First Trust Dow Jones STOXX Select Dividend 30 Index Fund (ARCA: FDD)

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First Trust Dow Jones STOXX Select Dividend 30 Index Fund

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The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index consists of 30 high dividend-yielding securities selected from the STOXX Europe 600 Index. In addition, a security must be issued by a company with a non-negative five-year dividend-per-share growth rate and a dividend-to-earnings ratio of 60% or less.

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The yield on the 10-year Treasury has retreated to 2.75 percent Tuesday and has declined 3.4 percent over the past five trading sessions.

	That still is not much to cheer about because 10-year yields have still jumped about 7.5 percent, including today's loss, in just the past month.

	Even at 2.75 percent, 10-year Treasuries now sport yields well in excess of some of <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/13/08/3852169/rising-rates-a-problem-for-some-dividend-etfs">the most beloved dividend ETFs</a>. If 10-year yields hit three percent or higher, as some bond market observers believe will happen, the number of dividend ETFs with higher yields than U.S. government bonds will be further reduced.

	Income investors looking for Treasury-topping yields have options, particularly developed market equity ETFs that exclude U.S.-based companies. Consider the following ETFs that currently have yields that are comfortably ahead of 10-year Treasuries.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/06/3697012/rising-10-year-yields-could-crush-popular-dividend-etfs">Rising 10-Year Yields Could Crush Popular Dividend ETFs</a>.

	WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dol#NYSE">DOL</a>) 
	The WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund has lagged some of the widely known U.S. dividend ETFs on a year-to-date basis, but over the past 30- and 90-day time frames, the fund has outperformed U.S.-focused rivals such as the SPDR S&amp;P Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdy#NYSE">SDY</a>).

	DOL's country exposure is similar to what investors will find in popular EAFE funds (Europe, Australia, Asia and the Far East) as the U.K., France and Australia combine for roughly 47 percent of the fund's weight. Exposure to the U.K. in a dividend ETF is not such a bad thing <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3771457/royal-dividends-u-k-etfs-may-have-dividend-allure">because that country is a developed market dividend leader</a> after the U.S.

	DOL celebrated its seventh birthday in June and has $234.6 million in assets under management, a 0.48 percent expense ratio and a 30-day SEC yield of 4.32 percent or 157 basis points ahead of 10-year Treasuries.

	FlexShares Morningstar Developed Markets ex-US Factor Tilt Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tltd#NYSE">TLTD</a>) 
	FlexShares has a suite of three "factor tilt" ETFs with TLTD being the developed markets, U.S. play. For the advisor or investor looking for an alternative to market-cap weighting in a developed markets ETF, TLTD is worthy of consideration.

	Though not a hedged currency ETF, TLTD does offer ample exposure to continued bullishness in Japanese stocks as the world's third-largest economy accounts for 20.4 percent of the fund's weight. The U.K. and Canada combine for 29.4 percent of TLTD's weight as well.

	While TLTD is heavily concentrated at the sector level with financials, industrials and discretionary names combining for 53 percent of the ETF's weight, the fund does offer exposure to small, mid and large caps as well as growth and value names.

	Less than a year old, TLTD already has $195.5 million in assets under management. The 30-day SEC yield of 3.57 percent beats 10-year Treasuries by 82 basis points.

	First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) 
	For the investor looking for pure Europe exposure while being compensated for the perceived risk, the First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund is worth a look. The U.K. and Switzerland combine for over 48 percent of FDD's weight, but after that, the ETF is heavy on eurozone economies.

	Not only that, but FDD also allows investors to play a <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/08/3861667/bet-on-european-banks-with-these-etfs">recovery in eurozone banks</a> without betting directly on a sector-specific fund. Financials account for nearly 34 percent of the ETF's weight.

	Some investors will make the mistake of focusing on FDD's size of just $52.8 million in AUM, but what should be focused on is the ability of this ETF to generate returns in the event of an ongoing Europe recovery and the 6.37 percent 30-day SEC yield.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

	Disclosure: Author is long FDD.

No need for a double take. Europe ETFs have recently been in rally mode and, believe it or not, once-toxic European banks have been contributing to that rally in significant fashion.

	For example, Banco Santander (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/san#NYSE">SAN</a>), one of the most controversial European banks and 19.5 percent of the iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETFs (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewp#NYSE">EWP</a>) weight, has surged 11 percent in just the past month.

	Some top fund managers have been getting bullish on European banks. "If you look at our portfolio, we're most overweight Europe and within that, European financials," said David Herro, manager of the $21 billion Oakmark International Fund, in a <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/100979100">CNBC interview earlier this week</a>.

	Banks that Herro has recently purchased include Credit Suisse (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cs#NYSE">CS</a>), Lloyds, Allianz, Intesa Sanpaolo and BNP Paribas, according to CNBC.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/13/08/3859279/europe-etfs-draw-bullish-praise">Europe ETFs Draw Bullish Praise</a>.

	Investors looking to construct their own ETF portfolio chock full of European banks have some interesting options, including the following funds.

	iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eufn#NASDAQ">EUFN</a>) 
	The iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF is <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/08/3828130/anonymous-europe-etfs-you-need-to-know-now">not the most talked about Europe ETF</a>, but it is one of the better performers of the lot with a year-to-date gain of 10.6 percent.

	EUFN now has $182.5 million in assets under management, but the fund stands as another shining example of <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/10/2994238/ignoring-sub-100m-etfs-a-costly-idea">the risks associated with ignoring small ETFs</a>. Not only has the fund performed well this year, but the bulk of its AUM total (over $142 million) has come into the fund since the start of the year. Investors that got hung on EUFN's size late last year missed out on some easy money.

	HSBC (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hbc#NYSE">HBC</a>) is EUFN's largest holding at 11.7 percent. Other top-10 holdings include Allianz, Credit Suisse and UBS (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ubs#NYSE">UBS</a>).

	First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) 
	The First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund is not a dedicated financial services ETF, but the sector is the fund's largest at 33.7 percent. That is roughly 1,400 basis points larger than FDD's allocation to utilities stocks. As is the case with most diversified Europe ETFs that heavy on bank stocks, the U.K. and Switzerland loom large in FDD, combing for 48 percent of the fund's weight. France is in between the two at 15.4 percent.

	The numbers pertaining to FDD are a compelling valuation (price-to-book ratio of less than 1.4) and a juicy 30-day SEC yield of nearly 6.4 percent. FDD is up 2.3 percent in the past month.

	SPDR S&amp;P International Financial Sector ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ipf#NYSE">IPF</a>) 
	With just $6.25 million in AUM, IPF might be too small for even adventurous investors to handle, but most of the fund's 132 holdings would qualify as "heavily traded," ensuring decent liquidity. That point is proven by the fact that IPF rarely trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value of more than half a percent, <a href="https://www.spdrs.com/product/fund.seam?ticker=IPF">according to State Street data</a>.

	IPF is not a pure Europe fund as Japan, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong combine for about 46 percent of the ETF's weight. However, the U.K., Switzerland, Germany and France combine for a third of IPF's weight and four of the ETF's top-10 holdings are Europe-based. 30-day SEC yield: 2.25 percent. Price-to-book ratio: 1.04.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

	Disclosure: Author is long FDD.

The eurozone has been eerily tranquil in recent weeks.

	Once-bitten, twice shy investors know tranquility and eurozone investing have not resided in the same much over the past few years, but that does not change the fact some marquee Europe ETFs are enjoying stellar runs.

	For example, the Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgk#NYSE">VGK</a>) is up more than eight percent in the past month. The iShares MSCI EMU ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ezu#NYSE">EZU</a>) is up 10.6 percent over the same time and the list goes on from there.

	Related: <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/13/06/3704937/etfs-for-a-european-recovery">ETFs For a European Recovery</a>.

	With Europe, particularly the PIIGS, there can be no guarantees regarding ongoing tranquility. However, of the small amount of ETFs <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3785151/these-all-time-high-etfs-can-keep-going">making new all-time highs</a> over the past two days, several have significant eurozone exposure.

	With that in mind, the time looks appropriate to consider some unheralded Europe ETFs.

	First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) 
	One school of thought regarding investing in Europe is that an investor might as well be compensated for the risk. The First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund does that with a 30-day SEC yield of 6.37 percent.

	FDD is not a pure eurozone play as the U.K. accounts for 36.6 percent of the ETF's weight, but that is alright because the U.K. is one of the <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/07/3771457/royal-dividends-u-k-etfs-may-have-dividend-allure">more impressive developed market dividend destinations</a> outside of the U.S. Another 11.7 percent of FDD goes to Switzerland, so eurozone exposure is significantly reduced with this ETF.

	Those that use size as a barometer of an ETF's worth are missing out. The $49 million ETF is up 8.3 percent in the past month.

	PowerShares BLDRS Europe Select ADR Index Fund (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/adru#NASDAQ">ADRU</a>) 
	Even fewer investors are paying attention to the BLDRS Europe Select ADR Index Fund and that is evident by the fund's AUM total of $14.8 million. Again, that is a shame because ADRU is up 7.4 percent in the past month.

	Like FDD, ADRU devotes a significant chunk of its weight to the U.K. and Switzerland, in this case 59 percent. Throw in another 2.2 percent to Denmark and ADRU is light on eurozone nations. The fund, however, is not light on familiar names as HSBC (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hbc#NYSE">HBC</a>), BP (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bp#NYSE">BP</a>), Total (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tot#NYSE">TOT</a>) and Sanofi (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sny#NYSE">SNY</a>) are all found among ADRU's top-10 holdings.

	Although ADRU only trades about 1,500 shares per day, there are no liquidity issues here. Al of the fund's holdings trade in the U.S. and the ETF rarely trades at noticeable premiums or discounts to its net asset value, <a href="http://www.invescopowershares.com/products/overview.aspx?ticker=ADRU">according to PowerShares data</a>. In fact, that has only happened twice in the past four quarters.

	Market Vectors Germany Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gerj#NYSE">GERJ</a>) 
	Or the rival iShares MSCI Germany Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewgs#NYSE">EWGS</a>). Both have outpaced the iShares MSCI Germany ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewg#NYSE">EWG</a>) over the past month. GERJ trades at a discount relative to EWG and the former is up 15 percent since it <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/13/01/3210412/global-etfs-for-the-january-effect">was profiled at the start of the year</a>. Both GERJ and EWGS are heavy on industrials and financials with those sectors combining for more than 45 percent of each fund's sector weight.

	For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

Small ETFs, meaning those funds that labor below the much ballyhooed $100 million in assets under management watermark, are once again up to big things. At least some of them are. 

Coming off a year in which some sub-$100 million funds <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/10/2994238/ignoring-sub-100m-etfs-a-costly-idea">were among the top performers in the ETF universe</a>, select low-asset funds are again showing that ignoring an ETF on the basis of AUM can mean missing out on tidy returns.

Remember, an ETF's AUM total is not the only indicator of its potential profitability for the fund sponsor. The $100 million in AUM number also does not take into account an ETF manager's ability to make money through securities lending, licensing fees or other external costs related to ETF management.

With that mind, here are some sub-$100 million ETFs that have been leaders to start the new year.

PowerShares NASDAQ Internet Portfolio (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pnqi#NASDAQ">PNQI</a>)
As was <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/13/01/3271962/no-apple-and-thats-good-for-this-tech-etf">recently noted</a>, some investors may perceive PNQI as being "illiquid" because of an average daily volume number that is below 12,000 shares. The reality is the least heavily traded of PNQI's top-10 holdings is Equinix (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eqix#NASDAQ">EQIX</a>) at over 866,000 shares per day.

Housing heavily traded fare such as Amazon (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), eBay (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ebay#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>) and Google (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/goog#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) ensures PNQI is sufficiently. Being an ETF focused on Internet names rather the broader technology sector means the fund has not been dealt a blow by Apple's (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) woes. That means, including Friday's 1.4 percent gain, PNQI is up more than six percent year-to-date.

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>)
FDD has an interesting methodology is it starts by screening firms in the STOXX Europe 600 Index that have a positive five year dividend-per-share growth rate and a dividend to earnings-per-share ratio of 60 percent or less, <a href="http://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=FDD">according to First Trust</a>.

Next, possible constituents are sorted by country and ranked in descending order according to their indicated annual net dividend yield, so the companies' weights in the index are determined by yield. Investors should note that FDD is not eurozone heavy as the U.K. and Switzerland combine for over 54 percent of the fund's weight. 

Some investors may gloss over this fund when they AUM of just over $20.3 million and average daily turnover of less than 19,000 shares. Others will likely get past those metrics and fall in love with a 30-day SEC yield of 6.36 percent. FDD has gained 2.6 percent year-to-date.

Market Vectors Gaming ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bjk#NYSE">BJK</a>)
More important than the fact that BJK has "just" $53.7 million in AUM is the fund's country allocations. That is to say this ETF is not solely a play on U.S. casinos. In fact, the U.S. represents just 27 percent of BJK's country weight.

