Rydex ETF Essentials for investors debuts

Rydex Investments yesterday kicked off a web initiative to put investors in the know about exchange traded funds. The Rockville, Md.-based firm’s ETF Essentials program arrives on the heels of ETFs’ growing popularity as an investment option. Rydex conducted a study of 500 mutual fund investors in July, which revealed that 38% of those polled didn’t know what an ETF was and more than half had no clue about the difference between an ETF and a mutual fund. ETF Essentials is available on Rydex’s website. Using a variety of media, including print, video and PowerPoint presentations, individual investors can navigate their way through lessons on ETF liquidity, pricing and creation/redemption. Users can also download audio presentations and podcasts. Each lesson also has a summary of easy-to-follow key points. The service is provided at no cost.