. From December 23, 2011 to December 27, 2011, shareholders may be able to sell their shares to certain broker-dealers, but there can be no assurance that there will be a market for the Funds. Any person holding shares in the Funds as of the liquidation date of December 28, 2011 will receive a cash distribution equal to the net asset value of their shares as of that date. Shareholders receiving this cash distribution will not incur transaction fees in connection with this distribution or the liquidation of their shares in the Funds. However, a portion of the distribution may represent an ordinary income dividend or a capital gain distribution.
For additional information about the liquidation shareholders of the Funds may call ALPS Distributors, Inc. at 1.877.526.9298 or go to the ALPS ETF Trust website: http://www.alpsfunds.com .
Source: ALPS
Charles Schwab files with the SEC
December 13, 2011--Charles Schwab has filed a post-effective amendment, registration statement with the SEC for the Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF(SCHX)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV)
Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF (SCHM)
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA)
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)
view filing
Source: SEC.gov
Global X files with the SEC
December 13, 2011--Global X has filed a post-effective amendment no.54, registration statement with the SEC for the Global X NASDAQ 500 ETF
Global X NASDAQ 400 Mid Cap ETF and the
Global X NASDAQ 100 Global Technology Index ETF
view filing
Source: SEC.gov
NYSE Liffe U.S. Surpasses One Million in Total Open Interest
10% Market Share in Open Interest vs. CME in Eurodollars
Nearly 15 Million Interest Rate Futures Traded since Go-Live in March 2011
Continued Volume Growth and Customer Adoption Across Products
December 12, 2011--NYSE Liffe U.S., the U.S. futures exchange of NYSE Euronext (NYX), today announced it has reached one million lots in total Exchange Open Interest, a major milestone underscoring liquidity across asset classes and continued high levels of customer participation. Less than a year after introducing its suite of Interest Rate futures contracts, NYSE Liffe U.S. has built a competitive exchange platform offering a unique combination of industry-leading technology, capital and operational efficiencies and ground-breaking innovation.
Total Eurodollar and US Treasury futures Open Interest currently stands at 890,000 lots, representing over 87% of the Exchange's total Open Interest. Mini MSCI futures and precious metals futures also contributed 117,000 and 10,000 lots, respectively. NYSE Liffe U.S. currently represents approximately 10% of the total open interest in Eurodollar futures traded on the CME.
"As we approach the end of the year, we are grateful for the overwhelming support of our valued customers, who have enabled us to cross the one million milestone in total Open Interest on NYSE Liffe U.S.," said Thomas F. Callahan, CEO, NYSE Liffe U.S. "As we complete our first nine months of trading interest rate futures, we have quickly built a strong and diverse base of customer participation. Our rapid growth reflects the market's recognition of our unique platform that incorporates the liquidity of our exchange with the capital efficiencies of NYPC."
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Source: NYSE Liffe U.S.
Banner Corporation to Join NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index
December 12, 2011--Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today announced that it will join the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index (Nasdaq:ABQI) which will become effective prior to the market open on Monday, December 19, 2011.
"Our addition to the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community BankIndex will expand awareness of our accomplishments among institutional investors and the investment community," said Mark. J. Grescovich, President and CEO.
The Index is designed to track the performance of banks and thrifts, or their holding companies, listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market®. The Index is intended to serve as a benchmark for investment products by including the larger and more liquid community banks. The NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index is reviewed on a semi-annual basis. For more information about the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, including detailed eligibility criteria, visit https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/.
Source: NASDAQ OMX
DTCC Files with SEC to Operate a CCP for Mortgage-Backed Securities
December 12, 2011--The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) announced today that the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (MBSD) of its Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) subsidiary has filed an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide central counterparty (CCP) and pool netting services for trades in U.S. mortgage-backed securities.
This initiative is designed to reduce the risks and costs associated with trading in the $100 trillion-a-year market.
“We anticipate that our central counterparty services will reduce risk by greatly streamlining the settlement of mortgage-backed securities trades,” said Murray Pozmanter, DTCC managing director and general manager, Clearing Services.
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Source: Yahoo Finance
