Dear Dagen: Merrill Adds Telecom and Drug Stocks to HOLDRs Lineup

For all the ardent admirers of the Merrill Lynch Internet HOLDRs (HHH Quote) security, there's more.

Merrill is planning to launch two more of these exchange-traded, 20-stock baskets: Telecom HOLDRS and Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. These securities will trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbols TTH and PPH, respectively. The exact date of the launch couldn't be confirmed, but it could be this month.

Share your investing and mutual fund questions on the Dear Dagen board These two baskets will work just like Merrill's existing Internet and Biotech (BBH Quote) HOLDRs. Through one transaction, an investor gets an ownership interest in 20 stocks without paying 20 separate commissions. These securities are bought and sold just like stocks from a full-service or discount broker. ...