Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ARCA: ASEA)

Últimas noticias sobre Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ARCA:ASEA)

Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF

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Basic Materials

The Fund invests at least 80 percent of its total assets in the securities of the FTSE/ASEAN 40 Index (Underlying Index) and in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) based on the securities in the Underlying Index. The Fund also invests at least 80 percent of its total assets in securities of companies that are economically tied to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The Fund's 80 percent investment policies are non-fundamental and require 60 days prior written notice to shareholders before they can be changed. The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Funds total assets (including the value of the collateral received).

Dbs Group Holdings Ltd

Bank Central Asia Tbk Pt

Bank Mandiri

Malayan Banking Bhd

PTT PCL

As the balance of power between China and the U.S. continues to shift, heads of state across the globe are making choices to either steer away or get closer to each of the world's two largest economies.
In South East Asia and the Middle East, a trend to reduce reliance on the U.S. and a decades-old dependence on the U.S. dollar is gaining traction, as Saudi Arabia and ASEAN countries propose new measures.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asian Countries Want Out Of The Dollar Dependence</h3>
On Tuesday, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that China is open to talks on the creation of an Asian Monetary Fund, in an effort to gain independence from the U.S.-led International Monetary Fund.&nbsp;
The U.S. is the largest financial contributor to the IMF, as well as the largest voting bloc, which makes the international body subject to the U.S. domestic interests, as it holds effective veto power over many of the fund's decisions.
"There is no reason for Malaysia to continue depending on the dollar," the prime minister told the Malaysian parliament on Tuesday.
Anwar resurfaced the idea of an Asian Monetary Fund at the Boao forum in the Hainan province of China last week, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-04/malaysia-china-to-discuss-asian-fund-to-cut-dollar-dependency">reported</a> Bloomberg.
The fund was first proposed by the Japanese government during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, but was never implemented.
Recent Fed policies on hiking interest rates have caused the U.S. dollar to strengthen in the global market. This is causing pain in countries that rely on dollar prices for international commerce, as is the case for many in the Southeast Asia region.
Last week, a meeting of ASEAN finance ministers and central bank governors had the issue of reducing dependency on the U.S. dollar, euro, yen, and British pound from financial transactions at the top of its agenda.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union composed of 10 countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The meeting highlighted the need to move to a local currency transaction scheme.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/04/31685581/inflation-is-about-to-plummet-wall-street-firm-says-heres-when-things-should-get-ba">Inflation Is About To Plummet, Wall Street Firm Says: Here&#8217;s When Things Should Get Back To Normal</a>
The Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASEA#NYSE">ASEA</a>), which follows the FTSE ASEAN Index, tracking the performance of companies from Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, is up 3.4% in the past month and over 9% in the last 6 months.
In the meeting, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged his counterparts to gradually stop using foreign payment systems, including U.S.-based Visa Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>) and Mastercard Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>).
Moving away from Western payment systems is necessary to protect transactions from "possible geopolitical repercussions," Widodo said, according to an official <a href="https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/asean-finance-ministers-and-central-banks-consider-dropping-us-dollar-euro-and-yen-indonesia-calls-for-phasing-out-visa-and-mastercard/">report</a>.
Out of the 10 countries in the trade association, only Singapore has instituted sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.  
Widodo said that countries in the region need to become protected from the consequences of financial sanctions by the U.S. and the European Union on Russia.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Doesn't Care About Pleasing The U.S. Anymore</h3>
Late last year, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly told associates that he was no longer interested in pleasing the U.S., as per a Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-arabias-oil-production-cuts-reflect-cost-of-reshaping-economy-7fb6e09c">report</a>. He said anything his country would do for the Western nation would need a favor in return.
On Sunday, a surprise OPEC+ announcement<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/31626681/u-s-decries-surprise-oil-cuts-by-saudi-opec-amid-uncertain-market-conditions-not-advisable"> to cut oil production by about 1.2 million barrels</a> proved that the prince's comments are more than words thrown to the wind.
Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producer in OPEC. The decision, which included a vote from Russia, and other OPEC-associated countries, garnered a response from the Biden administration, which deemed the cuts "not advisable."
Oil-focused ETFs reacted positively to the news of a cut in oil production, which is likely to bring oil prices up.
<ul>
<li>The United States Oil ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) jumped on Monday after the announcement and is up 8.4% in 5 days.</li>
<li>The broader Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VDE#NYSE">VDE</a>) also spiked on Monday and is now 4% higher in the past 5 days.</li>
<li>ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UCO#NYSE">UCO</a>) is up 14% in 5 days following a major spike on Monday.</li>
</ul>
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/31684804/jim-cramer-trashes-palantir-c3-ai-says-they-arent-even-real-companies">Jim Cramer Trashes Palantir, C3.Ai, Says They Aren&#8217;t Even &#8216;Real Companies&#8217;</a>

ASEA

Breaking Up With The Buck: Saudi Arabia, Southeast Asian Nations Swipe Left On US Dollar Dependence

Singapore&#39;s GDP grew at 5.2% year over year in the third quarter of 2017, surpassing the 5.0% expectation of economists. This was the strongest reading since the fourth quarter of 2013. The latest revised figures surpassed the initial reading of 4.6% issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

	Singapore&#39;s economy grew 8.8% sequentially compared with 2.9% in the prior quarter. This was above the initial estimate of 6.3%.

	What&#39;s Driving Growth?

	Given that Singapore&#39;s economy is largely trade dependent, improvement in manufacturing sector significantly contributed to GDP growth. Moreover, trade and finance are expected to receive a significant boost from the global recovery. Global economic activity seems to be picking up as the International Monetary Fund estimates 3.6% and 3.7% growth in 2017 and 2018, respectively, compared with 3.2% in 2016. &nbsp;

	Singapore&#39;s manufacturing data has been strong for third-quarter 2017, driven by strong expansion in the electronics sector. On a year-over-year basis, manufacturing sector surged 18.4% in the third quarter and 8.4% in the second. Sequentially, it expanded 34.6% compared with 4.0% in the second quarter.

