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The asset management branch of State Street Corporation, State Street Global Advisors, was created in 1978 in Boston, Massachusetts.  The company's first three products  The domestic index fund An international index fund (based on the MSCI EAFE index) Short-term investment fund  By 1989, the division's assets were $53 billion (USD). State Street Global Advisors was established in 1990 as a distinct company from State Street Bank to expand internationally.   With the S&P 500 SPDR product release, traded on the American Stock Exchange in 1993, SSGA established the investment vehicle known as the exchange-traded fund (ETF).  State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is State Street Corporation's investment management subsidiary and the 4th largest asset manager, with roughly $4.14 trillion in assets under administration as of December 31, 2021.   After BlackRock and Vanguard, SSGA is the world's third-largest ETF manager. States, corporations, foundations, non-profit foundations, business financial officers and CFOs, investment firms, financial advisors, and other intermediaries worldwide use the company to create and manage investment plans.  The company has won several accolades for its services. Some of the prominent awards are  Asia Asset Management's 2022: Best of the Best Awards- At Asia Asset Management's 2022 Best of the Best Awards, State Street was named Best Global Custodian in Asia-Pacific (25 years) and Best Middle and Back Office Provider.  HFM Asia Services Awards 2021: State Street was named Best Hedge Fund Custodian for the second year in a row at the HFM Asia Services Awards 2021.  The Asset Triple A Sustainable Investing Awards for Institutional Investor, ETF and Asset Servicing Providers 2021- For the seventh year in a row, State Street was named Best in Securities Lending at The Asset Triple A Asset Servicing Providers Awards.  Aite Group 2020 Impact Innovation Awards The organization earned operational efficiency after being recognized as a financial institution that has used technology to raise the bar.  Asia money FX Survey 2020 In South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, State Street has been named Market Leader. The company provides several ETFs and mutual funds to be chosen from. The company has a set of thematic ETFs which focus on cutting-edge innovation.   The SPDR S&P Kensho New Economy ETFs have the backing of S&P Kensho's forward-thinking and dynamic approach, which employs artificial intelligence to analyze regulatory filings to find and classify innovative enterprises based on factors other than revenue and balance sheet data.  Some such ETFs are associated with Future security, clean power, smart mobility, space exploration, intelligent infrastructure, etc.   Fixed-income ETFs come at a high degree of diversification with a 60% lower expense ratio than competitors. Investment worth $621 billion has been made by the firm in fixed-income assets with over 100 strategies.  SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF and SPDR Portfolio TIPS ETF are some of the fixed-income ETFs. There are more than 250 low-cost passively managed ETFs offered by the company all over the globe.  Investors can use SPDR Portfolio ETFs to build large, diversified portfolios by choosing from equities and fixed-income exposures. SPDR Portfolio S&P 400™ Mid Cap ETF, SPDR Portfolio S&P 500® Growth ETF, etc., are some core ETFs.  Gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) combine the gold market's flexibility, openness, and accessibility with the cost-effective liquidity of an ETF wrapper through the company's offerings. The company offers two distinct products 1. SPDR Gold Shares 2. SPDR Gold Mini Shares The company also provides a variety of ESG investing options along with sectoral investing options and Smart Beta ETFs.  Along with ETFs, the firm also offers a variety of mutual funds to choose from - grouped into four categories SSGA Funds, State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds. These funds track indices like FTSE Russell, MSCI, Multiple/Blend, S&P Dow Jones, etc.  Multiple ESG investment strategies 1. Screening Negative screening excludes specific firms, sectors, or nations based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and an investor's values-based goals. Among the advantages are reduced reputational risk and the ability for investors to avoid providing capital to organizations or sectors that contradict their views.  2. Best in class This strategy focuses on investing in sectors and firms that outperform the industry peers in terms of ESG performance.  3. ESG integration To limit risk and uncover possibilities for long-term outperformance, active portfolio managers routinely include ESG signals and factors in the investment analysis and decision-making process.  4. Climate investing This thematic investment strategy aligns portfolios with the transition to a low-carbon economy and limits global warming to far below 2 degrees Celsius.  5. ESG for index investing ESG investors can benefit from index investing in various ways, including diversification and transparency. Index methods give investors a simple way to acquire broad diversification in their portfolios, which improves risk management.  Thus, the pioneer of ETFs should be taken into account whilst creating a portfolio! FAQs What are State Street Global Advisors known for? State Street Global Advisors is an investment management firm located in the USA. It offers the following services such as portfolio management and advisory services to individuals, institutions, trusts, private funds, charitable organizations, and investment companies Where is the Headquarters for the State Street Global Advisors? The headquarters for State Street Global Advisors is in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Who are State Street's clients? State Street's clients are Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) CIGNA. Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. Health Partners Plans. Lilly USA Is SSGA an established investment firm? State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is State Street Corporation's investment management subsidiary and the 4th largest asset manager, with roughly $4.14 trillion in assets under administration as of December 31, 2021.   TALK TO AN EXPERT

This article will look into the three best large-cap categories of ETFs. But before that, let's understand what large-cap is. What is a large cap?  Even if they're young, large-cap corporations are likely to be well-established and dominating in their respective industries. Some corporations go public and have a market cap of more than $10 billion right away.   A corporation having a market capitalization of more than $10 billion is known to be a large-cap (or "big cap"). According to the Wilshire 5000 Overall Market Index, large-cap companies account for roughly 93 percent of the total U.S. equity market.  Large-cap corporations are usually well-known, having a track record of generating high-quality goods and services. Many of these businesses have grown their businesses beyond the United States and may have a diverse business that spans multiple industries.   As these businesses seek to expand, they will look for possibilities to buy smaller businesses or even consolidate with competitors of similar size. Large-cap companies are less volatile and less susceptible to significant price movements. As a result, large-cap stocks are a safer investment option.  Key indices to track the large-cap market  1. Dow Jones Industrial Average Apart from transportation and utilities, the DJIA exclusively analyses the performance of 30 businesses considered "blue chips," or those that are dominating champions in their respective industries. The DJIA is not indicative of the large-cap market as the S&P 500 Index. a 2. S&P 500 Even though it focuses primarily on the large-cap sector, the S&P 500 is the benchmark for the U.S. stock market.   This index measures the performance of the 500 most significant and most profitable corporations in the United States across 11 distinct industries. Top 3 ETFs in the large-cap category  Rank ETF1 Schwab International Equity ETF 2 BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF 3 Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF  Schwab International Equity ETF   SCHF delivers a market-like basket of worldwide stocks. The fund's portfolio closely resembles our benchmark in performance statistics and sector coverage.   SCHF removes most of the small caps in our standard, although this hasn't substantially influenced performance. The fund is also unique because it includes South Korea. Korean shares wind up in the basket because the fund's index classifies South Korea as an advanced nation.  Unlike many of its competitors, it also carries Canadian stocks. The MSCI ESG Fund Rating for the Schwab International Equity ETF is AAA, based on 8.93 out of 10.   The MSCI ESG Fund Rating assesses a portfolio's long-term resistance to risks and opportunities posed by environmental, social, and governance variables. Performance  Performance [as of 14/03/22]1 year3 years5 years10 yearsSCHF-5.52%6.52%6.33%5.65%MSCI World ex USA IMI Index-3.89%6.67%6.37%5.86% SCHF Top 10 Countries’ exposure Source: etf.com SCHF Top 10 Holdings  Source: etf.com SCHF Details BrandSchwabExpense Ratio0.06%YTD Return-10.91%AUM$27.25BNumber of Holdings1491Avg. Spread ($)$0.01Average Daily $ Volume$309.56M BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF  Firstly, LCTU strives to outperform its index, the Russell 1000 Index, a broad equity index comprising the 1,000 largest U.S. corporations. The fund employs proprietary scoring criteria to evaluate companies' readiness for a low-carbon economic transition in comparison to their industry peers when selecting shares from the Russell 1000.   