NASDAQ OMX Group and HQ Bank have announced the creation of a new portfolio of ETFs comprised of international favorites. The goal is to promote exchange-traded fund investing in Sweden with the use of internationally respected ETFs.

The exchange-traded funds will begin trading in Stockholm in October pending regulatory approval, according to a press release. Larger international exchange-traded funds will be the first listed and serve as a marketing guinea pig to find what exchange-traded funds might be best suited for the Nordic region. During the launch period marked from October to January 2010, HQ Bank hopes to list as many as 10 international favorites.

Should the new deal prove favorable for investors, major names like iShares and other exchange-traded fund sponsors could get a free lift into one of the last untouched markets for ETFs.

Global X Management has launched a new ETF on NYSE Arca, allowing American traders to invest in Nordic European countries. The Global X FTSE Nordic 30 ETF (GXF) offers exposure to the largest and most liquid stocks in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway.

The new ETF will track the FTSE Nordic 30 index minus fees and expenses. According to data from the press release, the FTSE Nordic 30 index has outperformed the FTSE Developed Europe Index by 23.5%, nearly doubling the year to date performance of the broader fund. The asset class has also dominated US investments, beating the S&P 500 by 57.2% over five years.

The assets will be 46% weighted in Sweden, 20% in Denmark, 17% in Norway, and 17% in Finland. The fund is heavily focused on financials, health care, and technology, with these sectors comprising 59% of the fund.

Rydex Investments today announced the distribution declarations for seven CurrencyShares exchange traded products: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (NYSE: FXA), CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (NYSE: FXB), CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSE: FXC), CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSE: FXE), CurrencyShares Mexican Peso Trust (NYSE: FXM), CurrencyShares Russian Ruble Trust (NYSE: XRU), and CurrencyShares Swedish Krona Trust (NYSE: FXS).

Below is a list of the seven ETFs with their associated distribution. To view a full version of the press release on www.currencyshares.com, click here.

Rydex Investments today announced the distribution declarations for seven CurrencyShares exchange traded products: CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (NYSE: FXA), CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling Trust (NYSE: FXB), CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (NYSE: FXC), CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSE: FXE), CurrencyShares Mexican Peso Trust (NYSE: FXM), CurrencyShares Russian Ruble Trust (NYSE: XRU), and CurrencyShares Swedish Krona Trust (NYSE: FXS).

Below is a list of the seven ETFs with their associated distribution. To view a full version of the press release on www.currencyshares.com, click here.

Seven of the CurrencyShares-brand ETFs from Rydex Investments have announced a monthly distribution to start the year. The exchange-traded products track currency of various countries around the world on the NYSE, and the payable date will be January 9, 2009. According to the Rydex Investment press release, the scheduled distributions will range from $0.068 for CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (FXC: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News) to $0.653 for CurrencyShares Mexican Peso Trust (FXM: Quote, Profile, Advanced Chart, News). Below is a complete list of the seven ETFs with their associated distribution.