1)An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is a relatively new instrument that trades like a stock and has changed the way capital is being deployed on Wall Street. ETF’s, like stocks, come in all different shapes and sizes, but they all represent a way to profit from an “idea”.
Here Are 4 Top Reasons Why You Should Consider ETF’s in Your Trading:
1) Express Investing Ideas Via ETFs
Whether you are a long-term investor or an active trader, every buy or sell decision you make in the market begins with an idea. The market thrives on ideas and the number one reason why most people under-perform the market is because they do not have access to the right ideas. Instead, they shoot from the hip and do not have a plan. They let their emotions take over every time the stock moves a few points in, or out, of their favor. I know making money on Wall Street is not easy, unless you have the right ideas, so this is why you can express investing ideas via Exchange Traded Funds (a.k.a. ETF’s).
For example, let’s say you want to buy gold in your IRA (or normal trading account) but can’t buy physical bullion and don’t want to buy individual gold stocks. The easiest way to express that view would be to buy the GLD, which is a highly liquid ETF that tracks gold prices. The GLD reflects the price of gold and can be bought and sold instantly. Another investor might want to invest in biotech stocks. So they might buy the IBB, a highly liquid, and very popular, Biotech ETF. So on and so forth.
2) Find The “Right” ETF That Best Fits Your Investment Idea
The latest studies show that there are over 1,500 ETFs on the market, and over 150 new ETF’s launching each year. This is why it is very important to pick the right ETF. The way that I use ETF’s is to start by asking myself what is my underlying investment idea? Do I want to own tech stocks? If so, then I will look at all the available tech ETF’s and then narrow my search down to the top 3 most liquid tech ETF’s. Then, I’m able to select the one that best expresses my underlying view. If they are all the same, I will usually choose the one that has the highest average volume (trades the most shares each day). This way I know I can comfortably get “in” or “out” anytime the market is open without a hassle.
3) ETF’s Are Not Expensive
ETF’s are not expensive. According to ETF.com, the average U.S. equity mutual fund charges 1.42% in annual expenses and the average U.S. equity ETF only charges 0.53%. If you look closer, the vast majority of ETF money is being invested with an average fee of only 0.40%. That is a huge difference.
4) Create Your Own Mutual Fund
Another benefit I find when investing in ETF’s is that I can use them to easily create my own custom mutual fund. This means I can buy (or sell) a basket of highly liquid ETF’s, and/or individual stocks. This allows me to very easily create a mutual fund but at a fraction of the cost.
Check out More Blog Posts Here:
- Stacking the Odds of Success In your Favor
- 5 Steps to Becoming a Long-Term Success in the Market
- 10 Hidden Gems For Success in the Market
