Exchange-Traded Funds Articles
Customizing Your Mid-Cap Allocation With ETFs and Mutual Funds
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut, Sam Levine
An examination of the ETF and mutual fund options that can fill the mid-cap domestic equity portion of a portfolio.
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut, Sam Levine
An examination of the ETF and mutual fund options that can fill the mid-cap domestic equity portion of a portfolio.
Semiconductors Process Big Second-Quarter Gains
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut, Tudor Pop, Michael Rose
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the second quarter of 2026.
August 2026 by Charles Rotblut, Tudor Pop, Michael Rose
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the second quarter of 2026.
Tax-Advantaged Income From Muni Closed-End Funds and ETFs
August 2026 by John Deysher
Closed-end muni bond funds or muni bond ETFs may make sense for those in high tax brackets in search of income.
August 2026 by John Deysher
Closed-end muni bond funds or muni bond ETFs may make sense for those in high tax brackets in search of income.
Customizing Your Fixed-Income Allocation With ETFs and Mutual Funds
June 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Selecting bond ETFs and mutual funds with varying levels of category risk, duration and yield can help align your portfolio with changing investing goals.
June 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Selecting bond ETFs and mutual funds with varying levels of category risk, duration and yield can help align your portfolio with changing investing goals.
Energy and Commodities Dominate in First-Quarter 2026
May 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the first quarter of 2026.
May 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the first quarter of 2026.
Tapping Into Natural Resources With ETFs and Mutual Funds
April 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs and mutual funds in the natural resources sector, especially those that focus on rare metals and elements, require special considerations.
April 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs and mutual funds in the natural resources sector, especially those that focus on rare metals and elements, require special considerations.
Customizing Your Large-Cap Allocation With ETFs and Mutual Funds
March 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
An examination of the ETF and mutual fund options that can fill the large-cap domestic equity portion of a portfolio.
March 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
An examination of the ETF and mutual fund options that can fill the large-cap domestic equity portion of a portfolio.
2026 Top ETFs Guide: The 2025 Performance of the 50 Largest ETFs
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Largest ETFs still held by Vanguard and BlackRock in 2025.
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Largest ETFs still held by Vanguard and BlackRock in 2025.
2026 Top ETFs Guide: The 50 Best-Performing ETFs of 2025
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Commodity-focused and precious metals ETFs shine in 2025.
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Commodity-focused and precious metals ETFs shine in 2025.
2026 Top ETFs Guide: The 50 Worst-Performing ETFs of 2025
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Digital assets ETFs plummet in 2025.
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Digital assets ETFs plummet in 2025.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to the Top ETFs 2026
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Commodity-focused and equity precious metals ETFs topped the list in a year where the majority posted positive performance.
February 2026 by AAII Staff
Commodity-focused and equity precious metals ETFs topped the list in a year where the majority posted positive performance.
The Great Migration: What’s Behind ETF Asset Growth
January 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
A growing number of asset managers are converting traditional mutual funds into ETFs or preparing to offer ETFs as a mutual fund share class.
January 2026 by Cynthia McLaughlin
A growing number of asset managers are converting traditional mutual funds into ETFs or preparing to offer ETFs as a mutual fund share class.
Fed Signals That Investors Should Watch and What They Mean
November 2025 by Charles Rotblut, Gerald R. Jensen, Robert R. Johnson, Cynthia McLaughlin
Incorporating Federal Reserve policy shifts into an investing model rooted in 12 market anomalies.
November 2025 by Charles Rotblut, Gerald R. Jensen, Robert R. Johnson, Cynthia McLaughlin
Incorporating Federal Reserve policy shifts into an investing model rooted in 12 market anomalies.
Precious Metals Join Digital Assets on Top in Third-Quarter 2025
November 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the third quarter of 2025.
November 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds for the third quarter of 2025.
What Fund Distributions Mean for Your Portfolio
October 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
While you have no control over fund distributions, there are steps that can be taken to minimize their impact.
October 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
While you have no control over fund distributions, there are steps that can be taken to minimize their impact.
Do Low Volatility Funds Offer Smoother Rides Through Rough Markets?
September 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Low volatility funds aim to reduce risk and deliver stronger results during market downturns or periods of slowing economic growth.
September 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Low volatility funds aim to reduce risk and deliver stronger results during market downturns or periods of slowing economic growth.
Top Funds in Second-Quarter 2025 Led by Digital Assets and Technology
August 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the second quarter of 2025.
August 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the second quarter of 2025.
Supercharge Your Portfolio With a Nontraditional Index Fund
July 2025 by Paul Merriman
The payoff of a custom index approach that takes advantage of academic research can be substantial.
