smart beta

Previously derided and, more recently, validated on multiple, smart beta exchange-traded funds continue hauling in assets. Earlier this week, ETFGI, a London-based ETF research firm, reported that “assets invested in smart beta ETFs/ETPs listed in globally reached a new record high US$429...

The $4.2 billion PowerShares FTSE RAFI US 1000 (ETF) (NYSE: PRF) debuted over a decade ago. Today, PRF is widely considered one of the forefathers of the booming smart segment of the exchange-traded funds industry. Perfecting Old School With PRF PRF follows the FTSE RAFI US 1000 Index, which...

One of the most prominent themes in the world of exchange-traded funds this year is investors' love affair with low volatility strategies, including the iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF (iShares Trust (NYSE: USMV)) and the PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (PowerShares Exchange-...

Billionaire investor George Soros sees opportunities to profit in the global market. However, these opportunities are on the bearish side, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal, citing "people close to the matter," reported Thursday evening that Soros sold stocks and bought...

Data out earlier this week, courtesy of index provider FTSE Russell confirm professional money managers are increasingly turning to smart or strategic beta exchange-traded funds. That is not surprising, as various data points and studies in recent years have confirmed as much. Not to mention the...

Not that further validation was needed — at least not after smart or strategic beta exchange-traded funds ended last year with $616 billion in assets under management, but more data suggest these funds will continue an already astounding growth trajectory. Smart Beta ETF Use On The Rise In...

In another sign of the rapid growth of smart or strategic beta exchange-traded funds BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK)'s iShares unit, the world's largest ETF issuer, is expanding its already substantial lineup of smart beta ETFs with nine factor-based sector funds. The New Names iShares introduced...

Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS)'s Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) was a late entrant to the exchange-traded funds industry, bringing its first ETF to market in September. However, GSAM rapidly made its presence felt on at least two fronts: Prolific asset-gathering acumen and lower-than-...

The business world is always evolving, but the terminology used to describe the latest technological developments and business innovations can sometimes make them seem much more confusing and complicated than they actually are. Here’s a list of 10 financial buzzwords that you have probably...

One of the earliest and most frequent criticism of alternatively-weighted exchange-traded funds is that when these funds outperform, it is often due to the value or small stocks factors or both. That is a charge frequently aimed at the PowerShares FTSE RAFI US 1000 (ETF) (NYSE: PRF), one of the...

Smart or strategic beta exchange-traded funds come with different methodologies. Some focus on a single factor, while others offer investors exposure to multiple factors. Then there are those funds that select holdings based on factors such as a company's ability to generate cash, pay and raise...

The term “smart beta,” as it pertains to exchange-traded funds, has been derided by critics, but the success of some of the funds occupying this corner of the ETF landscape is undeniable. According to FTSE Russell’s first U.S. retail financial advisor market survey – Smart...

The Utilities SPDR (ETF) (NYSE: XLU) is the only one of the sector SPDR exchange-traded funds higher on a year-to-date basis, but the Consumer Staples Select Sect. SPDR (ETF) (NYSE: XLP) is not far behind with a barely noticeable 2016. The last couple of days of market action aside, leadership from...

ETF.com's "Inside ETFs" conference took place in Florida last week and, perhaps not surprisingly, smart beta exchange-traded funds were popular topics of discussion. That stands to reason as various surveys and studies out last indicated professional investors are likely to continue boosting...

Finding exchange-traded funds that track U.S. large-caps is not difficult. Indeed, U.S. large-caps are the most easily accessed asset class via ETFs. However, with so many funds offering exposure to the same asset class, parsing through the good and the bad is a dizzying task. Increasingly, new...