Five categories make up the 'transition ready' score: fossil fuels, clean technology, energy management, waste management, and water management.   LCTU favors high-scoring companies while minimizing risk. Firms may also be evaluated on their governance in addition to their strategy. The fund adviser may invest in Russell 1000 securities that aren't necessarily green economy investments despite the low-carbon orientation.   The MSCI ESG Fund Rating for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF is A.A., based on 8.02 out of 10. The MSCI ESG Fund Rating assesses a portfolio's long-term resistance to risks and opportunities posed by environmental, social, and governance variables.  Performance Performance [as of 14/03/22]1 month3 monthsYTDLCTU-5.37%-10.67%-13.31%No underlying index. The fund performed poorly not because of its inherent structure but due to the volatile markets and emerging uncertain geopolitical situations as of March 2022.  The fund invests entirely in the USA.  LCTU Top 10 holdings  Source: etf.com LCTU details BrandBlackrockExpense Ratio0.14%YTD Return-13.31%AUM$1.34BNumber of Holdings329Avg. Spread ($)$0.05Average Daily $ Volume$215.49K Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF   According to FTSE, SCHE follows the FTSE Emerging Index, which comprises large and midcap companies from emerging market countries. Market capitalization is used to choose and weigh stocks.   South Korea is not a part of the index as an emerging market, notable from other comparable indices. Instead, countries like India and China have gained more clout. Every March and September, component are assessed on a semi-annual basis.   The MSCI ESG Fund Rating for the Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF is BBB, based on 5.56 out of 10. The MSCI ESG Fund Rating evaluates a portfolio's long-term resistance to risks and opportunities posed by environmental, social, and governance variables.   The best ESG Fund Rating is AAA, while the poorest ESG Fund Rating is the worst (CCC).  Performance Performance [as of 14/03/22]1 year3 years5 years10 yearsSCHE-18.35%2.69%4.52%2.33%MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index-17.99%3.31%4.98%2.53% SCHE Top 10 countries Source: etf.com SCHE Top 10 holdings Source: etf.com  SCHE Details BrandSchwabExpense Ratio0.11%YTD Return-13.54%AUM$8.51BNumber of Holdings1708Avg. Spread ($)$0.01Average Daily $ Volume$75.29M FAQs What is the large-cap category?  A large-cap company refers to a corporation having a market capitalization of more than $10 billion. What is an example of a large-cap stock? Some examples of large-cap stocks are Microsoft, TATA, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Reliance, and Facebook. What are the top 3 ETF large-cap funds? Schwab International Equity ETFBlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETFSchwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF Is S&P 500 all large-cap? S&P 500 is a market index that contains large-cap stocks. One should look out at these ETFs before investing in the large-cap category in the USA. Consult an expert advisor to find the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

You have seen several different types of ETFs. There are some specialized ETFs that use complex strategies to deliver a return. Leveraged ETFs are one such type of specialized ETF.  What do leveraged ETFs mean? In layman's terms, it means exerting force. In ETF parlance, it means generating a multiple of returns given some return of the underlying index.   For instance, ProShares Ultra S&P 500 ETF is a leveraged ETF that returns twice the daily return of the S&P 500. If the S&P is up 2% daily, the ETF will be up 4% after adjusting the expense ratio. Conversely, if the S&P is down 1.5%, the ETF will be down 3%.  These leveraged ETFs rebalance their portfolio allocations daily. Thus, each day is considered a new day without any connection to the previous day.   Most investors confuse this leverage with more time-bound influence, as in if the S&P is up 10% in a year, the ETF will be up 20% if it's a 2x return ETF, which is entirely wrong! These ETFs work on a daily leverage basis, and in the long run, the fund will not exactly replicate the underlying index. The rebalancing of funds is done on a daily basis to generate an assured return. Continuing with our previous example, if the ProShares ETF is giving a 2x return, the ETF will have to acquire assets that are twice the value of the NAV of the fund.   As an illustration, if a fund has 100 units of securities, the fund will swap these with the counterparty for exposure to 200 units of the performing assets. This rebalancing is usually in the direction of the market.  Such leveraged ETFs can be shortly leveraged or long leveraged Long-leveraged ETFs will trace the market trend in the same direction. Short-leveraged ETFs will move on the contrary.   For example, the ProShares UltraShort S&P 500 ETF design is such that if the S&P rises 5% in a day, the ETF goes down 10%, i.e., a 2x return in opposite direction. Similarly, if the index value falls 5%, the ETF will be up 10%.  Since the rebalancing is on a daily basis, compounded growth, in the long run, doesn't resemble the development of the underlying index. Volatility in the market can severely dent the prospective gains of the ETFs, leading to severe underperformance compared to the underlying assets. For instance, if a triple-leveraged ETF loses 30%, the underlying index must have lost only 10%.   A leveraged ETF can lose its value in some tremendously sporadic cases, mainly when derivatives are part of the ETFs kitty.  Let's take some easy examples and understand how things pan out.  1. Let's take a scenario where the market is up 5% daily, and a 2x long leveraged ETF is traded. Days Daily market performance Expected index level Expected 2x leveraged long ETF level Daily ETF performance 0 0% 100 100   1 5% 105.00 110.00 10% 2 5% 110.25 121.00 10% 3 5% 115.76 133.10 10% 4 5% 121.55 146.41 10% 5 5% 127.63 161.05 10% 6 5% 134.01 177.16 10% 7 5% 140.71 194.87 10% 8 5% 147.75 214.36 10% 9 5% 155.13 235.79 10% 10 5% 162.89 259.37 10% 10-day cumulative change   62.89 159.37   2. Let's take a scenario where the market is down 5% daily, and a 2x long leveraged ETF is traded: Days Daily market performance Expected index level Expected 2x leveraged long ETF level Daily ETF performance 0 0% 100 100   1 -5% 95.00 90.00 -10% 2 -5% 90.25 81.00 -10% 3 -5% 85.74 72.90 -10% 4 -5% 81.45 65.61 -10% 5 -5% 77.38 59.05 -10% 6 -5% 73.51 53.14 -10% 7 -5% 69.83 47.83 -10% 8 -5% 66.34 43.05 -10% 9 -5% 63.02 38.74 -10% 10 -5% 59.87 34.87 -10% 10-day cumulative change   -40.13 -65.13   3. Let's take a scenario where the market is down 5% and up 5%, and a 2x long leveraged ETF is traded. Days Daily market performance Expected index level Expected 2x leveraged long ETF level Daily ETF performance 0 0% 100 100   1 5% 105.00 110.00 10% 2 -5% 99.75 99.00 -10% 3 5% 104.74 108.90 10% 4 -5% 99.50 98.01 -10% 5 5% 104.48 107.81 10% 6 -5% 99.25 97.03 -10% 7 5% 104.21 106.73 10% 8 -5% 99.00 96.06 -10% 9 5% 103.95 105.67 10% 10 -5% 98.76 95.10 -10% 10-day cumulative change   -1.24 -4.90   These are the types of results you can expect if you hold a leveraged ETF. So, an investor must not get deceived by the vocabulary of the ETF, i.e., 2x isn't the 2x that you think. Traders for making quick short-term gains have used leveraged ETFs.  Suppose an investor predicts that the price of natural gas will increase in the coming days or weeks, then investing in a leveraged ETF to enhance the return is sensible if the prediction is correct. However, if it's the other way around, he can buy some inverse leveraged ETFs to maximize his gains and thus act as a hedge to prevent potential losses.  If the prediction is wrong, the losses are magnified by such ETFs.  How do Leveraged ETFs Work?  Let’s say an investor buys shares of a 3 times-leveraged ETF for $200. If the underlying index rises 20% in a single session, the investor gains 60%, boosting the investment to $320.  Leveraged ETF resets every day for the next session. If the underlying index drops 10% the following day, the position's value declines 30% to $272.  As and when the stocks and market indexes fall or rise over time, longer-term positions in leveraged ETFs can become very challenging to hold, thanks to amplified gains and losses.  Who should invest in Leveraged ETFs? Leveraged ETFs are best for seasoned investors with a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved and how it works.  Leveraged ETFs offer an opportunity to add significant value to a trader's overall investment strategy who has an appetite for risk, significant experience, and wish to amplify daily returns in both uptrend and downtrend.  When volatility in the market increases, leveraged ETFs can be effectively used for hedging purposes. Leveraged ETFs can open up many new opportunities if the objective is to hedge your trades and enhanced returns.  Remember to research leveraged funds with caution, as losses can be magnified similarly to returns.  Proceeding with caution and doing due diligence before acting is the way to go. FAQs What is a leveraged ETF? Leveraged ETFs generate a multiple of returns given some return of the underlying index.   Who Should Invest in Leveraged ETFs? Leveraged ETFs are best for seasoned investors with a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved and how it works.  How Do Leveraged ETFs Work?  Leveraged ETFs offer an opportunity to add significant value to a trader's overall investment strategy who has an appetite for risk, significant experience, and wish to amplify daily returns in both uptrend and downtrend.  