Products April 7, 2009

Claymore Offers Two More ETFs

Claymore Investments, a Canadian exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider, has launched two foreign-equity-based ETFs.
Reported by

A Claymore news release identified the new offerings as the Claymore Broad Emerging Markets ETF and the Claymore US Fundamental Index.

The Claymore Broad Emerging Markets ETF has been designed to provide investors with exposure to the return and performance of an Emerging Markets Benchmark Index, such as the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, net of expenses. The ETF is currency-hedged to help reduce the foreign currency exposure risk, the release said.

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Meanwhile, the Claymore US Fundamental Index ETF (non-hedged) adds to Claymore’s Fundamental Index ETF family. The ETF is based on the FTSE RAFI Fundamental Indexes, which are non-market capitalization weighted indexes and provides exposure to the U.S. core equity markets.

Data & Research April 7, 2009

Working with an Adviser Can Curb Stress

Saving money and working with a financial adviser seem to lessen the stress people felt about the current economy, a new survey found.
Reported by

The First Command Financial Behaviors Index found that those who are putting more money away are less stressed. Only 22% of those polled who put money into short-term savings last month are extremely or very stressed about the current economy, compared to 34% of stressed respondents who did not save during the month, according to a release of the results.

Working with a financial adviser apparently also helps lessen stress. The results said 10% of respondents reported cutting back spending over the last 12 months with the aid of an adviser. Of those, 7% felt stress because of the economy, versus 10% without an adviser.

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“The practice of saving increases financial optimism,” said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command, a Fort Worth, Texas-based financial advisory firm, in the announcement. “The March results reveal that in a time of great economic turmoil and uncertainty, saving even as little as $5 can reduce feelings of stress. Financial optimism isn’t dependent on how much one has accumulated in savings. Rather, it’s the practice of saving that creates an emotional lift.”

More than one-third of respondents (35%) agree that they feel uncertain about whether they should use their money to increase savings or pay down debt.

The survey also found that respondents are continuing to tighten their belts. They are reducing spending on leisure activities (56%), clothing purchases (52%), and household goods consumption (42%). In March, 28% of respondents indicated that they would continue to cut back on spending for one year or less compared to 22% who said the same in February.

The survey covered approximately 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000. More information is available at www.firstcommand.com/research.

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