Global ETF News Older than One Year
NASDAQ OMX's iPhone App Enhanced With Addition of Nordic Stocks
January 18, 2010--The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced that it has enhanced the stock market application called NASDAQ OMX Portfolio Manager (QFolio), which successfully launched in
October 2009. The enhancements include the addition of stock data from four Nordic markets (Stockholm, Helsinki,
Copenhagen and Iceland) as well as a currency converter for the following currencies: USD, EUR, SEK, DKK and ISK. The application is now available from the Apple App Store.
With the NASDAQ OMX Portfolio Manager, investors can use their iPhone or iPod touch to build a quick watch list or a detailed portfolio of Nordic as well as U.S. stocks. The application permits users to track price performance in real time and view dynamic charts. The NASDAQ OMX Portfolio Manager also provides access to StockTwits for U.S. stocks. StockTwits is a rapidly growing community for private investors.
"When we became the first exchange company to launch an iPhone application for U.S. stocks last year, we saw that there was strong demand from investors for real-time market quotes from their iPhone and iPod,” said Hans-Ole Jochumsen, President of NASDAQ OMX Nordic. “Now we are very pleased to be able to extend our application to include the Nordic markets, making it the first and only iPhone application that provides Nordic stock quotes in local currency.”
The NASDAQ OMX Portfolio Manager is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/
Source: NASDAQ OMX
Currency ETC Assets Rise $45mn in 2 Months and Trading Volumes Soar as Investors Build Long US Dollar Positions and Turn Negative on Yen
January 18, 2010--ETF Securities (ETFS), which launched the world’s largest and Europe’s first platform of Exchange Traded Currencies (Currency ETCs) in November 2009, has seen assets in the platform grow to $45 million after only two months of trading with weekly trading volumes rising over 400% over the period.
Currency ETCs which are Long USD and short G10 currencies have seen the most interest from investors, making up 74% of assets with USD strengthening 2.8% since the inception of the currency platform (as measured by the US Dollar Index, DXY). ETFS Short JPY Long USD (SJPY) has been the most popular trade, capturing 49% of assets, while the Canadian dollar held the most net long positions.
Source: ETF Securities
NYSE Euronext Leads Global Exchange Traded Products Market In 2009
January 14, 2010 −NYSE Euronext (NYX) today announced that 2009 was a robust year for Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) on both NYSE Arca, its fully electronic U.S. market, and its combined European markets in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Lisbon.
In the U.S. , 107 new ETFs, 9 new ETNs and 85 new certificates were added to NYSE Arca’s growing roster of primary listings. That included 12 issuers that had not previously sponsored Exchange Traded Products on NYSE Arca. New issuers of ETPs in 2009 on NYSE Arca included AdvisorShares; Charles Schwab; Emerging Global; ETF Securities; FaithShares; Geary Advisors; Global X; Grail Advisors; Index IQ; Javelin; Old Mutual; and PIMCO.
In Europe , at the end of 2009, NYSE Euronext’s ETP segment consisted of 449 ETFs, 42 ETVs, five ETNs and approximately 12,762 warrants and certificates. The past year on NYSE Euronext’s European markets was highlighted by 107 new ETF listings, including two by new ETF issuers, HSBC and Think Capital, which launched their first ETF s on NYSE Euronext markets, and continued product expansions from CASAM ETFs, EasyETFs, DB x-Trackers, Lyxor, iShares, ETF Securities, and Invesco Powershares.
Source: NYSE Euronext
Depositary Receipts Show Resiliency in 2009 on Higher Global TradingVolume, Program Establishment, Capital Raisings and Price Returns, According to BNY Mellon Year-End Industry Report
BNY Mellon ADR Index finishes up 36%, more than 280 new DR programs created worldwide
January 14, 2010--As global equity markets experienced
dramatic volatility in 2009, depositary receipts (DRs) proved their
value to investors as a preferred vehicle for portfolio diversification
and cross-border investing, according to BNY Mellon’s annual year-end
report on the DR industry. DR program establishment and capital
raisings remained off historical highs but were stronger year-on-year.
Overall DR performance, as tracked by the BNY Mellon ADR IndexSM,
finished the year 36% higher, while total DR trading volume reached
record levels, up 2% from 2008, even with declining equity values.
"Investors are using DRs to access global equities as they seek new investment opportunities," said Michael Cole-Fontayn, chief executive officer of BNY Mellon's Depositary Receipts business. "In 2010, we see great opportunities from emerging markets, as evidenced by the continued shift in the flow of funds from developed to emerging markets, especially the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries.
