Stock Under $10 with 50-100% upside potential - 14 Days FREE!

ETFs for Rich Draw Little Interest

Stock quotes in this article: BCS, BAC, JPM 

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- While Barclays' (BCS) new Wealth ETF Tactical Allocation BETA Portfolios are a unique stop forward for the much-anticipated active ETF industry, these asset allocation strategies eschew many of the basic characteristics of ETFs that have made the funds so popular.

The eight new portfolios are geared toward wealthy investors, with at least $10 million in assets, who are looking to open small, actively managed accounts. These strategies are intended to be applied to a small account like a trust.

Limited availability and lack of transparency will make these strategies hard for many ETF investors to swallow. At the same time, the launch of these ETF portfolios reflects an ETF industry shift towards broader asset allocation strategies and long-term management products traditionally seen in the mutual fund industry.

Thus far, the hotly anticipated, actively managed ETF products have had trouble gaining traction. Investors accustomed to using low-priced ETFs to target specific sectors and themes have been slow to adopt higher-priced active strategies that are often less transparent in their objectives and defined in their scope.

While the new Barclays products will be available only to select investors with large accounts, a number of actively managed funds are currently available to U.S. investors on the major exchanges.

Grail Advisors launched the Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value (GVT) in early May 2009. The active ETF issuer followed GVT's debut with four other active ETFs in early October, including the RP Technology ETF (RPQ) and RP Financials ETF (RFF).

Select the service that is right for you!

COMPARE ALL SERVICES
Action Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREE

Jim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.

Product Features:
  • $2.5+ million portfolio
  • Large-cap and dividend focus
  • Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
  • Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREE
New! $49.95/yr

Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.

Product Features:
  • Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
  • Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
  • Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREE

David Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.

Product Features:
  • Model portfolio
  • Stocks trading below $10
  • Intraday trade alerts
  • Weekly roundups
Real Money
TRY IT FREE

24/7 market commentary from Jim Cramer and 20+ veteran Wall Street gurus. Get access to the latest trading ideas on stocks, options, and ETFs as well as a real-time forum to see the pros exchanging their investment ideas.

Product Features:
  • Jim Cramer + 20 Wall Street pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Real-time trading forum
  • Actionable trade ideas
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREE

All of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.

Product Features:
  • Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREE

Our options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.

Product Features:
  • 100+ monthly options trading ideas
  • Actionable options commentary & news
  • Real-time trading community
  • Options TV
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below using your Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, OpenID or Yahoo login credentials. Alternatively, you can post a comment as a "guest" just by entering an email address. Your use of the commenting tool is subject to multiple terms of service/use and privacy policies - see here for more details.
DOW 15,303.10 8.60 0.06%
NASDAQ 3,459.14 -0.28 -0.01%
S&P 500 1,649.60 -0.91 -0.06%
US 10 Yr 2.011% -0.012

Brokerage Partners

Advertising Partners
Special Features

Free Newsletters from TheStreet

After the Bell

Before the Bell

Booyah! Newsletter

Midday Bell

TheStreet Top 10 Stories

Winners & Losers

We respect your privacy. Manage Newsletters
Top Rated Stocks Top Rated Funds Top Rated ETFs