July 2025 by Paul Merriman
The payoff of a custom index approach that takes advantage of academic research can be substantial.
Are You Fully Covered? Not If Your Portfolio Is Wearing Buffer ETFs and Mutual Funds
June 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
These nontraditional equity funds use options contracts to offer downside protection, but potential gains are limited.
June 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
These nontraditional equity funds use options contracts to offer downside protection, but potential gains are limited.
Revisiting the Use of ETFs to Construct an S&P 500 Portfolio
June 2025 by Craig Israelsen
Comparing the performance of an equally weighted sector portfolio against an S&P 500 index fund over a 20-year period.
June 2025 by Craig Israelsen
Comparing the performance of an equally weighted sector portfolio against an S&P 500 index fund over a 20-year period.
Comparing the Two Largest ETFs: SPY vs. VOO
May 2025 by Wayne A. Thorp
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has surpassed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF in size. What does this shift mean for individual investors?
May 2025 by Wayne A. Thorp
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has surpassed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF in size. What does this shift mean for individual investors?
Freedom-Focused Emerging Markets Fund Taps Into Local Growth
May 2025 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin, Perth Tolle
Freedom weighting results in lower autocracy risk and more sustainable growth in emerging markets.
May 2025 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin, Perth Tolle
Freedom weighting results in lower autocracy risk and more sustainable growth in emerging markets.
Gold and Precious Metal Funds Are First-Quarter 2025 Winners
May 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the first quarter of 2025.
May 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the first quarter of 2025.
Building Bond Ladders With Mutual Funds and ETFs
April 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Quasi-bond ladders can be created with mutual funds or ETFs instead of individual bonds by choosing funds with differing durations.
April 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Quasi-bond ladders can be created with mutual funds or ETFs instead of individual bonds by choosing funds with differing durations.
The Individual Investor's Guide to the Top ETFs 2025
February 2025 by AAII Staff
Large growth, technology and digital assets ETFs topped the list in a year where most ETFs turned in positive performance.
February 2025 by AAII Staff
Large growth, technology and digital assets ETFs topped the list in a year where most ETFs turned in positive performance.
Where to Find the Best Yields in Active Bond Mutual Funds and ETFs
January 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Active bond mutual funds and ETFs can be an effective part of an investor’s fixed-income toolkit.
January 2025 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Active bond mutual funds and ETFs can be an effective part of an investor’s fixed-income toolkit.
China and Precious Metal Funds on Top in Third-Quarter 2024
November 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the third quarter of 2024.
November 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the third quarter of 2024.
Meeting Your Asset Allocation Needs With Schwab Funds and ETFs
November 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Charles Schwab offers funds that could make suitable options for AAII’s Asset Allocation Models.
November 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Charles Schwab offers funds that could make suitable options for AAII’s Asset Allocation Models.
When Diversification Takes a Back Seat in Index Funds
November 2024 by Brian Haughey
A new policy of some index funds to allow nondiversification status exposes investors to concentration risk.
November 2024 by Brian Haughey
A new policy of some index funds to allow nondiversification status exposes investors to concentration risk.
Mutual Funds Converting to ETFs for Tax Efficiency and Convenience
October 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Conversions of mutual funds into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a growing trend.
October 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Conversions of mutual funds into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been a growing trend.
The Truth About High-Yield Mutual Funds and ETFs
September 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Some high-yield equity funds use derivative income or covered calls to produce extra income. See how these riskier funds compare to high-yield equity funds that use conventional strategies.
September 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Some high-yield equity funds use derivative income or covered calls to produce extra income. See how these riskier funds compare to high-yield equity funds that use conventional strategies.
Semiconductor and Shipping Funds on Top in Second-Quarter 2024
August 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the second quarter of 2024.
August 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the second quarter of 2024.
Understanding and Evaluating Digital-Asset Mutual Funds and ETFs
July 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs, and mutual funds to a limited extent, pave the way for individual investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrency and other securities in the digital-asset ecosystem.
July 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs, and mutual funds to a limited extent, pave the way for individual investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrency and other securities in the digital-asset ecosystem.
Active Strategies That Have Fared Well Among Mutual Funds and ETFs
June 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
When evaluating active strategies, consider manager tenure, differentiated strategies and segments with less competition for active managers.
June 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
When evaluating active strategies, consider manager tenure, differentiated strategies and segments with less competition for active managers.
Growth and Digital Assets Stood Tall in First-Quarter 2024
May 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the first quarter of 2024.
May 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The top 25 and bottom 25 mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) for the first quarter of 2024.
Customize Your Fixed-Income Strategy With Defined-Maturity Bond Funds
April 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Funds classified as defined-maturity seek to strike a middle ground between bonds and bond funds.
