An ETF for Tree-Huggers

Sometimes, when you're considering a new investment, it's hard to see the forest for the trees. But if you're looking for some extra diversification for your portfolio, a new exchange-traded fund that focuses on timber companies might give you exactly what you're looking for.

The Claymore/Clear Global Timber Index ETF (AMEX: CUT) started earlier this month. It's the first ETF available in the U.S. that invests purely in global timber companies. Timber traditionally has a low correlation to other asset classes. In a market environment where plenty of markets are looking expensive, avoiding highly correlated markets that would fall in a general downturn could benefit investors greatly.

Chopping up the numbers
The Global Timber ETF tracks the Clear Global Timber Index, which includes 27 companies from 11 countries. U.S. companies make up more than a quarter of the index, but Canadian and Japanese companies also have significant presences. Brazilian pulp and paper products company Votorantim Celulose (NYSE: VCP) is the fund's largest holding, with Spain's Grupo Empresarial and Virginia-based MeadWestvaco (NYSE: MWV) rounding out the top three. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.65%.

Like other sector funds, the Global Timber ETF has the substantial risk associated with highly concentrated investment portfolios. In addition, the fund's global exposure exposes investors to legal and regulatory conditions around the world. The fund's 84% exposure to the materials sector makes it particularly vulnerable to a downturn in that sector.

Yet as a small part of a diversified portfolio, the Global Timber ETF may help improve the overall risk structure among your investments. It may be a specialty fund, and it may be just one tree in the gain exposure to a unique asset class.

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