Benefits of ETFs
ETFs offer a powerful combination of diversification, transparency and liquidity, and cost and tax efficiency—all within a flexible wrapper that trades like a stock.
Diversification
ETFs provide convenient access to a broad range of securities, including stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies and real estate investment trusts. ETFs can even hold other ETFs and mutual funds. ETFs can also fit seamlessly into retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs.
Transparency and Liquidity
ETFs provide daily visibility. Most ETFs publish their full list of holdings every trading day, allowing investors to see exactly what securities are held and in what proportions. And because ETFs trade on exchanges, they can be bought or sold anytime during the trading day, providing intraday liquidity and the ability to act on market opportunities.
Tax and Cost Efficiency
ETFs are both tax- and cost-efficient. ETFs are typically created and redeemed “in-kind” using a basket of securities rather than cash. This allows underlying securities to be bought and sold without creating a capital gains tax liability—potentially creating tax advantages that can enhance after-tax returns. ETFs also typically have low management fees owing to operating-cost efficiencies.