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☆ Investors are piling into these ETFs for a 'catch-up' trade — and it's paying off
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and Invesco S & P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) have attracted inflows of over $4 billion and about $1.8 billion, respectively, so far this month, according to FactSet. Both funds provide investors a way to get broad exposure to the stock market while reducing the impact of names such as Nvidia and Alphabet on their portfolios. "Interest in funds outside of core S & P exposure has increased with notable inflows and volumes into the equal-weight S & P 500 (RSP) and Russell 2000 (IWM) recently. These funds — along with a host of other non-Tech exposed ETFs — are seemingly a preferred way to play a catch-up trade," Strategas ETF strategist Todd Sohn said in a note to clients Tuesday. Another option for investors looking to diversify away from large technology companies could be international funds, Sohn said.

Persons: Russell, Todd Sohn, Sohn Organizations: RSP, Nvidia, Tech, Nasdaq, Revenue Locations: Japan

May 16 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said it "strongly supports" Brazil's efforts to improve the country's fiscal position, while also commending the country's "ambitious agenda" to have a sustainable, inclusive, and green economy. "Enhancing Brazil's fiscal framework, broadening the tax base, and tackling spending rigidities would support sustainability and credibility," the leader of an annual mission to the country, Ana Corbacho, said in a statement after the Fund's visit. Brazil's finance ministry in late March unveiled new fiscal rules to balance limits on spending growth under the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has vowed to boost social programs and public investment. The new rules limit spending growth to 70% of Brazil's revenue growth in the prior 12 months. Corbacho also noted Brazil's efforts to "steer a sustainable, inclusive, and green economy" by cracking down on illegal deforestation, for example, and "leveraging competitive advantage in renewable energies."

A British official said no final decision had been made to send missiles with these capabilities to Ukraine. Britain and other Western countries have scaled up their pledges of military aid for Ukraine this year. Britain said in January it would send 14 of its main Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine's defence minister, told Reuters that Kyiv had no concrete information about the UK-led effort to supply long-range missiles, but that Ukraine had for months been consistently appealing to Western governments to provide long-range weapons. "We would welcome it if the UK takes on a leadership role with the long-range missiles, in the same way they did with the Challenger 2 main battle tanks," he said.

☆ Stock Market Today: Dow Drops More Than 350 Points on Bank Jitters, Fed Rate Hike
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

The bank said it was talking to potential partners and investors, and would keep evaluating "all options to maximize shareholder value." The S&P 500 dropped 0.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.1% and the Nasdaq Composite gave up 0.3%. Western Alliance Bancorp was down 39% after the company denied a report that it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale. First Horizon sank by 37% after its $13.4 billion sale to Toronto's TD Bank was called off. The jitters follow the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and, more recently, First Republic Bank.

☆ Stock Market Today: Dow Slips 300 Points on Bank Jitters; Fed Decision Weighs on Traders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

As stock indexes slipped Thursday, PacWest's already battered shares fell by 52% in morning trading. The bank said it was talking to potential partners and investors, and would keep evaluating "all options to maximize shareholder value." Stock indexes fell ahead of a big earnings day, with Apple and other big companies on tap. The jitters follow the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and, more recently, First Republic Bank. "The cumulative effect of these bank failures will take its toll both on financial-market conditions and prompt nervousness among the investment community," said Brian O’Reilly, head of market strategy at Mediolanum International Funds.

☆ Capital Group expands ETF lineup, including two new international funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Multi-trillion dollar asset manager Capital Group is expanding its ETF lineup after some of its first funds gained traction last year. The Los Angeles-based firm on Tuesday filed for three new active ETFs — International Equity ETF (CGIE), World Dividend Growers ETF (CGDG) and Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) — under the Capital Group banner. The new funds come a little more than a year after Capital Group — founded in the Depression and known for its American Funds — first dipped its toe into the ETF world. Our new ETF — CGIE — is more of a developed-market focused ETF," Davis said. Meanwhile, the new global dividend fund is in part a response to the success of the U.S.-focused Capital Group Dividend Value ETF (CGDV) , Davis said.