Consult our expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Thinking of buying Bitcoins? Maybe Bitcoin ETFs? But what is a bitcoin and what are bitcoin ETFs? How can you invest in bitcoins, what is the procedure and benefits? Lets find out! Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency founded by an unidentified person Satoshi Nakamoto, in 2009. This cryptocurrency makes blockchain principles its base, which enables a distributed network to maintain an immutable, decentralized ledger of transactions with no single-point failure.   Bitcoins are created through the "mining" process, using specialized computers to solve increasingly complicated arithmetic puzzles. Because this process is decentralized, buyers have appreciated the deflationary attraction of a limited and finite quantity of only 21 million bitcoins.   This cryptocurrency has enabled anonymous transactions, more efficient cross-border capital transfers, and the creation of a new digital store of value.  Since its inception, Bitcoin has been a disruptor, challenging the business practices of both traditional financial sector organizations and central banks. The Bitcoin economy is still in its early stages, with significant growth potential and associated hazards.   While trading in Bitcoin may offer huge profits in the short term, there is still a lot of ambiguity among authorities and various obstacles in safely keeping the asset across platforms.   Due to these risks, no ETFs that provide especially significant exposure to Bitcoin are currently available; however, numerous funds are in the plans. Investors can also have tangential access to Bitcoin by investing in Blockchain technology companies.  Trading in Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin necessitates a little more effort than investing in equities, bonds, and other traditional assets. To trade in cryptocurrencies, you have to open a trading account with a crypto trading exchange. There's also the issue of storing cryptocurrency, which necessitates the usage of a crypto wallet.  Buying a Bitcoin ETF or fund that operates on a stock exchange as a workaround for these concerns allows you to keep your Bitcoin investment in the same account as your other stocks, bonds, and traditional financial products.  What are Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?  Bitcoin ETFs are stock exchange-traded funds that seek to track Bitcoin's performance. When you purchase an ETF, you are not buying the fundamental investment.   Instead, you're purchasing stocks in a fund that invests in or tries to replicate the performance of a particular security or index in this case, Bitcoin.  Bitcoin ETFs would merge the most significant aspects of the two most popular investments: the simplicity of engaging in an ETF and access to bitcoin, the popular cryptocurrency.  The ETFs will function similarly to other ETFs. On the other hand, Bitcoin ETFs will monitor the price of Bitcoin rather than a market index like the S&P 500 or the DJIA.  Who should buy Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?  A Bitcoin ETF could be an excellent alternative for those searching for a more conventional approach to investing in Bitcoin. Investing in Bitcoin directly can be challenging, as it requires determining how the asset will be kept and which exchange to use to make the transaction. Crypto futures contracts are packaged into ETFs, which removes some complexity.  The ETF structure may make it easier for certain institutional investors to enter the cryptocurrency market, which may help maintain the Bitcoin demand. Where can you get Bitcoin ETFs?  Most online brokers who sell traditional assets such as equities and bonds will be able to offer Bitcoin ETFs. Traditional exchanges trade ETFs, such as the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq.  Are Bitcoin ETFs subject to regulation?  The establishment of any Bitcoin-related ETFs has proven to be problematic. The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF was the first ETF linked to Bitcoin when it was introduced last October; rather than investing in Bitcoin directly, the fund employs futures contracts.   Due to various factors, the Securities and Exchange Commission is still yet to authorize ETFs that invest directly in Bitcoin.  While there are currently no ETFs that acquire Bitcoin directly, there are alternatives. Here are five things to think about  ETFAUMDescriptionGrayscale Bitcoin Trust (OTC: GBTC)$27.2 billionThis is an investment trust, not an ETF, but it's the first and largest fund tracking Bitcoin's performance.ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (NYSEMKT: BITO)$1.41 billionA recent ETF launch attempts to track Bitcoin using Bitcoin futures contracts.Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (OTC: BITW)$894 millionThis fund is 60% Bitcoin, with the balance invested in other cryptos.Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (NYSEMKT: BITQ)$117 millionThis ETF invests in Bitcoin and crypto stocks.Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy ETF (NASDAQ: BTF)$51 millionThis is a new ETF that invests in Bitcoin futures from a crypto investment firm. FAQs Are there any Bitcoin ETFs? Bitcoin is indeed a recent addition to the exchange-traded fund market (ETF). Investors can access the alluring possibilities of Bitcoin through Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) without having to store it securely. Presently, Bitcoin ETFs could only hold equities of firms or other ETFs that have exposure to cryptocurrencies, along with Bitcoin futures contracts. Can one purchase Bitcoin ETF? Your choices are very constrained if you wish to purchase a Bitcoin ETF. The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF ($BITO) is the only Bitcoin ETF that is accessible in the United States. You will require a foreign securities account because the Bitcoin ETF BTCE is listed outside of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. What is an ETF for Bitcoin? An exchange-traded fund (ETF) for bitcoins maintains tabs on the currency market. Rather than using crypto exchange platforms, ETFs can be purchased, bought, and exchanged on standard stock market markets. Aside from the inherent volatility of Bitcoin investments, Bitcoin ETFs and funds aren't a great substitute if you want access to the world's largest digital currency.   However, choosing an ETF has advantages because it is useful as a workaround for tracking Bitcoin's performance. Consult our expert advisor to find the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Vanguard is an American registered investment advisor based out of Pennsylvania. It was established in the year 1975 by John Bogle. As stated by the company, the core purpose is, 'To take a stand for all investors, treat them fairly, and give them the best chance for investment success.'   This investment company offers a varied range of investment products to a varied clientele. Since then, the company has shown unbelievable growth in the assets under management (AUM). From 1975 to 2021, the AUM has increased from 1.7 billion USD to 7300 billion USD. It is the world's largest mutual fund provider and second-largest ETF provider, just second to BlackRock's iShares. It is to the credit of Vanguard that index investing and indirectly cheaper investing came to focus and rescue smaller retail investors.   Vanguard, unlike other investment companies, offers a unique governance and ownership structure.   The company is indirectly owned by fundholders, generating a feeling of oneness between the investors and the company.    The company bagged several accolades. To name a few  September 2021, Morningstar rated eight Vanguard ETFs as 5-star ETFs with risk-adjusted returns in the top 10% of their peer groups and 36 as 4-star ETFs with risk-adjusted returns in the top third.  In May 2021, Vanguard found itself on the list of top Roth IRA providers, according to Money magazine.  In March 2021, Thirteen Vanguard funds received Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards. The awards honor mutual funds and firms with the best risk-adjusted performance over three-, five-, and 10-year horizons.  September 2020, Ten Vanguard funds were there in Morningstar's Thrilling 36 list.  According to the company, its investment strategy is as follows:  1. Investment Merit Avoid short-term fads and speculative investments. Instead, concentrate on asset classes that generate positive actual returns from dividends, interest, and other recurring cash flows.  2. Client needs The company bases its products on the client's needs for the short term and the long term.  3. Competitive advantage The company aims to outperform its peers through credible investment strategies.  4. Feasibility All products come outpost a feasibility study based on regulatory needs, risk constraints, etc.  5. Vanguard offers various services like Mutual funds ETFs Brokerage services Asset Management services Advisory services Retirement services Vanguard currently provides around 417 funds across the globe, out of which 210 are available in the United States and 207 are outside the U.S. market.  The company offers advisory services tailored to meet the client's needs. Vanguard offers personal advisory services to clients to better settle their obligations and increase wealth - mainly aimed toward HNIs (High Net Worth Individuals). Moreover, Vanguard offers automated advisory services powered by proven investment methodologies for providing investment advice. State-of-the-art Robo-advisors run it. Employees who invest through employer-sponsored retirement plans may benefit from Vanguard Participant Advice Services. Vanguard also offers institutional advisory services.    