	The ministry expects GDP to grow in the range of 3-3.5% in 2017 and 1.5-3.5% in 2018. It expects manufacturing to remain resilient and continue to contribute to the GDP.

	Monetary Policy

	The Monetary Authority of Singapore decides on the monetary policy by managing the trade-weighted exchange rate index. It is the only country in the developed world to not rely on short-term interest rate changes as its tool to conduct monetary policy changes.

	Having eased three times since January 2015, the MAS adopted a neutral stance on the monetary policy in its latest meeting in October. Per the MAS, core inflation is expected to come in at around 1.5% for 2017 and can go upward to average around 2% in 2018.

	Although GDP growth is expected to moderate in 2018, rising interest rates in the United States might create pressure on the MAS to change its monetary policy.

	We will now discuss a few ETFs providing exposure to Singapore (see <a href="https://www.zacks.com/etf/etf_category_details.php?cat=Asia-Pacific-(Developed)-ETFs&amp;i=53">all the Asia Pacific ETFs here</a>).

	IShares MSCI Singapore Capped ETF EWS

	This fund focuses on Singapore equities and is the most popular option for exposure to the economy.

	The fund has AUM of $629.9 million and charges 48 basis points in fees per year. Financials, Real Estate and Industrials are the top three sectors of the fund, with 39.5%, 20.5% and 17.9% allocation, respectively (as of Nov 21, 2017). DBS Group Holdings Ltd, Oversea-Chinese Banking Ltd and United Overseas Bank Ltd are the top three holdings of the fund, with 14.2%, 12.0% and 10.7% allocation, respectively (as of Nov 21, 2017). The fund has returned 28.3% in a year and 32.6% year to date (as of Nov 22, 2017). EWS currently has a Zacks ETF Rank 3 (Hold) with a Low risk outlook.

	We will now compare the performance of EWS to a broader South East Asian ETF, ASEA.

	Global X Southeast Asia ETF ASEA

	This fund provides broad exposure to the five members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, namely Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. It is appropriate for investors looking for diversified exposure to South East Asia (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/283798/malaysias-gdp-at-3year-high-etfs-in-focus">Malaysia&#39;s GDP at 3-Year High: ETFs in Focus</a>).

	ASEA is less popular with AUM of $16.2 million and charges a fee of 65 basis points a year. From a geographical perspective, the fund has 30.1% exposure to Singapore, 22.2% to Malaysia, 22.1% to Thailand, 19.2% to Indonesia and 6.5% to the Philippines (as of Sep 30, 2017).&nbsp; Financials, Telecommunication Services and Industrials are the top three sectors of the fund, with a 46.2%, 14.8% and 8.3% allocation, respectively (as of Sep 30, 2017). DBS Group Holdings Ltd, Oversea-Chinese Banking Ltd and United Overseas Bank Ltd are the top three holdings of the fund, with an allocation of 8.1%, 7.3% and 6.1%, respectively (as of Nov 21, 2017). The fund has returned 26.4% in a year and 28.4% year to date (as of Nov 22, 2017). ASEA currently has a Zacks Rank #3 with a Medium risk outlook (read: <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/283472/philippines-gdp-growth-exceeds-expectations-etfs-in-focus">Philippines GDP Growth Exceeds Expectations: ETFs in Focus</a>).

	Below is a chart comparing the year-to-date performance of the two funds.
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/ewcc.jpg" style="width: 620px; height: 250px;" /> 
	&nbsp; 
	Source: Google Finance

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News

Emerging Markets

Emerging Market ETFs

Treasuries

Markets

ETFs

ETFs In Focus As Singapore GDP Exceeds Expectations

ETF Outlook for the week of January 6, 2013

	iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/thd#NYSE">THD</a>)

	Thai stocks are off to their worst start in 25 years as the protests continue to expand around the country. On Saturday one of the biggest gathers took place and more are planning for the coming weeks.

	This has led to a drop in tourism as airlines are beginning to cancel future flights based on a decrease in demand. THD is down nearly 10 percent in the first two trading days of the year and is sitting at the lowest level in two years. The selling has also put pressure on the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>), which is close to a multi-year low after falling 3.4 percent in the first two trading days of 2014.

	iShares U.S. Oil Equipment &amp; Services ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iez#NYSE">IEZ</a>)

	Barron’s highlighted National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nov#NYSE">NOV</a>) this weekend as a potential winner in 2014 with upside of 30 percent. The stock and its peers could be on the move Monday morning after the mention.

	See also: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/14/01/4192828/earnings-expectations-for-the-week-of-january-6-alcoa-and-more">Earnings Expectations for the Week of January 6</a>

	The stock hit a 52-week high in November before pulling back the last six weeks. The stock is the third largest holding in IEZ, making up eight percent of the portfolio. The chart of IEZ practically mirrors that of NOV and any move higher in NOV should have a direct affect on the ETF.

	SPDR Financial ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlf#NYSE">XLF</a>)

	The major indices pulled back to begin the New Year as the financial stocks bucked the trend and many hit new multi-year highs. XLF closed out last week at the best level since 2008, led by a surge in Bank of America (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bac#NYSE">BAC</a>).

	Bank of America is up 5.4 percent in the first two days of the year after an upgrade helped fuel big volume buying. The stock is the fourth largest holding and makes up 6.5 percent of the ETF allocation. The number one holding is JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/jpm#NYSE">JPM</a>), which is trading at the best level since 2000.

	SPDR Utilities ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlu#NYSE">XLU</a>)

	With interest rates on the rise it makes the higher yielding sectors less attractive to investors seeking income. The utility stocks are often viewed as equity income plays as well as safe havens. Both strategies are lacking demand from investors and this has pushed XLU to the lowest level in nearly three months.

	A 1.9 percent loss during the first two days of the year on heavy volume is a bearish sign to begin the New Year. If XLU cannot hold support at $36 during the pullback it will be an ominous sign for the sector.