April 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Funds classified as defined-maturity seek to strike a middle ground between bonds and bond funds.
The Individual Investor's Guide to the Top ETFs 2024
February 2024 by AAII Staff
All but five of the 50 best-performing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for 2023 are from the digital assets, technology or growth categories.
February 2024 by AAII Staff
All but five of the 50 best-performing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for 2023 are from the digital assets, technology or growth categories.
An Improved Way to Find Mutual Funds and ETFs
January 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin
AAII’s mutual fund and ETF guides and screeners got an enhanced and more user-friendly interface. Plus, screeners have more flexibility when choosing filters and saving screens.
January 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin
AAII’s mutual fund and ETF guides and screeners got an enhanced and more user-friendly interface. Plus, screeners have more flexibility when choosing filters and saving screens.
Decoding Tech Funds and ETFs to Make the Best Choice
January 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Technology mutual funds and ETFs are highly thematic and come in many flavors. In addition, what counts as “technology” varies by fund.
January 2024 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Technology mutual funds and ETFs are highly thematic and come in many flavors. In addition, what counts as “technology” varies by fund.
Tax-Savvy Strategies for Your Stocks, Mutual Funds and ETFs
December 2023 by Charles Rotblut
Savvy steps to avoid or limit the tax impact of security events, and tools on AAII.com you can use to help manage them.
December 2023 by Charles Rotblut
Savvy steps to avoid or limit the tax impact of security events, and tools on AAII.com you can use to help manage them.
Actively Managed Funds Gain on Passive Funds Over the Last Year
November 2023 by Grace Malone
Fifty-seven percent of actively managed funds beat their average passive peers over the 12-month period through June 2023, their highest success rate in years.
November 2023 by Grace Malone
Fifty-seven percent of actively managed funds beat their average passive peers over the 12-month period through June 2023, their highest success rate in years.
Changing of the Guard: Energy Powers Third-Quarter Returns
November 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Fifteen of the top 25 ETFs for the third quarter of 2023 are focused on energy, and 10 of the top mutual funds.
November 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Fifteen of the top 25 ETFs for the third quarter of 2023 are focused on energy, and 10 of the top mutual funds.
Newer Niche ETFs Underperform Compared to Their Older Index Counterparts
November 2023 by Andrew Gomes
Specialty exchange-traded funds (ETFs) lose approximately 30% of their value over a post-launch period of five years.
November 2023 by Andrew Gomes
Specialty exchange-traded funds (ETFs) lose approximately 30% of their value over a post-launch period of five years.
Comparing the Tax-Efficiency of High-Yielding Funds and ETFs
October 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Some mutual funds and ETFs distribute potential tax headaches along with income to shareholders, while others are more tax efficient.
October 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Some mutual funds and ETFs distribute potential tax headaches along with income to shareholders, while others are more tax efficient.
Why ETFs Can Trade at Premiums and Discounts to Their Net Asset Value
September 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs trade at prices either above or below their net asset value due to supply and demand imbalances that are influenced by a variety of factors.
September 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
ETFs trade at prices either above or below their net asset value due to supply and demand imbalances that are influenced by a variety of factors.
Tech and Global Action Drive Second-Quarter Returns
August 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Investors breathed a sigh of relief as equity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) landed in positive territory for the third consecutive quarter.
August 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Investors breathed a sigh of relief as equity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) landed in positive territory for the third consecutive quarter.
Comparing and Contrasting Real Estate Funds
June 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Mutual funds and ETFs provide a low-cost entry point to real estate and allow investment in a variety of real estate markets.
June 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
Mutual funds and ETFs provide a low-cost entry point to real estate and allow investment in a variety of real estate markets.
Growth and Technology Mutual Funds and ETFs Exert Muscle in First Quarter
May 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The first quarter of 2023 arguably left investors with whiplash, from March’s banking havoc to vast changes in expectations about the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.
May 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The first quarter of 2023 arguably left investors with whiplash, from March’s banking havoc to vast changes in expectations about the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.
High-Yield Mutual Funds and ETFs: Greater Potential Return but More Risk
April 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The crucial risk and return figures to examine when considering high-yield bond funds or ETFs.
April 2023 by Cynthia McLaughlin
The crucial risk and return figures to examine when considering high-yield bond funds or ETFs.
The Individual Investor's Guide to the Top ETFs 2023
February 2023 by AAII Staff
Despite the rough market conditions, three big trends continue to aid ETFs.
February 2023 by AAII Staff
Despite the rough market conditions, three big trends continue to aid ETFs.
Online Exclusive: What to Know About Single-Stock ETFs
November 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
The new single-stock ETFs carry unique risks and are only meant for sophisticated investors who are active traders.