Vanguard offers two asset classes: Namely investor shares Admiral shares. Admiral shares are the asset classes with lower expense ratios but higher minimum investment requirements between $ 3000 to $ 10,000 per fund. Investor shares have higher expense ratios and minimum investment requirements.    Vanguard also provides quality investment options in active and passively managed funds. Vanguard actively managed funds have an AUM of 1.7$ Trillion, and 87% of their funds have outperformed peer funds. They also offer a meager average expense ratio of 0.18%. Some of the actively managed Vanguard funds are Fund NameTickerAsset ClassAverage annual return (5 years)Expense RatioU.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares  VWUAXDomestic Stock - General21.61%0.28%Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund  VMMSXInternational8.74%0.85%Diversified Equity Fund  VDEQXStock - Large-Cap Blend  16.91%0.35%Long-Term Treasury Fund Admiral SharesVUSUXMoney Market  5.67%0.10% Vanguard pioneered the index investment funds   69% of their index investment funds outperformed their peer funds over the last ten years.   The AUM under index funds is around 6.3 $ trillion.   On average, the expense ratio of an index fund is approximately 0.07%.  Some examples of index funds are  Fund NameTickerAsset ClassAverage annual return (5 years)Expense Ratio500 Index Fund Admiral SharesVFIAXStock - Large-Cap Blend16.74%0.04Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares  VBIAXBalanced  11.06%0.07%Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund Admiral Shares  VCDAXStock - Sector  19.17%0.10%Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares  VTMGX  International  8.48%0.07% Several of their mutual fund choices are available in ETFs, traded freely on the U.S. stock exchange.  The bottom line is that Vanguard has been an industry leader and has showcased top-notch corporate governance standards, which has pitched the IRA as a very trusted partner in investing.  FAQs What is Vanguard and how does it work? Vanguard is an American registered investment advisor based out of Pennsylvania. It was established in the year 1975 by John Bogle. What is the purpose of Vanguard? Vanguard is an investment company that offers a varied range of investment products to a varied clientele. Since then, the company has shown unbelievable growth in the assets under management (AUM). From 1975 to 2021, the AUM has increased from 1.7 billion USD to 7300 billion USD. How many funds does Vanguard have? Vanguard currently provides around 417 funds across the globe, out of which 210 are available in the United States and 207 are outside the U.S. market. 

In the previous article, we learned about the difference between debt funds vs hybrid funds. In this article, we will look into the difference between ETF vs FOF ETF (Exchange-traded funds) An ETF (Exchange-traded fund) is a collection or portfolio of stocks. It aims to track market indices and thus imitate at least the same returns.  They are the choice of those people who wish to trade in open-ended funds. Like stocks, ETFs are also listed and traded on the stock exchanges.   Since trading happens on the stock exchanges, the value of the ETFs depends upon the demand and supply the price fluctuates during trading hours and can be less or more than the NAV (Net Asset value).  ETFs are of various types, like Bond ETFs, Industry-specific ETFs, Commodity ETFs, Currency ETFs, etc. The taxability of ETFs is dependent upon the holding period LTCG (Long-term capital gains tax) is applicable if the holding period exceeds one year. Gains up to Rs 1,00,000 are not taxed and for gains above Rs 1,00,000, LTCG is suitable at 10% without indexation benefits. For a holding period of fewer than 12 months, an STCG (Short term capital gains tax) of 15% is applicable.  For Gold ETFs, STCG is applicable if the ETF’s holding period is less than 36 months; and LTCG post that period. The applicable STCG is in accordance with your income-tax slab, and the LTCG is 20% with indexation benefits. Source: Pexels FOF (Fund of Fund)  A Fund of Fund (FOF) is a fund that invests in various mutual fund schemes from either the same or different fund houses. FOFs are personalizable to cater to the investment goals and appetite of the investors.   In other words, FOFs are open-ended mutual funds that contain different types of mutual funds. Unlike ETFs, FOFs are not tradeable on the stock exchanges. FOFs’ trading happens once per day; hence they are less liquid than ETFs; The price of FOFs is calculated at the end of the trading day.   The different types of FOFs are international FOFs, gold funds, and asset allocation funds. For Funds of Funds, STCG is applicable if the ETF’s holding period is less than 36 months; and LTCG is suitable for a holding period exceeding 36 months.   The applicable STCG is per your income-tax slab, and the LTCG is 20% with indexation benefits.  In cost terms, ETFs are cheaper than mutual funds as they are passively managed; thus, their expense ratio is usually less than 0.5%. On the other hand, FOFs are a bit costly in that they are actively managed funds, and thus the management costs are added to the usual fee. ParameterETFFOFStructureETF is a basket of instruments (stocks, bonds, etc.) that tracks an index. For example – An ETF may track the Nifty 50 Index.FOF is a collection of mutual funds. May or may not track an index.PriceETFs trade like stocks on the exchange and thus they have a price and not NAV.Do not trade on an exchange and are available at NAV (Net Asset Value) as applicable. The NAV can be computed either daily, weekly, or as may be decided by the AMC in the prospectus of the fund.LiquiditySince it is traded like a stock, it has high liquidity. Thus, trading volume is a key indicator here.Low liquidity than ETF.ExpenseThe cheapest form of investment as the expense ratio is very low (generally less than 0.5%)Costlier than ETFs and also actively managed mutual funds. TaxesThe taxation for different ETFs is different which are Gold ETFs, Equity ETFs, and others.FOFs are taxed as debt funds despite the asset class they hold i.e. equity or debt. Taxation For Equity Exchange Traded Funds – Tax implications are dependent on the number of years an investor holds the ETFs. If –Holding period <1 year - capital gains earned will be considered short-term capital gains (STCG) and tax will be 15% Holding period >1 year - capital gains earned will be considered long-term capital gains (LTCG) and tax will be 10% after a 1 lakh exemption. For Gold and other Traded Funds - Tax implications are dependent on the number of years an investor holds the ETFs. If –Holding period <3 years - capital gains earned will be considered short-term capital gains (STCG). Gains will be added to the investor's income and will be taxed as per the slab. Holding period >3 years - Capital gains earned will be considered long-term capital gains (LTCG) and tax will be 20% after indexation benefits. FOFs - Tax implications are dependent on the number of years an investor holds the ETFs. If - Holding period <3 years - capital gains earned will be considered short-term capital gains (STCG). Gains will be added to the investor's income and will be taxed as per the slab. Holding period >3 years - capital gains earned will be considered long-term capital gains (LTCG) and tax will be 20% after indexation benefits FAQs Is ETF and FOF are same? ETFs are a set of securities much like mutual funds. While FOF is a Fund of Fund (FOF) that invests in various mutual fund schemes from either the same or different fund houses. Is investing in FOF good? Investing in FoF can help you save tax. Investors pay no capital gains tax at the time of rebalancing by the fund manager. Is ETF tax-free? No, Tax implications on ETFs are dependent on the number of years an investor holds the ETFs. If –o Holding period <1 year - capital gains earned will be considered short-term capital gains (STCG) and tax will be 15% o Holding period >1 year - capital gains earned will be considered long-term capital gains (LTCG) and tax will be 10% after 1 lakh exemption. TALK TO AN EXPERT

One of the essential criteria in technical analysis is volume. Let's look at how to compute the average daily trading volume, look at some instances, and see how to use it. What is ADTV or Average daily trading volume?  Investors refer to the number of shares of a specific stock that change hands on average during a single trading day as Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV).   The average daily trading volume (ADTV) can be determined for five days, ten days, etc. The average trading volume for 20 or 30 days is a regularly used ADTV metric.  The average daily trading volume of a single stock, options on a stock, or market indexes like the Nasdaq 100 are all tracked.  The average daily value indicator is an alternative to the average daily trading volume indicator. The average daily value of a stock calculates the average dollar amount traded daily.  William O'Neil's 'How to Make Money in Stocks' popularized the use of average volume as one of several data sources for investing decisions.  O'Neil emphasized the importance of paying attention to average daily trading volume for two reasons: Ensure that a stock is liquid enough to trade fast To ensure that stock traders' present supply and demand are on your side  When a stock's price declines, its daily volume should be lower than the usual daily volume, indicating that selling pressure is easing.   When a stock's price has been consolidated and isn't growing much, you would like to see increasing volume as the prices begin to rise, indicating more buyers are entering the market. When a stock's price increases, you want the increased volume to suggest that it will continue to grow.  