magazine archive
magazine archive
Exchange-Traded Funds
Why the 'lowest cost' ETFs aren't always the cheapest
Thursday 16 Jan 2020How low can you go? Typically asked during a game of limbo, it has been a question increasingly posed by investors in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Pitched as a simple way to invest at a cheaper price than using the services of a fund manager, ETFs can invest in stocks for a charge as low as 0.04...
ETFs to track small caps in the US, UK and Japan
Thursday 05 Dec 2019There is a reason why some investors think the best things come in small packages. Smaller companies, just by virtue of their size, have more significant growth potential and could increase their revenue at a rapid rate if things are going well. With higher reward comes higher risk however, and...
Why trackers have a role in holding companies to account
Thursday 14 Nov 2019Rapid growth in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has made a number of their providers some of the biggest investors in the world, particularly in markets like London and New York. But as these ETFs grow in size and the stakes of fund firms like BlackRock and Vanguard carry more weight in a whole range...
Why investors are worried about getting their money back from ETFs
Thursday 24 Oct 2019Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a great way for people to get started with investing. This is mostly because of their simplicity, low cost and the ease at which they can be bought or sold, which is known as liquidity. But that last point has some investors worried, as rising market volatility...
How to build a diversified portfolio with just three ETFs
Thursday 10 Oct 2019One of the great things about exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is that they are often widely diversified, replicating major indices which consist of many individual securities. From an investor’s point of view, this means you can hold fewer of them to get a wide-ranging portfolio. But can you really...
Using ETFs to invest in quality companies
Thursday 19 Sep 2019You can use exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to access many different types of shares, grouped according to whatever criteria you like. For example, you can use screening tools to narrow down the ETF universe to those funds which only invest in quality stocks. But what are quality stocks and why would...
Choose wisely with thematic ETFs
Thursday 05 Sep 2019Many investors like to invest in big themes, seeking exposure to a range of companies which could benefit from something hot in the market or structural growth in a certain industry, geography or demographic. Historically investors have achieved this exposure through putting money into certain unit...
How do I know which ETF to buy when lots track the same thing?
Thursday 29 Aug 2019When you’re thinking of buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF), the choice can be daunting. There are typically many funds tracking the same indices, making it difficult to know how to choose between them. It’s not as simple as just looking at the cost, although that should certainly be a key...
Could high yield bonds be an answer to market volatility?
Thursday 22 Aug 2019Bonds are often seen as an answer at times of market stress and, with the FTSE 100 losing more than 6% of its value since the beginning of August there is plenty of reason for people to be seeking safe havens. But the trouble is everyone has this idea, which means yields on the so-called ‘safest...
How to play emerging markets through ETFs
Thursday 15 Aug 2019Some people believe emerging markets have the potential for significant returns. As development in these markets emerges, the opportunity for growth should in theory be better than a market that is already developed. However, this can also come with significant volatility attached. And EM, as it’s...