Sector ETFs

Previews

Pre-Market Outlook

Trading Ideas

iShares Dow Jones US Oil Equipment & Services Index Fund

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund

ETF Outlook For The Week Of January 6, 2014 (THD, IEZ, XLF, XLU)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Friday June 14, 2013.

	The Market Vectors Coal ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kol#NYSE">KOL</a>) looks terrible.

	Keep an eye on the iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewj#NYSE">EWJ</a>).

	Let's see if the bounce in the iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epp#NYSE">EPP</a>) is for real.

	Give the Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlk#NYSE">XLK</a>) a look.

	Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ech#NYSE">ECH</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idx#NYSE">IDX</a>).

	Forex play of the day: WisdomTree Emerging Currency ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cew#NYSE">CEW</a>).

	Bond play of the day: WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eld#NYSE">ELD</a>).

Long Ideas

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Short Ideas

Specialty ETFs

New ETFs

Currency ETFs

WisdomTree Dreyfus Emerging Currency Fund

ETFs to Watch June 14, 2013 (ELD, EPP, XLK)

Six months after President Barack Obama visited Myanmar, that country's president, Thein Sein, will visit the White House.

	Sein's visit to Washington, D.C. marks the first such visit by a leader from the Southeast Asian nation in nearly five decades and it is one that again puts the spotlight on Myanmar's burgeoning but controversial investment thesis.

	As is often the case with many countries sporting the emerging or frontier labels, Myanmar possesses ample economic potential. For investors, there is also plenty of risk. After serving as a stage for allied and opposing forces' operations during World War II, Myanmar's infrastructure was ravaged. Military rule dominated the country during the 1990s despite supposedly free elections.

	Today, the country lacks a sophisticated legal structure, an advanced banking system and robust foreign exchange operations. Those factors make for a series of red flags for even the most adventurous investors. An unfortunate reality is that Myanmar, a country as large as France, has lost 50 years of economic progress, <a href="http://www.economywatch.com/economy-business-and-finance-news/myanmar-asias-next-economic-tiger-dan-steinbock.16-05.html">according to Economy Watch</a>.

	However, Sein is working to change his country's image and his visit with Obama plays a part in that mission. It also serves as a reminder that Myanmar, currently a virtually inaccessible to most U.S. investors, is worth keeping an eye on.

	Vital Statistics 
	Numbers do not lie and that saying is encouraging when it comes to Myanmar. Granted, the country is starting from a low base, but its real GDP has grown an estimated five to six percent over the past four years and that number could climb to six to eight percent over the next decade, according to Economy Watch. Assuming a growth rate of six to seven percent, Myanmar could be on par <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/01/3291145/gdp-report-shows-philippines-juggernaut-going-strong">with recent numbers seen out of the Philippines</a>.

	Statistics released earlier this month indicate foreign direct investment to Myanmar is surging. In the fiscal year ending in April 2013, Myanmar attracted $1.419 billion in foreign direct investment, an almost fivefold increase over the previous fiscal year, <a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/34427">according to Reuters</a>. China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore were top contributors to that figure.

	Bolstering the case for further foreign investment in Myanmar, the Myanmar Investment Commission believes it is close to receiving Generalised System of Preferences status from the European Union, Reuters reported.

	Despite those enticing statistics, Myanmar remains a difficult country to access for foreign equity investors. Although it is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myanmar's stock market is not nearly as advanced as those in other ASEAN member states such as Singapore, Thailand or the Philippines.

	Myanmar's bourse was actually closed in the 1960s at the hands of the military regime that ruled the country at the time and in 2011, there were just two companies on the Myanmar Securities Exchange where prices were updated on a whiteboard, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/22/us-myanmar-exchange-idUSTRE78L0TJ20110922">Reuters reported</a>.

	Change is afoot, however, as the operator of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, South Korean and Thai rivals are looking to establish advanced exchanges in Myanmar. In January, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Myanmar Central Bank signed <a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/SET-helps-Myanmar-establish-stock-exchange-30197655.html">an agreement that calls for the former</a> to support the establishment of the Myanmar Stock Exchange.

	Available Options 
	The best avenue for investors to get involved with Myanmar is through ETFs, although a Myanmar-specific ETF may be a long way off. For now, any ETF that is used as a Myanmar play is an indirect route to the country, but one of the better ideas is the iShares MSCI Thailand Capped Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/thd#NYSE">THD</a>).

	THD, a high-flying emerging markets ETF in its own right with a year-to-date gain of almost 14 percent, allocates almost 39 percent of its weight to financial services names. That could give the ETF some exposure to an advancing Myanmar financial system, particularly if the Stock Exchange of Thailand is successful in establishing a sophisticated bourse in Myanmar.

	Thailand, while not always a beacon of political stability, is one of the more stable nations in the region and shares <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/04/2465762/how-to-invest-in-southeast-asias-new-frontier-markets-ephe-vn">a border with Myanmar</a>. That could provide for enhanced trade between the two as Myanmar's economy evolves in the coming years.

	The Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) is another option to consider, though the ETF's name is somewhat deceiving. ASEA does not offer exposure to all of the ASEAN nations and the bulk of the fund's weight is allocated to Singapore and Malaysia, though the ETF does offer some decent exposure to Indonesia and Thailand, which have been two of the better performing emerging markets this year.

	Risk-tolerant investors can consider the Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>). Like THD, VNM is heavily allocated to the financial services sector, an issue that cannot be ignored as Vietnam works to <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3538437/vietnam-etf-rises-as-bad-debt-company-inches-closer-to-realit">alleviate its banks of bad debt and sour loans</a>. However, VNM could prove to be a legitimate play on Myanmar's growing economy as the two countries recently reached an agreement to increase bilateral trade <a href="http://mmtimes.com/index.php/business/property-news/6224-vietnam-trade-to-hit-500m-by-2015.html">to at least $500 million by 2015</a>.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Politics

Events

Global

Econ #s

Economics

General

Presidential Visit Puts Myanmar Investment Theme in Spotlight

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

The Industrial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xli#NYSE">XLI</a>) looks great.

