Author: Ben Hernandez

Pet Industry Innovation Could Further Fuel “PAWZ” ETF

Ben Hernandez

Even when a cat uses someone’s lap as a makeshift mattress while trying to get work done or if a German shepherd tears through a favorite pair of slippers, they’ll still get the affection and attention from a loving pet owner. As such, the pet care industry is big, booming and rife with future innovation, which could further fuel the ProShares Pet Care ETF (PAWZ). Events like the Pet Innovation Challenge, which will take place on Oct. 2 and 3 in Bethlehem, PA, speak to how major players in the…

Hypersonic Weapons Could Be Next Frontier

Ben Hernandez

Hypersonic weapons that can travel at an extremely high rate of speed could be the next frontier in technology that could fuel defense exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The technology is already being tested by the Russian Navy, which is the first country to use hypersonic missiles. “The Russian Navy is expected to be the first country to field hypersonic cruise missiles on its submarines, potentially giving it some strategic advantages in naval warfare,” wrote Forbes contributor H I Sutton. “The greater speed will better enable Russia to strike time-critical targets and…

SoFi Refunds Investors Hit By Capital Gains from Proprietary ETFs

Ben Hernandez

Financial technology company SoFi is offering refunds to investors hit by capital gains taxes following the change of replacing Vanguard funds with their proprietary ETFs in certain portfolios managed by their robo-adviser. While SoFi maintains the moves were made with the clients’ best interests in mind, they will still offer the refunds to those investors affected by the changes, which were done earlier this year. “In keeping with our commitments to put your interests first and to help you get your money right, we decided to take this action in…

China In the Process of Rolling Out State-Backed Cryptocurrency

Ben Hernandez

China is set to roll out its own cryptocurrency with the backing of the state, and will introduce it to seven institutions over the coming months. The seven institutions receiving the digital asset include major movers and shakers in the technology as well as financial sectors like Alibaba and Tenecent. According to a report by Forbes, a “separate source, who’s involved in the development of the cryptocurrency, dubbed DC/EP (Digital Currency/Electronic Payments), confirmed that the seven institutions would be receiving the new asset when it launches, adding that an eighth…

Will a Sustained Flight to Safe Haven Assets Hurt Emerging Markets?

Ben Hernandez

Emerging markets, for the most part, have been viewed as a risk-on play for investors looking to these corners of the capital markets to find opportunities they would not normally find within the U.S. or other developed markets. Low Treasury yields provide ample evidence that investors are in risk-off mode and a sustained a flight to safe haven assets could hurt emerging markets in the process. One area where is this also apparent is in the bond markets were analysts are recommending investors shy away from riskier debt in emerging…