This Week's ETF Launches: What Bear Market In Bonds?

There’s been plenty of ink spilled over the decline and death of bonds. Thanks to the Fed and its reversal of years’ worth of zero interest-rate policies, bond prices are set to fall. As you remember, there’s an inverse relationship between bond prices and interest rates. But you wouldn’t know that from this week’s ETF launch schedule. The pending death of bonds has been set on the back burner. Fixed-income investments continue to play a major role in portfolio construction, and ETF issuers continue to highlight that fact. The bulk of this week’s launches are bond related. However, adding a dose of smart beta and active management, this week’s ETF issuers hope to solve the problems of rising rates and seek a more total return approach for the fixed-income markets.