Same goes for the WisdomTree Total Dividend Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dtd#NYSE">DTD</a>).

Keep an eye on the iShares Dow Jones US Healthcare Provider Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ihf#NYSE">IHF</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dvye#NYSE">DVYE</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewt#NYSE">EWT</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxa#NYSE">FXA</a>).

Bond play of the day: PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pcy#NYSE">PCY</a>).

DVYE

iShares Dow Jones US Health Care Provides Index Fund

PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign  Portfolio

ETFs to Watch May 8, 2013 (EWT, FXA, XLI)

Shares of the iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewm#NYSE">EWM</a>) are soaring 5.8 percent Monday and are near all-time highs as traders in the U.S. digested news of Prime Minister Najib Razak's victory in elections held in the Asian nation over the weekend. Razak's National Front coalition captured 127 of Malaysia's 222 parliamentary seats. The party has ruled Malaysia for close to six decades.

	The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index, the country's benchmark equity index, rose 3.1 percent to 1,747.85, though traded higher by as much as 7.8 percent during Monday's Asian session. On the election-induced relief rally, financial services shares jumped as Malayan Banking touched an intraday record high while CIMB Group, Malaysia's second-largest bank, surged 10 percent.

	That is good news for EWM because those are the ETF's two largest holdings, combining for over 18 percent of the $963.3 million fund's weight. Coincidentally, CIMB's chief executive officer is Nazir Razak. Yes, that Razak. Nazir is Najib's brother, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/malaysian-stocks-currency-surge-ruling-coalition-election-win-053842669.html">Reuters reported</a>.

	Analysts and traders that closely follow Malaysia are not likely to soon forget that Najib campaigned, in part, on promises to <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/04/3483379/ahead-of-election-malaysia-etf-hits-new-high">to reduce corruption in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy</a>.

	Trouble Ahead 
	In post-election comments, Prime Minister Razak emphasized "This election was true, fair and transparent" while imploring his vanquished opponent, Anwar Ibrahim, to accept "the result with an open heart," NPR reported.

	For his part, Ibrahim is not taking the result lightly, calling it the worst in Malaysia's history. Ibrahim has also hurled accusations of fraud, adding there were "specific incidents" of voter fraud involving foreign nationals, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22424118">according to the BBC</a>. There are rumors in Malaysia that foreign nationals were given documents to allow them to vote and some speculation some voters were allowed to vote multiple times.

	With protests scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday, the ebullience surrounding EWM could be short-lived. The lone Malaysia-specific ETF has already <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/02/3310493/malayisa-etf-continues-to-struggle-on-political-concerns">proven vulnerable to political concerns this year</a>.

	Prior to the start of trading Monday, EWM was only up 2.8 percent year-to-date, putting it well off the pace set by comparable Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand ETFs. Some traders in the region have already speculated Monday's surge in Malaysian equities was no more than an overdone relief rally as investors were happy merely to see the end of the election. That much may be evident by the FTSE Burse Malaysia KCLI Index, which finished well off its highs of the day Monday.

	Alternatives 
	Investors looking for Malaysia exposure via ETFs without the potential vulnerability faced by EWM should fraud allegations and protests gain steam have several compelling options. The Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) allocates 23.1 percent of its weight to Malaysia. ASEA also somewhat tempers emerging markets volatility through a 37.5 percent weight to allocation to Singapore while also featuring a combined 36 percent weight to Indonesia and Thailand, two of the better emerging markets this year.

	Malaysia is one of the lower beta developing markets. As such the country pops up in some of the low volatility emerging markets ETFs, receiving an allocation of 11.6 percent in the EGShares Low Volatility Emerging Markets Dividend (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hilo#NYSE">HILO</a>) and 8.4 percent in the almost $2 billion iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eemv#NYSE">EEMV</a>).

	The EGShares Beyond BRICs ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bbrc#NYSE">BBRC</a>), which debuted last August, allocates 14.5 percent to Malaysia. That ETF is up nearly four percent in the past month.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Intraday Update

BBRC

EEMV

HILO

Malaysia ETF Hits All-Time High on Election Results

Some investors believe that a security's price tag is not the primary indicator of intrinsic value. For example, there were some investors and pundits that argued Apple (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) was inexpensive on a valuation basis when the shares traded above $700. Likewise, it is possible for a stock trading at $25 to be considered expensive relative to its peer group.

	The takeaway is that price tags can be superficial, but many investors still find themselves attracted to stocks or ETFs that look cheap on the outside. If the total number of U.S.-listed exchange traded products, ETFs and ETNs, is rounded up to 1,500, then currently about 11 percent of the universe trades below $20.

	That is fair amount and an amount large enough to mean some sub-$20 should be ignored while plenty of others are worth embracing. Here are few that fall into the positive, latter category.

	Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) 
	In what has been a rough year for many of the more popular diversified emerging markets ETFs, the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF has gained 6.4 percent due to its focus on top-performing Southeast Asian markets. While ASEA is an interesting ETF trading below $18.50, investors should do a few minutes of homework before jumping in.

	The ETF is framed as a play on the ASEAN group of nations, but the fund only offers exposure to five ASEAN members or just half the group's membership. Additionally, ASEA's weight to the Philippines is slight at 0.7 percent. As was noted last month, ASEA's 38.6 percent <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/03/3418103/3-etfs-in-under-the-radar-rally-mode">allocation to Singapore</a> has been holding the fund back this year.

	That puts somewhat of a burden on Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to pick up the slack. Indonesia and Thailand have answered the call, though it might be advisable to wait on ASEA until after global markets digest the result of Malaysia's upcoming elections. Still, ASEA has $20 this year if Indonesian and Thai equities continue on their current trajectories.

	PowerShares High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pey#NYSE">PEY</a>) 
	The PowerShares High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers Portfolio could be attractive to investors on three fronts. First, the ETF trades below $11. Second, PEY has a 30-day SEC yield of 4.05 percent. Third, the ETF pays a monthly dividend, providing for a steadier income stream than ETFs and stocks that deliver payouts on a quarterly basis.