"U.S. institutional and retail investor demand has driven the continued expansion of the unsponsored DR marketplace and the creation of the BNY Mellon Composite Depositary Receipt Index(SM), which benchmarks more than 870 DR programs from over 50 countries. BNY Mellon remains committed to providing the investment community with the widest array of investible products to satisfy the need for comprehensive international investing," Cole-Fontayn added.
Highlights include:
34 of the 35 BNY Mellon ADR country indices posted higher returns in 2009, with the Argentina, Brazil and India indices each posting returns above 100%
The world's largest DR issue as measured by value was Brazil's Petrobras, with nearly $58 billion worth of DRs outstanding
By the close of 2009, investors were able to select from a record 3,127 sponsored and unsponsored DR programs for companies from 74 countries
Issuers from emerging markets continued to dominate many DR market metrics, accounting for 69% of capital raisings, 55% of trading value and trading volume, and 50% of new sponsored programs
DR capital raisings totaled $32 billion, a 122% increase from 2008's $14.4 billion, led by issuers from China, India and Taiwan. The largest DR capital-raising transaction in 2009 was ING Group, which raised $11 billion.
Further results from BNY Mellon's year-end industry report follow.
Source: BNY Mellon
Central Banks have been net purchasers of gold since the second quarter of 2009
The survey estimates net sales from the sector were down 90% in 2009 compared to 2008.
January 14, 2010--The latest interim Update to the GFMS Gold Survey 2009 reports that, on a quarterly basis, the official sector became a net purchaser of gold during the second quarter of 2009 and has remained so since. GFMS expects that IMF sales will augment official sector sales this year, but that modest purchases elsewhere will constrain volumes overall.
The Survey estimates that net sales from the sector were down 90% in 2009 against 2008 levels, although the study does warn that estimates may be revised in the future as a result of the lag that often exists between central bank activity taking place and subsequently being identified.
The sector shifted onto the buy-side of the market during the second quarter and has remained there since. The "collapse" in net sales is largely attributable to the substantial fall in CBGA disposals; these were down by 160 tonnes from the already low level of 2008. The final CBGA year itself (ended 26th September) saw sales of just 157 tonnes, compared with the quota of 500 tonnes.
Source: MineWeb
ETF Securities’ Commodity ETC Assets Rise $9bn in 2009 to $16bn as Demand for Gold, Energy, Agriculture and Other Hard Assets Surge
January 14, 2010--Commodities bounced back strongly in 2009 following the recent credit crisis, with ETFS Forward All Commodities DJ-UBSCI-F3SM (FAIG) up 23% over the year and 263% over the past 10 years. ETFS Industrial Metals (AIGI) was the best performing sector, up 80% over the past year.
Record breaking year for commodity ETCs, with assets up over $9bn (2.3X end-2008 levels) to $16bn
ETFS Copper (COPA) up 130% and ETFS Physical Palladium (PHPD) up 114%, 2 of top 5 best performing long ETFs/ETCs listed on the London Stock Exchange
ETFS Industrial Metals (AIGI) best performing commodity basket in 2009, up 80%
Physically-backed precious metal ETC holdings – gold, silver, platinum, palladium - reach historic highs
ETFS Forward All Commodities DJ-UBSCI-F3SM (FAIG) up 263% over the past 10 years, making commodities the top performing major asset class over the period
Commodities bounced back strongly in 2009 following the recent credit crisis, with ETFS Forward All Commodities DJ-UBSCI-F3SM (FAIG) up 23% over the year and 263% over the past 10 years. ETFS Industrial Metals (AIGI) was the best performing sector, up 80% over the past year. Industrial metals significantly outperformed developed market equities, outperforming the Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 by 48 percentage points in 2009. Industrial metals have also outperformed bonds, cash and real estate over the same period as the global recovery has become more entrenched and market appetite for plays on the recovery has accelerated. The precious metals sector was the next best performing major sector, with ETFS Physical Silver (PHAG), ETFS Physical Platinum (PHPT) and ETFS Physical Palladium (PHPD) all returning over 50% in 2009.
Source: ETF Securities
ETF Securities: 2009 An Extremely Strong Year For High-yield and Commodity Currency ETCs With ETFS Long AUD Topping Performance, Up 32%
January 13, 2010--The Australian Dollar emerged from 2009 as the strongest performer on ETF Securities’ Currency ETC platform, with the ETFS Long AUD Short USD (LAUD) surging over 32%, driven by investors’ renewed search for yield and a renewed appetite for commodity-related investments.