November 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
The new single-stock ETFs carry unique risks and are only meant for sophisticated investors who are active traders.
The Benefits and Risks of Short-Term Bond Funds
July 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Short-term bonds can act as a buffer against volatility, preserving capital, and as such can be buckets to dip into when you want to buy riskier assets at a discount during down markets.
July 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Short-term bonds can act as a buffer against volatility, preserving capital, and as such can be buckets to dip into when you want to buy riskier assets at a discount during down markets.
The Benefits and Risks of International Stock Funds
April 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
International stock funds have the potential to offer greater capital appreciation than domestic stock funds. However, that increased potential comes with greater risk.
April 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
International stock funds have the potential to offer greater capital appreciation than domestic stock funds. However, that increased potential comes with greater risk.
The Benefits and Risks of Intermediate Bond Funds
March 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Intermediate-term bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes than long-term bonds and typically provide a greater yield than short-term bonds.
March 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Intermediate-term bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes than long-term bonds and typically provide a greater yield than short-term bonds.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to the Top ETFs 2022
February 2022 by AAII Staff
Commodity focused and equity energy ETFs posted comeback performance in 2021 compared to 2020, taking up a large portion of the list of top-performing ETFs for the year.
February 2022 by AAII Staff
Commodity focused and equity energy ETFs posted comeback performance in 2021 compared to 2020, taking up a large portion of the list of top-performing ETFs for the year.
The Benefits and Risks of Small-Cap Funds
January 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Because small caps make up only one part of a diversified approach to asset allocation, consider your tolerance for risk when deciding how much exposure to them you want.
January 2022 by Matthew Bajkowski
Because small caps make up only one part of a diversified approach to asset allocation, consider your tolerance for risk when deciding how much exposure to them you want.
ETF Ownership Has Been Beneficial to ADRs
December 2021 by Dylan Dease
Increased exchange-traded fund (ETF) ownership has been beneficial to American depositary receipts (ADRs).
December 2021 by Dylan Dease
Increased exchange-traded fund (ETF) ownership has been beneficial to American depositary receipts (ADRs).
Mid-Cap ETFs Showing Strong & Consistent Relative Performance
October 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks domestic mid-cap stock ETFs that have performed well within their category and against their peers over the last five years.
October 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks domestic mid-cap stock ETFs that have performed well within their category and against their peers over the last five years.
Small-Cap ETFs Showing Strong & Consistent Relative Performance
September 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks domestic small-cap stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that have performed well compared to their peers over the last five years.
September 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks domestic small-cap stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that have performed well compared to their peers over the last five years.
Big Gains Realized by ETFs Across Categories in Second Quarter
August 2021 by Dylan Dease
Energy provided the catalyst to drive large sector ETF returns for the second quarter of 2021. Outside of cannabis-related ETFs, the losses realized by the worst-performing ETFs this quarter were relatively small.
August 2021 by Dylan Dease
Energy provided the catalyst to drive large sector ETF returns for the second quarter of 2021. Outside of cannabis-related ETFs, the losses realized by the worst-performing ETFs this quarter were relatively small.
Hottest Sector ETFs
August 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
Looking at one-month returns for sector ETFs gives a short-term snapshot of what’s happening in the markets and which ETFs are performing better than their peers currently.
August 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
Looking at one-month returns for sector ETFs gives a short-term snapshot of what’s happening in the markets and which ETFs are performing better than their peers currently.
Online Exclusive: Mutual Funds vs. ETFs—What Makes Them Different?
August 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
These two categories of professionally managed funds differ in important ways that should be taken into consideration before settling on an investment.
August 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
These two categories of professionally managed funds differ in important ways that should be taken into consideration before settling on an investment.
Guidelines for Selecting Mutual Funds and ETFs
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
PRISM leads you to consider funds appropriate for you and what you are trying to achieve.
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
PRISM leads you to consider funds appropriate for you and what you are trying to achieve.
Lower-Risk, Higher-Yielding ETFs
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
As potential ideas for income-seeking investors, this month’s ETF First Cut seeks funds with above-average yields and below-average levels of category risk.
July 2021 by Charles Rotblut
As potential ideas for income-seeking investors, this month’s ETF First Cut seeks funds with above-average yields and below-average levels of category risk.
Economic Rotation & Budding in the First-Quarter ETFs
May 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
The eye-catching numbers at the end of the first quarter of 2021 for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are their annualized one-year returns.
May 2021 by Matthew Bajkowski
The eye-catching numbers at the end of the first quarter of 2021 for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are their annualized one-year returns.
