Understanding ETFs

Combining the flexibility of stocks and the portfolio-diversifying strengths of mutual funds, ETFs give you an affordable way to access a wide variety of asset classes.

What are ETFs?

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.

  • E icono

    Exchange

    ETFs are bought and sold like a common stock on a stock exchange.

  • T icono

    Traded

    Like a stock, ETFs are traded and experience price changes throughout the day.

  • funds

    Funds

    ETFs generally hold a collection of stocks, bonds or other securities in one fund or have exposure to a single stock or bond through a single-security ETF.

What are potential benefits when investing in ETFs?

  • Diversificación icono

    Diversification

    ETFs give you an efficient way to diversify your portfolio without having to select individual stocks or bonds.

  • low cost piggy bank

    Low Cost

    With Schwab, online listed ETF trade commissions are US$0 per trade.1

  • Flexibilidad en la negociación icono

    Trading flexibility

    ETFs are very versatile, letting you easily move money between specific asset classes, like stocks, bonds, or commodities.

  • Transparencia icono

    Transparency

    Most ETFs disclose their holdings on a daily basis.

  • tax icon

    Tax efficiency

    Due to typically lower turnover and the in-kind creation/redemption process, ETFs typically pass through fewer capital gains to U.S. investors, including expatriates.

What are some considerations when investing in ETFs?

  • Commissions

    Some brokerages charge you a commission when you buy or sell an ETF. 

     

    However, Schwab doesn't charge commissions for online ETF trades.1

  • Spreads

    On top of commissions, investors also pay the "spread" when buying or selling ETFs, the difference between the higher price you pay to acquire a security and the lower price at which you can sell it.

  • Premiums and discounts

    Investors may pay more for an ETF than the value of its underlying stocks or bonds (a premium). Conversely, investors may sell an ETF for less than the value of its holdings (a discount).

  • General liquidity

    ETFs with higher liquidity can shrink bid/ask spreads since the more interested market makers there are, the closer the highest and lowest offered prices to sell are likely to be. 

     

    Similarly, ETFs with lower liquidity tend to have larger bid/ask spreads.
     

  • Market volatility

    Volatility may also affect premiums or discounts to net asset values, resulting in higher costs for the investor.

  • Some ETFs are complicated

    Investors should carefully evaluate their features, risks, benefits, and performance characteristics in comparison to their goals and expectations.

Types of ETFs.

There are a vast number of ETF choices on the U.S. market today. To determine which ones are right for your portfolio, it's helpful to look at common ETF types, the investment strategies associated with them, and their benefits, risks, and costs.

Let's take a closer look at the main categories of ETFs: equity ETFs, ETFs with complicated strategies, and non-equity ETFs.

Descriptions and examples of various types of ETFs.
  • Type
  • Description
  • Examples
  • Type
    Equity ETFs
  • Description
    There is a wide array of equity ETFs to choose from, so knowing about the various subtypes can help you find one that fits your portfolio. Depending on the index tracked by the ETF, it may own stocks issued by companies from around the world or it may limit its investable universe to companies in the United States. Some ETFs allow companies of all styles and sizes, while others limit their holdings based on the particular characteristics of a company. Because there are so many variables, the number of stocks held by an ETF can range from less than 25 to over a thousand.
  • Examples
    • International ETFs
    • Sector ETFs
    • Dividend ETFs
    • Market-cap index ETFs
  • Type
    ETFs with complicated strategies
  • Description
    The number of strategies offered by ETFs has proliferated in recent years. While an ETF with a particular strategy may be exactly what you want in your portfolio, keep in mind that some strategies can be quite complex. It's a good idea to make sure you understand the process an ETF uses to select and weight securities before you make an investment decision.
  • Examples
    • Strategic ETFs
    • Factor-based ETFs
    • Fundamental ETFs
    • ESG ETFs
    • Active ETFs
  • Type
    Non-equity ETFs
  • Description
    In addition to stocks, an ETF can hold non-equity securities, such as bonds, commodities, and currencies. 
  • Examples
    • Bond ETFs
    • Commodity ETFs
    • Currency ETFs
  • Type
    Non-U.S. ETFs
  • Description
    Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) are a packaged investment product authorized in the E.U. They meet relevant E.U. requirements and offer investment strategies similar to those of their U.S. counterparts. UCITS ETFs are intended only for non-US residents.
  • Examples
    • UCITS ETFs

What do ETFs cost?