China is next at 24 percent, meaning BJK is a viable options for investors looking to gain exposure to Macau without having to commit to a single stock. Exposure to Macau is probably a good idea. The Chinese territory long ago passed Las Vegas as the world's top gambling mecca 

The territory <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/02/macau-revenues-idUSL4N0A710120130102">raked in $38 billion in gambling revenue last year</a> and is expected to see revenue growth of five to 10 percent this year. As an indicator of its exposure to favorable non-U.S. gambling trends, seven of BJK's top-10 holdings are not U.S.-based companies. BJK is up four percent year-to-date and trading at its highest levels since the second quarter of 2008.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

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Small ETFs, Big Gains to Start 2013

By this point in the year, it will not come as a surprise to most investors that many ETFs tracking developed European economies have delivered stellar returns in 2012. Metaphors involving rising from the ashes and Lazarus would be appropriate ways to describe the manner in which many Europe funds have acted this year. 

Whether it was yield hunting, the allure of tempting valuations or just a hunch that things could not get much worse, investors embraced an array of Europe-focused ETFs in 2012. From the largest Eurpope ETFs to the newer names such as the Market Vectors Germany Small ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gerj#NYSE">GERJ</a>) to the contrarian plays such as the Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/grek#NYSE">GREK</a>), 2012 was generally a good year in which to be long a couple of Europe ETFs.

What needs to be remembered is that the eurozone still faces a lot of issues. Greece teeters on the brink of a demotion to emerging markets status. Italy is mired in a recession and Spain's unemployment rate is near 26 percent. With that in mind, here are 10 of the top Europe ETF ideas for 2013.

Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgk#NYSE">VGK</a>)
Lost in all the commotion about the Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>) changing to a FTSE index is the fact that VGK is doing the same thing. VGK will transition to the FTSE Developed Europe Index next year. VGK's current top-10 holdings are quite similar to the top-10 found in the <a href="http://www.ftse.com/vanguard/Home/ftse-developed-euro-index">the FTSE index</a> and the ETF currently holds 455 stocks compared to 511 in the new index.

VGK currently holds shares of companies based in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 

On the surface, it appears as if there are no major differences between where VGK is right now and where it is going to in terms of indexes. For those that are long this one fund, one of the marquee Europe ETFs to be sure, they are hoping for a sequel to 2012's impressive run. As of December 7, VGK was up 17.3 percent year-to-date. The good news is that VGK is up almost 0.7 percent since November 30. As of that date, VGK's new index was up almost 16.9 percent on the year, according to FTSE data.

Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gxf#NYSE">GXF</a>)
Investors looking for ways to skirt eurozone headline risk only needed to look to the north in 2012. Fortunately for those savvy enough to have gotten involved with the Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF, that did not mean sacrificing returns as this multi-country fund has surged 24 percent year-to-date.

Home to companies domiciled in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, GXF <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/08/2839102/as-europe-etfs-rebound-nordic-plays-flex-their-muscles">has proven durable without the controversy provided by ETFs focusing on Southern Europe</a>. 

For conservative investors looking for international developed market exposure, GXF provides exposure to steady economies and governments with AAA credit ratings and healthy balance sheets. When it comes to Europe these days, GXF is arguably nirvana.

Global X Norway ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/norw#NYSE">NORW</a>)
Keeping with the Nordic theme, the Global X Norway ETF has also been an admirable performer this year. With roughly the same volatility, NORW has outpaced the iShares MSCI Sweden Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewd#NYSE">EWD</a>) by over 100 basis points.

Of course past performance is no guarantee of future results and there is some risk with NORW. Namely, it comes from the ETF's heavy allocation to the energy sector and that comes about from Norway's status as a major oil exporter. However, Norway's oil production cuts both way. It may make NORW somewhat a tad riskier than some would like, but there is a silver lining.

Norway does not just produce oil, but it legitimately reaps the rewards of that production. The country has an <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/08/2839451/get-sovereign-wealth-fund-exposure-with-these-etfs">a $600 billion sovereign wealth fund</a> that can serve as a backstop for the economy in times of duress. Not to mention, Norway has an AAA credit rating, something the U.S. and France cannot say.

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>)
Given that the First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund has a <a href="http://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=FDD">30-day SEC yield of almost 6.5 percent</a>, the fund is under-appreciated relative to other Europe ETFs. 

The problem is that FDD has just $17.2 million in assets under management and that total is low enough to keep some at bay. FDD has also lagged the performance of other, more well-known Europe ETFs thus far in 2012. However, things are not all bad with this ETF. If risk appetite spikes in 2013, FDD is ideally positioned to thrive due to its almost 40 percent weight to financials. Clearly, a Europe ETF heavily weighted to the financial services sector implies a high degree of risk, but the aforementioned yield implies investors are at least compensated for taking that risk.

iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewk#NYSE">EWK</a>)
The iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund has jumped almost 24 percent this year in a performance that would seem to defy all conventional wisdom. In late <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/11/12/2213909/berating-brussels-trouble-awaits-belgium-etf-post-downgr">2011, Belgium suffered a spate of credit downgrades</a>. 

In fact, EWK was such a laggard last year that it was outpaced by the iShares Spain Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewp#NYSE">EWP</a>). How this ETF performs in 2013 is going to be interesting to watch and there are two big reasons why. First, the latest Belgian budget raised investment taxes and takes steps to curb wage inflation there because Belgian wage growth has outpaced that seen in Germany and the Netherlands in recent years.

Second, EWK's 2012 performance has been driven in large part by Anhueser-Busch InBev. That stock is up almost 44 percent year-to-date and accounts for over 22 percent of EWK's weight. With ETFs, that type of dependence on one stock works until it does not.

iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewl#NYSE">EWL</a>)
As has been the case with the Nordic ETFs, the iShares MSCI Switzerland Index Fund provided some nice non-Eurozone shelter for investors in 2012 as the fund gained nearly 20 percent. Despite what many know of Switzerland's status as a banking hub, financials are the third-largest sector weight in this ETF, not the largest.

On a related note, if EWK is a one-stock pony, than investors need to be aware that Nestle (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nsrgy#OTC">NSRGY</a>), Novartis (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nvs#NYSE">NVS</a>) and Roche combine for over 48 percent of EWL's weight. 

Those looking for a bit more diversity at the stock level can consider the First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fsz#NYSE">FSZ</a>), which has gained 10 percent in the past 90 days.

iShares MSCI Austria Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewo#NYSE">EWO</a>)
The lone Austria ETF is 22.5 percent this year and with a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.34 and a price-to-book ratio of 1.51, the ETF is cheaper by those metrics than the comparable France ETF. On the other hand, Austria should be inexpensive because its economy is offering little in the way of growth. 

The Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Austria's central bank, last week pared its 2012 GDP growth forecast to 0.4 percent from a previous estimate of 0.9 percent. For 2013, the estimate was slashed to growth of 0.5 percent from a the prior estimate of 1.7 percent.

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hedj#NYSE">HEDJ</a>)
The WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index Fund might be one of the better new ETFs a lot of folks have not heard about. That is because HEDJ is not a new ETF by the standard definition. Rather, it is an old ETF with a new twist. 

Actually, it is new "twists." Earlier this year, WisdomTree dramatically reduced HEDJ's exposure to bank stocks, eliminated 12 currencies from the ETF's lineup while increasing the ETF's allocations to European dividend-payers that derive the bulk of their sales from outside of the Eurozone. HEDJ debuted in its new <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/08/2871087/a-new-twist-on-an-old-etf">form on August 30</a>. Since then, the ETF has gained 8.3 percent.

PowerShares BLDRS Europe Select ADR Index Fund (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/adru#NASDAQ">ADRU</a>)
The BLDRS Europe Select ADR Index Fund may not be a household name among Europe ETFs, but the fund is up 15 percent this year. Chances are investors are familiar with at least a few of ADRU's holdings because all 83 of them trade in the U.S. Top-10 holdings include Novartis, BP (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bp#NYSE">BP</a>) and Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A).

Health care and staples names combine for 31 percent of ADRU's weight, but financials and energy stocks combine for almost 39 percent. That gives this ETF plenty of risk on feel to it. ADRU's average daily volume, or lack thereof, could be a turnoff for some, but remember most of this ETF's holdings are heavily traded on U.S. exchanges. Those factors should provide for decent liquidity and tolerable bid/ask spreads.

iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewg#NYSE">EWG</a>)
There is no point in ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room. The room being the Eurozone economy and the gorilla being Germany. In recent days, the Eurozone's largest economy has been home to a spate of mixed economic data points. Last week, the Bundesbank forecast German GDP growth in 2013 of just 0.4 percent, down from an estimate of 1.6 percent in June.

The central bank has also warned about another German recession. On the other hand, German exports rose slightly in October. As is often seen with many ETFs focusing on Europe, the bull case for the iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund involves a lot of "ifs." In this case, the ifs are if emerging markets such as China rebound and if German GDP growth could surprise to the upside, EWG might be able to build on its 27.2 percent gain to this point in 2012 next year.

All of those sentiments can be applied to the Market Vectors Germany Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gerj#NYSE">GERJ</a>) as well. Actually, the biggest concern is Germany's ability to dodge another recession. Most of the respondents <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-29/germany-seen-recession-bound-in-poll-showing-euro-crisis-deepens">in a recent Bloomberg survey do not think Germany can do that</a>.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

New ETFs

Currency ETFs

Forex

Events

Econ #s

Economics

Pre-Market Outlook

iShares MSCI Belgium Ivestable Market Index Fund

GREK

HEDJ

NORW

Nestle Sponsored representing Registered Shares Series B

NSRGY

10 For '13: Top Picks Among Europe ETFs For 2013

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Monday, December 3, 2012.

Can the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/xlu#NYSE">XLU</a>) keep up last week's momentum?

The PowerShares NASDAQ Internet Portfolio (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/pnqi#NASDAQ">PNQI</a>) is facing some technical resistance.

Keep an eye on Europe with the First Trust STOXX Euro Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewt#NYSE">EWT</a>), Market Vectors LatAm Small-Cap Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/latm#NYSE">LATM</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Emerging Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gur#NYSE">GUR</a>).

Forex play of the day: CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxc#NYSE">FXC</a>).

Bond play of the day: PowerShares Build America Bond Portfolio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bab#NYSE">BAB</a>).

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Emerging Market ETFs

Market Vectors Latin America Small Cap Index

LATM

ETFs to Watch December 3, 2012 

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Wednesday October 24, 2012.

The SPDR S&amp;P Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdy#NYSE">SDY</a>) needs a good day in a hurry.

The iShares Dow Jones US Technology Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/iyw#NYSE">IYW</a>) looks like it may have found support at $71.

Low beta or highly vulnerable? Keep an eye on the Vanguard Telecom Services ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vox#NYSE">VOX</a>).

Monitor Europe with the First Trust STOXX Euro Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>).

Emerging market plays of the day: Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/russ#NYSE">RUSS</a>), ProShares UltraShort Brazil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bzq#NYSE">BZQ</a>) and the Market Vectors India Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/scif#NYSE">SCIF</a>).

Forex play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Euro (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/euo#NYSE">EUO</a>).

Bond play of the day: iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tlt#NYSE">TLT</a>).

iShares Dow Jones US Technology Sector Index Fund

RUSS

SCIF

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

ETFs to Watch October 24, 2012 (EUO, IYW, VOX)

It is simple economics. The Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy and plans to keep rates low through 2015 have chased yield-hungry investors out of cash investments and into higher-yielding products. ETF sponsors have met investors' yield demands with aplomb, rolling out new <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/news/12/10/2994697/powershares-to-introduce-low-vol-high-dividend-etf">dividend-based products on a regular basis this year</a>.

The impact of investors' dividend desires is obvious. Dividend ETFs, new and old, have seen assets under management totals surge. Thirty-two dividend ETFs tracked by Dorsey Wright &amp; Associates collectively grew assets by 40 percent through the end of the third quarter compared to asset growth of 23 percent for all ETFs, <a href="http://alletf.com/content/new-dividend-etfs-being-created-just-not-equally">according to data provided by the firm</a>.

There are more than 32 dividend ETFs on the market today and the Dorsey Wright data does not include funds such as the First Trust Nasdaq Technology Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tdiv#NYSE">TDIV</a>), <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/10/3015362/some-niche-etfs-seeing-decent-inflows">which debuted just two months ago</a> and already has $30.4 million in AUM.

It is also worth noting that inflows to dividend ETFs have not been reserved for U.S.-focused funds. International payout funds tracking developed <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/09/2878500/has-a-new-era-dawned-for-em-dividend-etfs">and emerging markets</a> have seen AUM totals surge as well.

Staying Home
With Europe's sovereign debt crisis and slowing emerging markets growth on the minds of investors, many have opted for U.S. equities over international equivalents. That has helped the S&amp;P 500 enjoy a double-digit year-to-date gain. It also means investors have pumped plenty of cash into ETFs tracking U.S. dividend payers.

