Brandon Wendell, CMT
Brandon Wendell
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have long been used in the United States as a means for investing in multiple securities without the higher fees involved with mutual funds. An ETF is a tradable security that represents ownership in a basket of shares in multiple companies. The ETF is similar to a mutual fund in that you get to invest in more than one company with a smaller capital outlay.
The problem with Indian ETF’s has been twofold. First, there was a limited offering of different ETFs. There are only 33 ETFs available for trading in India. In the US there are over 500! The most well known ETFs are the Gold BEES. Secondly, the volume in these ETFs has been relatively low as investors and brokers were not educated in how to use them and chose mutual funds instead.
This may change with the recent entry of Goldman Sachs into the Indian markets. Goldman, one of the largest market players in the United States, did not have any interests in ETFs. They were primarily a large institutional trading firm. They started their own mutual fund unit in India in 2008 but as of March 2011, they bought Benchmark Asset Management Co. This purchase gave them ownership of the largest selection of ETFs in India.
As you can see by the picture below, the Nifty BEES ETF is weighted very similarly to the Nifty Index itself. The performance should mirror the index without the higher costs of a mutual fund.
You can buy a share of the ETF for Rs. 608.61 and have ownership in shares in all 50 Nifty stocks.
Even the Indian government is entering the ETF market. They have announced a bidding process for mutual fund companies to create an ETF that would allow people to invest in PSU’s. The bids must be submitted by 24th January.
With Goldman’s involvement in the market and more educational opportunities for investors, the ETF market share should continue to grow. This will offer a great way to diversify a portfolio with lowered costs. Since the ETFs are traded as stocks are, they also allow trading opportunities once the volume is sufficient. This is a market to watch in the upcoming year.
Neither Freedom Management Partners nor any of its personnel are registered broker-dealers or investment advisers. I will mention that I consider certain securities or positions to be good candidates for the types of strategies we are discussing or illustrating. Because I consider the securities or positions appropriate to the discussion or for illustration purposes does not mean that I am telling you to trade the strategies or securities. Keep in mind that we are not providing you with recommendations or personalized advice about your trading activities. The information we are providing is not tailored to any individual. Any mention of a particular security is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that or any other security or a suggestion that it is suitable for any specific person. Keep in mind that all trading involves a risk of loss, and this will always be the situation, regardless of whether we are discussing strategies that are intended to limit risk. Also, Freedom Management Partners’ personnel are not subject to trading restrictions. I and others at Freedom Management Partners could have a position in a security or initiate a position in a security at any time.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates
Unimpressive European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. The United States first-tier employment and inflation data is scheduled for the second week of February. EUR/USD battles to remain afloat above 1.1800, sellers moving to the sidelines.
GBP/USD softens to near 1.3600 as BoE hints further rate cuts
The GBP/USD pair loses ground to near 1.3610 during the early Asian session on Monday. The Pound Sterling softens against the Greenback amid growing expectations of the Bank of England’s interest-rate cut. Traders will take more cues from the Fedspeak later on Monday.
USD/JPY drops back below 157.00 on Japan's verbal intervention
USD/JPY has come under moderate selling pressure below 157.00 in the Asian session on Monday. The Japanese Yen lost ground to near 157.70 following Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party's outright majority win in Sunday’s lower house election, opening the door to more fiscal stimulus by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. However, JPY buyers jumped back and dragged the pair southward on FX verbal intervention by Japan’s Finance Minister Katayama.
Editors’ Picks
USD/JPY drops back below 157.00 on Japan's verbal intervention
USD/JPY has come under moderate selling pressure below 157.00 in the Asian session on Monday. The Japanese Yen lost ground to near 157.70 following Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party's outright majority win in Sunday’s lower house election, opening the door to more fiscal stimulus by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. However, JPY buyers jumped back and dragged the pair southward on FX verbal intervention by Japan’s Finance Minister Katayama.
Gold eyes acceptance above $5,000, kicking off a big week
Gold is consolidating the latest uptick at around the $5,000 mark, with buyers gathering pace for a sustained uptrend as a critical week kicks off. All eyes remain on the delayed Nonfarm Payrolls and Consumer Price Index data from the United States due on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
AUD/USD: Buyers eyes 0.7050 amid upbeat mood
AUD/USD builds on Friday's goodish rebound from sub-0.6900 levels and kicks off the new week on a positive note, with bulls awaiting a sustained move and acceptance above mid-0.7000s before placing fresh bets. The widening RBA-Fed divergence, along with the upbeat market mood, acts as a tailwind for the risk-sensitive Aussie amid some follow-through US Dollar selling for the second straight day.
Top Crypto Gainers: Aster, Decred, and Kaspa rise as selling pressure wanes
Altcoins such as Aster, Decred, and Kaspa are leading the broader cryptocurrency market recovery over the last 24 hours, as Bitcoin holds above $70,000 on Monday, up from the $60,000 dip on Thursday.
Weekly column: Saturn-Neptune and the end of the Dollar’s 15-year bull cycle
Tariffs are not only inflationary for a nation but also risk undermining the trust and credibility that go hand in hand with the responsibility of being the leading nation in the free world and controlling the world’s reserve currency.
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