Exchange-Traded Funds (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of an ETF? ›

Popular ETFs

Some ETFs track an index of stocks, thus creating a broad portfolio, while others target specific industries. iShares Russell 2000 (IWM): An ETF that tracks the Russell 2000 small-cap index. Invesco QQQ (QQQ) (“cubes”): An ETF that tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which typically contains technology stocks.

ETFs or "exchange-traded funds" are exactly as the name implies: funds that trade on exchanges, generally tracking a specific index. When you invest in an ETF, you get a bundle of assets you can buy and sell during market hours—potentially lowering your risk and exposure, while helping to diversify your portfolio.

Mutual funds and ETFs may hold stocks, bonds, or commodities. Both can track indexes, but ETFs tend to be more cost-effective and liquid since they trade on exchanges like shares of stock. Mutual funds can offer active management and greater regulatory oversight at a higher cost and only allow transactions once daily.

Passive, or index, ETFs generally track and aim to outperform a benchmark index. They provide access to many companies or investments in one trade, whereas individual stocks provide exposure to a single firm. As such, ETFs remove single-stock risk, or the risk inherent in being exposed to just one company.

For instance, some ETFs may come with fees, others might stray from the value of the underlying asset, ETFs are not always optimized for taxes, and of course — like any investment — ETFs also come with risk.

Because of their wide array of holdings, ETFs provide the benefits of diversification, including lower risk and less volatility, which often makes a fund safer to own than an individual stock. An ETF's return depends on what it's invested in. An ETF's return is the weighted average of all its holdings.

Why Invest in ETFs Rather Than Mutual Funds? ETFs can be less expensive to own than mutual funds. Plus, they trade continuously throughout exchange hours, and such flexibility may matter to certain investors. ETFs also can result in lower taxes from capital gains, since they're a passive security that tracks an index.

ETF issuers collect any dividends paid by the companies whose stocks are held in the fund, and they then pay those dividends to their shareholders. They may pay the money directly to the shareholders, or reinvest it in the fund.

ETFs are for the most part safe from counterparty risk. Although scaremongers like to raise fears about securities-lending activity inside ETFs, it's mostly bunk: Securities-lending programs are usually over-collateralized and extremely safe.

If you own shares of an exchange-traded fund (ETF), you may receive distributions in the form of dividends. These may be paid monthly or at some other interval, depending on the ETF. It's important to know that not all dividends are treated the same from a tax perspective.

Why buy an ETF instead of a mutual fund? ›

ETFs typically track a specific market index, sector, commodity, or other asset class, exposing investors to a range of securities in a single investment. Their benefits include liquidity, lower expenses than mutual funds, diversification, and tax advantages.

ETFs are investment funds that track the performance of a specific index – like the STI Index or S&P 500. Just like stocks, you can trade ETFs on a stock exchange at any point during market hours.

If you've got $1,000 available right now that you know you'd like to invest in AI, the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF isn't wildly overextended. Indeed, this ETF is one of the few that's still trading below its late-2021 peak, leaving plenty more room for straightaway upside. Don't overthink it.

Futures-based commodity ETFs: The most common type of commodity ETF, these funds buy futures, forwards, or swap contracts on the benchmark commodity.