It pays to be cautious with alternative ETFs

Direct investment in private equity, hedge funds and so on was once just for institutional and high-net-worth individuals. However, alternative assets are now also available through a limited number of ETFs. While they focus on high-risk investments, many aim to use strategies to cut some… Read More

How to Build a Balanced ETF Portfolio for Maximum Gains

To create a balanced ETF portfolio, focus on funds that hold the kind of stocks we recommend
The best exchange-traded funds offer well-diversified, tax-efficient portfolios with exceptionally low management fees.

ETFs, with their relatively low management fees (MERs), have in large part eclipsed interest in mutual funds… Read More

Q: Pat: What’s a way for me to gain from a fall in the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar? What about for other currencies against the U.S. dollar? Thanks.

A: Invesco CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, $74.94, symbol FXC on New York (Shares outstanding: 2.2 million; Market cap: $164.9 million; www.currencyshares.com), is one of a number of CurrencyShares ETFs offered by Guggenheim Partners. These ETFs rise in value when the U.S. dollar falls and drop… Read More

Q: What’s a cheap way for me to profit from any further increases in the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar? What about the recent rise for several other widely traded currencies against the U.S. dollar?

A: CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, $78.79, symbol FXC on New York (Shares outstanding: 2.5 million; Market cap: $197.0 million; www.currencyshares.com), is one of a number of CurrencyShares ETFs offered by Guggenheim Partners. These ETFs rise in value when the U.S. dollar falls and drop when… Read More