The index return also incorporates an implicit interest rate return. Over 2009, investors in LAUD would have earned an implied interest return of 3.25%*, significantly better than the return of a typical local at-call bank deposit account. Australian Dollar ETCs accounted for nearly 25% of the volume traded on the Currency ETC platform since inception. The MSFXSM Long New Zealand Dollar Index followed closely behind, generating a solid return of 29%, with an implied interest return of around 2.5%*.
Currencies were one of the top performing asset classes over the past three and five years - the MSFXSM Long Australian Dollar Index returned a striking 31%* over three years and 47% over five years. A comparison with other asset classes shows how attractive an FX investment can be: the MSFXSM Long Australian Dollar Index outperformed both the S&P500 and the DJ STOXX 50 equity indices by around 47 percentage points over the past three years. Over the past five years, the MSFXSM Long Australian Dollar Index outperformed the S&P500 and the DJ STOXX 50 equity indices by around 45 percentage points and 32 percentage points, respectively.
During 2009, commodity currencies performed remarkably well. The MSFXSM G10 Currency Indices that track commodity related currencies outperformed the other MSFXSM G10 Currency Indices by over 20 percentage points last year. The top four performing G10 currencies over 2009 had solid economic ties to commodity markets. In particular, the MSFXSM Long Norwegian Krone Index and the MSFXSM Long Canadian Dollar Index posted strong returns of 22% and 17%, respectively, as crude oil rallied 78% last year.
ETF Securities, which listed Europe’s first and the world’s largest Currency ETC platform in 2009, saw trading volumes in long and short Australian Dollar (LAUD;SAD), New Zealand Dollar (LNZD;SNZD), Canadian Dollar (LCAD;SCAD) and Norwegian Krone (LNOK;SNOK) ETCs contribute 40% of the volume traded on the ETFS Currency ETC platform in 2009, as investors increasingly used these ETCs to implement their trading strategies.
Source: ETF Securities
TABB Group: US Futures Industry Set for Renewed Growth Due to Rising Focus on Risk Management and Advanced Execution Methodologies
January 12, 2010--According to TABB Group in a new industry benchmark study, “Trends in US Futures Trading: The Buy Side Perspective,” the US futures industry is set to rebound in 2010 after trading volume suffered its first decline since 1995.
The combination of stricter risk controls across the brokerage industry and closure of hedge and proprietary trading funds – “more than 2,000 have blown up or disappeared in a cloud of smoke” - were key factors behind the 23% volume decline in 2009. Based on a TABB estimate, trading is projected to surge 14% in 2010 as interest rate volume recovers.
While risk management has always been critical, traders tell TABB they have a new view of risk and reward, says Andy Nybo, a principal at TABB, head of derivatives and author of the study. “True, the bad news is that volume’s down, but there is plenty of good news ahead. Trading activity is beginning to stabilize, with pockets of strength in core asset classes such as energy, commodities and foreign exchange beginning to accelerate. As trading volume returns, rising open interest indicates that participants are using futures for ‘longer term’ risk management and commercial strategies.”
Nybo believes that futures will continue to become a more important weapon in the trader’s arsenal of tools used to manage risk and enhance exposure in desired asset classes. “The events of the past year are clearly focusing attention on the use of futures as a way to better manage exposures across a broad range of asset classes.”
Source: TABB Group
Global ETF assets break through $1 trillion milestone at the end of 2009
January 13, 2010--Highlights
Global ETF and ETP Industry 2009:
* Global ETF assets have hit an all time high of US$1,032 Bn at year end 2009; 4.3% above the previous all time high of US$982 Bn set in November 2009.
* At the end of December 2009 the global ETF industry had 1,939 ETFs with 3,775 listings and assets of $1,032.3 Bn, from 109 providers on 40 exchanges around the world.
* Globally, net sales of mutual funds (excluding ETFs) were US$13.3 Bn, while net sales of ETFs were US$93.8 Bn during the first nine months of 2009 according to Strategic Insight.
* Additionally, there were 619 other Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) with assets of US$154.52 Bn from 40 providers on 19 exchanges.
* Combined, there were 2,558 products with 4,687 listings and assets of US$1,186.5 Bn from 132 providers on 43 exchanges around the world.
US ETF and ETP Industry 2009:
* US ETF assets have hit an all time high of US$705 Bn at year end 2009 which tops the previous all time high of US$665 Bn set in November 2009.
* At the end of December 2009 the US ETF industry had 772 ETFs and assets of $705.5 Bn, from 28 providers on two exchanges.
* In the US, net sales of mutual funds (excluding ETFs) were minus US$131.5 Bn, while net sales of ETFs domiciled in the US were positive US$64.0 Bn in the first nine months of 2009 according to Strategic Insight.
* Additionally, there were 142 other Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) with assets of US$88.1 Bn from 17 providers on one exchange.
