Investors will soon be able to refine their small cap approach even further as iShares gets ready to launch a series of new small country small cap ETFs focused on countries like Australia, Germany, the UK and South Korea. In today’s borderless investment world, a small slice of small country small caps ETFs provide an interesting path to global diversification – where country-specific events actually have an impact on growth prospects for the underlying stocks.
Why plan sponsors need to prepare for a new reality.
But whatever you think of ETFs and their merits, it’s about time regulators came to grips with them. After all they’ve become a mainstay of global market activity, generating 35% to 35% of exchange trading volume every day according to Morningstar.
Keohane steps into role as Crocker retires.
While it’s too soon to tell if dim sum ETFs will thrive in the coming months (or years), they could open a potential new door for pension funds seeking a low cost way to add incremental exposure to a growing asset class. However, time will tell if they’re ready to dig into the opportunity.
Coverage of the 2011 Risk Management Conference.
BlackRock, just issued a paper calling for uniform regulation of ETFs along with a healthy dose of better disclosure and transparency. To find out more I talked Mary Anne Wiley, managing director, BlackRock -- she spoke to me about counterparty risk and why investors should demand more upfront transparency around costs.
Cole: many pension funds don't have enough in-house expertise.
Fifty is the new 30 -- great news for us (we are now living longer, healthier lives) bad news for pension funds grappling with how to manage longevity risk. Could ETFs be used to hedge longevity risk? Sure says Mark Yamada - if you’re comfortable with counterparty risk. And if regulators don’t pour cold water all over them first.
Research: 10% allocation can add $13 a year.