Global ETF News Older than One Year
The 2017 challenge for blockchain: Getting executives to understand it
December 14, 2016--Will 2017 be the year blockchain becomes part of the mainstream business culture?
This past year has seen the technology used in various ways, and companies are throwing money behind it, but headaches and obstacles to its growth remain.
Source: CNBC.com
World Gold Council-The global investment market: new perspectives on consumer behaviour
December 13, 2016--The global gold bar and coin market has boomed in the past 10 years. Several factors have underpinned this growth, perhaps the most important being that successive financial crises have tested investors' faith in governments, banks, monetary policies and fiat currencies around the world.
In 2016 we concluded a comprehensive research programme investigating gold buying behaviour across the major markets-China, India, Germany and the US. The objective was to better understand what motivates people to buy gold, what their purchase journey looks like, and what the triggers and barriers are when it comes to buying gold. And, importantly, to assess the potential for growth in global retail gold investment.
Source: World Gold Council
Bitcoin Price Tops $777, Highest Exchange Rate Since Early 2014
December 13, 2016--Trump volatility, Chinese devaluation and the war on cash help push bitcoin to its highest value in almost three years.
The Bitcoin rally continues as the BTC/USD exchange rate now stands at over $777 per cryptocurrency token.
Source: financemagnates.com
OMR: What a difference a year makes
December 13, 2016--The final report of 2016 analyses events as dramatic as those that kicked off the year. The focus in January was on $30/bbl oil and the imminent increase in Iranian oil production after sanctions were lifted.
In December, we are seeing the first proposed output cut by OPEC since 2008 -and the first deal including non-OPEC producers since 2001-which marks a major departure from the market share policy followed for the past two years. OPEC's cut to crude production of 1.2 mb/d almost matches its deliberate production increase of 1.3 mb/d in the twelve months to October (the month on which the OPEC cuts are based), while the non-OPEC group has seen its crude output fall in the same period by about 0.9 mb/d.
Source: iea.org
Bogle calls for politicians to re-examine ETFs
December 12, 2016--Exchange traded funds have led to excessive trading and changed the way the stock market works, according to the man widely regarded as the father of passive investing, who is now calling for politicians to re-examine the sector.
Source: thearabianpost.com
December 2016 BIS Quarterly Review: Delving deeply into currency and derivatives markets
December 12, 2016--The December 2016 issue of the BIS Quarterly Review examines the data collected earlier this year from close to 1,300 banks and other dealers in 52 jurisdictions as part of the Triennial Central Bank Survey of foreign exchange and OTC derivatives markets, the most comprehensive snapshot of the size and structure of these markets.
Trading on global currency and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets continues to grow, but why are some segments thriving while others fall back?
view the BIS Quarterly Review, December 2016
Source: BIS
Commodities ETFs a short-term bet for investors
December 12, 2016--Big inflows mask flightiness of those pumping money into such funds
Source: FT.com
Traditional index funds must emerge from the shadows
December 11, 2016--Each day, the investing public hears news of the latest developments in exchange traded index funds (ETFs).
But rare is the mention of traditional index funds, which I call Tifs, although the acronym has yet to gain acceptance.
Source: thearabianpost.com
OPEC-Monthly Oil Market Report November 2016-December 2016
December 11, 2016--Oil market highlights
Crude Oil Price Movements
Crude oil prices were volatile in November, with the OPEC Reference Basket dropping by 10% to $43.22/b. ICE Brent was down by 8.4% at $47.08/b and NYMEX WTI fell 8.4% to $45.76/b, reflecting uncertainties in the market.
However, crude futures prices moved sharply higher in the first weeks of December, following OPEC and non- OPEC meetings.
In November, the Brent-WTI spread averaged around $1.30/b
Source: OPEC
FTSE Russell and Research Affiliates Launch New ESG Smart Beta Indexes
December 8, 2016--Indexes are designed for investors with ESG investment objectives
Indexes build on the RAFITM Fundamental IndexTM methodology
Indexes provide systematic, smart beta approach to ESG investing
FTSE Russell, the global index provider, and Research Affiliates, LLC, a pioneer in smart beta strategies, today announced the launch of two new ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) smart beta indexes: the FTSE4Good RAFITM Indices and the FTSE RAFITN ex Fossil Fuels Indices. Both indices can be used by a wide variety of market participants in creating responsible investment products.
Source: ftserussell.com
