First Trust launched two new ETFs on March 12:  First Trust ISE Global Platinum Index Fund (PLTM) and First Trust ISE Global Copper Index Fund (CU).  Their names sound like they are commodity ETFs, and perhaps even physically-backed commodity ETFs.  However, they are equity funds that invest in stocks.  First Trust probably should have added “producers,” “miners,” or “equity” to the names to avoid confusion.

First Trust ISE Global Platinum Index Fund (PLTM) is based on an equity index called the ISE Global Platinum Index, which is designed to track public companies active in platinum-group metals mining based on revenue analysis. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium.

PLTM holds 25 stocks.  The largest are MMC Norilsk Nickel JSC ADR 7.9%, Johnson Matthey Plc 6.9%, Eastern Platinum Ltd. 6.8%, Aquarius Platinum Ltd. 6.8%, Lonmin Plc 6.6%, Impala Platinum Holdings Limited 6.5%, Anglo Platinum Limited 6.1%, and Stillwater Mining Company 6.0%.

Top country exposure includes Canada 24.4%, South Africa 22.2%, United Kingdom 17.2%, Australia 15.6%, Russia 7.8%, and United States 6.1%.  The fund has an expense ratio of 0.70%.  Additional information can be found in the PLTM summary and other resources in the

The concerns over the Greece debt situation are having an effect on the Euro’s trading price.  The EU’s currency is having its worst week since January of this year.  Investors have reacted conservatively after news that the Balkan state seems likely to seek a bailout from either the Eurozone or the International Monetary Fund, or both.  The US Dollar is trading higher against the Euro this morning as a result.

Oil prices have fallen below $82 a barrel, based partially on US Dollar’s strong gains.  Oil prices are still up over last month, where they ended at $69 a barrel.  Trading has been pushed by news that OPEC is keeping production steady and speculation that US demand will increase soon based on a recovering economy.  Stocks have started trading down overall for the day, as a “barren economic calendar [is] providing few catalysts”, according to Yahoo.  Investors are hopeful that things can turn around and the market can make the end of the week a ninth consecutive positive day for the Dow.

One of the positive catalysts driving up the market is news that Boeing (NYSE:BA) is planning to increase production of their popular 747 and highly-profitable 777 series airplanes. …

The black cloud hanging over the financial services sector for much of the past two years is beginning to evaporate. Financial stocks rallied recently, and wise investors are giving the sector a fresh look. We’ve discussed the financial sector at length, noting that successful stock-picking in this sector needs to be selective.

It pays to look beyond the usual suspects in the financial services group. The media gives disproportionate coverage to Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), JP Morgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) and other mega banks. That doesn’t mean these are the best banking stocks. In fact, some smaller regional players offer investors plenty of profit potential.

One of those names is Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBI). The Treasury Department recently sold $6.56 million in Texas Capital warrants, freeing the company from a big outside constraint. That’s a positive catalyst in its own right, but there are other reasons to give this stock a look. Dallas-based Texas Capital is a conservative bank that does the bulk of its business in its home state.

The Texas economy, second-largest in the U.S., has avoided the pain suffered by many other states during the recession. Texas remains vibrant in part thanks to strong energy prices.…