Large-Cap Value ETFs With Consistent Strong Performance
May 2021 by John Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks out the best exchange-traded funds in the popular domestic large-cap value stock category. Risk and cost filters were also taken into account to arrive at 14 ETFs with the strongest five-year performance compared to their peers.
May 2021 by John Bajkowski
This month’s ETF First Cut seeks out the best exchange-traded funds in the popular domestic large-cap value stock category. Risk and cost filters were also taken into account to arrive at 14 ETFs with the strongest five-year performance compared to their peers.
Specialized ETFs Disappoint Despite Charging More
March 2021 by AAII Staff
Specialized exchange-traded funds—ETFs targeting specific sectors or investing based on prevailing themes—charged higher fees and deliver poor risk-adjusted performance.
March 2021 by AAII Staff
Specialized exchange-traded funds—ETFs targeting specific sectors or investing based on prevailing themes—charged higher fees and deliver poor risk-adjusted performance.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to the Top ETFs 2021
February 2021 by AAII Staff
The switch to no-commission trading of ETFs has reduced the cost for investors. Other ETF trends in 2020 include new fund rollouts and an uptick in fund assets.
February 2021 by AAII Staff
The switch to no-commission trading of ETFs has reduced the cost for investors. Other ETF trends in 2020 include new fund rollouts and an uptick in fund assets.
Which Funds Fit Your Needs? Here’s How to Decide
February 2021 by Charles Rotblut
Simple guidelines to follow, plus AAII tools and resources at your disposal that make finding the right ETFs or mutual funds for you a cinch.
February 2021 by Charles Rotblut
Simple guidelines to follow, plus AAII tools and resources at your disposal that make finding the right ETFs or mutual funds for you a cinch.
Outperform Target-Date Funds By Replicating Their Portfolios
January 2021 by AAII Staff
A study found that portfolios of ETFs created to match a target-date fund can offer average higher returns for lower costs.
January 2021 by AAII Staff
A study found that portfolios of ETFs created to match a target-date fund can offer average higher returns for lower costs.
A Smoother and Greener Third Quarter for Equity ETFs
November 2020 by Matthew Bajkowski
Sector ETFs accounted for four of the top five performers for the third quarter of 2020.
November 2020 by Matthew Bajkowski
Sector ETFs accounted for four of the top five performers for the third quarter of 2020.
Short-Term Bond ETFs With Comparatively High Yields
November 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Short-term bond ETFs for investors looking beyond savings accounts for sources of higher yields.
November 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Short-term bond ETFs for investors looking beyond savings accounts for sources of higher yields.
Comparing Funds That Track the Same Index
October 2020 by Wayne A. Thorp
Although index mutual funds and ETFs seek to mimic the composition and performance of an index, they are usually not exact copies of the index itself.
October 2020 by Wayne A. Thorp
Although index mutual funds and ETFs seek to mimic the composition and performance of an index, they are usually not exact copies of the index itself.
Emerging Markets ETF Winners
October 2020 by Charles Rotblut
This month’s ETFs First Cut screened the field of emerging markets ETFs to identify those that have outperformed their category peers on a one- and three-year basis.
October 2020 by Charles Rotblut
This month’s ETFs First Cut screened the field of emerging markets ETFs to identify those that have outperformed their category peers on a one- and three-year basis.
Level3 Passive Portfolio Relies on Smart-Beta ETFs in Challenging Environment
September 2020 by John Bajkowski
Smart-beta funds vary the weighting of stocks held using factors such as valuation or size for performance that diverges from that of traditional market-cap-weighted index funds.
September 2020 by John Bajkowski
Smart-beta funds vary the weighting of stocks held using factors such as valuation or size for performance that diverges from that of traditional market-cap-weighted index funds.
The Lowest-Cost Domestic Equity ETFs
September 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Some ETFs have extremely low expense ratios and a lower cost gives a fund a relative advantage.
September 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Some ETFs have extremely low expense ratios and a lower cost gives a fund a relative advantage.
Leveraged ETFs: Don’t Get Wiped Out by the Tail
August 2020 by Matthew Crouse
Think carefully before buying a leveraged investment product that might seem highly attractive based on historical performance. Two key negatives are volatility drag and tail risk.
August 2020 by Matthew Crouse
Think carefully before buying a leveraged investment product that might seem highly attractive based on historical performance. Two key negatives are volatility drag and tail risk.
Second-Quarter Reversal Leads to Big Gains for ETFs
August 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Out of the nearly 2,300 exchange-traded funds with returns for the full April–June period, all but 199 rose in value.
August 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Out of the nearly 2,300 exchange-traded funds with returns for the full April–June period, all but 199 rose in value.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2020
August 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Monthly updates and grades for returns, risk and expense ratio top the improvements to our ETF guide this year.
