One of the difficulties facing investors in alternative energy, is that the stocks are often volatile small caps and the universe ain't that big either. That's why I was very interested to read today ;

"Later this year an ETF (exchange traded fund) is expected to be released by PowerShares Capital Management. It will be traded on the American Stock Exchange and give investors an opportunity to buy and sell a package of alternative energy stocks throughout the trading day."

ETF's are a route into the market at much lower cost and risk. It's also a sign of increasing liquidity in the market, which will help draw in bigger investors. What's slightly perplexing here though is that there's already an existing ETF, the Wilder Hill Clean Energy Index , which is sponsored by PowerShares.

Maybe PowerShares have decided they'd rather brand their own ETFs than partner with someone else . . .