ETFs continue to proliferate

When the number of mutual funds surpassed the number of listed stocks, a lot of people blanched. That seems like eons ago. Now the number of exchange-traded funds is exploding, and you have to wonder if all this is getting a bit wacky. Companies have filed to launch 150 more ETFs. That's a large amount given there are currently 320 ETFs now trading. There has been a good deal of entrepreneurial activity around indexes and ETFs, so you have to think that more are on the way. While the benefits of ETFs are obvious and compelling, at some point the newer ones start to look a bit gimmicky. But truly good ideas are likely in the works. I still get the feeling that we're in the early phases of something profound.

For more on ETFs:
- Here's a USA Today article