Average daily trading volume (ADTV) formula. How to calculate the average traded price? The formula for calculating a stock's average daily trading volume is exceptionally straightforward. Multiply the total trading volume for each day over the period you wish to compute the average volume by the number of trading days.  ADTV for α days =  Total volume traded during a day / α To make things even easier, you can use volume technical indicators to attach to a stock chart and choose the number of days you would want to estimate the average daily trade volume.   The technical indicator will calculate the average volume for you and update it every trading day. Source: Pixabay Why is trading volume important to investors?  1. Indicates the amount of curiosity in a stock/ETF.  The average daily trading volume is essential to stock market participants. The foremost thing is that trading volume measures how much interest all prospective stock traders have in a specific stock.  A low average trading volume for a company suggests that few individuals are monitoring or interested in it and that few financial institutions are committed to a position.   It usually means that market analysts agree that the stock has a limited chance of appreciating significantly at a price.  2. Indicates the amount of trade liquidity available.  The average daily trading volume also indicates how liquid a stock/trading ETF is.   Liquidity is significant for investors because it influences the bid and asks spread in the price of a stock/ETF, indicating how simple or difficult it is to enter or exit a position in the stock/ETF at an investor's desired price.  Stocks and ETFs with low trading volumes have wider bid/offer spreads, making it harder to enter or exit at the right price.   Stocks/ETFs with a high average trading volume, on the other hand, have narrower bid-ask spreads, making it more straightforward for investors to enter or leave trading positions at their preferred price.  3. Indicates whether a stock's/ETF's price levels offer support or resistance Finally, significant volume shifts frequently signal stock traders' price levels that constitute support or resistance for a stock/ETF.  Average daily trading volume limitations   A typical statistic for determining if a stock fits an investor's or trader's transaction requirements is the average daily trading volume. However, ADTV is standard.   An asset's volume can diverge significantly from the average on any particular day, resulting in much greater or lesser importance.  Over time, the average might change, rising, dropping, or oscillating. As a result, keep an eye on volume and average volume to ensure that the asset is still trading within the volume constraints you want.  Significant fluctuations in volume could indicate that something has evolved within the asset, which could be either positive or negative. The volume didn't reveal to you which one it is, but it will alert you that more investigation may be needed. How to use ADTV? To calculate the average daily trading volume, you can add the trading volume for the past X days. Then, divide the total by X. Example - the sum of the last 20 days' trading volume is 23844400, and upon dividing by 20, the ADTV is 1192220. Compare the ADTV with the trend to see if there is any sizable volume increase. If the volume changes significantly, the stock attracts more interest, which could be either bullish or bearish, depending on the price movement.  What is the difference between Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV) and Open Interest? Open interest is a term used in futures and options, and it defines how many contracts are open and haven't been closed. In derivatives, the Average daily trading volume is the average number of contracts changing hands daily. ADTV and OI are entirely different and should not be mixed or used interchangeably. OI measures transactions used to open or close positions and thus tracks the number of open contracts. FAQs What is a high ADTV? Investors refer to the number of shares of a specific stock that change hands on average during a single trading day as Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV). A high ADTV means that more investors in interested in that particular stock while a low means fewer investors are interested in some stocks. What is ADTV value? ADTV stands for Average daily trading volume. It tells us the average number of shares traded within a day in a given stock. How is ADTV calculated? Here is the formula for calculating ADTV for α days =  Total volume traded during a day / α Multiply the total trading volume for each day over the period you wish to compute the average volume by the number of trading days.  Why is trading volume important to investors?  The average daily trading volume is essential to stock market participants. The foremost thing is that trading volume measures how much interest all prospective stock traders have in a specific stock.  What's 30-day ADTV? It is the average volume of securities traded on a daily basis over a period of 30 days. If the daily volumes are high, the liquidity would be good, enabling traders to exit positions without an effect on the price materially. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Did you know that only 0.18% of people in India invest in equities? Our parents, grandparents, and grand grandparents have been taught to invest in FDs, real estate, gold, LIC, and PPFs. This tradition of investing in safe assets is hard to break. Ways to educate your parents about the investment scenario in India 1. Tell them about the benefits  The biggest benefit of investing is the opportunity of growing your wealth. Investing in a disciplined manner can help investors grow their savings and reach financial goals. You might not be able to duplicate the net worth and investment of growth of stalwarts like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala but investing small amounts of money in equity-based markets can yield significant returns over the years. It can help your parents build a retirement fund and beat the inflationary prices of general goods and services.   Other benefits of investing in stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs are liquidity (which means you can withdraw your money anytime you want), diversify your wealth (you can invest in a number of stocks that belong to different industries), opportunity to get dividends (some stocks and companies give dividends to their long-term investors) and interests that beat inflation. Another benefit is that you can start with a small sum and scale up after gaining a better understanding. Markets have enough space for small and big investors to meet their financial goals!  2. Spread awareness about Inflation   Inflation has broken the projections given by RBI at the beginning of 2022! It has remained uncomfortably high across the globe and pushing the prices of goods and services to an all-time high. The only way to protect your purchasing power is to start investing and making your money work for you. Consider this, money in your bank account gets an average interest rate of 2-3%, FDs have an interest rate of 5-6% while inflation is raging at the rate of 6-7% in India alone.   Inflation attacks your money in savings and FDs, which is why exploring newer investments is a smart way to beat inflation and protect your money in the long run.     3. Accessibility to investing and tracking   Investing is becoming easier and easier due to the bloom of fintech start-ups and financial influencers in India. The wealth of knowledge about investing, saving, and financial planning can be overwhelming but is a great way to educate a country that has traditionally shied away from investing. There are thousands of apps that help Indians invest in a number of financial instruments. As investors in India, all you need is a PAN card, an Aadhar card, and a banking account to get started on any investment app.   From investing in Mutual funds, and digital gold to US stocks and ETFs, the opportunities are endless! You can track your investment with no brokerage fees, and absolute transparency and get professional guidance from experts on how to start investing based on your financial goals.   However, it's important to be aware of where you are investing your money and to check that the App or platform is SEBI registered. Make sure to take all the precautions and understand the risks that are associated with investing.    4. Encourage them to secure their savings   While money in your bank account or FD is safe, it is not enough to keep up with the growing prices. The cost of products like oil, vegetables, transport, and education is growing at a higher rate than the average income across India. To bridge the gap, you can start exploring the investment market and diversify your funds. The market has enough opportunities for risk-averse investors, retired individuals, and newcomers! With proper guidance and an abundance of information, you can protect your savings via investing.   These are some ways to educate your parents about the investment scenario in India. Over the years, millions of Indians have entered the investment market of India. You and your parents could also benefit from the market if you start investing properly and in a disciplined manner. Don’t start randomly, study the market, do your research, and consult a professional to minimize risks and protect your savings!  FAQs What are some of the most preferred investment options in India? Gold, Real Estate, and Fixed deposits are the three most preferred investment options in India. How much does an average Indian invest? The average India invests nearly INR 5000 monthly according to a survey by AMFI. At what age can Indians start investing? Indians can start investing by the age of 18 years.

