Exchange-Traded Fund - ETF

What Does It Mean?
What Does Exchange-Traded Fund - ETF Mean?
A security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of assets like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange. ETFs experience price changes throughout the day as they are bought and sold.
Investopedia Says
Investopedia explains Exchange-Traded Fund - ETF
Because it trades like a stock, an ETF does not have its net asset value (NAV) calculated every day like a mutual fund does.

By owning an ETF, you get the diversification of an index fund as well as the ability to sell short, buy on margin and purchase as little as one share. Another advantage is that the expense ratios for most ETFs are lower than those of the average mutual fund. When buying and selling ETFs, you have to pay the same commission to your broker that you'd pay on any regular order.

One of the most widely known ETFs is called the Spider (SPDR), which tracks the S&P 500 index and trades under the symbol SPY.
Related Links
Rate this Term: Your Rating:    Overall Rating: Vote Now!
Sponsored Links
MARKETPLACE
The Investopedia Guide to Wall Speak
TRADING CENTER
CURRENT HIGH YIELD SAVINGS RATES
Type
Overnight avgs
Rate data provided by
Bankrate.com
add investopedia foot
investopedia.com