November wasn't so bad for some of the biggest ETFs.

 

The picture was relatively bright for the performance of the ten-largest exchange-traded funds in November. After the two-month market rout of September and October, even among volatile conditions, seven of the 10 largest ETFs had positive performance in November, according to Morningstar data through Nov. 26. At end of day Friday, the S&P had posted its best week since 1974, so the numbers should improve even a little more once the last day of the month is added, at least for the majority of equit yportfolios among the Top Ten.

Leading the way among equity ETFs was the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (NYSE Arca: EEM), up 12.70% for the month.The Thanksgiving week was also kind to EEM, when the ETF surged 10.24%, through Wednesday the 26th. 

The best performer overall was the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE Arca: GLD) up

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The head of BGI's iShares business gives his views on slumping market share numbers, ETFs still in registration, spreads and fund expenses.

 

Lee Kranefuss, chief executive officer of BGI's iShares business, recently took time to discuss with IndexUniverse's Murray Coleman the future of exchange-traded funds and recent developments relating to the industry's dominant product line.

 

IU:  Barclays recently renamed the Lehman-based bond indexes to the Barclays Capital moniker. Will the iShares Lehman ETFs change?

Kranefuss:  Barclays Capital completed its acquisition of Lehman Brothers' North American Investment Banking and Capital Markets businesses. As part of the transaction, Lehman Brothers' indices have become part of Barclays Capital. The Lehman indexes are now Barclays Capital indexes. iShares will be renaming those ETFs. It's our practice to include the index provider in the name of the funds; we think that transparency is important for investors. People ought to know which index a fund is following.

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The head of BGI's iShares business gives his views on slumping market share numbers, ETFs still in registration, spreads and fund expenses.

 

Lee Kranefuss, chief executive officer of BGI's iShares business, recently took time to discuss with IndexUniverse's Murray Coleman the future of exchange-traded funds and recent developments relating to the industry's dominant product line.

 

IU:  Barclays recently renamed the Lehman-based bond indexes to the Barclays Capital moniker. Will the iShares Lehman ETFs change?

Kranefuss:  Barclays Capital completed its acquisition of Lehman Brothers' North American Investment Banking and Capital Markets businesses. As part of the transaction, Lehman Brothers' indices have become part of Barclays Capital. The Lehman indexes are now Barclays Capital indexes. iShares will be renaming those ETFs. It's our practice to include the index provider in the name of the funds; we think that transparency is important for investors. People ought to know which index a fund is following.

...

The head of BGI's iShares business discusses the company's slumping market share numbers, ETFs still in registration, spreads and fund fees.

 

Lee Kranefuss, chief executive officer of BGI's iShares business, recently took time to discuss with IndexUniverse's Murray Coleman the future of exchange-traded funds and recent developments relating to the industry's dominant product line.

 

IU:  Barclays recently renamed the Lehman-based bond indexes to the Barclays Capital moniker. Will the iShares Lehman ETFs change?

Kranefuss:  Barclays Capital completed its acquisition of Lehman Brothers' North American Investment Banking and Capital Markets businesses. As part of the transaction, Lehman Brothers' indices have become part of Barclays Capital. The Lehman indexes are now Barclays Capital indexes. iShares will be renaming those ETFs. It's our practice to include the index provider in the name of the funds; we think that transparency is important for investors. People ought to know which index a fund is following.

IU:

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Highlighted stocks include Baidu.com (BIDU), Sohu.com (SOHU), United Online (UNTD) and Yahoo (YHOO).

Key Points: Despite the resignation of Jerry Yang, forecasts are trending downward for Yahoo Other Internet companies are doing well, however, such as Sohu.com and United Online

Without Merger, Few Positive Catalysts For Yahoo Over The Short-Term

Yesterday, Yahoo (YHOO) announced the resignation of Jerry Yang from the CEO post. The announcement was met with cheer as shares rose by nearly a buck to $11.55.

Playing a role in the upward move were speculators hoping for renewed merger talks with Microsoft (MSFT). The problem is that there is no guarantee that a merger will occur.

Without a merger, there are few catalysts for the stock. Naming a well-respected outsider as a CEO might help, but the company is struggling with both tough competition and a weak economy.

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