☆ ETF trends reflect a wild first quarter for the stock market
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

It's the end of a wild first quarter for stock and bond investors, and ETF flows are reflecting that turmoil. The good news: Despite big market swings , equity and bond ETFs still saw overall inflows in the first quarter. ETF flows year to date: $70 billion inflows Consisting of: Equity: $24 billion inflows Fixed Income: $43 billion inflows Other (currency, etc. ): $3 billion inflows Source: ETF Store While that is still inflow, it is far less than has been typical in recent years. Much of that uncertainty can be seen in a notable pickup in money going into money market funds, traditionally a safe haven asset.

☆ Here are the 5 best ways to take advantage of a comeback rally for foreign stocks, according to 5 market-beating international fund managers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Here are five ways to invest to take advantage of a long-term rally for foreign stocks. Yahoo FinanceEuropean stocks spark an unexpected rallyThe turnaround for foreign stocks was fueled by a sudden reversal for European equities. "So foreign, value stocks over growth stocks, commodities should do OK — and all else held constant — you should see some downward pressure on the US dollar as well." Those modest expectations are reflected in the cheap valuations of international stocks, especially those in Europe, Hill said. 5 ways to invest while international stocks reboundNelson's strategy in running the EuroPac International Value Fund is very similar to that of the Tweedy, Browne International Value Fund, which Insider profiled in December.

☆ New Zealand launches global fundraiser for post-cyclone reconstruction
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - New Zealand will launch an international fundraising appeal for the massive reconstruction work needed after Cyclone Gabrielle tore across the country's north earlier this month, forcing thousands of people into shelters and killing eleven. The appeal will fund longer term recovery projects and target wealthy expatriates, businesses and anyone with affection for New Zealand, said Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday. The appeal will be modeled after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake fundraiser, which collected over NZ$94 million ($57.94 million). A national state of emergency, only the third declared in the country's history, will continue in cyclone-hit regions. ($1 = 1.6223 New Zealand dollars)Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Here's what's next for income ETFs after yields surged last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

International income One area where investors may look next for income is the international market, which has outperformed the U.S. in the opening weeks of 2023. Both Amplify and Schwab offer international versions of their yield funds — Amplify International Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (IDVO) and Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY). Fixed income funds Another area that could pay off for investors is fixed income. "This is a once in many, many year opportunity to de-risk, rebalance, get back into fixed income," said Stephen Laipply, US Head of iShares Fixed Income ETFs. The fixed income ETF market is much smaller than the equity ETF market, and 2023 could see a continued growth in new categories.

[1/6] A firefighter walks at a car park near an apartment block that was heavily damaged by a missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 15, 2023. "Even the more fortified second line of defence of the enemy could not hold the breakthrough of the Russian military." Later on Wednesday, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said Russian forces were mounting "round-the-clock" assaults on government positions, without specifying where. Near Bakhmut, Russian forces fired on more than 15 towns and villages, including the city itself, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its evening report. Russia calls the invasion a "special military operation" against security threats, saying NATO shows hostility to Russia daily and is growing more involved in the conflict.

"The enemy's offensive continues in the east, (with) round-the-clock attacks," Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said. Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces had retreated in the face of Russian operations in the Luhansk region, although it gave no details and Reuters was not able to verify this and other battlefield reports. "Even the more fortified second line of defence of the enemy could not hold the breakthrough of the Russian military." BAKHMUT ATTACKSRussia's main effort has been an artillery and ground onslaught on the city of Bakhmut, in Donetsk. Russian forces have launched attacks on several settlements, including Paraskoviivka on the northern approaches to Bakhmut, over the past day, Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said.

