Exchange-Traded Funds

Diversified investments that trade like stocks


What Are ETFs?

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are investment funds traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks. ETFs hold assets such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, and generally operate with an arbitrage mechanism to keep trading close to their net asset value.

Benefits
  • Instant diversification
  • Trade throughout the day like stocks
  • Lower expense ratios than mutual funds
  • Tax efficiency
Considerations
  • Trading commission fees
  • Bid-ask spreads
  • Potential tracking errors
  • Not all ETFs are highly liquid

Types of ETFs

Index ETFs

Track specific market indices like the S&P 500 or NASDAQ, offering broad market exposure.

Sector ETFs

Focus on specific industry sectors like technology, healthcare, or finance.

International ETFs

Invest in markets outside your home country for global diversification.

Bond ETFs

Provide exposure to various types of bonds with different maturities and credit qualities.

Commodity ETFs

Track the price of commodities like gold, oil, or agricultural products.

Real Estate ETFs

Invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and property companies.

Thematic ETFs

Focus on specific themes like clean energy, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence.

Inverse ETFs

Designed to perform opposite to their benchmark, rising when the market falls.

ETF Investment Strategies

Use broad market ETFs as the "core" of your portfolio (60-80%), then add specialized ETFs as "satellites" to boost returns or meet specific goals.

Invest a fixed amount regularly, regardless of market conditions, to reduce the impact of volatility over time.

Adjust your ETF portfolio to capitalize on market opportunities or to reduce risk during volatility.

Invest in ETFs that focus on specific trends or themes you believe will outperform over time, such as clean energy or cybersecurity.

ETFs vs. Other Investments

Feature ETFs Mutual Funds Individual Stocks
Trading Throughout trading day End of trading day Throughout trading day
Minimum Investment Price of one share Often $1,000+ Price of one share
Diversification High High Low
Expense Ratios Typically low Typically higher N/A
Tax Efficiency High Lower Varies

Ready to start investing in ETFs?

Our team can help you build a diversified ETF portfolio aligned with your goals.