These ETFs have a basis in IGVSI quality equities, and could be excellent trading vehicles. Certainly, they can be expected to track the IGVSI and the more popular (but totally manipulated) DJIA and S & P 500 averages.

But traded they must be, or they are just another “buy ‘n hold” archaism. ETFs are actually not managed at all. The “passive management” referred to is merely the readjustment of holdings to mirror the weightings in a separate and totally unmanaged index.

Stocks have just about doubled since March 2009 and individual investors don’t seem to care. Jason Zweig has details and explains why he thinks it may be awhile before small investors return to the market.

Why do we jump through all of these “prevent-defense” hoops? Because we just don’t know how or have the patience to design and manage a classic, safer, plain vanilla, stocks and bonds portfolio. The market cycle is the favorite son of the investment gods. You either make it your friend or fail as an investor!

By Jonathan Burton SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Knowing that there can be too much of a good thing, many investors are wary about how stock and bond markets this year will follow their remarkable 2009 surge. One thing’s for sure: This year won’t be like the last. “We’re not going up 65% in the first [...]

Robert Lenzner, 11.20.09, 7:13 PM ET Odds are the huge rebound since March has run its course. And even though it yields nothing, it’s time to raise cash. Nothing is screamingly cheap. The easy money has been made in both equities and fixed income. From the low point in March, it seems you can’t pick [...]