	PEY tracks the NASDAQ Dividend Achievers 50 Index, which has outpaced the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, the S&amp;P 500 Value Index and the S&amp;P 500 this year, <a href="http://www.invescopowershares.com/products/overview.aspx?ticker=PEY">according to PowerShares data</a>.

	The catch with PEY is that the ETF is not diverse at the sector level with utilities, financials and consumer staples combing for 75 percent of the fund's weight. On the other hand, PEY does a good job of mixing large-, mid- and small-caps together. Top-10 holdings include Altria (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mo#NYSE">MO</a>), AT&amp;T (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/t#NYSE">T</a>) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lmt#NYSE">LMT</a>). PEY has $321.5 million in assets and charges 0.6 percent per year in fees.

	First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fvd#NYSE">FVD</a>) 
	The First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund offers investors another low price tag dividend option, but FVD's time below $20 may be short as it is just pennies below that area as of this writing. FVD uses a different weighting scheme than many of the larger dividend ETFs on the market today. The Value Line Dividend Index starts with stocks that earn a Value Line safety rating of one or two.

	From there, Value Line selects those companies with a higher than average dividend yield, as compared to the indicated dividend yield of the Standard &amp; Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, <a href="http://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=FVD">according to First Trust</a>. Sub-$1 billion market cap firms are also eliminated.

	The Value Dividend Index has also outpaced the Dow Jones Dividend Select Index and the S&amp;P 500 this year. Conservative investors will enjoy knowing FVD's underlying index has a three-year standard deviation that is 320 basis below that of the S&amp;P 500 and a beta of 0.75 against the benchmark U.S. index, according to First Trust data.

	FVD, a quarterly dividend payer, has $628.6 million in AUM and annual expense ratio of 0.7 percent.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Dividends

AAPL

First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund ETF

Three Sub-$20 ETFs With Upside Potential

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday, April 8, 2013.

The iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewj#NYSE">EWJ</a>) will certainly be in focus again.

Give the ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Natural Gas (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/boil#NYSE">BOIL</a>) a look.

Keep an eye on the SPDR S&amp;P Retail ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xrt#NYSE">XRT</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the Market Vectors Russia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rsx#NYSE">RSX</a>).

Currency play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ycs#NYSE">YCS</a>).

Bond play of the day: iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/agg#NYSE">AGG</a>).

BOIL

Market Vectors Russia ETF Trust Shares of Beneficial Interest

ETFs to Watch April 8, 2013 (AGG, BOIL, XRT)

Finding ETFs that are up on a year-to-date basis is not difficult. That is certainly one positive of result of U.S. stocks continuing to grind higher to hover near record highs. What is harder for investors is finding unheralded ETFs that offer decent upside potential going forward.

With that in mind, a screen was run for ETFs that are in positive territory over the past month that are showing signs of potentially breaking to new highs. The additional criteria for the ETFs featured is that, while none are particularly small or illiquid, they are also not as widely followed or as heavily traded as some of their direct competitors.

For example, a sector fund such as the Energy Select SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xle#NYSE">XLE</a>), an impressive year-to-date performer to be sure, was excluded from this list in favor of an ETF such as FCG.

First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fcg#NYSE">FCG</a>)
Including Thursday's gain of about 3.7 percent, the First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund has surged six percent in the past month. What is important about FCG's Thursday gain is that it arrived on strong volume (more than 25 percent above the daily average) and solidified the ETF's recent break of resistance at $16.50.

Those that follow seasonal trends probably are not surprised. February marks the start of the strongest four-month period of the year for energy equities and <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/02/3327831/february-first-month-in-energy-bull-run-use-these-etfs-to-tra">FCG was predicted to be a beneficiary of that trend</a>. 

In terms of upside potential going forward, FCG has it. Even with Thursday's strong move to the upside, the ETF is still about 10 percent below its 52-week high. Something else to consider: While many of FCG's constituents are actively attempting to boost oil production, the market still perceives the ETF to be a natural gas play. In the near-term, that might not be a bad thing as the U.S. Natural Gas Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ung#NYSE">UNG</a>) looks to be breaking out <a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=ung&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">for a run to $23</a>.

Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>)
On a year-to-date basis and in the past month, the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF is only modestly higher, indicating the fund has been somewhat hampered by its heavy allocations to Singapore and Malaysia. Those two countries combine for about two-thirds of the fund's weight. On the other hand, it can be said that ASEA has held up well given <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/02/3310493/malayisa-etf-continues-to-struggle-on-political-concerns">political tensions in Malaysia</a>.

Two of <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/03/3417591/cappt-2013s-top-performing-em-etf-acronym">2013's top-performing emerging markets, Indonesia and Thailand</a>, are supporting ASEA. Given the recent strength in the equity markets of those two nations, if ASEA could get the benefit of some help from either Singapore or Malaysia, not necessarily both thought that would be perfect, the ETF could break resistance around $17.60 and start a new leg higher.

WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dfj#NYSE">DFJ</a>)
With all the attention being paid to the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dxj#NYSE">DXJ</a>), some investors might think that fund is the only Japan offering from WisdomTree (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wetf#NASDAQ">WETF</a>). That is not the case as indicated by the WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend, which like DXJ, is up more than seven percent in the past month. 

DFJ does not feature the USD/JPY hedge that has made DXJ so popular, but the small-cap fund is exposed to a falling yen through a combined 45.6 percent allocation to Japanese industrial and consumer discretionary names, two export-heavy sectors. 

Do not be deceived by the fact that DFJ is mere pennies below its 52-week high. A move above $47 combined with ongoing weakness in the yen could put DFJ in position to attack its 2007 high just under $54.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Small Cap Analysis

Futures

Commodities

Forex

After-Hours Center

WisdomTree Trust WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund

WETF

3 ETFs in Under-The-Radar Rally Mode

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

The iPath S&amp;P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vxx#NYSE">VXX</a>) is getting hammered.

