Products April 14, 2011

Van Eck Launches Russia ETF

Van Eck Global has launched what it says is the first U.S.-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to give investors pure-play exposure to the developing Russian economy.
Reported by

Market Vectors Russia Small-Cap ETF (NYSE Arca: RSXJ) seeks to replicate, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Market Vectors Russia Small-Cap Index (MVRSXJTR). Market Vectors indexes’ constituent requirements include liquidity based on minimum levels of market capitalization and daily trading volume; local market exposure, with at least 50% of revenues generated from a country, even if the company is listed, domiciled, or headquartered elsewhere; diversification based on a tiered weighting scheme; and transparency, with constituents and weights updated and published daily.   

As of April 13, 2011, the Market Vectors Russia Small-Cap Index comprised 35 companies with an average market capitalization of $2.3 billion. The largest sector weightings were Utilities (18%), Materials (18%), and Energy (17%).  

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According to Van Eck, Russia is currently among the least expensive of the major emerging markets from a valuation perspective. Russia’s stock market price/earnings ratio is just 6.6 times, which represents a significant discount versus emerging markets stocks in general.   

RSXJ carries a net expense ratio of 0.67% and a gross expense ratio of 0.75%  

More information is at http://www.vaneck.com/RSXJ.
Diversions April 14, 2011

If You’re the Boss…

Chances are, one out of four employees think you’re not doing a good job.  
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A recent survey conducted by Persuadable Research Corporation found 25% of respondents are not satisfied with their current boss. The most common reason given was that the boss “lacked people skills,” Persuadable reported.   

Another reason given by respondents was that the boss didn’t have enough experience.  A smaller number thought their boss wasn’t intelligent enough or educated enough to be in charge. Additionally, 55% strongly agree that a good boss should understand group dynamics.

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Aside from general feelings of managerial incompetence, Persuadable found a fair amount of respondents who cited down-right misdeeds from their boss.  Sixteen percent said the boss displayed favoritism at work, and another 16% said the boss didn’t take responsibility for problems. Fourteen percent said their boss plays politics in the workplace, 12% stated that their boss belittles them in front of others, and 11% felt their boss has acted unethically.

Twelve percent of respondents blame the boss for not liking their job.

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