ETFs assets grow 3.8% in October

ETF Insider's index of the top 50 exchange traded funds increased 3.8% in October, marking the second-strongest month of the year. In September, the index posted a 4.7% gain. The index represents the asset-weighted price-only performance of the 50 largest exchange traded funds. U.S. technology stocks had a strong month, with the PowerShares QQQ (QQQQ) shooting up 7%. The Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) shot up 13%, propelled upwards in particular by soaring markets in China and Brazil. The iShares Brazil Index (EWZ) and the iShares FTSE/Xinhau China 50 Index (FXI) rose 16.4% and 21.4% in October, respectively. The StreetTracks Gold Shares (GLD), which tracks the spot price of gold, increased 7.0% on the weaker dollar and fears of inflation. The SPDR S&P 500 Trust (SPY) advanced 1.4% in the month, greatly eclipsed by the 4.3% of the iShares MSCI EAFE Index (EFA), the corresponding benchmark for foreign equities. The ETF 50 Index, which is released on a monthly basis, advanced 9.5% in the past three months and is ahead 15.8% so far this year. ETF Insider is published by InvestorPlace Media LLC, which is based in Rockville, Md.