This Week In ETFs: May 6th Edition

This week proved to be a rather�disappointing�one as worse-than-expected jobs data�shocked the markets, forcing the Nasdaq to its biggest single-session drop since November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 1.27%, while both the S&P and Nasdaq logged in their worst weekly performances of 2012. The violent drop was spurred by less than cheery non-farm payrolls data, which came in at 115,000 jobs in April, well below the predicted 170,000. As outlooks worsened, European stocks fell sharply alongside U.S. equity markets. Worries about a weakening economy coupled with easing tensions between Iran had oil prices in a free fall on Friday, leading the commodity to plummet 4% to $98.49 per barrel.�This week’s market upheaval has left many investors on shaky grounds as they continue to digest and�analyze�the overall health of the global economy [see also 15 Different Ways To Invest In Energy With ETFs]. �

The ETF industry considerably slowed down its pace this week with only one new fund hitting the markets. Bond giant PIMCO expanded its actively manged lineup with the launch its new Global Advantage Inflation-Linked Bond Strategy Fund,�ILB. The new ETF invests in inflation-protected bonds that are “economically” tied to at least three developed and emerging market countries [see also FINRA Fines Big Banks And The Indonesia ETF Is Now 5% Cheaper].

Below we outline three of the best ETF stories from around the web this past week:

How To Invest In The World’s Fastest Growing Countries at Money And Markets:�

Amidst ongoing economic uncertainty, investors have struggled to both find and maintain any kind of lucrative profits. However, one corner of the market has proved to be a surprising bright spot for investors: high growth foreign investments in countries such as Guinea, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Angola. In this article, author Ron Rowland discusses how investors can use ETFs to invest in some of the world’s fastest growing countries.

4 ETFs That Own The World at Market Watch:

For investors looking to establish a tactical tilt towards a specific region or country, there are numerous ways to utilize ETFs to slice and dice allocations to meet anyone’s investment objectives. However, for those who wish to achieve more broad-based geographic diversification in their portfolios, there are over 154 global ETFs to chose from. In this article, author John Prestbo highlights 4 ETFs that could be suitable for worldwide equity exposure.

5�Simple ETF Trading Tips�at ETF Database:�

With the numerous and�growing�number of benefits that ETFs offer, it is perhaps not�surprising�that the exchange-traded�structure�has become one of the most popular vehicles of choice for many traders. Despite its cost-effectiveness, transparency, and�relative�ease, there are a number of mistakes investors make when trading ETFs. This article, by Stoyan Bojinov, outlines 5 simple trading tips every investor should consider before their next ETF trade.

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