☆ A 'huge pivot' in China is fueling the emerging markets boom, says Jan van Eck
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

They're emphasizing growth right now," van Eck said at the Exchange ETF conference in Miami. The iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) had a total return of more than 10% this year, through Feb. 3. MCHI YTD mountain This popular China ETF is outperforming in 2023. Van Eck pointed to the outsized growth of major U.S. tech firms as a key reason for that outperformance, but said that era appears to be over. "We've got a decade where you're really taking a risk if you're under invested overseas," van Eck said.

☆ A top oil analyst explains Europe’s new fuel sanctions on Russia and how that impacts global energy markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The flow of crude oil is seen in a container while an oilfield worker works on a drilling rig at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA Carlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersMatt Smith is the lead oil analyst at Kpler. Phil Rosen: This week the EU has new sanctions and a price cap kicking in on Russian oil products, such as diesel. MS: They're one of the leading producers and leading exporters in the world, so we shouldn't expect that to change. What will influence this is how long this war goes on, and how detrimental that is to its energy industry. Demand for cardboard boxes has dropped to levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis.

☆ Buy these 6 cheap stocks now to take advantage of a perfect setup for contrarian investors, according to a leading international fund manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Contrarian fund manager Krishna Mohanraj is bullish on international stocks despite recession fears. That contrarian approach has worked wonders for Mohanraj's Diamond Hill International Fund (DHIAX) recently. Over the last three months, Mohanraj's fund is up about 20% amid a long-awaited comeback for international stocks. 2 tailwinds that will send global stocks soaringMohanraj believes that foreign stocks' recent momentum will continue, even though the global economy is flirting with a recession. In fact, the fund manager described the current environment for international stocks as an "active investor heaven."

☆ Latin America, Caribbean call for more international funding at CELAC summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Countries from Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday called for more international funding in the region following economic and climate crises, in a final declaration after a summit held in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. The 111-point "Declaration of Buenos Aires" from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States' (CELAC) seventh summit described how effects of COVID-19, climate change and the war in Ukraine had rippled across the region. "We express our concern that several countries emerged from the pandemic with higher levels of public debt," it said. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sent a recorded message saying he had chosen not to attend due to "permanent conspiracies, the permanent threat, calculated ambushes." Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cuba begins London court battle over unpaid Castro-era debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Students hold images of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro during an event commemorating the five year anniversary of his death, in Havana, Cuba, November 24, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini/File PhotoLONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Cuba began a high-stakes legal battle in London's High Court on Monday over unpaid Fidel Castro-era government debt now held by one of the communist-run country's creditors. CRF originally launched the claim almost three years ago after Havana refused a debt relief offer made by CRF and some other bond holders back in 2018. But having not dealt with its commercial creditors in the so-called London Club the country remains shut out of international capital markets. ($1 = 0.9210 euros)Reporting by Marc Jones and Sam Tobin; Editing by Frank Jack DanielOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: European states in Estonia pledge weapons for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Ints KalninsJan 19 (Reuters) - A group of 11 European states have pledged to deliver more arms to Ukraine in its war with Russia, saying they would send main battle tanks, heavy artillery, air defence, ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles. The 11 nations were Estonia, Britain, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain. Weapons donations and military support will continue in close cooperation with allies and in accordance with Ukrainian needs. Estonia will continue to provide both basic and specialist training to hundreds of Ukrainian Armed Forces members in 2023. Poland has already donated 42 infantry fighting vehicles along with training package for two mechanised battalions.

☆ JPMorgan, Standard Chartered win approval to expand in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - JPMorgan (JPM.N) and Standard Chartered won Chinese regulatory approval on Thursday to expand operations in China, as Beijing encourages expansion by foreign companies after lifting its restrictive COVID policies. British bank Standard Chartered (STAN.L) won an approval to set up a new securities brokerage unit in China also on Thursday, the regulator said. Canada's Manulife Financial Corp (MFC.TO) in November received regulatory approval to take full control of its Chinese mutual fund venture. U.S. asset manager Neuberger Berman in the same month won approval to set up a new fund unit in China. "China is certainly going to be bit of a long slog," Alexander said, referring to China's lengthy approval process for foreign companies.

