ETF Deathwatch List Shrinks As Deaths Increase

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The quantity of products on ETF Deathwatch for November shrunk by 19 compared to a month ago. However, readers should not assume this is the result of an improved ETF landscape. Instead, it's because ETFs and ETNs are actually dying and closing.

The changes for November consist of just eight products coming off the list due to an increase in their assets or trading activity. Thirteen new additions more than offset the eight coming off. The major difference lies with the 24 ETPs that were removed because they were among the 30 that met their edemise and closed during October.

This month's ETF Deathwatch contains 375 (275 ETFs and 100 ETNs) names out of the 1,439 products listed for trading. October was a notable month for our poster-child of Zombie ETFs, the iPath Long Enhanced MSCI EAFE ETN (MFLA), which had its first trade since January 18.

MFLA trading has totaled only 1,100 shares the past nine months, for an annualized pace of less than 1,500 per year. At this rate, it will take more than 16 years to accumulate a redemption unit of 25,000 notes. However, MLFA is scheduled to mature in eight years.

PowerShares Dynamic OTC (PWO)is a somewhat surprising addition to this month's list. PWO launched in May 2003, and there are only 112 older ETFs still trading today. The fund's assets quickly grew to more than $185 million in 2005 but today are less than $25 million. Trading activity is nearly non-existent, as PWO now records many zero-volume days. This product should serve as a reminder to all ETF sponsors that achieving success does not equate to keeping success.

The Complete List of 375 Products on ETF Deathwatch for November.

The 13 ETPs Added to ETF Deathwatch for November:

1. Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted (QQQE)

2. EGShares China Infrastructure ETF (CHXX)

3. ETRACS DJ-UBS Com 2-4-6 Blended Futures ETN (BLND)

4. Global X FTSE Andean 40 ETF (AND)

5. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value (EVAL)

6. iShares Utilities Sector Bond (AMPS)

7. Market Vectors LatAm Aggregate Bond ETF (BONO)

8. Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF (KWT)

9. PowerShares Dynamic OTC (PWO)

10. ProShares UltraShort Consumer Services (SCC)

11. RBS China Trendpilot ETN (TCHI)

12. SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Global Allocation (GAL)

13. U.S. Agriculture Index Fund (USAG)

The Eight ETPs Removed from ETF Deathwatch Due to Improved Health:

1. Direxion Daily Natural Gas Related Bear 3x (GASX)

2. ETRACS Alerian Natural Gas MLP ETN (MLPG)

3. iPath Pure Beta Cocoa ETN (CHOC)

4. iShares S&P Target Date 2030 Index Fund (TZL)

5. market Vectors Russia Small-Cap ETF (RSXJ)

6. ProShares Ultra Investment Grade Corporate (IGU)

7. SPDR Nuveen S&P VRDO Municipal Bond ETF (VRD)

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