ETFs (exchange-traded funds) give investors access to a diverse portfolio of equities and bonds.   They're versatile investment vehicles employed in various ways within a portfolio to fulfill different investment requirements and objectives. ETFs, like stocks, can be traded on an exchange at any time of day.  An advantage associated with the ETFs compared to their mutual fund counterpart is the liquidity related to the ETFs. ETFs are a substitute for holding several stocks.   However, unlike stocks, ETFs have a very different connotation associated with liquidity.  ParameterETFSharePriceBased on underlying securitiesBased on the supply and demand metrics of the shareSupplyOpen-ended i.e. can be created and redeemed as per needClosed-endedPrimary Source of liquidityLiquidity of underlying securitiesThe trading activity of the sharesThe best measure of liquidityThe trading volume of underlying securitiesThe trading volume of share What are E-Retail ETFs? Read More Two different types of allied ETFs liquidities - Primary and Secondary Liquidity.  Primary liquidity  The primary market is where the process of creation and redemption takes place. If a designated broker or market maker sees a demand for a specific ETF, they can issue new units by delivering a basket of assets to the ETF sponsor.   In exchange, the ETF sponsor provides the market maker with ETF units of equal value, which the market maker subsequently sells publicly on the business to meet investor demand. In the event of redemption, the process can be reversed when the supply of units exceeds demand.   The primary market is concerned with the high demand and supply of institutional or non-institutional investors who buy and sell ETF shares in bulk in tandem with the Authorized Participant.   In the primary market, investors utilize an "authorized participant" (AP) to adjust the supply of ETP shares available either to sell a large basket of shares ("redeem") or to buy a large basket of shares ("create").  Primary Liquidity is the liquidity associated with the ease of creating and redeeming ETF shares with the help of underlying securities. The liquidity of the underlying securities plays a significant role in determining the liquidity of the ETF shares in the primary market.  Source: freepik Secondary liquidity  Secondary Liquidity is the liquidity associated with the already created ETF shares in the stock market. This liquidity is generally the visible liquidity on the market.   The non-institutional investors or investors with a smaller scale of operations generally are concerned with this type of liquidity. Investors buy and sell ETF units on the secondary market without the involvement of the ETF issuer.   Individual investor transactions take place at market prices throughout the trading day. The determinants of the liquidity of Primary and Secondary Liquidity of ETFs are very different.   Liquidity in the primary market depends upon the value of the underlying shares that back up the ETF. While liquidity in the secondary market depends upon the weight of ETF shares traded.   When executing a large trade that runs into thousands of ETF shares, investors can circumvent an illiquid secondary market by directly engaging with the AP to create new shares in the primary market.   The liquidity of the underlying securities and the liquidity of the ETF in the primary market share a direct relationship. The more efficiently an AP can access the underlying market, the more ETF shares it can create and redeem.  Unfortunately, most retail or small-scale institutional investors rely on secondary markets for their portfolio allocation. The liquidity in the secondary market can be judged by various statistics such as average spreads, average trading volume, and premiums or discounts, i.e., the value of the ETF (is it near the NAV).  The volume of an ETF is often seen as a measure of liquidity, which is incorrect. The liquidity of an ETF is influenced by the liquidity of the underlying securities, whereas trading volume is affected by investor activity.  Suppose an ETF invests in securities with limited supply or that are difficult to trade. In that case, market makers may be unable to create or redeem units of the ETF, affecting the portfolio's liquidity FAQs What is ETF liquidity and why is it important for investors? ETF liquidity refers to the ease with which an ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) can be bought or sold in the market without significantly impacting its price. Liquidity is crucial for investors as it ensures that they can enter or exit their ETF positions swiftly and at a fair market price. How is ETF liquidity determined? ETF liquidity is primarily determined by the trading volume and the presence of active market makers. Higher trading volume indicates greater liquidity, as it implies a larger number of buyers and sellers. Additionally, the involvement of market makers, who provide continuous bid and ask prices, enhances liquidity by facilitating smooth transactions. What are the advantages of investing in highly liquid ETFs? Investing in highly liquid ETFs offers several advantages. Firstly, it ensures ease of buying and selling, allowing investors to enter or exit positions promptly. Secondly, high liquidity reduces the bid-ask spread, resulting in lower transaction costs. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

Bond ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest exclusively in bonds. They hold a portfolio of bonds with various strategies and holding periods.   Bond ETFs are for treasuries, corporates, convertibles, floating-rate bonds, etc. Bond ETFs are analogous to stock ETFs as they are passively managed and traded in the secondary market. ETFs have become especially prominent vehicles for entering the fixed-income segment of the market in recent years.   Emerging Market ETFs Read More Investors have gradually become more comfortable with the mix of fixed-income exposure and the exchange-traded structure, which grew far more slowly than equities ETFs at first.  Investors in bond ETFs are typically attracted to a product like the Total Bond Market ETFs, which provide exposure to the entire bond market in one shot.   Treasuries dominate many ETFs that expose the investment-grade U.S. debt market, a bias that stems from the sheer scale of the U.S. government's debt obligations.   As a result, there is a concentration within a single issuer, which may not be an ideal thing to do for investors looking to build a well-balanced long-term portfolio.   Several ETFs can augment this fixed-income exposure, providing affordable and efficient access to parts of the global bond market not included in popular bond ETFs like AGG and BND. Municipal bonds, often called Munis, are also very secure and stable bonds. Municipal bonds typically include tax-free interest payments, making them attractive to investors in higher-tax bonds.   On the other hand, these bonds can be helpful in various portfolios, potentially boosting the yields on government debt. Some ETFs specialize in multiple durations and credit quality, from low-risk pre-refunded Munis to speculative high-yield municipal debt.  Build America Bonds are a unique section of the municipal bond market that can provide investors with significant actual returns while posing a low risk of default.   The Build America Program aimed to lower borrowing costs for towns seeking to complete critical capital projects. BABs are taxable bonds issued by state and local governments, with the U.S.   The Treasury is subsidizing the interest on the bonds. BABs are appealing because of their unique structure, which provides an attractive coupon for investors.  Many of the new fixed-income ETFs launched in recent years have concentrated on bond markets outside of the United States, and a variety of broad-based and precise ETFs are available to access this asset class.  Multinational Corporate Bonds give investors access to international corporate debt products, which are a force to be reckoned with.  Emerging Market Bonds are a group of instruments that provide investors with exposure to both dollar-denominated and local currency-denominated bonds.   Those seeking greater dollar diversification will generally be better suited to investing in issues denominated in foreign currencies rather than the U.S. dollar.  By employing three simple steps, we can create a bond portfolio Determine the allocation of choice in the fixed-income ETFs.  Implement a prudent trade strategy to get maximum returns through a single purchase, SIP, or any other plan that the investor deems fit.  Monitoring and assessing the portfolio regularly.  A bond portfolio can be made using the products mentioned earlier, weighting methodologies, management type, expense ratio, duration, credit quality, yield to maturity, and even returns.  