Many ETFs can be inexpensive, but as with all investments, you should be aware of the costs. Here are the costs most commonly associated with ETFs:

  • Trade commissions

    You'll typically pay a commission each time you buy or sell an ETF at your brokerage company, but not always. Keep in mind, the smaller your investment and the more frequently you trade, the more impact these commissions will have on your bottom line. Standard trades at Schwab are $0 per trade online.1

  • Operating expense ratio (OER)

    An OER is the percentage of fund assets deducted annually to cover fund expenses. For example, if you have invested US$10,000 in an ETF with a 0.16% annual expense ratio, about US$16 per year is deducted for operating expenses. It's a good idea to look at the expense ratio of an ETF before you buy. A small difference in annual expenses can add up over time.

  • Bid/ask spread

    There is normally a difference, or spread, between the bid price (the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a share) and the ask price (the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for a share). The amount of the spread varies from one ETF to another, and tends to be greater for ETFs with low trading volume.

     

    If you plan to hold an ETF for less than a year, this cost can matter more than the OER.
     

Why trade ETFs with Schwab?

  • US$0 online listed equity commissions

    Build the core of your portfolio from over 2,000 commission-free1 listed ETFs.

  • Intuitive platforms

    Trade ETFs using our web, mobile, or advanced platforms.

  • Trading specialists

    Get real-time trade analysis and focused support from investing professionals.

  • Premium research

    Sharpen your instincts with actionable stock trading research and insights from Schwab and third parties. 

See more reasons to trade at Schwab

Common questions

There are three main ways you can use ETFs:

  • To achieve broad portfolio diversification.
  • To fill an asset-class gap in your portfolio. 
  • To invest in a specific part of the market (as part of an overall balanced portfolio strategy). The path you choose should be determined by the target asset allocation you've identified for your portfolio. 

Once you're ready to trade an ETF:

  • Consider placing a marketable limit order. This will help you balance both execution and price. When you are buying an ETF, this is a limit order where you specify a price equal to or greater than the posted offer price (but no higher than what you are willing to pay). That way, your order is likely to get filled immediately if the market doesn't move, and you avoid the risk of paying far more than you intended.
  • Be cautious about trading at market open or close. Markets can be unpredictable early and late in the day, and you may find yourself buying high or selling low. Also, consider when the markets for the underlying securities in the ETFs are open, especially if you're trading international stock and bond ETFs.
  • Get professional help with big orders. If you ever need to trade a substantial number of shares of ETFs (such as tens of thousands of shares), call us and we will connect you with specially trained traders. They may be able to have new shares created for you, which means you could enjoy better pricing.

Schwab clients who are resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom are no longer able to purchase U.S.-registered ETFs in order to comply with local regulations related to PRIIPS (Packaged Retail Investment & Insurance Products).

These rules govern the sale of certain investment products to residents in the EEA and UK. As a result of these rules, residents in these countries may only hold or liquidate existing U.S. exchange traded product positions. Initial or additional purchases are not permitted.

As an alternative, Schwab offers ETFs that have been authorized as Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) under EU and UK rules. These funds meet relevant regulatory requirements, offer investment strategies similar to those of their U.S. counterparts and are available to EEA and UK resident investors. Many UCITS rules are aimed at reducing the risk by safeguarding the way investment products are managed and controlled. UCITS rules also require an ETF to be liquid, and always accessible. UCITS ETFs are subject to a US$50 foreign transaction fee and must be placed by phone with the help of a Schwab Global Investing Services specialist.

Because of the unique way that ETFs are structured and because their holdings tend to have less turnover than actively managed funds, capital gains distributions can be lower, especially for stock ETFs.

Like most investments, ETFs are not FDIC-insured. If the index that your ETF tracks experiences a downturn and you decide to sell, you will likely lose money. Not all ETFs carry the same risks; some ETFs, including inverse, leveraged, and futures-linked ETFs, carry additional risks and are not appropriate for all investors.

There are over 1,200 ETFs available. Schwab can help you find the right one for your portfolio.

  • If you're looking for commission-free ETFs, consider listed Schwab ETFs. Each of these Schwab-created ETFs provides exposure to an asset category, and offers low expense ratios and US$0 online trade commissions through a Schwab account.1 Learn more about Schwab ETFs.
  • If you know what type of ETF you want—traditional (domestic, international, or bond), specialty, or sector—take a look at the ETF Select List®. This carefully compiled list represents our experts' top ETF picks based on criteria that include cost of ownership, risk, fund structure, and how well it fits in its category. Use the ETF Select List®.
  • If you're looking for a specific ETF, consider using Schwab's ETF Screener. You can select from a range of different criteria or use our predefined screens to filter the entire marketplace of over 1,200 ETFs to find the one that's right for you. Use Schwab's ETF Screener.  Learn more about what to keep in mind when choosing an ETF.
  • If you're looking to create your own portfolio, consider using the Schwab ETF Portfolio Builder®. ETFs used in this tool are from the ETF Select List®.

Start investing in the U.S. markets today.

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