Give the Vanguard REIT Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnq#NYSE">VNQ</a>) a look.

The First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxo#NYSE">FXO</a>) is worth a look.

Emerging markets plays of the day: Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>), SPDR S&amp;P China ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gxc#NYSE">GXC</a>) and the Market Vectors Russia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/rsx#NYSE">RSX</a>).

Currency play of the day: CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxc#NYSE">FXC</a>).

Bond play of the day: PowerShares Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/phb#NYSE">PHB</a>).

PowerShares Fundamental High Yieldorate Bond Portfolio

Barclays Bank iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN

ETFs to Watch March 12, 2013 (ASEA, FXN, VXX)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday, February 21, 2013.

The Direxion Daily Technology Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: TECS) should be in play.

Get defensive with the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlu#NYSE">XLU</a>).

Keep an eye on the SPDR S&amp;P Homebuilders ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xhb#NYSE">XHB</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort FTSE China 25 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxp#NYSE">FXP</a>), Direxion Daily Emerging Markets 3X Bear Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/edz#NYSE">EDZ</a>) and the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tbt#NYSE">TBT</a>).

Direxion Daily Emerging Markets Bear 3x Shares

ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20+ Year Treasury

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

ETFs to Watch February 21, 2013 (EDZ, TBT, XHB)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday January 31, 2013.

With small-caps looking weak, give the Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tza#NYSE">TZA</a>) a spin.

The PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbc#NYSE">DBC</a>) is looking interesting.

Give the WisdomTree Global ex-US Utilities ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbu#NYSE">DBU</a>) a look.

Emerging markets plays of the day: ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the Global X FTSE Colombia 20 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gxg#NYSE">GXG</a>).

Forex play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ycs#NYSE">YCS</a>).

Bond play of the day: WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eld#NYSE">ELD</a>).

PowerShares DBmmodity Index Optimum Yield Diversified Fund

WisdomTree Trust International Utilities Sector Fund

ETFs to Watch January 31, 2013 (DBC, ELD, YCS)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday, January 10, 2013. 

The Guggenheim Solar ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tan#NYSE">TAN</a>) just keeps on soaring.

Can the Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlf#NYSE">XLF</a>) finally get through $17?

The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotech Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fbt#NYSE">FBT</a>) is on fire as well.

Keep an eye on the PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbc#NYSE">DBC</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>).

Forex play of the day: WisdomTree Dreyfus Emerging Currency ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cew#NYSE">CEW</a>).

Bond play of the day: Market Vectors High-Yield Muni ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hyd#NYSE">HYD</a>).

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

Market Vectors High Yield Municipal Index ETF

ETFs to Watch January 10, 2013 (CEW, TAN, XLF)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday October 29, 2012.

Index play of the day: ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sqqq#NASDAQ">SQQQ</a>).

The ProShares UltraShort Oil &amp; Gas (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dug#NYSE">DUG</a>) will be in play this week.

The WisdomTree Global ex-US Utilities ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dbu#NYSE">DBU</a>) could be offering some value for conservative investors.

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>), Market Vectors Indonesia Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idxj#NYSE">IDXJ</a>) and the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares Dollar Bullish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/uup#NYSE">UUP</a>).

Bond play of the day: PIMCO Total Return ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bond#NYSE">BOND</a>).

BOND

IDXJ

SQQQ

ETFs to Watch October 29, 2012 (ASEA, SQQQ, UUP)

It is probably not fair to call it a stealth rally because Malaysia has been getting a decent amount of attention recently, but the performance of the iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewm#NYSE">EWM</a>) may come as a surprise to some. In the past three months, the $933.2 million EWM has jumped 6.8 percent. Over that time, EWM has proven to be a better bet than comparable funds tracking China, Indonesia and Taiwan. 

In fact, EWM has outperformed the iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxi#NYSE">FXI</a>) by about 480 basis points since mid-May. 

Adding to the good cheer surrounding EWM is the <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/12/08/2809259/4-em-etfs-with-higher-yields-more-potential-than-spy">fund's surprisingly decent dividend yield</a>, currently 3.72 percent. While impressive, EWM's performance is not mystifying.

While other marquee emerging economies are slowing, Malaysia's second-quarter GDP increased 5.4 percent compared with growth of 4.3 percent in the year-earlier period. The impressive second-quarter GDP growth was fueled by robust domestic demand. Research firms are now forecasting <a href="http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsbusiness.php?id=688594">full-year growth of around five percent</a>.

Malaysia, like so many other developing nations, does have its flaws. The economy, while improving, is still largely exposed to the commodities trade. In addition, the country has had its share of sensitive political issues in the past. To that end, investors that want Malaysian exposure without going "all in" on the country can consider the following ETFs:

Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>)
The Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF carries a weight of almost 28 percent to Malaysia -- the fund is one of the most heavily exposed to the country after EWM. ASEA has benefited from that Malaysia weight with a 7.5 percent gain in the past three months.

Perhaps the biggest selling point for this ETF is that it tempers exposure to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand with an almost 39 percent weight to Singapore, a developed market. ASEA's current price/earnings ratio is almost 14.2 while its price/book ratio is just under two.

PowerShares S&amp;P Emerging Markets Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eelv#NYSE">EELV</a>)
As the second fund to the low volatility emerging markets ETF party, EELV is well behind the rival iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eemv#NYSE">EEMV</a>) in terms of assets under management. There are some key differences between the two funds, including the weights offered to Malaysia.

EEMV does what many multi-country emerging markets do: feature heavy exposure to Taiwan and South Korea, two nations that are arguably developed markets. Those two combine for about 26 percent of EEMV's weight, while Malaysia is sixth on the fund's roster with an allocation of 8.6 percent. 

EELV is 180 degrees from EEMV at the country level. Malaysia accounts for over 26 percent of the weight of this "low vol" play. Not surprisingly, EELV has been the better performer over the past three months.

