Exchange-traded funds entering new phase of growth

Posted on by The INO.com Team

The headlines about exchange-traded funds suggest there are no limits to the growth of these low-cost, easily traded alternatives to mutual funds.

Among the recent developments: ETFs have attracted at least $100 billion in new cash for each of the past six years, growing at a far more rapid pace than traditional mutual funds. ETF assets have doubled over the past three years to $1.4 trillion, with one study projecting they'll hit $3.5 trillion by 2016. ETFs have recently begun to appear as investment options in 529 college-savings plans and 401(k)s.

Yet obstacles are beginning to appear. It has become more difficult for fund companies to launch ETFs that are significantly different or lower-cost than what's already on the market.

"We're close to a tipping point in terms of numbers," says Todd Rosenbluth, director of ETF research at S&P Capital IQ. Continue reading "Exchange-traded funds entering new phase of growth" →

Gold and Bitcoin: Currencies of the Future - James Turk

Posted on by admin

The Gold Report: James, from your perspective in Europe, is the region in as bad a financial crisis as it appears in the headlines here in the U.S.?

James Turk: Yes, it really is. However, Europe is a big place, and you have to look at the individual countries one by one to understand the situation. Generally speaking, the Mediterranean countries are in the worst shape. Germany has been in the best shape, although recent economic data indicate it may be falling into a recession again. France is not quite as bad as the Mediterranean countries, but in economic activity, it is worse off than Germany and the rest of Northern Europe.

TGR: What role does the euro play in all this, and where might the next crisis take place? Continue reading "Gold and Bitcoin: Currencies of the Future - James Turk" →

Today's Video Update: The Beat Goes On

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Hello traders everywhere! Adam Hewison here, President of INO.com and Co-creator of MarketClub, with your mid-day market update for Wednesday, the 15th of May.

Google Music?
Word on the street is that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is set to announce today a new streaming music service, one that will compete against Pandora and Spotify. Once again, it seems as though Google wants to be everything to everybody, and whether Google can compete in the music business and be successful remains to be seen. Should you buy or sell Google? If you haven't watched my Google trading video on how to trade Google successfully, you can watch it here.

The Beat Goes On
Stock prices hit a high yesterday as more and more disenfranchised short sellers are covering their shorts and exiting this market. So far, this market has not yielded to any downside pressure or correction to the surprise of many professional traders. What I do know, is that trends tend to persist longer than expected, and that they don't ring a bell at the top of any market. In a recent blog poll, we asked readers what they thought of the market: Continue reading "Today's Video Update: The Beat Goes On" →

Poll: Benghazi, IRS, AP scandals

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Three major topics/scandals at the top of the news this week are the Benghazi terror attack, the IRS targeting conservative groups and the Justice Department going after AP phone records. For me, the most important and scariest one of the bunch is the IRS targeting conservative groups. I find it very unsettling that the IRS can have so much power to freely do what they want to do. As for the other two topics/scandals, I'm not sure what to think, other than Obama just needs to speak the truth for a change. With that said, we wanted to have a quick poll to see....

Which of the three scandals are most important to you?

View Results

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As always, we would love to hear your thoughts. Please take a moment to vote on the poll and leave a comment with your thoughts.

Every Success,
Jeremy

 

Why Futures for Stock Traders?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

By: Leslie Burton

Whether you have traded a stock account for years or have just begun stock trading, you may have mixed results. Perhaps you have taken a course or you are simply well-read in your investment choices. The questions that every investor, trader and wealth manager must ask are, Am I diversified enough to produce a smooth equity curve with my portfolio? and Will this portfolio be weighted well enough to stand worst-case-scenario market conditions? If you hesitate to answer those questions, then perhaps taking a look at other products may broaden your knowledge and enhance your current investment portfolio.

The beauty of trading stocks online is that it keeps overhead costs down by trading out of your home. You will have immediate access to market information along with your account to place trades as you check the stock earnings, operating costs and any news that may impact the company. Typically, the cost of doing business is your low commission rate, use of your home computer and any subscription material to keep you informed. Most trading occurs in expanded hours, giving the investor time to trade whether it is a full-time or secondary job. The online platform allows the trader convenient access to the funds in his/her account readily. Continue reading "Why Futures for Stock Traders?" →