Tag: ETF Investing

3 Big 'Exchange Traded Fund' Losers of 2016

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


While we all know the saying, 'past performance is not indicative of future results', taking a look back at what happened in the past is always a smart move. That is because as the other saying goes, 'those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.' And the past mistakes we are about to discuss are certainly not mistakes you want to be repeating anytime soon.

So now that 2016 is over, let's take a look at a few of the worst performing Exchange Traded Funds during the year and see what we can learn from these epic failures.

The biggest Exchange Traded Fund loser of 2016 was Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3X Shares ETF (PACF:JDST) which lost an astonishing 97.95% of its value in 2016. The three times leveraged bear portfolio ran into a buzz saw in 2016 and lost investors some serious capital. At its last reporting the fund only had $84 million in assets under management, which is scary for a fund that has an inception date in October 2013. JDST attempted to inverse exposure to the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners Index, which is a market capital weighted index of mining companies that receive at least 50% of their revenue from gold or silver mining. Furthermore, the index caps exposure to silver mining companies at 20% each quarter, meaning the index is 80% gold mining. Continue reading "3 Big 'Exchange Traded Fund' Losers of 2016" →

Top Performing ETFs of 2016

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


With 2016 coming to an end, let's take a look at a few of the top performing Exchange Traded Funds of 2016. With the major indexes up for the year; Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) up 14%, the S&P 500 (SP500) up 10.75%, and the NASDAQ (COMP) up 9%, one may think the top performing ETFs would be up just slightly more than that. But, that's not the case by a long shot.

The top 2016 ETFs are all up more than 100% year-to-date!

So, let's take a look at what performed well this past year and whether or not their performance will continue moving forward.

Shares of Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares (PACF:DPST) have risen more than 114% year-to-date. The ETF focuses on US regional banking stocks but leverages its bullish exposure three times. What is interesting is that while DPST is up 114% year-to-date, it's up 107% over just the last three months. In the last three months the Presidential Election took place and Donald Trump's surprise victory has sent stocks in a number of industries higher. The banking industry had been demonized since the financial crisis and government regulation has really held back the industry. Trump told voters during the campaign that he would de-regulate, and many believe that includes the banking industry. Continue reading "Top Performing ETFs of 2016" →

A Few Crazy Niche ETFs, But May Be Worth Owning

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


Through my search to find great Exchange Traded Funds to tell I have run across a number of very niche ETFs that at first seem a little crazy. But after further research into some of them, they may have actually found a profitable market opportunity that you can now own.

Before we get into three of the more interesting ETFs, I would like to note that these ETFs are on the riskier side and it really wouldn’t be prudent for investors to go "all-in" with these funds.

Now that we have gotten the disclosure out of the way let's dig in. Continue reading "A Few Crazy Niche ETFs, But May Be Worth Owning" →

3 ETFs Investors in Their 40s Should Buy

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


Ok, so maybe you are late to the ball game, or you have been fiercely investing your whole adult life but still feel like you don’t have enough, but want to protect what you do have. If your age starts with a -4-, you likely know what I am talking about. I recently wrote a piece discussing a few of my favorite Exchange Traded Funds geared for all investors. Now I am working through different age groups and pointing out some of my favorite ETFs that are more focused on each age group based on where investors are in their life cycle, their interests, and their investing temperament and goals.

Over the past few months, I began writing about different ETFs geared towards investors in different age groups. I have a piece for those in their 20's, a piece for those in their 30's, and today we are going to focus on ETF options for those in their 40's. One of the main difference between an investor in their 20's or 30's and someone in their 40's or older is 'time.' When you are young, you have all the time in the world, but as you get older, the time you have becomes more important.

So while a 20-year-old will and should take more risks with their investments, a 40-year-old needs to be slightly more conservative. But let's not forget you still have 20 years or more to save and give time for what you do have grow and then maybe another 30 years after that to live off your investment nest egg. So while you want to put a larger percentage of your money in safer bets, we don’t yet need to start a full-on conservation investment strategy.

With that information in mind, let's take a look at a few ETF's best suited for those in their 40's. Continue reading "3 ETFs Investors in Their 40s Should Buy" →

3 ETFs Investors In Their 30s Should Buy

Posted on by Matt Thalman

Matt Thalman - INO.com Contributor - ETFs


The best time to start investing, no matter you age is always now. But depending on your age, there are better investment options than others. I recently wrote a piece discussing a few of my favorite Exchange Traded Funds geared for all investors. Now I am working through different age groups and pointing out some of my favorite ETFs that are more focused on each age group based on where investors are in their life cycle and their interests.

A month ago I published a piece geared toward 20-year-olds, and today we are going to focus on ETF options that fit better for those in their 30's. By the time you turn 30, a few things have or will soon likely happen in your life. You will have begun progressing in your career, you are making more money than when you were in your early 20's, you may be a home owner or planning to become one, you either have started a family or again have plans to do so, and lastly maintaining your health. With those three things in mind, I have found a few ETFs that play into those life changes. Continue reading "3 ETFs Investors In Their 30s Should Buy" →