And those inflows have not been going just to the most familiar products such as the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vig#NYSE">VIG</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdy#NYSE">SDY</a>), though those funds have grabbed their share of inflows. At the end of 2011, VIG had $8.9 billion in AUM, but that number had swelled to almost $11.9 billion at the end of the third quarter. SDY has seen its AUM haul jump 14.6 percent since the end of 2011.

On a percentage basis among U.S. equity dividend ETFs, no fund even comes close to the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/schd#NYSE">SCHD</a>), which has seen its AUM total nearly quadruple since the end of 2011. Give the ELEMENTS DJ High Yield Select 10 ETN (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dod#NYSE">DOD</a>) some credit for trying to compete with SCHD in terms of asset growth. The ETN has seen its assets more than triple this year, according to Dorsey Wright data.

Other impressive 2012 asset growers include the iShares High Dividend Equity Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hdv#NYSE">HDV</a>), one of 2011's most successful ETF launches. HDV had less than $920 million in AUM when the ball last dropped in Times Square. As of the close of markets on Monday, the ETF had almost $2.3 billion in assets.

The Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cvy#NYSE">CVY</a>), the First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdl#NYSE">FDL</a>) and the First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fvd#NYSE">FVD</a>) also have seen stellar AUM growth.

Going Global
As was noted earlier, investors have plenty of choices when it comes to international dividend funds. The Global X Super Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdiv#NYSE">SDIV</a>) is not a pure play global ETF as the U.S. accounts for almost 36 percent of SDIV's weight, but the real sources of allure here are a 30-day SEC yield of 6.7 percent and a monthly dividend. 

Dorsey Wright data indicate SDIV had just $29 million in AUM at the end of 2011. That number is a now $154.5 million, meaning SDIV's assets have <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/12/10/2995308/etfs-with-amazing-asset-growth">surged almost 55 percent in just two months</a>.

In terms of issuers, WisdomTree (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wetf#NASDAQ">WETF</a>) has seen an impressive, if under-appreciated burst of inflows into its global dividend products this year. The WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dem#NYSE">DEM</a>) AUM total has more than doubled this year, representing another feather in the cap of an ETF that <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/12/09/2905122/5-etfs-with-surging-aum-totals">often outperforms rivals</a> such as the Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vwo#NYSE">VWO</a>) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eem#NYSE">EEM</a>).

Four other WisdomTree global dividend ETFs have seen asset growth ranging from 20 percent to 31 percent this year, according to Dorsey Wright. Those funds are the WisdomTree Australia Dividend (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ause#NYSE">AUSE</a>), the WisdomTree DEFA Equity Income Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dth#NYSE">DTH</a>), the WisdomTree Global Equity Income Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dew#NYSE">DEW</a>) and the WisdomTree International Div ex-Financials ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/doo#NYSE">DOO</a>). 

Do not forget small caps. The WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dgs#NYSE">DGS</a>) had $800 million in <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/05/2553741/under-the-hood-an-oldie-but-goodie-dgs-thd-vwo">AUM as of mid-February</a>. That number is now approaching $1.1 billion.

Despite Europe's woes, the First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) has seen its AUM total surge almost 64 percent this year. FDD has a 30-day SEC yield of 6.53 percent. The Europe-heavy Guggenheim International Multi-Asset Income ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hgi#NYSE">HGI</a>) is fast approaching $117 million in AUM after finishing 2011 with just $86 million.

Emerging markets dividend ETFs <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/09/2878500/has-a-new-era-dawned-for-em-dividend-etfs">are not taking a backseat</a> to developed market rivals. The iShares Emerging Markets Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dvye#NYSE">DVYE</a>) debuted in late February and already has $44.7 million in AUM. That means DVYE has a long way to go to catch the SPDR S&amp;P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ediv#NYSE">EDIV</a>). With $315.3 million in assets, EDIV's AUM total has almost doubled this year.

For more on dividend ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/09/2878500/has-a-new-era-dawned-for-em-dividend-etfs">here</a>.

AUSE

Wisdomtree Emerging Markets Smallcap Dividend Fund

Elements ETN-Dow Jones High Yield Select 10 Total Return Index

WisdomTree Trust International Dividend Top 100

DVYE

EDIV

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund ETF

Guggenheim International Multi-Asset Income ETF

SCHD

SDIV

TDIV

WETF

The Indomitable Rise of Dividend ETFs

Here is the ETF Professor's ETF Watch List for Thursday October 11, 2012.

Inverse play of the day: ProShares Short MSCI EAFE (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/efz#NYSE">EFZ</a>).

Monitor Europe with the First Trust STOXX Euro Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>).

Index play of the day: ProShares UltraShort S&amp;P500 (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sds#NYSE">SDS</a>).

Emerging markets plays of the day: Direxion Daily China Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/yang#NYSE">YANG</a>), ProShares UltraShort MSCI Emerging Markets (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/eev#NYSE">EEV</a>) and the iShares MSCI Chile Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ech#NYSE">ECH</a>).

Forex play of the day: ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ycs#NYSE">YCS</a>).

Bond play of the day: PIMCO Total Return ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bond#NYSE">BOND</a>).

BOND

ProShares UltraShort MSCI Emerging Markets

YANG

ETFs to Watch October 11, 2012 (EFZ, SDS, YCS)

Here is the ETF Professor's Watch List for Friday October 5, 2012:

The Global X SuperDividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdiv#NYSE">SDIV</a>) had a strong day on Thursday.

The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fxz#NYSE">FXZ</a>) could be worth a trade.

Give the First Trust STOXX Euro Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) a look.

Emerging markets plays of the day: iShares MSCI Philippines Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ephe#NYSE">EPHE</a>), Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/brf#NYSE">BRF</a>) and the Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vnm#NYSE">VNM</a>).

Forex play of the day: PowerShares DB Dollar Bearish (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/udn#NYSE">UDN</a>).

Bond play of the day: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/bnd#NYSE">BND</a>).

ISHARES MSCI PHILIPPINES INVESTABLE MARKET INDEX FUND

EPHE

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund

ETFs to Watch October 5, 2012 (BND, FXZ, VNM)

The euro traded at 1.2942 on Thursday morning, making a steady climb towards its September high of 1.3169. The currency has held steady amid rumors of a Spanish bailout and Greece's exit from the eurozone. Markets have calmed in anticipation of the European Central Bank meeting and further news about a Spanish request for aid.

Though many were expecting a bailout request from Spain on Friday, Mariano Rajoy has denied these reports and continued with his own efforts to help the country recover from financial crisis. His lack of leadership and unwillingness to request aid from the ECB is cause for much criticism among investors. A request would allow the ECB to reduce borrowing costs by buying government bonds; and reduce the downward pressure on the euro.