The taxability of the ETF should also be kept in mind. The ETF finder is a handy tool for such combing operations! FAQs What are bond ETFs? Bond ETFs are exchange-traded funds that exclusively invest in bonds. They hold a portfolio of bonds with various strategies and holding periods. How can bond ETFs provide exposure to the bond market? Bond ETFs offer investors exposure to different types of bonds, including treasuries, corporates, convertibles, and floating-rate bonds. They provide a convenient way to enter the fixed-income segment of the market. What are some considerations when building a bond ETFs portfolio? Investors should consider diversification by not concentrating on a single issuer. They can augment exposure by investing in ETFs that cover parts of the global bond market not included in popular bond ETFs. Municipal bonds and Build America Bonds are also options to consider for stability and attractive returns. What steps are involved in creating a bond portfolio with ETFs? The steps involve determining the desired allocation in fixed-income ETFs, implementing a trading strategy (such as single purchases or systematic investment plans), and regularly monitoring and assessing the portfolio. Factors like weighting methodologies, management type, expense ratio, duration, credit quality, yield to maturity, and taxability should also be considered. The ETF finder tool can assist in this process. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

We have seen how exchange-traded funds differ from mutual funds. Now let us focus on the difference between ETFs and stocks since both are tradeable on the 'stock' exchange.   In today's day and age, investors have many choices to invest in to grow their wealth. Investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, etc., the list is virtually endless.   The main aim of any investor is to see his investments grow; thus, each instrument brings many advantages and disadvantages.  Retail investors like you and I can choose from stocks and ETFs. Both are available on the stock market for trading. On the one hand, a stock offers ownership in a single firm; an ETF gives you a basket of securities depending upon the type of ETF you choose.   Thus, ETFs give you access to virtually any part of the financial market. ETFs are collections of stocks, bonds, commodity derivatives, and other investments traded on an exchange.  There are several differences between stocks and ETFs, but first, look at their similarities. Both the ETFs and stocks are taxable upon redemption. Both offer a steady income.   Stocks’ dividends are credited directly to the investors' accounts after tax deductions. Similarly, the assets underlying the ETFs also generate dividends and returns, either invested back into the fund or given back to the investors after proper deductions.   You can choose both ETFs and stocks from various sectors. Similar to stocks, ETF trading can be done on the stock exchange.  What are the differences, then? ETFs are a group of securities packaged as a unit and listed on the exchange. These assets need not be only stocks but can be any security.   These ETFs are managed by professional fund managers who own the underlying securities. The investors concerned about the ETFs do not own the underlying assets directly and hence give no ownership and voting rights.   On the other hand, stocks listed on the exchange offer ownership and voting rights (if they are not preferencing shares) in a single company. Preference shares are the shares that give the investor a promised return at the cost of forgoing voting rights in the AGMs.  ETFs are managed by a professional, thus saving you the trouble of deciding which securities in the underlying assets of the ETF to sell or hold. In the case of stocks, investors need to be very vigilant in the market to know when to buy, sell, or hold.   Conversely, in the case of ETFs, investors don’t have any control over what happens to the portions of ETFs. Since ETFs have a diversified profile of assets, the risk associated with the investment reduces significantly.   Whereas in stocks, the risk attached is higher as the stock price depends entirely upon the company's performance and other external factors (outside the control of the person in question).  The liquidity of a stock is way higher than the liquidity of an Exchange Traded Fund. However, in rare cases, the latter can have higher liquidity than the former.  The bottom line is that you should make every investment by studying the risks involved. The investor should keep his risk profile in mind before proceeding.   Most importantly, the strategies and goals of the investor are vital when choosing securities. The right for one might not be the right choice for the other.   Keeping these fundamental differences and similarities in mind helps in better decision-making.  FAQs How are ETFs different from stocks? ETFs are a group of securities packaged as a unit and listed on the exchange, while stocks represent ownership in a single company. ETFs offer diversification across multiple securities, while stocks offer ownership and voting rights in a specific company. Who manages ETFs and stocks? ETFs are managed by professional fund managers who own the underlying securities, relieving investors from the need to make individual buy/sell decisions. Stocks require investors to actively monitor and make decisions regarding buying, selling, or holding shares. What is the difference in risk between ETFs and stocks? ETFs typically have a more diversified profile of assets, reducing the risk associated with the investment. Stocks, on the other hand, have a higher risk as their value depends on the performance of the specific company and external factors beyond an individual's control. Which has higher liquidity, ETFs or stocks? Generally, stocks have higher liquidity than ETFs. However, in some cases, ETFs can have higher liquidity depending on factors such as popularity and trading volume. Liquidity refers to how easily an asset can be bought or sold on the market. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Before moving to what emerging market ETF is, let's quickly learn what emerging markets are, their characteristics, and why they should be acknowledged whilst making a portfolio.  Emerging markets are countries that are increasing their manufacturing capabilities. They are moving away from agriculture and raw material exports, which were once their main sources of income.  Governments in emerging countries want to improve the lives of their citizens. They are fast industrializing and transitioning to a mixed economy or free market. Brazil, China, India, Russia, etc., are some examples of emerging economies.  Characteristics of emerging economies What does this mean?  There are numerous ways to profit from emerging markets' high growth rates and prospects. The best option is to invest in a fund that focuses on emerging markets.   Many funds either track the MSCI Index or strive to outperform it. This helps save a load of effort. It is unnecessary to conduct extensive research into foreign firms and economic policies.   It also lowers risk by distributing investments across various emerging markets rather than just one.  However, emerging markets are not all equal in terms of investment potential. Since the global financial crisis of 2008, some countries have used rising commodity prices to boost their economies.   They did not put money into infrastructure. Instead, surplus funds are used to fund subsidies and new government employees. As a result, their economies grew swiftly, their citizens bought a lot of imported goods, and inflation became a problem immediately.  Brazil, Hungary, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Vietnam. Governments can encourage foreign direct investment by keeping interest rates low.  It was well worth it, even if it did assist in raising inflation. The countries received tremendous economic growth in exchange.  Emerging market funds are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that invest in publicly traded companies based in an emerging country or region.   Funds might target specific geographic areas or invest in a single country. While an emerging market fund does not have to invest solely in developing markets, it should have most of its holdings in that sector.   The remaining holdings could be more extensive domestic holdings that make capital investments in the economy's development. As Hyundai has made significant investments in plants in India, an emerging market fund investing in India may also hold Hyundai stocks.  Emerging Markets ETFs have $330.14 billion in assets under management, with 233 ETFs trading on US exchanges. The cost-to-income ratio is 0.58 percent on average.   