ProShares Rolls Out ETFs Linked to Regional Banks

Commentary April 29, 2010 at 08:00 PM

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ProShares has unveiled two ETFs that provide leveraged and inverse exposure to the regional U.S. banking sector.

The new ProShares ETFs are the Ultra KBW Regional Banking (KRU) and Short KBW Regional Banking (KRS).

KRU is mainly designed for investors or traders that are bullish on regional banks. The fund aims for 200 percent daily magnified returns of the KBW Regional Banking Index.

For investors that are bearish on regional banks, KRS attempts 1x daily inverse performance of the KBW Regional Banking Index.

"We're pleased to provide investors with ProShares ETFs on the regional banking sector," said Michael L. Sapir, Chairman and CEO of ProShare Advisors in a prepared statement. "Many investors follow regional-banking stocks, and these ETFs provide them with additional tools to act on their views."

Regional banks inside the SPDR KBW Regional Banking ETF (KRE) have been strong performers this year and are ahead by 33.35 percent year-to-date through mid-April. Top holdings inside KRE include CVB Financial, First Midwest Bancorp and MB Financial.

Along with regional banks, large national U.S. banks have led this year's rally in financial stocks too. The SPDR KBW Bank ETF (KBE) is ahead by roughly 35 percent year-to-date.

According to the prospectus, KRU and KRS will charge annual expense of 0.95 percent.

At the end of March, ProShares managed $24.5 billion in ETF assets.

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