Inverse and Leveraged Exchange Traded Funds

The daily results of an inverse exchange tradedthey are held for longer than a day, the returns
fund are based on the inverse daily performancewill vary from this multiple.
of the underlying benchmark or index. A range ofA leveraged ETF works by using a number of
derivatives including index swaps and futuresderivatives, for example index swaps and futures
contracts are used to meet the objectives of thecontracts, in order to provide this multiple of the
investment in order to generate results that aremarket exposure for the stocks in the fund. The
opposite to the underlying benchmark or index.risks are higher in a leveraged fund, as losses will
This means that the ETF goes up when thealso be multiplied by the same amount.
benchmark or index goes down, and vice versa.Both inverse and leveraged exchange traded
An investment in an ETF is rather like holdingfunds are designed to be only held short term;
short positions, or profiting from declining prices,which for a leveraged fund can mean just a single
thanks to a combination of advanced investmentday. Investors looking to hold a longer term
strategies.security should not consider them. Long term, a
The results of leveraged exchange traded fundleveraged fund can drift away from its
are generated as a multiple of the dailybenchmark due to the effects of compounding,
performance return of the underlying benchmarkespecially during periods of market volatility.
or index. This could be a 200% return, forInvestors should make sure that they understand
example. However, they will not provide the samethe nature of exchange traded funds before they
multiple over the long term. In a single day, aput any money into it, and that they are clear on
leveraged ETF will generally meet the objectivethe risks involved in such an investment.
for the multiple of the daily performance, but if