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What is an ETF? Do ETFs have fees?

An ETF, or an Exchange-traded Fund, is an index-tracking investment vehicle listed on a major exchange. Indices are composed of asset classes, such as stocks or bonds, in a particular segment of the market, such as technology, energy, or real estate. ETFs are funds that are traded like stocks but have the diversified portfolio structures of a mutual fund. ETFs provide passive exposure to any asset class by mirroring the returns of an index. For example, the SPDR SPY S&P 500 is an ETF that tracks the performance of the S&P 500.

ETFs offer diversification, higher liquidity than individual securities, and lower fees

An ETF typically charges low fees of around 0.15% to 0.25%. In comparison, mutual funds, which are already an expensive alternative to ETFs, have fees that range from 1.25 to 2.0%. 

Learn more: What is an ETF?