Global ETF News Older than One Year
Industrial Internet of Things: Unleashing the Potential of Connected Products and Services
January 22, 2015--Report assesses the business and socio-economic opportunities and risks expected in latest wave of technological change
The Industrial Internet of Things to redraw industry boundaries and create a new wave of disruptive companies
Vast majority of organizations still do not understand the full impact on their business and industries
The World Economic Forum today launched the Industrial Internet of Things: Unleashing the Potential of Connected Products and Services. The report demonstrates that the industrial internet of things will dramatically change manufacturing, energy, agriculture and other industrial sectors of the economy that, together, make up two-thirds of the global gross domestic product (GDP). view more
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
IMF-Middle East and Central Asia region-January 2015 Update
January 21, 2015--A large and possibly persistent decline in oil prices, and slower-than-projected growth in the euro area, China, Japan, and Russia, have substantially altered the economic context for countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The appropriate policy response will depend on whether a country is an oil exporter or importer. A common theme, however, is that these developments present both an opportunity and an impetus to reform energy subsidies and step up structural reform efforts to support jobs and growth.
Lower oil prices have weakened the external and fiscal balances of oil exporters, including members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Large buffers and available financing should allow most oil exporters to avoid sharp cuts in government spending, limiting the impact on near-term growth and financial stability. Oil exporters should prudently treat the oil price decline as largely permanent and adjust their medium-term fiscal consolidation plans so as to prevent major erosion of their buffers and to ensure intergenerational equity.
view the IMF Middle East and Central Asia region-January 2015 Update
Source: IMF
AdvisorShares Weekly Market Update: More Negative Than Ever
For the week of January 12-January 16
January 21, 2015--Swiss National Bank Causes Havoc
Macro
Thursday was a truly monumental day in the capital markets as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) threw in the towel on trying to maintain its currency at 1.20 to the euro.
The reason for the peg was to keep its exports competitive in the European market. The natural inertia has been franc strength against the euro due to Switzerland's relative economic strength.
The immediate reaction to the news sent Swiss franc up 30% against the euro and 25% against the US dollar before closing the day with gains of 19% and 18% respectively. These would be large moves for multi-year periods let alone one day.
Source: AdvisorShares
ETF Securities Research-Commodity ETP Quarterly - Key Trends in 2014 & Outlook for 2015
January 21, 2015--Highlights
A comprehensive and fully up-to-date reference guide to investing in global commodity ETPs and indices-no ETP type or geographic area is excluded. The report details the large and growing choice of commodity ETP exposures and strategies around the world.
Summary analysis of global commodity ETP flows, trading volumes and AUM trends. Includes a detailed analysis of the main trends in Q4 2014 and the outlook for 2015.
Roll yield analysis (contango/backwardation) broken down by individual commodity and commodity sectors.
Useful fundamental commodity data and information. Updated and revised data on inventory trends, futures market positioning, futures curve developments, commodity index compositions and weights.
Source: ETF Securities Research
ETF Securities Research-Precious Metals Weekly-SNB Helps Lift the Tide for Precious Metals
January 20, 2015-Gold and silver regain some shine as store-of-value safe havens after shock SNB move. Gold and silver prices were boosted last week as the Swiss National Bank threw in the towel trying to cap the Swiss franc against the Euro, alongside rising stock market
volatility and bond yields declining to record lows.
Fed tightening expectations continue to erode. Fed tightening cycles have historically commenced for one primary reason, to ward off inflationary forces. Last week, the 30yr bond reached a new historic low close of 2.37%. December 2015 fed funds futures reduced 2015 FOMC tightening expectations another 9bps to about 30bps. Meanwhile sustained low, or negative, interest rates (in many European countries) should act as a building foundation for precious metals prices, notably gold and silver.
Source: ETF Securities Research
FTSE Launches Global Sustainable Yield Index Series
January 20, 2015--New index series focuses on dividend sustainability
Benchmarks represent evolution in high yield indices
FTSE Group ("FTSE"), the global index provider, has launched the FTSE Global Sustainable Yield Index Series, designed to measure the performance of equity securities exhibiting relatively high and sustainable yields.
The benchmarks reflect the next stage in the evolution of high yield indices, with an emphasis on dividend sustainability.
Source: FTSE
SPDR ETFs: Why Is State Street' Nick Good Excited About 2015?
January 20, 2015--State Street Global Advisors may be synonymous with SPDR S&P 500 (ARCA:SPY). But the second-largest ETF provider in the U.S. has several other aces up its sleeve: a top-notch suite of sector and industry ETFs, a partnership with DoubleLine that's all the buzz, and a robust pipeline that includes the new Quality Mix SPDRs.
The company's 145 U.S.-listed ETFs hold $434.74 billion in assets combined.
Source: Investors.com
WEF-Report Highlights Opportunities to Build Tomorrow's Electricity Sector
January 20, 2015--New Forum report, The Future of Electricity, finds that the electricity sector faces increased uncertainties and declining returns for utilities as it seeks to make the transition to a low-carbon system
Report offers guidance on transforming the electricity sector to a more sustainable, affordable and reliable system; outlines recommendations to achieve an estimated $7.6 trillion in investments needed by 2040 to meet energy policy objectives
Report also identifies dimensions of policy, market design and business models as key investment enablers
Diminishing financial returns for utilities have put at risk the ability of the electricity sector in OECD markets to raise the estimated $7.6 trillion in investments needed by 2040 to meet energy policy objectives, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum. This investment is needed to simultaneously decarbonize the sector while maintaining energy security.
The Future of Electricity report offers guidance on transforming the electricity sector to a more sustainable, affordable and reliable system, and outlines recommendations for policy-makers, regulators and businesses in developed markets to attract needed investment.
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
Deciphering Developing Markets-Developing Markets: A Bright Star of the Developing World in 2015
January 20, 2015--The two economies in the developing world that will, in my opinion, outshine the rest in 2015, are India and Indonesia.
Those of you who have read my posts over the years know that I have been a strong advocate of investing in India ever since Mr. Rajan was appointed to be the Central Bank Chairman in 2013, and an even stronger advocate when Mr. Modi was elected Prime Minister in May of 2014.
Source: Peter Kohli of DMS for Nasdaq
New S&P criteria draw line between sukuk issuers, sponsors
January 20, 2015--Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's said it had updated its criteria for Islamic bonds to distinguish more clearly between issuers of sukuk and sponsors of them.
Sukuk tend to be more complex than conventional bonds because they use structures designed to avoid interest payments. They often involve special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) which issue the paper and lend the proceeds on to the ultimate entity raising money, which is known as the sponsor.
Source: Reuters