Though uncertainty in Spain is weighing on the euro's value, prices have become a bit more solid as most believe a Spanish bailout is certain in the future. The currency is faring relatively well considering high unemployment numbers and predictions that Greece will be the first country to leave the euro zone, leading to a complete breakdown. 

The European Central Bank will meet Thursday to discuss interest rates. The bank's already drastically low rate is expected to stand at least another month, but a future cut is imminent, according to a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/04/ecb-rates-idUSL6E8L2BCN20121004?type=marketsNews">Reuters</a> report on Thursday. September's meeting resulted in big changes for the eurozone and caused a boost for the euro when the bond-buying program was announced. Since the region has yet to implement this program, most are anticipating few big adjustments in October.

Euro Holds Steady, European Central Bank Expected to Make Few Changes 

ETFs offering exposure to Europe on both a multi-country and country-specific basis have come roaring back over the past several months. For example, the Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgk#NYSE">VGK</a>) is up 6.8 percent in the past month. The iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewi#NYSE">EWI</a>) has been even more impressive with a gain of 12.1 percent over the same time.

While the performances of ETFs such as EWI and the iShares Spain Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewp#NYSE">EWP</a>) have been impressive, those gains do not mean risk has been eliminated from the European investment thesis. Even the European Central Bank's bond-buying plans do not mean Italy is no longer in a recession or that Spain's unemployment rate has dipped from the 20 percent area.

In other words, there is still risk when it comes to investing in Europe, but the region is also still home to a plethora of quality companies. Acknowledging that, investors should not ignore Europe outright. Rather, they should demand compensation for taking on European risk. These high-yielding Europe ETFs deliver that compensation.

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>)

With average daily volume of just under 15,000 shares, it is not surprising the First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund leads an anonymous existence. That should not be the case in an environment that has placed heavy emphasis on high-yield investing. 

The 31-stock ETF has a 30-day SEC yield of 6.83 percent, <a href="http://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=FDD">according to First Trust data</a>. If there is a strike against FDD, it is not volume, but the ETF's almost 38 percent allocation to financial services names. On the bright side, more than half of the fund's weight is allocated to non-Eurozone countries with the U.K. and Switzerland combining for 50 percent of FDD's total country weight. 

FDD, which charges 0.6 percent per year, has surged 6.6 percent in the past month.

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hedj#NYSE">HEDJ</a>)

FDD and the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/09/2892652/etf-showdown-a-battle-for-european-supremacy">make for an interesting Europe ETF rivalry</a>, though HEDJ goes about its business in far different fashion.

For starters, HEDJ is looking to capitalize on the rising popularity of <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/09/2923425/under-the-hood-take-china-leave-the-banks">ETFs that either exclude financials</a> or offer reduced exposure to the sector. The new version of HEDJ features an 8.25 percent weight to that group, making it just the seventh-largest sector allocation in the fund.

Additionally, HEDJ focuses on European dividend-paying firms that generate the bulk of their revenues outside of the Eurozone. HEDJ in its new form (the ETF formerly featured exposure to countries outside of Europe) does not have a lengthy operating history. However, the ETF has gained 3.8 percent since the start of September and has a 30-day SEC yield of 3.5 percent.

SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fez#NYSE">FEZ</a>)

With over $1 billion in assets under management, FEZ is far larger than FDD and HEDJ. FEZ also sports a beta of 1.31 against the S&amp;P 500, indicating that this ETF may not be the best choice for ultra-conservative investors.

The elevated beta, can in part be attributed to the ETF's almost 24 percent weight to bank stocks. Along those lines, it should be noted just one bank, Banco Santander (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/san#NYSE">SAN</a>), is found among the fund's top-10 holdings.

FEZ offers exposure to eight European nations, but the fund is not diverse at the country level as France and Germany combine for almost 69 percent of the fund's weight. The ETF also sports some attractive statistics including a four percent dividend yield, an expense ratio of 0.29 percent, a forward price-to-earnings ratio below 11 and a price-to-book ratio of just 1.1.

For more on ETFs, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/etfs">here</a>.

European ETF Dividend Dynamos

Markets surged on Thursday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the ECB could buy an unlimited amount of European bonds to help the continent eradicate its sovereign debt crisis. The news had a palpable impact on major European ETFs. The Vanguard MSCI Europe ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vgk#NYSE">VGK</a>) surged three percent while the iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewp#NYSE">EWP</a>) jumped 5.8 percent.

Both ETFs and others with a focus on the Eurozone have been performing surprisingly well as of late. Perhaps that is a sign more gains are on the way and that means investors would do well to consider a pair of multi-country Europe ETFs with dividend kickers. The First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>) and the Wisdom Europe Equity Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/hedj#NYSE">HEDJ</a>) make for viable options.

HEDJ was recently reborn as an ETF focused on Eurozone-based dividend-paying firms <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/12/08/2871087/a-new-twist-on-an-old-etf">that derive the bulk of revenues from outside that region</a>. Previously, countries such as the he U.K., Japan and Australia combined for over 48 percent of the old fund's weight.

FDD does not focus exclusively on Eurozone companies. At the country level, the U.K. accounts for over 40 percent of the fund's weight while Switzerland and Sweden combine for another 11.4 percent. France and Germany combine for over 25 percent of FDD's weight while other Eurozone members such as the Netherlands, Spain and Italy are featured within the fund as well.

Another critical difference between the two ETFs is sector exposure. In this case, sector exposure means what one of these funds has and what the other does not. In HEDJ's previous version, financials accounted for 22 percent of the fund's weight, but the new HEDJ relegates that sector to a weight of less than eight percent. Financials dominate FDD with an allocation of 37 percent. Telecom and utilities names combine for another 42 percent, so it is fair to say investors looking for sector diversity would prefer HEDJ.

On the basis of superficial metrics such as assets under management and average daily volume, neither fund wows investors. FDD has $12.3 million in AUM with average daily volume of less than 8,900 shares. HEDJ's AUM total is just under $13 million and with ADV of barely over 9,700 shares. FDD is slightly pricier with a net expense ratio of 0.6 percent compared to 0.58 percent of HEDJ.

Regarding performance, HEDJ has gained 7.1 percent year-to-date compared to 2.5 percent of FDD. That difference implies FDD may be suffering from either its large weight to the U.K., which is in a recession, financials or both.