EGShares Consumer Goods GEMS ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ggem#NYSE">GGEM</a>)
The EGShares Consumer Goods GEMS ETF features an allocation of almost 10.6 percent and the fund is more staples than discretionary in composition. However, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. First, those that obsess over volume will not be turned on by GGEM and its average daily turnover of less than 2,100 shares.

Second, Brazil and India combine for over 30 percent of GGEM's, indicating that at least one of those countries needs to start rebounding to drive the ETF higher. On the other hand, Mexico, <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/12/08/2822061/mobius-chimes-in-on-mexico">which is also home to a compelling consumer story</a>, accounts for 21.3 percent of GGEM's weight. 

WisdomTree Asia Local Debt ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ald#NYSE">ALD</a>)
There are pros and cons to considering Malaysian bonds. Barclays Captial <a href="http://www.forextv.com/forex-news-story/research-outlook-for-malaysian-government-bonds">recently offered a tepid endorsement of Malaysian sovereigns</a>, noting an auction of benchmark five-years earlier this week was less-than-inspiring. The bank added that "price action may improve because local and external positioning in MGS appears to be light, but it will be conditioned on stability in global markets, in our view."

On the other hand, Malaysia's <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2783547/mobius-bullish-on-malaysia-ewm">balance sheet is strong</a>. Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, pointed out in a blog post on Malaysia that the country's external debt-to-GDP (the amount owed to foreign creditors) is just 30 percent.

Mobius went on to point out the "sustained rise in agricultural commodity prices has raised income levels in its rural communities, and liquidity in its banking system remains high." Bonds denominated in Malaysian ringgits account for 11.1 percent of ALD's weight.

For more on Malaysia, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2783547/mobius-bullish-on-malaysia-ewm#ixzz23lZNgIge">here</a>.

Bonds

EELV

GGEM

Beyond EWM: Other Ways to Play Malaysia

A few solid days of broader market action has been good for more than just investor sentiment. The bang with which stocks finished last week has helped the technical fortunes of plenty of ETFs. Add to that, there are some signs -- faint as they may be -- that investors are once again starting to embrace select emerging market ETFs.

Given recent market volatility and the fragility of the market's upside, not all emerging markets ETFs have given investors the green light to pull the trigger. For example, the slack performances offered by many Brazil ETFs might come some investors at bay while <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2766519/these-country-etfs-could-be-crushed-by-rising-food-prices-epi">fundamental issues continue to plague India</a>.

On the other hand, there are some funds tracking developing nations that are sporting bullish technicals and look poised to rally higher in the near-term. Here are a few examples:

Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>)
With an almost 39 percent weight to Singapore, the Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF is not a pure play emerging markets ETF, but it is close. The Singapore exposure is not going to hurt if Asian equity markets rebound. ASEA is <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/12/07/2784004/a-look-ahead-next-weeks-etfs-to-watch-asea-qqq">coming off a solid run last week</a> and is currently bumping against some technical resistance in the $16.25 area.

The fund <a href="http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui">is not yet overbought, as measured by its RSI</a>. Any bullish action in Indonesia, Malaysian and Thai equities would help ASEA as those nations combine for about 60 percent of the fund's weight. 

iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/thd#NYSE">THD</a>)
The iShares MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index Fund is once again flexing its muscles relative to the broader emerging markets universe. Year-to-date, the fund is up 14.7 percent compared to a 5.1 percent gain for the Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>).

Thailand is not immune from the global economic slowdown and the central bank there recently pared its 2012 growth outlook to 5.7 percent from six percent, but the Bank of Thailand does have room to cut interest rates if it needs to, <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-25/thailand-holds-interest-rate-as-economic-recovery-stays-easing.html">Bloomberg reported</a>. 

Bottom line: This is one of the sturdier Southeast Asian economies and inflation is not a major issue. If THD can move above $70, it has a clear path back to $75. The good news is THD, like ASEA, <a href="http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui">is not yet overbought</a>.

EGShares Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/econ#NYSE">ECON</a>)
ECON has jumped 4.4 percent in the past week and this fund has been a decent performer this year with a gain of nearly six percent. That is no small feat given that ECON devotes more than 27 percent of its weight to Brazil and India, two of the weaker links in the emerging markets chain in 2012.

ECON has benefited from the recently bullish performance of Mexican equities as that country represents almost 20 percent of the fund's weight. Beyond Mexico, ECON offers the benefit of decent allocations to <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2739637/semi-tough-global-etfs-for-a-second-half-rebound">Chile</a> and Malaysia, two countries that would likely be leaders not laggards in a legitimate emerging markets rally.

ECON<a href="http://www.finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=econ&amp;ty=c&amp;ta=1&amp;p=d">has gained some technical steam in recent days, indicating that if the market environment remains favorable, the ETF could run back to $25.

For more on ETFs with favorable technical outlooks, click </a><a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2759417/5-etfs-on-the-verge-of-breakouts">here</a>.

Technicals

Emerging Global Shares Dow Jones Emerging Marketsnsumer Titan Index Fund

ECON

3 Emerging Market ETFs With Appealing Charts (ASEA, ECON, THD)

It was an excellent week for U.S. equities.

Slowing growth in the world's largest economy stoked speculation about central bank easing, and European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said he would do everything in his power to save the beleaguered euro.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce said that U.S. GDP rose just 1.5 percent in the second quarter, down from growth of 2 percent in the first quarter and the slowest growth rate since the third quarter of 2011. With every major economic data point that is mediocre or bad, talk of the Federal Reserve engaging in additional monetary easing increases.

Despite concerning economic data points and an array of disappointing earnings reports from some of the more marquee names in American business, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&amp;P 500 each rose to their highest points since May. Both major indexes have advanced for three consecutive weeks. 

With that, here is some weekend reading in the form of next week's ETFs to watch.

PowerShares QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qqq#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>):

The PowerShares QQQ, also known as the Nasdaq 100 ETF, deserves a lot credit. Amid a myriad of weak earnings reports from major tech firms starting with Apple (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and finishing with Amazon (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), this ETF should have been clobbered this week.

