Schwab has released version 1.8.7.0 of StreetSmart Edge for download on their website. You can tell your current version by looking for the “current build” note in the upper right hand corner of the display. Be sure to save your layouts before you update, because when you update you lose your current customization and have to restore them. Schwab doesn’t publish what defects …
Apparently, Vanguard likes to keep their ETF ex-dividend and distribution dates a secret until just a couple of days before the event. It has that old mutual fund feel to it—”we’ll give you a quote after-market and allow you to buy or sell our stuff at the end of the day, otherwise go away…” As a result, the dates below are just guesses, based on …
I used to share stock tips with my brothers-in-law. Before the tech crash I could offer up a few stocks I liked, and they would often make some money. The crash painfully ended the easy money and I moved on to index funds. They didn’t think indexes were near as much fun. One Easter one of my brothers-in-law asked what I was investing in. …
There haven’t been any new volatility ETNs or ETFs introduced for almost 4 months now, so it is about time for another wave. In April options were introduced on VelocityShares VIIX (a VXX wannabe), but it’s hard to see how these can compete effectively with VXX’s options. The funds that are attracting the most interest (and likely additional competitors) are VelocityShares’ 2X short term TVIX …
Update: XVIX was terminated by UBS. It joins the list of market strategies that backtested great but did horribly once if went live. UBS’ E-TRACS XVIX ETN was designed to take advantage of the volatility futures contango that torments Barclays’ popular VXX ETN. VXXB provides a way to go long on volatility—which in theory provides a good hedge against sudden market drops. However, since …
