Global X Filing Details Massive Potential Expansion Plans

Global X, the New York-based ETF issuer that has more than doubled its lineup this year, could see another large expansion to its ETF offerings as a recent filing with the SEC indicates the firm could launch as many as 22 new ETFs in the months ahead. At the end of June, Global X had 35 ETFs on the market, more than half of which have been introduced in 2011, making the firm, which has about $1.62 billion in assets under management, one of the most prolific purveyors of new ETFs this year. Known for niche concepts and being first to market with some popular emerging markets ideas, Global X is keeping with those themes for the new ETFs that are detailed in the filing. Among the 22 funds the firm could introduce are the following (with Benzinga comments): FTSE 20 Greece ETF: Where was this ETF in 2009 when the European sovereign debt crisis started to roil global markets? Short-sellers are almost certainly wishing someone had brought a Greece-specific ETF to market much sooner. FTSE Portugal 20 ETF: See above. Hungary ETF: While not an EU member, Hungary has been home to plenty of fiscal problems since 2010 and the comments from traders would likely be the same regarding this ETF as they would on a Greece or Portugal fund. Nigeria ETF: Van Eck's Market Vectors unit announced plans for the first Nigeria-specific ETF in June, so it will be interesting to see which firm gets its Nigeria offering to market first. FTSE Bangladesh ETF: Bangladesh is among the countries mentioned on the Goldman Sachs list of “next 11” emerging markets economies that could rival the BRIC quartet, but this is a frontier market, with equal amounts profit potential and high risk. FTSE Sri Lanka ETF: Not for the faint of heart, Sri Lanka is another rapidly growing, yet highly risky frontier market. Kazakhstan ETF: Could be compelling for investors looking for a different type of oil play. Kuwait ETF: Could be compelling for investors looking for a more traditional oil play. Luxembourg ETF: This one has to be more about companies that list in Luxembourg because the tiny European nation isn't actually home to many noteworthy companies. Czech Republic ETF: Finally. Easily one of the better ideas in the filing, Czech Republic has held relatively well compared to many of the EU's more developed economies and if the country can move away from its dependence on Russian energy sources, its economy could boom. FTSE Ukraine ETF: Another frontier play, Ukraine has the same issues with Russian energy sources as Czech Republic. This one will likely be higher risk fare than the Czech Republic ETF. Slovakia ETF: Curious choice that we'll reserve judgment on at this point. FTSE Morocco 20 ETF: Even by the current standards of Africa exposure, decent ETF weights to Morocco are hard to come by. If this fund comes to market, problem solved. Qatar ETF: Another OPEC play, but this one could really work if natural gas prices ever move higher. FTSE Frontier Markets ETF: Looks like another rival to the Guggenheim Frontier Markets ETF FRN. The Global X fund will offer exposure to 25 frontier markets. Central America ETF: Another interesting choice as investors typically go from Mexico to South America while skipping over Costa Rica, Nicaragua, etc. Central and Nothern ETF: Global X has already had success with the Global X Norway ETF NORW and the Global X FTSE Nordic Region ETF GXF, so the firm knows what it's doing in this corner of the global. Southern Europe ETF: Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain in one ETF? Oh my. Could make for a good PIIGS rebound play. Eastern Europe ETF: Could be a rival for the SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF GUR. Central Asia ETF: For those looking to invest in countries ending in “-stan” this is your ETF. Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan along with Mongolia make up this potential new offering. Pan Arab ETF: A quasi-OPEC ETF as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be found here along with others including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia.