Posts for Ticker ‘BZF’

Brazil Olympic Stock Plays Feeling Lofty (EWZ, BRF, BZF, BBD, BRP, BTM, BAK, PDA, EBR, ABV, ELP, SID, CPL, ERJ, GFA, GGB, GOL, ITUB, NETC, PBR, TAM, TNE, TSP, VALE, VIV, VCP)

Rio Olympic ImageInvesting into emerging markets where the Olympics are headed is supposed to be a safe bet, in theory.  Despite a flat close for stocks in the U.S. on Friday, Brazilian shares rose almost across the board Friday after last week’s decision to send the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro.  It was huge for the iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSE: EWZ) gaining 1.9% to $67.30 ($26.64 to $68.50 is the 52-week range) and the Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSE: BRF) rose 1.5% to $39.76 (its 52-week range is $23.68 to $40.42).  The WisdomTree Dreyfus Brazilian Real (NYSE: BZF) currency ETF rose 0.54% to $25.89.

Outside of the ETF investing, this story becomes one where stocks may still have great growth prospects.  But if you are a value investor or one who does not like to chase stocks when they are close to yearly or all-time highs, then there is a problem.  So many of these stocks are hitting highs or are so close that you have to wonder just how much upside is there.  Using 52-week highs and all-time highs is of course not the only metric for valuations, but you might be surprised as you read through a summary of the major Brazilian stock performances on Friday alone.  Throw in the Brazilian Real currency versus the US Dollar component as these are all ADRs and it adds in yet another element.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE: BBD) is the huge Brazilian bank and its shares rose 1.8% at $19.94, with a 52-week trading range of $7.40 to $20.20 and an all-time high north of $24.00.

Brasil Telecom Participacoes S.A (NYSE: BRP) is a telecom player in Brazil and its shares rose 2.9% to $52.33, with a 52-week trading range of $22.00 to $53.49 with highs in 2007 and 2008 hitting north of $80.00.

Brasil Telecom S.A. (NYSE: BTM) is a telecommunications services provider whose shares rose 3.3% to $26.28 and its 52-week trading range is $9.49 to $26.55 and it was in the mid-$30’s in early 2008.

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WisdomTree Launching Currency Income ETF’s (WSDT, CYB, ICN, BZF, JYF, EU)

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (Pink Sheets: WSDT) and The Dreyfus Corporation, a BNY Mellon Asset Management Company, announced the launch of five WisdomTree Dreyfus Currency Income ETFs on the NYSE Arca.

The ETFs are actively-managed and designed to earn current income that reflects money market rates that are available to foreign investors in the specific region. Additionally, they will be exposed to changes in non-U.S. currencies values compared to the U.S. dollar. Being actively-managed, the ETFs will have greater flexibility but still maintain the transparency that makes ETFs so attractive. This fund targets short-term, investment grade instruments and as a result, the share price is expected to be volatile.

The funds are expected to commence trading on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. The ETFs are listed below:

  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund (NYSE Arca: CYB)
  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Indian Rupee Fund (NYSE Arca: ICN
  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Brazilian Real Fund (NYSE Arca: BZF)
  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Japanese Yen Fund (NYSE Arca: JYF)
  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Euro Fund (NYSE Arca: EU)

Rachel Lopez
May 1, 2008