#56: ETF IPOs explained

You've probably noticed that we're aflutter about the new Satrix ETFs. International index-tracking offerings on the cheap is pretty much the reason we get out of bed in the morning. Investors have a chance to get their hands on these ETFs before everyone else in the initial public offering (IPO). In this episode we figure out what the upside is to getting in before the products list. Find our episode on private placements here. When companies list, a limited amount of shares are issued and allocated during the IPO. If the share price rallies after a listing, investors who get in before everyone else have nowhere to go but up. ETF units, on the other hand, are created as people buy them and priced based on their underlying value. Aside from not paying a brokerage fee, buying ETFs on IPO is the same as buying them at any other time. We mention Stealthy's post on cost comparisons for the new ETFs. You can find that here. Mike pointed us in the direction of an early retirement calculator. Find that here. If you've been hiding money offshore, you have a grace window to own up to SARS. That site is here. Kristia