With both funds being dividend plays, yield is another factor to be considered. This where FDD stands out with a 30-day SEC yield of 6.76 percent, <a href="http://www.ftportfolios.com/Retail/Etf/EtfSummary.aspx?Ticker=FDD">according to First Trust data</a>. HEDJ's 30-day SEC yield is just under four percent, <a href="http://www.wisdomtree.com/etfs/fund-details.aspx?etfid=73">according to WisdomTree data</a>. 

There are some realities that must be acknowledged regarding investing in Europe. First, ETFs with heavy Eurozone exposure have been in rally mode over the past couple of months. Second, there is still substantial risk investing in the region <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/12/09/2890349/4-things-thursdays-rally-didnt-change">no matter how many bonds the ECB buys</a>. The Eurozone's high risk profile does not mean investors should ignore European stocks. Rather, elevated regional risk implies investors would do well to focus on those firms that are not heavily dependent on the Eurozone to drive substantial chunks of top-line growth. That is why HEDJ slips by FDD as the winner of this ETF Showdown.

For more on Europe, click <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/12/09/2890349/4-things-thursdays-rally-didnt-change">here</a>.

ETF Showdown: A Battle For European Supremacy

WisdomTree Trust WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend

Top 10 European Regional ETFs

Back in September, we graded the oil services ETFs. So popular was that piece that we received scores of emails asking for rankings of various ETF groups. We're happy to oblige and do so with a look at an area of the market that nearly every investor is talking about these days: Dividends.

And not just any old dividends. We're zeroing in on international dividend ETFs, trying to help you find the best bang for your buck. 

Our four criteria, which were applied on an equal-weight basis, were liquidity, fees, diversity of holdings and potential to perhaps break away and outperform the rest of the quartet in a bull market. Yield was not part of the evaluation process, but we will mention each ETF's yield for you. 

Let's get started with the...

iShares Dow Jones International Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/idv#NYSE">IDV</a>):
The iShares Dow Jones International Select Dividend Index Fund is certainly the biggest ETF on our list by assets, but assets under management isn't part of the criteria here. IDV's liquidity is good, but its fees are in the middle of this pack with an expense ratio of 0.50%. It'd be nice if IDV's 22% weight to financials was lower, but four other sectors get double-digit weights.

Over 10 countries are represented in IDV and that's a plus, though over 20% devoted to Italy, France, Spain and Austria could restrain IDV's breakout potential. Yield from Finviz: 5.17%. Grade: B

First Trust STOXX Euro Select Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>):
Right away, we see the problem with this ETF and that's Europe. A 0.6% expense ratio isn't great, nor is FDD's liquidity. Three sectors – financials, telecom and utilities – account for over 80% of FDD's weight and financials check in at over 40% on their own. That's just too much and it contains FDD's upside. Yield from issuer Web site: 5.46%. Grade: C

SPDR S&amp;P International Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dwx#NYSE">DWX</a>):
DWX isn't as big as IDV, but it's cheaper at 0.45%. In fact, that expense ratio is good enough to make DWX the cheapest member of our list. Five sectors get double-digit allocations and nearly 30 countries, including some emerging markets, are represented here. In the right environment, DWX could take on another 30% from where it currently trades. A break of resistance at $52 could take the ETF to the 60s. Yield from issuer Web site: 6.95%. Grade: A.

WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dol#NYSE">DOL</a>):
With an expense ratio of 0.48%, the WisdomTree International LargeCap ETF is the second-cheapest member of our list. It's sector diversity is just a tick below DWX's and IDV's, though DOL does offer exposure to 18 countries, including back door emerging markets exposure via Hong Kong and Singapore. A patient investor that can get into DOL around $40, might be able to see $50 in 12-14 months. Yield from issuer's Web site: 3.24%. Grade: A-

Global X SuperDividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/sdiv#NYSE">SDIV</a>):
The newest member of our list, the Global X SuperDividend ETF made its debut earlier this year and is proving to be one of the more worthwhile new ETFs of 2011. Not a pure international play as the U.S. accounts for over a third of SDIV's weight, 10 other developed and emerging markets are represented in this ETF.

What SDIV lacks in liquidity and low fees (0.58% expense ratio), the ETF makes up for in sector diversity and the fact that it holds 100 stocks each accounting for 1% of the ETF's weight. Yield from issuer's Web site: 3.3%. Grade: B+

Technicals

After-Hours Center

iShares Dow Jones International Select Dividend Income Fund

Rating Some Of The International Dividend ETFs

DENT

First Trust NASDAQ ABAmmunity Bank Index Fund

QABA

Rydex ETF Trust Rydex S&P Equal Weightnsumer Staples ETF

ETF Deathwatch for May 2011: DENT Joins the Watch

Building on its leadership in full-color microdisplay technology for high-performance applications, Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/kopn#NASDAQ">KOPN</a>) today announced that it has acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Scotland-based Forth Dimension Displays Ltd. (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#">FDD</a>), an industry leading provider of all-digital, ultrahigh-resolution, near-to-eye ferroelectric reflective microdisplays. 
The purchase price was approximately $11 million in cash plus an earnout provision if certain revenue milestones are reached within one year of the purchase date.