With $79.22 billion in assets, the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF VWO is the largest Emerging Markets ETF. MEXX, the best-performing Emerging Markets ETF in the previous year, returned 80.89 percent.   The VanEck Digital India ETF DGIN was the most recent ETF to launch on February 15, 2022.  Top emerging market ETF issuers by AUM.  IssuerAUM in $ billionNumber of fundsBlackrock Financial Management112.4014State Street7.124Invesco1.665Charles Schwab13.892First Trust0.645 Top and Bottom performers in the category of ETFs Top ETF Performers according to etf.com  TickerFund NameTrailing 30-day price TR changeYANGDirexion Daily FTSE China Bear 3X Shares28.44%FXPProShares UltraShort FTSE China 5018.58%EDZDirexion Daily MSCI Emerging Markets Bear 3x Shares17.37%CHIEGlobal X MSCI China Energy ETF15.04%BRZUDirexion Daily MSCI Brazil Bull 2X Shares13.19% Bottom ETF Performers according to etf.com TickerFund NameTrailing 30-day price TR changeRUSLDirexion Daily Russia Bull 2X Shares-85.12%RSXVanEck Russia ETF-70.31%FLRUFranklin FTSE Russia ETF-59.40%RSXJVanEck Russia Small-Cap ETF-44.38%YINNDirexion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares-24.81% Emerging markets offer investors a great way to diversify their portfolios without sacrificing growth.   While the investments are more volatile, the underlying firm frequently enjoys significant growth as the new market grows. Before investing in emerging economies, investors should do their homework. FAQs What are emerging market ETFs? Emerging market ETFs are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that invest in publicly traded companies based in emerging countries or regions. These funds typically target specific geographic areas or invest in a single country, with most of their holdings in developing markets. Why should investors consider investing in emerging market ETFs? Investing in emerging market ETFs offers the opportunity to diversify portfolios and participate in the high growth rates of emerging economies. These ETFs distribute investments across various emerging markets, reducing the risk associated with investing in a single country. How do emerging market ETFs differ from other funds? Emerging market ETFs focus on investing in companies based in emerging economies, whereas other funds may have a broader scope. These ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to the growth potential of specific regions or countries within the emerging market sector. What are some top-performing and bottom-performing emerging market ETFs? According to etf.com, some top-performing emerging market ETFs include YANG, FXP, EDZ, CHIE, and BRZU, with notable price increases over a trailing 30-day period. Conversely, some bottom-performing ETFs in this category include RUSL, RSX, FLRU, RSXJ, and YINN, with notable price decreases over the same period. Note: The specific performance of ETFs may vary, and investors should conduct thorough research before making investment decisions in emerging market ETFs. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Earlier we read about top 3 cheapest ETFs in terms of expense ratio. In this article, we will read related to the top three costliest ETFs in terms of expense ratio. Exchange Traded funds and mutual funds are two of the most successful long-term investment vehicles. You may even have some of it in your pension fund.   However, you may not have the awareness that a portion of your portfolio is allocated to a charge termed an expense ratio each year. It's critical to understand the costs you're paying no matter what you're investing in.  And, given the prevalence of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), many of us spend an annual expense ratio out of our portfolios. You will learn about expense ratio and why is it essential, and how to spot a good one when you see one. What is an expense ratio and what does it mean?  The expense ratio is the fees that a mutual or exchange-traded fund charges an investor. This charge covers the costs of management, asset allocation, marketing, and other services.   The calculation of the expense ratio is done on an investor's annual expenditure. ETF expense rates are usually less than 1%. That means you spend less than $1 per year on expenses for every $100 you invest.  However, not all ETFs are this cheap to own; some ETFs have an expense ratio that might go into double digits.  Let us look at the three most expensive ETFs in terms of their expense ratio Rank ETF SymbolExpense Ratio1 VanEck BDC Income ETFBIZD10.07%2 Virtus Private Credit Strategy ETFVPC6.46%3 AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETFHDGE5.20% Let's have a look at these ETFs one by one.   1. VanEck BDC Income ETF  BIZD is a focused index of publicly traded private-equity companies in the United States: The ETF invests in the equity and debt of mid-sized private companies by purchasing shares of companies that invest in them.  To ensure diversification, the index selects the most significant and most liquid companies, considered Business Development Companies (BDCs), and weights them by market capitalization, with a cap of 20% per issuer.  Small and midcap stocks can be in the index too. The fund employs a sampling technique, which means it will not own all of the equities in the underlying index but will instead hold securities with similar investment profiles.   The index is re-evaluated every three months. Performance  Performance [as of 18/03/22]1 year3 years5 years10 yearsBIZD15.80%13.11%8.30%- The fund invests entirely in the United States Top 10 holdings Source: etf.com BIZD details BrandVanEckExpense Ratio10.07%YTD Return1.86%AUM$669.71MNumber of Holdings25Avg. Spread ($)$0.02Average Daily $ Volume$6.08M 2. Virtus Private Credit Strategy ETF  VPC is a fund that invests in US-listed closed-end funds to make money from private credit markets (CEFs). CEFs supervised as business development companies (BDCs) and non-BDC CEFs that concentrate on personal loans are the two primary types.   The BDCs use a variety of loan and equity structures to engage in middle-market companies with below-investment-grade ratings. Loans, CLOs, and senior loans are among the investments made by non-BDC CEFs.   The VPC index looks for consistent dividend payments over the last three years. Non-BDC CEFs are even further vetted to eliminate excessive price premiums or discounts compared to NAV. The dividend yield is the weight of the security.  Because the fund is a fund-of-fund, investors must anticipate spending twice as much due to cost compounding. The benchmark is rejigged every year and rebalanced every three months.   Performance  Performance [as of 18/03/22]1 month3 months1 year3 yearsVPC-2.87%-3.49%6.96%6.17% Peer Comparison ParameterVPCHNDLBrandVanEckStrategy SharesExpense Ratio6.46%0.97%YTD Return-0.72%-7.65%AUM$29.69M$1.61BNumber of Holdings5920Avg. Spread ($)$0.09$0.02Average Daily $ Volume$336.24K$20.79M 3. AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETF  HDGE builds a portfolio of short positions in large and midcap US-listed equities using a blend of quantitative and fundamental considerations.  This actively managed fund employs a bottom-up strategy to identify companies with poor earnings quality or ambitious accounting techniques and profit when market prices change to reflect the reality of these aberrations.   However, it is to be noted that a protracted bull market is a challenging environment for a short-only approach, and returns may reflect this. The fund's strategy also includes immediate purchases and sales of securities, which could result in a higher portfolio turnover and, as a result, lower returns.   Overall, HDGE has a solid asset base and can act as a substitute for traditional inverse equity funds.  Performance  Performance [as of 18/03/22]1 year3 years5 years10 yearsHDGE-0.85%-27.36%-21.58%-18.53% Peer Comparison  ParameterHDGESOGUBrandAdvisorSharesDe-SPACExpense Ratio5.20%0.95%YTD Return0.94%25.83%AUM$91.24M$24.79MNumber of Holdings50Avg. Spread ($)$0.05$0.20Average Daily $ Volume$4.01M$1.95M FAQs What are the top 3 costliest ETFs to invest in? The 3 costliest ETFs to invest in are AdvisorShares Ranger Equity Bear ETF, Virtus Private Credit Strategy ETF, and VanEck BDC Income ETF. What's the AUM of the current largest ETF? The AUM of the current largest ETF, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, is $361 million. What are the hottest ETFs to buy in 2023? Some of the ETFs that investors can go for in 2023 are Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), VanEck Future of Food ETF (YUMY), Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF (VPU), Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ), Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD), etc.