Last Updated: November 21, 2025
What is an ETF?
Definition
Basket of securities traded like stocks
Diversification
Instant diversification
Low cost
Lower fees than mutual funds
Liquidity
Trade throughout the day
Transparency
Holdings disclosed daily
Common ETFs
| Ticker | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
SPY
|
SPDR S&P 500 | US Large Cap |
VOO
|
Vanguard S&P 500 | US Large Cap |
VTI
|
Vanguard Total Market | Total US Market |
QQQ
|
Invesco QQQ | NASDAQ 100 |
VEA
|
Vanguard FTSE Developed | International |
AGG
|
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond | Bonds |
Choosing ETFs
Expense ratio
Lower is better
Liquidity
Higher volume better
Tracking error
How well it tracks index
Tax efficiency
Generally tax-efficient
💡 Pro Tip:
Low-cost index ETFs are great for long-term investing!