iShares Debuts New Zealand ETF

Posted by | Posted on 01-09-2010

Finally, the exchange traded fund (ETF) industry has its first New Zealand ETF, courtesy of iShares.

The iShares MSCI New Zealand Investable Market Index Fund (NYSEArca: ENZL) comes at a good time for investors. The Land of the Long White Cloud, as New Zealand is referred to by locals, is anticipating a GDP of 3% growth this year and next and a target rate of inflation is set at about 1-2%. Asia and Australia’s growth also feeds this nations growth, as both of the surrounding regions have prospered, Olivier Ludwig for Index Universe reports. Australia is New Zealand’s top export partner, followed by China and the United States. []<

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Health Care ETFs: Next Up, Emerging Markets

Posted by | Posted on 31-08-2010

Citizens of developing countries are getting richer. That newfound wealth is a major opportunity for health care exchange traded funds (ETFs), and that fact hasn’t been lost on big pharma.

As the emerging market middle class grows, so will health care resources and companies. Kevin Grewal for Seeking Alpha reports that a report released by UBS indicates that developing nations are expected to account for $550 billion of annual drug sales per year by 2020. This may account for more than 70% of all drug sales growth and pushing China and Brazil ahead of France, England and Germany when it comes to market size.

Other facts about the growing presence of health care on the global stage that might interest you:

  • Peter Foster in Beijing and Rachel Cooper for Telegraph UK report that over the next five years, China is projected to be fastest-growing pharma market in the world. F

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Action Not Words: The Difference Between Talkers and Doers

Posted by | Posted on 29-08-2010

It’s Sunday morning and I should be editing articles in advance of my upcoming vacation. Instead, I just got done playing another game of Starcraft II. Since the game was released on July 27th, I’ve played many games of Starcraft II. In fact, I’ve played at least 150 games of Starcraft II. (I know this because the game keeps track of your record. I played 50 training matches, and have since won 47 and lost 42 against human opponents, putting me near the top of my division in the “Silver League”. Plus I’ve played some single-player games.)

How much time has playing 150 games of Starcraft II sucked from my life? At about 30

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Emerging Market Debt ETFs Come Into Favor

Posted by | Posted on 29-08-2010

As the world’s largest bond manager, what PIMCO does is closely watched. So, when they reduced their holdings of U.S. government debt, people took notice. And when they increased their holdings of emerging market debt, that really got some attention.

The waning appetite for for U.S. Treasuries because of unusually low interest rates is a story to watch closely for two reasons. Matthew McCall for Index Universe explains that first, it will lead to higher interest rates in the U.S. to simply attract money back into Treasurys. Secondly, bonds issued by other countries, particular those in emerging markets that offer higher yields, will be in higher demand. []

PIMCO recently reduced holdings in U.S. g

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