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Abstract: This paper constructs the positive arbitrage position by alternating the spot index with Chinese Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) portfolio and estimating the arbitrage-free interval of futures with the latest trade data. Then, an improved Delta-normal method was used, which replaces the simple linear correlation coefficient with tail dependence correlation coefficient, to measure VaR (Value-at-risk) of the arbitrage position. Analysis of VaR implies that the risk of future-cash arbitrage is less than that of investing completely in either futures or spot market. Then according to the compositional VaR and the marginal VaR, we should increase the futures position and decrease the spot position appropriately to minimize the VaR, which can minimize risk subject to certain revenues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As virtual discussion about passive versus active investment heats up, ETF instruments being second biggest investment vehicle (after mutual funds) in United States receive more and more attention. In this paper we perform a cross section, type and style analysis of total expense ratios (TER) of exchange traded funds. Using Database of 1020 ETFs, we find capitalization weighted average for total expense ratios of simple (non-inverse and not leveraged) ETFs are equal to 0.32 proc. Analysis shows that inverse and leveraged ETFs on average are about 3 times more expensive than simple ETFs. These numbers of total expense ratios of simple ETFs are significantly lower than in average mutual funds. This leads us to the conclusion that especially for passive investment management where cost effectiveness is critically important, ETFs are much more attractive than regular mutual funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]