Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): The Ultimate Guide

ETFs are a security that typically tracks a stock index or sector. You can also get ETFs that track a commodity, bond or a range of assets. ETFs are traded on the stock market, and when you buy an ETF you are buying shares of a portfolio that tracks the yield and return of its corresponding index or asset.

When you buy into an ETF, you are effectively purchasing and getting exposure to a range of shares included in that fund, instead of one share. For example, think about the ASX 200. If you had to buy all 200 shares one by one, you would pay brokerage fees for each investment you make and you would need a huge portfolio to be able to pay for them. An ETF allows you to buy a little piece of each of the top 200 companies traded on the Australian Securities Exchange as a bundle. 

If you’re new to investing, check out this Glossary of all the terms you’ll need to know when getting started with ETFs.

When you want diversification in one trade and comparatively lower fees than actively managed funds, ETFs may be an investment worth thinking about. Investors can buy shares through any share brokerage account, most commonly online. So, which providers offer ETFs in Australia? Here’s a rundown of the main providers listed on the ASX.

Another important consideration is knowing when it’s right for you to purchase, when to keep (or hold) ETFs in your portfolio, and when you may need to sell ETFs. You can learn more about different strategies when it comes to buying, selling and holding ETFs. 

Compare Online Share Trading Accounts

As their name would imply, active ETFs are actively managed. A fund manager or team oversees the ETF. Actively managed ETFs offer similar benefits in terms of liquidity and tax efficiency to passive ETFs and have a benchmark index, but the managers of these funds may deviate from the index in response to market changes or where they see fit. Essentially, the portfolio construction is at the discretion of the fund manager.

Though it is their goal, it’s important to remember there is no guarantee an Active ETF will outperform a passive equivalent. As active managers have the freedom to trade outside the index, shareholders may not always know their portfolio construction. ASIC’s regulatory measures aim to protect traders and investors alike. ETF investors typically have a transparent view of their fund’s holdings and investment value.

ETFs cover a wide range of asset classes and individual assets. This includes Australian shares, international shares, commodities and currencies. Canstar classifies ETFs into the following types:

• Australian Broad Based ETFs
• Australian Sector ETFs
• Australian Strategy Based ETFs
• International Broad Based ETFs
• International Sector ETFs
• Commodity ETFs
• Currency ETFs

This article displays one-year returns for different types of ETFs in Canstar’s database. Bear in mind that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. When comparing ETFs, it can also be helpful to consider factors such as fees, tracking error (where an ETF deviates from the value of the index or asset it is tracking) and the price of the ETF compared to the net asset value (NAV).