August 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Monthly updates and grades for returns, risk and expense ratio top the improvements to our ETF guide this year.
Relatively Few ETFs Realize Gains
May 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Most exchange-traded funds incurred losses during the first three months of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
May 2020 by Charles Rotblut
Most exchange-traded funds incurred losses during the first three months of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Comparing and Contrasting Dividend-Focused ETFs
November 2019 by Derek J. Hageman
Deciding which dividend ETF to invest in depends on both the characteristics being sought and the willingness to look closely at the strategy a fund is designed to follow.
November 2019 by Derek J. Hageman
Deciding which dividend ETF to invest in depends on both the characteristics being sought and the willingness to look closely at the strategy a fund is designed to follow.
Choosing Best-in-Class ETFs
October 2019 by Chris Pedersen
Overcome the many pitfalls of fund selection using a search process that targets ETFs strong on the factor premiums that history suggests have a high chance of delivering in the future.
October 2019 by Chris Pedersen
Overcome the many pitfalls of fund selection using a search process that targets ETFs strong on the factor premiums that history suggests have a high chance of delivering in the future.
The Best- and Worst-Performing Exchange-Traded Funds
October 2019 by Charles Rotblut
Our first ETF First Cut identifies the 10 best-performing and 10 worst-performing domestic stock-focused exchange-traded funds.
October 2019 by Charles Rotblut
Our first ETF First Cut identifies the 10 best-performing and 10 worst-performing domestic stock-focused exchange-traded funds.
A Fresh Look at Defined-Maturity Bond Funds
September 2019 by Charles Rotblut
Defined-maturity funds seek to strike a middle ground between bonds and bond funds: They mature on a specified date and return capital to shareholders, but they are also professionally managed and benefit from economies of scale.
September 2019 by Charles Rotblut
Defined-maturity funds seek to strike a middle ground between bonds and bond funds: They mature on a specified date and return capital to shareholders, but they are also professionally managed and benefit from economies of scale.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2019
August 2019 by AAII Staff
Our revamped guide to ETFs gives more direction on how to choose the right ETF for your situation by focusing on three types of investor personas.
August 2019 by AAII Staff
Our revamped guide to ETFs gives more direction on how to choose the right ETF for your situation by focusing on three types of investor personas.
Investing in Response to Climate Change
June 2019 by David Snowball
Screening for socially conscious mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that have a sustainability focus.
June 2019 by David Snowball
Screening for socially conscious mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that have a sustainability focus.
Do the Top ETFs Continue to Outperform?
September 2018 by Charles Rotblut
The returns of the 10 highest-returning ETFs from the past were looked at to see whether they continued to beat the market and their category peers.
September 2018 by Charles Rotblut
The returns of the 10 highest-returning ETFs from the past were looked at to see whether they continued to beat the market and their category peers.
How ETF Shares Are Created, Redeemed and Traded
September 2018 by AAII Staff
Unlike with mutual funds, which interact directly with investors, dollars flow from and to ETFs through intermediaries instead of investors.
September 2018 by AAII Staff
Unlike with mutual funds, which interact directly with investors, dollars flow from and to ETFs through intermediaries instead of investors.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2018
August 2018 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Our expanded guide covers 542 exchange-traded funds, providing detailed return information and data as well as an update on the ETF industry.
August 2018 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Our expanded guide covers 542 exchange-traded funds, providing detailed return information and data as well as an update on the ETF industry.
Technology Takes Over the Top-Performing ETF List
September 2017 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Two semiconductor funds help put technology on top, though last year’s dominant sector, health care, maintained a presence.
September 2017 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Two semiconductor funds help put technology on top, though last year’s dominant sector, health care, maintained a presence.
The Impact of Expense Ratios on Retirement Income
September 2017 by Craig Israelsen
Simply lowering investment expenses on a $1 million portfolio by 0.01% boosts annual portfolio income by more than $200 per year.
September 2017 by Craig Israelsen
Simply lowering investment expenses on a $1 million portfolio by 0.01% boosts annual portfolio income by more than $200 per year.
The Four Groups of ETFs
August 2017 by Elisabeth Kashner
Viewing ETFs as being vanilla, active, strategic or idiosyncratic makes it easier to understand their strategies and how they differ.
August 2017 by Elisabeth Kashner
Viewing ETFs as being vanilla, active, strategic or idiosyncratic makes it easier to understand their strategies and how they differ.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2017
August 2017 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on more than 2,000 exchange-traded products, including an overview of the ETF industry.
August 2017 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on more than 2,000 exchange-traded products, including an overview of the ETF industry.