KOPN

Kopin Acquires European Manufacturer of Reflective Microdisplays for $15M

DALLAS, TX and FORT WORTH, TX and HONOLULU, HI - November 16, 2010 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) - EVCARCO (OTCBB: EVCA) (Pinksheets:EVCA) and its Board of Directors are proud to announce that EVCARCO franchise registration has became effective in the State of Hawaii. The Board received notice that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for the State of Hawaii has cleared the Company's franchise program.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for the State requires all franchisors submit filings of their Federal Disclosure Documents (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#">FDD</a>) for review and approval under the Hawaii Franchise Investment Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 482E.
EVCARCO's strategy of expansion through franchising will aid in establishing EVCARCO as pioneers of the automotive industry's newest segment of alternative fuel vehicle sales and distribution.
EVCARCO completed its Federal Disclosure Documents (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#">FDD</a>) and is now currently eligible to franchise in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
In order to complete the Federal Trade Commission's regulatory requirements and individual state requirements, EVCARCO retained one of the most experienced franchise attorneys in the country, Ms. Cheryl Mullin, of Mullin Law PC.
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent Federal Government agency with a principal mission aimed at consumer protection.
Scott O'Neal, COO of EVCARCO, stated, "We are proud to be able to expand our automotive franchise into Hawaii. We look forward to helping facilitate faster implantations of electric cars, hybrids, and alternative fuel vehicles in a state that is focused on a cleaner future."
EVCARCO is being publicly traded on the (OTC.BB:EVCA) (Pinksheets:EVCA).
About EVCARCO 
EVCARCO (OTC.BB:EVCA) (Pinksheets:EVCA) (<a href="http://www.evcarco.com" title="www.evcarco.com">www.evcarco.com</a>) is an automotive retail group dedicated to deploying a franchised coast-to-coast network of environmentally friendly dealerships and vehicles.
About Cheryl Mullin and Mullin Law, PC 
Cheryl Mullin is locally and nationally recognized in the area of franchise law. Recognized since 2007 as one of the best lawyers in America in the area of franchise law, since 2007 by D MAGAZINE as one of the best franchise lawyers in Dallas, and since 2004 by FRANCHISE TIMES as one of the top "Legal Eagles" in franchising, Cheryl leads a team that represents and counsels both new and experienced franchisors in matters ranging from regulatory compliance to dispute resolution.
Forward-Looking Statement 
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect EVCARCO Inc. plans and expectations. In this press release and related comments by Company management, words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements, representing management's current judgment and expectations about possible future events. Management believes these forward-looking statements and the judgments upon which they are based to be reasonable, but they are not guarantees of future performance and involve numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Contact: 
Richard Griffiths 
Press and media 
Email Contact 
800-486-3404 
Joshua Spivey 
CIO/Investor Relations 
800-960-1452
Visit the EVCA showcase profile at Investorideas.com: <a href="http://www.investorideas.com/CO/EVCA/" title="http://www.investorideas.com/CO/EVCA/">http://www.investorideas.com/CO/EVCA/</a>
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Disclosure, Disclaimer/ EVCA is a paid advertising client on Investorideas.com and our renewable energy portals.
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Green Car Stock News; EVCARCO (OTC.BB: EVCA) Cleared to Franchise in Hawaii Through Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Giving praise where it is due, Jim Cramer deserves a tip of the cap for highlighting the decent 3.66% yield offered by the iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ewz#NYSE">EWZ</a>). 
When it comes to finding yield, the world of ETFs offers plenty of options, but a lot of investors may not associate an ETF like EWZ as a way of garnering yield. After all, Brazil is one of the most tantalizing growth stories out there, but getting paid to enjoy that growth doesn't hurt either.
Are there are more ETFs beyond the usual suspects offering "stealth" yields to investors? You bet. Here's a list of five candidates, including several from the emerging markets universe.
1) WisdomTree Middle East Dividend ETF (Nasdaq: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gulf#Nasdaq">GULF</a>): 
If you're looking to tap into Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, then GULF is worth a look. While the sector diversification leaves a little something to be desired with telecom and financials accounting for almost 81% of GULF's weight, the yield of 3.17% is admirable.
2) Guggenheim S&amp;P Global Dividend Opportunities Index ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/lvl#NYSE">LVL</a>): 
Sector mix isn't the problem with LVL as financials, telecom, energy and utilities all get double-digit weights, but country allocation is the issue. The U.S. and Canada combine for over 52% of the ETF's weight, but the real cause for concern is Italy and Spain combining for almost 22%. Still, a 4.81% yield is nice.
3) First Trust DJ STOXX Euro Select Dividend Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#NYSE">FDD</a>): 
Financials account for almost 43% of FDD, but you can find some familiar ADRs among the lineup, such as AstraZeneca (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/azn#NYSE">AZN</a>). A yield of 5.94% almost makes this Europe-heavy ETF tolerable at a time when European equities are a roll of the dice.
4) iShares MSCI Poland Investable Market Index Fund (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/epol#NYSE">EPOL</a>): 
Speaking of Europe, Poland is one of the few individual European markets putting smiles on investors' faces this year. EPOL is challenging the older Market Vectors Poland ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/plnd#NYSE">PLND</a>) for the crown of best Poland-specific ETF.
EPOL might be winning with superior average daily volume and a juicy 6.25% yield.
5) WisdomTree International Real Estate ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/drw#NYSE">DRW</a>): 
Give it up for DRW, which allocates more than 44% of its weight to Hong Kong and Australia. Talk about getting paid, DRW features a yield of 8.76%.

CNBC

Jim Cramer

WisdomTree Trust International Real Estate Sector Fund

iShares MSCI Poland Investable Market Index Fund ETF

EPOL

GULF

Guggenheim S&P Global Dividend Opportunities Index ETF

PLND

Five ETFs With Stealth Yields

<div style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt">JDS Uniphase Corp. (<a href="http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/JDSU">JDSU</a>) today received a shot in the arm with a new contract for the next-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. (<a href="http://www.zacks.com/stock/quote/CHT">CHT</a>), the largest integrated telecom operator in Taiwan, has decided to use Signaling Analyzer Real Time of JDS Uniphase for its impending LTE trial runs. Chunghwa decided to implement LTE in 2011 in Taiwan. 
  
Emerging LTE network becomes a major growth driver for JDS Uniphase. The first ever super-fast LTE network has already been deployed in Europe. U.S. and Japan are likely to see a series of LTE network deployment in 2011. The company is already supplying equipments to more than 12 network operators and equipment manufacturers. Product portfolio of JDS Uniphase specifically targets emerging technologies of IPTV, wireless backhaul, LTE networks, and 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps optical network systems. 
  
Chunghwa is on the verge of conducting live trial runs for Frequency Division Duplex (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdd#">FDD</a>) version of LTE networks. The aim is to develop a super-fast next-generation mobile broadband network that will act as a natural upgrade for the company's existing WCDMA networks. The company will also use JDS Uniphase's Signaling Analyzer Real Time to monitor and analyze the end-to-end performance of its 3G/HSPA wireless networks to provide industry's best quality of voice and data services. 
  
Additionally, we believe Communications and Test Measurement division of JDS Unipahse will immensely benefits from massive growth of wireless backhaul networks. Wireless carriers are gradually increasing their backhaul capacity due to significant growth of mobile Internet traffic and multimedia applications. 
  
We maintain our long-term Outperform for JDS Uniphase. However, currently it is a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) stock. This was mainly due to the cyclical nature of the optical component industry which is characterized by price volatility. JDS Uniphase itself declared that the company will suffer 15% decline in average selling price in 2010.</div>
   <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&amp;d_alert=ZER_LINK&amp;t=CHT&amp;ADID=BENZ_CONTENT_ZER">CHUNGHWA TELECM (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/cht#">CHT</a>): Free Stock Analysis Report</a>   <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&amp;d_alert=ZER_LINK&amp;t=JDSU&amp;ADID=BENZ_CONTENT_ZER">JDS UNIPHASE CP (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/jdsu#">JDSU</a>): Free Stock Analysis Report</a>   <a href="http://www.zacks.com/">Zacks Investment Research</a>

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