Jeremy Schwartz

Hedged currency funds have proven to be one of the popular sub-segments of the ETF universe in 2013. That much is highlighted by the fact that the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE: DXJ) is the world's leading ETF in terms of 2013 inflows. The statistics highlight the allure of the U....

Market rallies often have at least a few doubters and plenty of late arrivals to the party. Investors that fall into either category do have some options, though, including highly popular low volatility ETFs. However, conventional wisdom holds that those looking to skirt volatility should also...

Amid a spate of dividend increases by a plethora of blue-chip companies, 2013 is proving to be another good year for income investors. Not surprisingly, the ever-growing field of dividend ETFs, now home to about 50 funds and close to $70 billion in assets under management, and investors in those...

The rally in U.S. equities has, in large part, been lead by defensive sectors such as consumer staples and health care. As a result, valuations for stocks in these sectors are looking a tad frothy. For example, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLP) currently sports a price-to-earnings...

Well-documented have been the struggles of some emerging markets ETFs to start 2013. Among diversified funds, the two largest emerging markets ETFs, the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: VWO) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (NYSE: EEM), are each off nearly two percent year-...

In the wake of Spanish equities tumbling on allegations of graft aimed at Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italian stocks coming under pressure on speculation that Silvio Berlusconi will win that nation's upcoming election, controversy again surrounds the European investment thesis. Declining...

Buoyed by the flight to riskier assets, the euro is off to a solid start against the U.S. dollar this year. That much is proven by the CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSE: FXE), which was up 2.2 percent year-to-date at the start of trading Wednesday. Following a surge for European equities last year...

Exchange traded funds tracking Japan, the world's third-largest economy, have done something many U.S.-focused ETFs did not do: Perform well immediately following a national election. While it was not surprising to see Shinzo Abe reclaim the role of prime minister (he resigned the post in 2007...

Due to the technology sector's burgeoning status as destination for income investors, some of the sectors dividend-paying members are becoming more prominent in dividend-focused ETFs. Predictably, ETF and dividend investors alike want to know when Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), which earlier this year...

It has been a familiar battle cry for Japan bulls for what feels like ages now: Japanese equities are cheap on a valuation basis. The first problem is, due to unfavorable demographics and a severe bout with deflation, Japanese equities have been in a bear market for well over two decades. The...

The emerging markets ETF conversation, at least the multi-country fund level, is often dominated by two names: The Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: VWO) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (NYSE: EEM). Not only are VWO and EEM the two largest emerging markets ETFs by assets,...

Since the day after Election Day, fiscal cliff fears have intensified and stocks have tumbled as a result. The SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) is off nearly five percent as rampant speculation that Bush-era tax cuts will expire has permeated financial markets. Expired tax cuts are viewed as de facto...

Several things about the financial services sector are widely known. First, the group has been the source of much controversy and angst for investors over the past several years. Second, it is the second-largest sector weight in the S&P 500 behind technology. Third, financial services names...

Inflows to dividend ETFs are on a torrid pace this year. Combine that with the fact some sector ETF chock full of dividend stocks (think health care and telecommunications) are outperforming the broader market, and it is easy to see why some perceive dividend sectors to be richly valued. In...

These days, it feels like everyone and his sister is in love with dividends. That much is highlighted by the soaring assets under management totals across an array of dividend ETFs this year. Indeed, there is no getting around the fact that dividends are an important component in portfolios. So...