Leveraged ETFs: Multiplying by the Unknown
July 2017 by William J. Trainor
The returns realized by an investor will be below what these ETFs’ names suggest due to the decay in realized leverage over time.
July 2017 by William J. Trainor
The returns realized by an investor will be below what these ETFs’ names suggest due to the decay in realized leverage over time.
Tracking the S&P 500 With Mutual Funds and ETFs
March 2017 by Charles Rotblut
More than 40 funds explicitly include “S&P 500” in their name, but expenses and strategies differ among them.
March 2017 by Charles Rotblut
More than 40 funds explicitly include “S&P 500” in their name, but expenses and strategies differ among them.
The Top ETFs Over Five Years: Health Care Loses Some Ground
September 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Six of the 10 top-performing ETFs are from the health care category; homebuilding, consumer staples and bond funds are also on the list.
September 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Six of the 10 top-performing ETFs are from the health care category; homebuilding, consumer staples and bond funds are also on the list.
iVIEWMarkets for Analyzing Stocks and ETFs
February 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
A visually appealing, easy-to-understand website that offers a wealth of technical and fundamental data on stocks and ETFs.
February 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
A visually appealing, easy-to-understand website that offers a wealth of technical and fundamental data on stocks and ETFs.
Why Aren’t There More Active ETFs?
October 2015 by Charles Rotblut
A requirement to reveal holdings daily has deterred active managers from launching ETFs; NextShares thinks it has a solution.
October 2015 by Charles Rotblut
A requirement to reveal holdings daily has deterred active managers from launching ETFs; NextShares thinks it has a solution.
The Top ETFs Over Five Years: Health Care Remains on Top
September 2015 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
The health care sector extended its dominance, leading all categories by accounting for all 10 of the best-performing ETFs.
September 2015 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
The health care sector extended its dominance, leading all categories by accounting for all 10 of the best-performing ETFs.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2015
August 2015 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on 1,752 ETFs and ETNs, including an overview of the current trends in the ETF industry.
August 2015 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on 1,752 ETFs and ETNs, including an overview of the current trends in the ETF industry.
An Inside Look at Exchange-Traded Funds
September 2014 by Rochelle Antoniewicz, Jane Heinrichs
ETFs, like mutual funds, are pooled investments, but two primary features promote trading of an ETF’s price close to its underlying value.
September 2014 by Rochelle Antoniewicz, Jane Heinrichs
ETFs, like mutual funds, are pooled investments, but two primary features promote trading of an ETF’s price close to its underlying value.
The Top ETFs Over Three Years: Health Care Takes Top Four Spots
September 2014 by Charles Rotblut
Health care ETFs controlled the four top spots and six of the top 10. The only non-sector funds in the top 10 list invest in IPOs and spin-offs.
September 2014 by Charles Rotblut
Health care ETFs controlled the four top spots and six of the top 10. The only non-sector funds in the top 10 list invest in IPOs and spin-offs.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2014
August 2014 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on 446 ETFs and ETNs, including an overview of the current trends in the ETF industry.
August 2014 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on 446 ETFs and ETNs, including an overview of the current trends in the ETF industry.
The Top ETFs Over Three Years: Consumer Spending Makes an Impact
September 2013 by Charles Rotblut
Four consumer discretionary ETFs ranked among the 10 best-performing funds, including one ETF that is making its third consecutive appearance on the list.
September 2013 by Charles Rotblut
Four consumer discretionary ETFs ranked among the 10 best-performing funds, including one ETF that is making its third consecutive appearance on the list.
ETFs and ETNs: Knowing What You Own
August 2013 by Neil Leeson
The liquidity composition of a fund’s underlying assets, the historical tracking error and fees are important characteristics to consider when investing in an ETF.
August 2013 by Neil Leeson
The liquidity composition of a fund’s underlying assets, the historical tracking error and fees are important characteristics to consider when investing in an ETF.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2013
August 2013 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on ETFs and ETNs. New to this year’s guide is a listing of the 15 largest funds.
August 2013 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on ETFs and ETNs. New to this year’s guide is a listing of the 15 largest funds.
Websites Dedicated to ETFs
July 2013 by CI Staff
Where to go to get in-depth data and useful tools for researching exchange-traded funds.
July 2013 by CI Staff
Where to go to get in-depth data and useful tools for researching exchange-traded funds.
The Top ETFs Over Three Years: Real Estate Dominates
September 2012 by Charles Rotblut
Five real estate funds led all ETFs in terms of three-year returns. Dividend-focused ETFs led many equity fund categories.
September 2012 by Charles Rotblut
Five real estate funds led all ETFs in terms of three-year returns. Dividend-focused ETFs led many equity fund categories.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2012
August 2012 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on ETFs and ETNs. New to this year’s guide is market performance, which helps identify funds that have traded at a premium or discount to their net asset value.
