Global X Files Plans For Five More Sector ETFs

Finally, a rail road ETF. That might be the sentiment of some traders and investors when learning of the five new sector ETFs rapidly growing issuer Global X filed plans for with the SEC late last week. Global X, the New York-based ETF issuer that has made a name for itself with a wide array of unique emerging markets and commodities-based ETFs, is looking to continue its impressive expansion with plans for five new ETFs, including the Global X Railroads ETF, which would track the FTSE Global Railroads Index. That would be the first ETF exclusively tracking railroad operators and would face little in the way of competition as investors looking to get exposure to companies such as CSX CSX and Union Pacific UNP usually turn to the the iShares Dow Jones Transportation Index Fund IYT, which holds plenty of non-railroad names. The firm has also filed plans for the Global X Toll Roads & Ports ETF, which would track global companies that operate airports, seaports and toll roads. Since many of the companies that are involved in these businesses have steady, predictable cash flow, they often offer robust dividends, meaning the new Global X fund could be another option for income-starved investors. Keeping with its tradition of introducing niche sector ETFs such as the Global X Fishing Industry ETF FISN, the firm has filed plans for the Global X Farm & Timberland ETF and the Global X Cement ETF. The fifth fund Global X is planning the Global X Advanced Materials ETF, which, as ETFdb.com, notes could face competition from Global X's own Global X Lithium ETF LIT and the Market Vectors Rare Earths/Strategic Metals ETF REMX. The timberland ETF faces obvious competition from the Guggenheim Timber ETF CUT and the iShares S&P Global Timber & Forestry Index Fund WOOD. Tickers and expense ratios for the newly proposed funds were not disclosed in the Global X filing. Including the aforementioned group of five, Global X has filed plans to introduce 15 new funds over the past several weeks. If all of those funds come to market, the firm would have 50 ETFs in its stable. Of its current lineup of 35 ETFs, Global X has introduced about half in 2011. The firm had $1.73 billion in assets under management as of July 21.