Tag: ETF Investing

Are Long-Shot Investments Worth Your Time Or Money?

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


We all know the story of the tortoise and the hare and the conclusion that slow and steady wins the race. But regardless of us knowing the story and how it turns out, we still get caught up in the idea, or dream if you will, that we can get rich quick though the means of chasing long-shot investment opportunities.

We have all seen and heard of new investment opportunities that will make you rich; penny stock ideas that will show 1,000% returns, "the next big Initial Public Offering" that you have to own, or perhaps a friend, family member or colleague tells you about a great idea. We all wonder whether or not we should go ahead and pull the trigger on these "once in a lifetime opportunities" and if we made a huge mistake when we don’t.

Well let's look at some numbers, which will hopefully help make your decisions on whether or your time and money are best served chasing these dreams. Continue reading "Are Long-Shot Investments Worth Your Time Or Money?" →

Niche ETFs You May Want To Look Into: Part 2

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


I recently noted a few niche Exchange Traded Funds that I have come across during my time researching the wide world of ETFs. In that piece I noted three niche ETFs that I could actually see myself buying. Today, I would like to shares a few more niche ETFs, some of which I would consider owning and others that I wouldn't touch.

The first two that I would like to point out are PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF (HACK) and the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). HACK was the first ETF that focused solely on cybersecurity, which is why I lean towards owning it instead of CIBR, which was started due to the interest and success of HACK. HACK goes after both the hardware and software side of cybersecurity and the service aspect. It splits the two segments of the business and weights them by market cap. HACK has an inception date of November 2014 and since then is up a little more than 10%.

While that is certainly not very impressive performance, it is hard to argue that we will see less of a need for cybersecurity in the future. With the ever-increasing demand for more cybersecurity, investors who get in on this market today will likely see big upside in the future.

Or maybe long-term buy and hold isn't your thing! Continue reading "Niche ETFs You May Want To Look Into: Part 2" →

If The Bitcoin ETF Is Approved, Should You Buy It?

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


On March 11th, the Securities and Exchange Commission will release its ruling on whether or not a Bitcoin ETF will be approved. Back in 2013 the Winklevoss twins, you may remember them from the story on how Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) was started, filed for their Bitcoin Trust ETF to be approved. Others have been submitted since then, but that ETF will be the first to be approved or denied by the SEC.

Some experts believe the Bitcoin ecosystem could attract as much as $300 million within the first week of the ETF being approved. That sort of cash flow would certainly help the currency move higher from its current $950 per coin value. But, with all the secrecy surrounding the cryptocurrency is this something you want to be involved in from either owning Bitcoins outright or from the convenience of an ETF? Continue reading "If The Bitcoin ETF Is Approved, Should You Buy It?" →

Are 'Value' ETFs Worth The Risk?

Posted on by The INO.com Team

By: Richard Robinson of Street Authority

"Where are the customers' yachts?"

It was a question the tour guide didn't expect. He was taking a group of tourists through the financial district in lower Manhattan from the area now known as Battery Park.

Eventually docks appeared around the park. And because of its proximity to Wall Street, it became a favored location for Wall Street bankers and brokers to dock their very expensive yachts.

So it was on this day that the tour guide was extolling the virtues of Wall Street moneymen. He told his audience that the yachts were the rewards for creating enormous wealth for their customers.

To which one lone voice asked, "Where are the customers' yachts?" Continue reading "Are 'Value' ETFs Worth The Risk?" →

ETFs to Buy, to Sell, and to Watch in 2017

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


Now that we have rung in the New Year, now is a good time to take a look at your portfolio and make some adjustments. But, before you start buying and selling, you need to know what to buy, what to sell and what you should have on hold.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at a few Exchange Traded Funds you may want to buy, a few you should sell, and a couple that you should have in your hold or watch list.

What To Buy

In 2016 one of the top-performing ETFs was the Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (PACF:DPST). DPST rose more than 114% in 2016 due to its exposure to regional banking stocks, and of course is three times bullish leverage. And while most of the time I would tell you not to follow a trend from one year to the next, 2017 is going to be different. The banking stocks rose in 2016 for a number of reasons, but mainly because the economy grew stronger and interest rates rose.

There are no signs at this point indicating that neither of those trends will cease to continue in 2017, so ride this trend.

Ok, let's slow down and understand why this trend will continue to work. Continue reading "ETFs to Buy, to Sell, and to Watch in 2017" →