August 2012 by AAII Staff
Detailed return information and data on ETFs and ETNs. New to this year’s guide is market performance, which helps identify funds that have traded at a premium or discount to their net asset value.
Using ETFs in a Tough, Sideways-to-Bear Market
August 2012 by Max Isaacman
Learning from the past: ETFs are effective tools for converting strategies into action, but first you have to identify your objectives and tolerance for risk.
August 2012 by Max Isaacman
Learning from the past: ETFs are effective tools for converting strategies into action, but first you have to identify your objectives and tolerance for risk.
The Top ETFs Over Three Years Represent an Eclectic Group
September 2011 by Charles Rotblut
Precious metals, retailers, health care companies and mid-cap growth ETFs all ranked among the best performers over the past three years.
September 2011 by Charles Rotblut
Precious metals, retailers, health care companies and mid-cap growth ETFs all ranked among the best performers over the past three years.
Active Funds and Other Changes in the ETF Industry
August 2011 by Charles Rotblut, Tom Lydon
The number of actively managed ETFs could soon double, adding to the industry’s growth. These changes will result in more choices for investors.
August 2011 by Charles Rotblut, Tom Lydon
The number of actively managed ETFs could soon double, adding to the industry’s growth. These changes will result in more choices for investors.
The Individual Investor’s Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2011
August 2011 by AAII Staff
This year’s expanded guide covers more than 400 ETFs, and now includes five-year annual return data.
August 2011 by AAII Staff
This year’s expanded guide covers more than 400 ETFs, and now includes five-year annual return data.
Using Relative Strength Analysis to Invest in ETFs
April 2011 by Wayne A. Thorp
A look at Leslie Masonson’s approach to constructing a portfolio of exchange-traded funds based on how they rank on relative strength.
April 2011 by Wayne A. Thorp
A look at Leslie Masonson’s approach to constructing a portfolio of exchange-traded funds based on how they rank on relative strength.
Exchange-Traded Fund Resources
January 2011 by CI Staff
The popularity of ETFs has spawned the growth of ETF data and information online. Where to find the best sources.
January 2011 by CI Staff
The popularity of ETFs has spawned the growth of ETF data and information online. Where to find the best sources.
How to Safely Navigate Through Crowded ETF Waters
October 2010 by David Fry
The proliferation of ETFs has provided more choices, but not all offerings are good investments. Learn how to select the best ETFs for your portfolio.
October 2010 by David Fry
The proliferation of ETFs has provided more choices, but not all offerings are good investments. Learn how to select the best ETFs for your portfolio.
The Individual Investor's Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2010
October 2010 by AAII Staff
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continue to grow in popularity. There are now approximately 330 ETFs that each manage more than $200 million in assets. To put this number into perspective, five years ago, many of these funds didn’t even exist.
October 2010 by AAII Staff
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continue to grow in popularity. There are now approximately 330 ETFs that each manage more than $200 million in assets. To put this number into perspective, five years ago, many of these funds didn’t even exist.
The Individual Investor's Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds: 2009
October 2009 by Cara Scatizzi, Maria Crawford Scott
Our annual survey covers over 750 stock and bond exchange-traded funds, plus information on how they work and what you need to know about investing in them.
October 2009 by Cara Scatizzi, Maria Crawford Scott
Our annual survey covers over 750 stock and bond exchange-traded funds, plus information on how they work and what you need to know about investing in them.
The Individual Investor's Guide to Exchange-Traded Funds 2006
October 2006 by Maria Crawford Scott, Jean Henrich
Our annual guide this year features 293 exchange-traded funds—portfolio baskets of securities that look like mutual funds but trade like stocks.
October 2006 by Maria Crawford Scott, Jean Henrich
Our annual guide this year features 293 exchange-traded funds—portfolio baskets of securities that look like mutual funds but trade like stocks.
On the Internet: Exchange-Traded Funds
May 2006 by CI Staff
Where to go for free or reasonably priced data on the popular ETFs.
May 2006 by CI Staff
Where to go for free or reasonably priced data on the popular ETFs.
On the Internet: Exchange-Traded Funds
January 2004 by CI Staff
Where to get the most in-depth data on these popular products for tracking an index or sector.
January 2004 by CI Staff
Where to get the most in-depth data on these popular products for tracking an index or sector.
Best ETFs Over Five Years: Health Care Loses Some Ground
October 2000 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Six of the 10 top-performing ETFs are from the health care category; homebuilding, consumer staples and bond funds are also on the list.
October 2000 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Six of the 10 top-performing ETFs are from the health care category; homebuilding, consumer staples and bond funds are also on the list.