☆ Davos 2023: Idris Elba calls for investment to help world's poor
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Kathryn Lurie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] British actor Idris Elba delivers a speech as he and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Goodwill Ambassador, receive the 2023 Crystal Award during the Crystal Awards Ceremony 2023, ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd WiegmannDAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba called on Monday for business and political leaders to provide more support to the world's poorest countries in the form of investment rather than aid. "The poor of this world are not just looking for aid and handouts, they’re looking for investment," Idris Elba said. (For daily Davos updates in your inbox sign up for the Reuters Daily Briefing here.) Reporting by Kathryn Lurie in Davos; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Actors Idris and Sabrina Dhowre Elba on how their parents inspired their activism
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Actors Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba say their parents were driving forces behind their own activism today, which focuses on food security. For Sabrina Dhowre Elba it was her mother that shaped her drive to give back, she said. "For me, my mother is everything," Dhowre Elba told CNBC. A trip to Sierra Leone also inspired her due to the stories she heard from locals, Dhowre Elba explained. "Why I go on field visits so often with the organization is because you really remember that small things can make such huge changes."

Erdogan introduced a "new economic model" in 2021 that prioritises growth, investment and exports and is aimed at flipping Turkey's persistent trade deficits, a major component of the current account. "We will give significant support to Turkey's economic model. For that reason we want to be strong in capital terms," Cakar said in an interview conducted late last month. "There is no clear figure yet for the capital increase of state banks. State banks have supported the economy with low-cost financing for the last few years, increasing their dominance in the financial sector and their capital needs.

☆ Pakistan's finance minister to meet IMF in Geneva, with bailout stalled
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8 (Reuters) - An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will meet Pakistan's finance minister on the sidelines of a conference in Geneva beginning on Jan. 9, a spokesperson of the lender said on Sunday, as Pakistan struggles to restart its bailout programme. "The IMF delegation is expected to meet with Finance Minister (Ishaq) Dar on the sidelines of the Geneva conference to discuss outstanding issues and the path forward," a spokesperson of the IMF said in a message to Reuters. The conference in Geneva, co-hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, will look to gather international support for the country in the aftermath of devastating floods last year. Dar has been critical of the IMF lately, publicly saying that the lender was acting "abnormally" in its dealings with Pakistan, which entered the $7 billion bailout programme in 2019. The IMF spokesperson also said its Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva had a "constructive call" with Sharif regarding the Geneva conference and supported Pakistan's efforts to rebuild.

CNN —The ruling Taliban has signed a deal with a Chinese company to extract oil from northern Afghanistan’s Amu Darya basin as the radical Islamist group attempts to bolster the South Asian nation’s increasingly impoverished and isolated economy. The agreement with China’s Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co is the first major international energy extraction deal the Taliban has signed since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021. Baradar referred to the deal as being in Afghanistan’s best interests, adding that it would strengthen the country’s economy, the statement said. In December, the UN suspended some of its “time-critical” programs in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s ban on female NGO workers. The Taliban last month also suspended university education for all female students in Afghanistan, drawing condemnation from around the world.

☆ This new ETF combines international and income investing, and both themes are hot
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The three-month-old fund is an actively managed strategy that combines dividend-paying international equity holdings with covered call writing, an income strategy used frequently by fund sub-advisor Capital Wealth Planning. And international funds are also gaining traction. He added that the fund managers may actually be a bit more aggressive in writing calls in the international fund than in the U.S. version. "It's not unusual for international stocks to suspend or reduce their dividends more frequently than U.S. stocks do," Magoon said. Since its launch in September, the Amplify International Enhanced Dividend Income ETF has a total return of about 7%.

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