FC2Video

Ron Rowland looks back over the ETF trends of 2011, including small-cap country ETFs, low-volatility ETFs and new bond ETFs. And he makes predictions for the ETF trends that will shape 2012, including the disappearance of some unpopular investments.

U.S. stocks open with modest gains despite a rise in jobless claims. The euro falls to a 15-month low against the dollar after the latest Italian bond auction. Gold dips to its lowest level in nearly six months. Crude oil rebounds to $99.50 a barrel.

U.S. futures and European stocks are modestly higher after the latest Italian bond auction. The euro falls to its lowest level in more than a year against the U.S. dollar. Gold continues to decline, but crude oil rebounds near $100 per barrel.

U.S. stocks turn lower in early trading. Italy conducts a successful bond auction. Crude oil holds around $101 per barrel, as gold prices dip further below $1,600 an ounce. A survey ranks Gap among the worst retailers in online customer satisfaction.

U.S. futures point higher, after Italy conducts a successful bond auction. Oil pulls back following a big run-up, after Iran threatens to cut off shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Medicis and Cavium sink after lowering their revenue forecasts.

The euro-zone is facing major changes in 2012. Kevin Kerr predicts that one or more nations will leave the monetary union, causing a run on their banks, currency depreciation and a hyperinflationary spiral. He tells you how to protect your money.

The euro-zone is facing major changes in 2012. Kevin Kerr predicts that one or more nations will leave the monetary union, causing a run on their banks, currency depreciation and a hyperinflationary spiral. He tells you how to protect your money.

Nilus Mattive offers four financial resolutions for the New Year: Don’t accept paltry yields in CDs, savings accounts and money market funds. Don’t take big risks with your money. Budget wisely. And don’t pay more in taxes than you have to.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index shows U.S. home prices down 1.2% in October, and 3.4% over the past 12 months. China’s Shanghai Composite falls to its lowest level in 33 months. Sears Holdings falls on news it will close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores.

U.S. investors are digesting the S&P/Case-Shiller index of home prices, and awaiting a report on December consumer confidence. Chinese stocks fall to their lowest level in 33 months. Sears Holdings will close 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores.

The Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have been trying to prop up the financial industry and the markets with currency swaps and ultra-cheap loans. Jack Crooks discusses whether the plans will work and which tactics policymakers may try next.

Larry Edelson offers his commentary on the holiday trading action in gold, silver, the U.S. dollar and the Dow Industrials.

Countless “solutions” from policymakers have failed to boost the global economy or the capital markets. Mike Larson says they have ignored the most important lesson of 2011: The economic slowdown is driven by massive deleveraging and debt aversion.

U.S. stocks open higher and crude oil approaches $100 per barrel. Durable goods orders jump 3.8%, mainly due to transportation equipment. Personal income and spending both rise 0.1%, and the core PCE is up 1.7% in the past 12 months.

Futures rise as investors digest data on durable goods orders and personal income and spending. Italy’s Senate passes a €30 billion austerity package. Shutterfly cuts its profit and revenue estimate. Rambus and Broadcom sign a patent licensing deal.

Ron Rowland has talked about the drawbacks of Merrill Lynch’s line of HOLDRS products before. Now HOLDRS are becoming extinct, and investors in some of them will be able to exchange their shares for new Van Eck Market Vectors ETFs.

U.S. stocks open higher, after initial jobless claims fall to their lowest level since April 2008. Third-quarter GDP growth is revised down to 1.8% on weaker consumer spending. Yahoo may sell most of its ownership stake in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan.

European stocks rebound from yesterday’s losses, and U.S. investors digest a barrage of economic data. Yahoo may sell most of its ownership stake in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan for up to $18 billion. Bed Bath & Beyond falls after missing sales estimates.

Sean Brodrick highlights three stocks that are on his Naughty List for 2012 – a steel-maker, a publishing company and a retailer. These stocks have all gotten some positive attention from investors recently, but Sean says they’re due for a pullback.

The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have become the Eastern front of the euro-zone meltdown. Two bank failures caused a run on the Scandinavian lender Swedbank, and Kevin Kerr says it could be the beginning of a new banking crisis.

U.S. and European stocks give back earlier gains, after the ECB announces it will loan a much larger-than-expected €489 billion to 523 euro-zone banks. Research In Motion surges on a report that Microsoft and Nokia may make a bid for the company.

U.S. futures and European stocks give back earlier gains, after the European Central Bank makes €489 billion available to 523 banks, a much bigger funding operation than expected. Oracle tumbles on weak quarterly results, but Nike tops estimates.

Nilus Mattive offers three last-minute gift ideas that can help their recipients achieve financial independence: Series I Savings Bonds, a share of a solid dividend stock, or a good investment book, by Benjamin Graham, Michael Lewis or many others.

Stocks rebound from yesterday’s losses, after housing starts rise to their best annual rate since April 2010. German business sentiment improves unexpectedly. AT&T drops its $39 billion bid for T-Mobile USA. Financial stocks, ConAgra and CVS surge.

U.S. stocks are set to follow European markets higher, after an unexpected increase German business sentiment. AT&T drops its $39 billion bid for T-Mobile USA. Apple wins a patent dispute against HTC. Red Hat tumbles after missing earnings estimates.