* Combined, there were 914 products with assets of US$793.6 Bn from 41 providers on two exchanges in the US.
European ETF and ETP Industry 2009:
* European ETF assets have hit an all time high of US$223 Bn at year end 2009 which is 3.1% above the previous all time high of US$217 Bn set in November 2009 and 39.7% above the high of US$160 Bn recorded in July 2008.
* At the end of December 2009 the European ETF industry had 821 ETFs with 2,359 listings and assets of $223.5 Bn, from 32 providers on 18 exchanges.
* In Europe net sales of mutual funds (excluding ETFs) were US$210.5 Bn while net sales of ETFs domiciled in Europe were US$36.5 Bn during the first ten months of 2009 according to Lipper FMI.
* Additionally, there were 184 other Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) with assets of US$19.1 Bn from six providers on six exchanges.
* Combined, there were 1,005 products with assets of US$242.6 Bn from 34 providers on 18 exchanges in Europe.
Source: ETF Research and Implementation Strategy, Blackrock
NASDAQ Announces 2009 New Listings Statistics
January 12, 2010--The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
(Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced that The NASDAQ Stock Market(R) (NASDAQ)
captured a total of 131 new listings in 2009. Included were 33 initial
public offerings, more than any other U.S. exchange.
The new listings are comprised of the following categories:
4th Qtr 2009 2009 Total
------------ ----------
Total New Listings 64 131
NYSE Group Switches 10 24
Initial Public Offerings 18 33
Upgrades from Over-the-Counter 22 47
ETFs, Structured Products & Other Listings 14 27
NASDAQ OMX captured in 2009 $157 billion in global market capitalization from NYSE Group companies that switched to NASDAQ.
NASDAQ had 5 companies transfer from the New York Stock Exchange in the fourth quarter, the most switches ever in a single quarter. The transfers include global telecommunication company Vodafone Group (Nasdaq:VOD), which commands a global market capitalization of $120 billion, BMC Software (Nasdaq:BMC), a provider of technology solutions to large enterprises, integrated telecommunication provider Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN) and semiconductor pioneers Cypress Semiconductor (Nasdaq: CY) and Micron Technology (Nasdaq:MU). NASDAQ also welcomed 5 transfers from NYSE Amex during the fourth quarter including Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (Nasdaq:ROIC), a retail focused real estate investment trust, and Deerfield Capital (Nasdaq:DFR).
In the fourth quarter alone, NASDAQ captured a total of 64 new listings, highlighted by an emerging IPO market which brought 18 new companies to NASDAQ. The fourth quarter featured the two largest domestic IPOs of the year, of which both chose to list on NASDAQ. Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK), a provider of risk assessment solutions, and global biotechnology company Talecris Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq:TLCR) raised $1.8 billion and $950 million, respectively. Other notable domestic IPOs included Education Management (Nasdaq:EDMC), AGA Medical Holdings (Nasdaq:AGAM), Ancestry.com (Nasdaq:ACOM), rue21 (Nasdaq:RUE), Fortinet (Nasdaq:FTNT) and Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL).
NASDAQ welcomed seventeen companies from Greater China in the fourth quarter, bringing our total new listings from the region to 33 for 2009. NASDAQ currently lists 124 companies headquartered in Greater China, more than any other U.S. exchange. Fourth quarter Chinese listings were highlighted by the spin-off of China Real Estate Information Corp. (Nasdaq:CRIC) from E-House Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:EJ), along with the NYSE Amex transfers of Exceed Company Ltd. (Nasdaq:EDS), Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Nasdaq:SVA) and Hong Kong Highpower Technology (Nasdaq:HPJ).
NASDAQ is also proud to announce the listing of nine new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during the fourth quarter. The new products included seven Vanguard Bond Index ETFs (Nasdaq:VCIT), (Nasdaq:VGIT), (Nasdaq:VCLT), (Nasdaq:VGLT), (Nasdaq:VMBS), (Nasdaq:VCSH), (Nasdaq:VGSH) and the First Trust NASDAQ(R) Clean Edge(R) Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (Nasdaq:GRID) which is based on the NASDAQ(R) Clean Edge(R) Smart Grid Infrastructure Index(SM)(Nasdaq:QGRD).
To view all new NASDAQ listings in 2009, visit http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/6948/file/7725.pdf
Statistics are sourced from internal NASDAQ information. IPOs include offerings done on a "best efforts" basis and do not include real estate investment trusts and closed-end funds. For more information about these and other NASDAQ statistics, visit http://www.nasdaqomx.com/listingcenter/usmarket/.
Source: NASDAQ OMX
