ETFs edge up in August

ETF Insider's ETF 50 Index increased by 0.6% in August, following two consecutive months of declines. The index dipped 0.59% in June and 1.83% respectively. The gains would have been greater, but 48% of the shares of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF — the largest ETF — were sold short during the month. The SPDR gained 1.3% during the month. Among the most widely held ETFs, the biggest gainers were Nasdaq 100 Trust, up 2.95%; iShares FTSE/Xinhau China 50, up 7.60%; and iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors, ahead 6.37%. The biggest losers included those shorting SPDRs and shareholders in iShares Japan — down 2.49%, and iShares Brazil — down 3.66%. The ETF 50 Index represents the asset-weighted price performance of the 50 largest exchange-traded funds, which accounts for 80.7% of total ETF assets. ETF Insider is published by ACP Phillips Investment Resources LLC of Lancaster, Pa.