Tony Sagami highlights two American restaurant companies that have bright long-term growth prospects, thanks to their smart Asia strategies: McDonald’s and YUM! Brands.

Jack Crooks says that the economic slowdown in Asia, and China in particular, is only going to get worse. The European banking crisis and the Chinese housing bubble are driving the hot money from Asia, and creating huge demand for U.S. dollars.

U.S. stocks follow European markets higher despite a cut in France’s credit outlook by Fitch. ECB President Mario Draghi warns that countries leaving the euro-zone will face economic problems. Asian markets are jittery after the death of Kim Jong-il.

U.S. futures and European stocks rise, but Asian markets fall amid uncertainty following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. ECB President Mario Draghi says countries leaving the euro-zone will still face inflation and economic hardships.

The global economy is fading fast. And policymakers in Europe and the United States have run out of bailout solutions. Mike Larson says that defaults and deleveraging are now inevitable, and he offers strategies to protect yourself and profit.

U.S. stocks open higher, as consumer prices remain unchanged in November. Fitch Ratings downgrades several large global banks. Zynga debuts on the Nasdaq. United Rentals is buying RSC Holdings for a total $4.2 billion. Research In Motion tumbles.

Stock futures point higher despite downgrades by Fitch Ratings on eight large global banks. Zynga prices its IPO at $10 per share. United Rentals buys RSC Holdings for a total $4.2 billion. Research In Motion’s profit will fall short of expectations.

The global economy is facing severe headwinds, creating a difficult climate for equities in the near term. But Rudy Martin says that several developments in emerging markets will make stocks attractive for investors willing to brave some volatility.

Tax loss harvesting allows investors to sell a losing investment before the end of the year, and apply the capital loss against income. Ron Rowland offers three specific ideas on how to use this strategy to turn losses in 2011 into big gains in 2012.

Stocks may snap a three-session losing streak as investors digest a raft of economic data. Manufacturing in the euro-zone and China continued to contract in December. FedEx reports a strong quarter. Lam Research is buying Novellus for $3.3 billion.

With so much uncertainty in the markets, traditional buy-and-hold, trend-based or fundamental investing strategies are not working. Monty Agarwal offers two examples of a more prudent strategy, the long/short approach hedge fund managers favor.

With so much uncertainty in the markets, traditional buy-and-hold, trend-based or fundamental investing strategies are not working. Monty Agarwal offers two examples of a more prudent strategy, the long/short approach hedge fund managers favor.

Global stocks slump, following the Federal Reserve’s lack of action to spur the economy. The yield on Italian 5-year bonds rose to a euro-era high of 6.47%. The euro dips below $1.30 for the first time in eleven months, and gold and crude oil tumble.

Global stocks sink after the Federal Reserve leaves its monetary policy unchanged, and Italy sells 5-year bonds at a euro-era high of 6.47%. The euro drops below the $1.30 level for the first time in eleven months.

With so much uncertainty in the markets, traditional buy-and-hold, trend-based or fundamental investing strategies are not working. Monty Agarwal offers two examples of a more prudent strategy, the long/short approach hedge fund managers favor.

Tom Essaye points out that portfolio managers often stick to the sidelines in December, so as not to jeopardize their performance-based annual bonuses. But this allows other investors to beat them into areas of the market poised to grow next year.

Retail sales rose just 0.2% in November. German economic sentiment rose for the first time in ten months. Boeing gets its biggest order ever from Southwest Airlines. DuPont issues a strong earnings estimate for next year. Best Buy’s profit falls 29%.

Global stocks recover from yesterday’s losses, after the ZEW index of German economic sentiment posted its first increase in ten months. Moody’s places eight Spanish banks on review for downgrades. The IEA lowers its forecasts for global oil demand.

The ECB refused to be the bond buyer of last resort for struggling euro-zone nations. And Italy just pushed through a Greek-style austerity plan. JR Crooks says it will have similar consequences, and will ultimately lead to the end of the euro.

Global stocks fall amid concerns that Europe’s new treaty will do little to solve short-term problems such as high borrowing costs. Moody’s will revisit the ratings of all EU nations. Intel cuts its revenue estimate. Morgan Stanley upgrades Boeing.

Global stocks turn lower on concerns that the new EU treaty fails to address short-term problems such as high borrowing costs. Moody’s says it will revisit the ratings of all EU countries. The euro and commodities tumble as traders sell risky assets.

Europe’s leaders have agreed to new fiscal rules to address the sovereign debt crisis. But Larry Edelson says their solutions will ultimately fail. He explains why, and offers his outlook for gold, silver, the U.S. dollar and the Dow Industrials.

The Federal Reserve, Bank of England and even the Swiss National Bank have embarked on misguided strategies of quantitative easing. But the European Central Bank has resisted pressure to print funny money. Mike Larson explains why.

U.S. stocks open higher after euro-zone countries approve tighter fiscal rules. The U.K. rejects the new treaty. Croatia will join the European Union. Financial stocks rally. Texas Instruments and DuPont slump after cutting their profit forecasts.

U.S. futures and European stocks rise after the 17 euro-zone nations agree to a tighter fiscal compact. The U.K. rejects the deal and Hungary, Sweden and the Czech Republic have not yet committed. Texas Instruments cuts its sales and profit forecast.