It was not. In fact, QQQ gained almost one percent. QQQ traded as high as $64.99 on Friday, indicating that psychological resistance is firm at $65. Should that number fall next week, QQQ could have upside to the $67-$68 area.

iShares S&amp;P Global Energy Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ixc#NYSE">IXC</a>):

The iShares S&amp;P Global Energy Index Fund is worth a look next week for a couple of reasons. First, some European oil majors including BP (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bp#NYSE">BP</a>) and Eni (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/e#NYSE">E</a>) report earnings. Second, IXC is coming of a solid 1.6 percent weekly gain that helped the ETF break through some major technical resistance and peek above its 200-day moving average for the first time since April.

Market Vectors Unconventional Oil &amp; Gas ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frak#NYSE">FRAK</a>):

This ETF is another oil play, despite the fact that West Texas Intermediate futures did a whole lot of nothing this week. Should the broader market continue its climb higher, it is unlikely that energy stocks and ETFs will get left out of the equation. 

Beyond that factor, Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/apc#NYSE">APC</a>) and Devon Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dvn#NYSE">DVN</a>), which combine for over 14 percent of FRAK's weight, both report earnings next week. 

Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>):

Emerging markets ('EM') ETFs were not left out of the fun this week as broad-based strength moved across most of the EM complex. The Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF got in on the act with a 2 percent gain that helped move the ETF past some stiff resistance.

Remember that Singapore - which is not an emerging market - accounts for the bulk of ASEA's country weight, but the other countries in the ETF should not be overlooked. Indonesian equities are showing signs of life while <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2783547/mobius-bullish-on-malaysia-ewm">Malaysia is drawing praise from noteworthy investors</a>. 

Should investors start believing emerging markets ETFs have more upside, ASEA stands to be a stealth beneficiary of that scenario.

Earnings

AMZN

FRAK

iShares Trust S&P Global Energy Sector Index Fund

A Look Ahead: Next Week's ETFs to Watch (ASEA, QQQ)

Famed emerging markets investor Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, extolled the virtues of investing in Malaysia in a recent blog post. Malaysia, Southeast Asia's third-largest economy, is expected to grow 4.2 percent this year and 4.7 in 2013, <a href="http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120717101209/Article/index_html">according to the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research</a>.

Malaysia's IPO market is thriving this year and the country is home to "two of the top three global IPOs so far this year," Mobius said. 

"While foreign participation in Malaysia's market has been modest, I think these IPOs in the midst of global market uncertainty have piqued investor interest in this often-overlooked country," <a href="http://mobius.blog.franklintempleton.com/2012/07/25/malaysia/?nicamp=other&amp;nichn=markmobius&amp;nismseg=twitter">Mobius said on his blog</a>. 

As Hong Kong and Singapore, two of Asia's top financial centers, have seen IPOs shelved due to slack investor demand, Malaysia has been home to 11 new listings this year including the $3.3 billion offering by palm oil giant Felda Global Ventures. 

However, there is more to the Malaysian economic story beyond a robust IPO market. Mobius notes Malaysia's total government (public) debt-to-GDP ratio has risen this past year to above 50 percent, but external debt-to-GDP (the amount owed to foreign creditors) is just 30 percent. That is good enough to put Malaysia in the conversation about <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/12/07/2783306/some-emerging-markets-primed-for-higher-credit-ratings">other fiscally sound emerging markets</a>.

The Malaysian economy is also benefiting from the country's status <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/02/2359834/5-etfs-for-120-brent-crude-bno-norw-faa">as a net oil exporter. That factor, along with a strong balance sheet and IPO market, have helped the iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (NYSE: </a><a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewm#NYSE">EWM</a>) outperform the Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>) by 200 basis points year-to-date. EWM has also trounced the Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idx#NYSE">IDX</a>) and the iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxi#NYSE">FXI</a>).

Investors looking to gain access to Malaysia beyond the pure-play EWM have several other ETF options. The Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) devotes almost 28 percent of its weight to Malaysia. At almost 26 percent, Malaysia is the top country weight in the newly minted PowerShares S&amp;P Emerging Markets Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eelv#NYSE">EELV</a>). The country is also the top country allocation in the PowerShares DWA Emerging Markets Technical Leaders Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pie#NYSE">PIE</a>) with a concentration of 15 percent.

ASEA's Malaysia exposure appears to be benefiting the fun, which is up 12.2 percent year-to-date. That ETF is trading about five percent below its 52-week high. EWM and ASEA could have more upside should the Malaysian growth story take shape in favorable fashion.

"To me, the potential for Malaysia's growth appears obvious," Mobius said on his blog. "It has a young, growing population (the median age is 26.8) and it has been a prime beneficiary of a bullish commodity cycle in recent years. Malaysia is a net exporter of oil and gas, and is one of the world's top three producers of palm oil and rubber. The sustained rise in agricultural commodity prices has raised income levels in its rural communities, and liquidity in its banking system remains high. These elements paint a hopeful picture for strong potential consumption growth and the capacity for both public and private sector reinvestment in the Malaysian economy."

For on Southeast Asia ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/07/2715927/the-definitive-asean-etf-guide">here</a>.

Movers & Shakers

IPOs

PowerShares DWA Emerging Markets Technical Leaders

Mobius Bullish on Malaysia (EWM)

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

Obvious plays of the day: Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlk#NYSE">XLK</a>), PowerShares QQQ (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qqq#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) and the ProShares UltraShort QQQ (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/qid#NYSE">QID</a>).

Keep an eye on the PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dba#NYSE">DBA</a>).

Broad market play of the day: iShares S&amp;P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ijk#NYSE">IJK</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Direxion Daily China Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/yang#NYSE">YANG</a>), Global X FTSE ASEAN 40 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/asea#NYSE">ASEA</a>) and the Market Vectors Egypt Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/egpt#NYSE">EGPT</a>).

Forex play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Euro (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/euo#NYSE">EUO</a>).

Bond play of the day: PIMCO Total Return ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bond#NYSE">BOND</a>).

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