ETF beginner guide: What are ETFs?
What are ETFs? Get to know the benefits and risks of investing exchange-traded Funds (ETFs), who are suitable for investing ETFs and how to choose the right ETFs for you! This ETF beginner guide is going to introduce the popular Hong Kong ETFs and US ETFs, how to buy ETFs and best stock broker to use.
ETF 101
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What are ETFs?
Exchange-traded Funds (also known as ETFs) are the types of fund that holds multiple underlying assets, making it a great way for investors to gain exposure to a pool of investments without the need to buy each one individually. ETFs can be structured to track anything from a particular index like the FTSE 100 to market performance, and from sector, commodity, to other asset, such as government bonds.
Considered as “passive” investments, ETFs attempt to track the performance of a market index or pool of investments rather than trying to beat the index. Investors will experience a similar return or loss as the index tracked. When money is invested in an ETF, new shares will be issued. When money is withdrawn from the ETF, units will be redeemed. The ability of an ETF to create and redeem shares keeps the market price of ETFs in line with their underlying assets. ETFs can be purchased or sold on a stock exchange like a regular stock.
Most Popular ETFs: HK ETFs and US ETFs
Popular Hong Kong ETFs
- Tracker Fund of Hong Kong Ltd（02800): designed to provide investment results that closely replicate the performance of the Hang Seng Index
- CAM CSI300（03188): aim to replicate the CSI 300 Index
- HSCEI ETF（02828): seek to match as closely as practicable the performance of theHang Seng China Enterprises Index
Popular US ETFs
- VOO: tracks the S&P 500 index by owning all of the equities within the S&P 500
- ROBO: tracks a basket of robotics stocks from around the world
- QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust): tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index including the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq
Start investing in ETFs!
Open your HK stocks brokerage account via MoneySmart to enjoy exclusive offers! Compare different features of HK stock trading account and commissions of different banks and brokerage, and start buying your ETFs!
Best brokerage accounts in Hong Kong
Webull Securities Account
- Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0
- Commission Fee HK Stocks
- HK$0
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
【Limited-time offer, best reward in TOWN🔥 !】
From now until 3 January 2025, new customers who successfully open an account through MoneySmart and submit reward claim can enjoy up to HK$4,288 exclusive rewards!
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【$80K Asset Reward 】: Upon successfully opening an account through MoneySmart, make first deposit of ≥HK$80,000 maintain the funds for 60 days:
・PHILIPS RO Water Dispenser ADD6920WH/90 (value: HK$4,288）/ Insta360 X3 Standard Bundle (value: HK$3,678) / SAMSUNG GALAXY Tab S9 FE (WIFI) (6GB RAM + 128GB) - 10.9" (value: HK$3,588) / Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (value: HK$3,190) / HK$3,000 Apple Store Gift Card / HK$3,000 PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers / HK$3,000 HKTVmall vouchers / HK$2,900 Deliveroo Cash Voucher + 12-month Deliveroo Plus Silver Membership Package (value: HK$3,626)
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Upon successfully opening an account through MoneySmart and making first deposit ≤HK$79,999 and maintain the funds for 60 days, can get up to HK$1,226:
・HK$600 PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers /HK$500 Deliveroo Cash Voucher + 12-month Deliveroo Plus Silver Membership Package (value: HK$1,226)
Futu Securities Account
- Min. Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0.99
- Commission Fee HK Stocks
- HK$0
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
From now until 31 Dec 2024, new users who successfully open account via MoneySmart with promo code「MS24」within 7 days, fulfilling specific requirements and submit the reward claim can get the rewards below. (Either 1)
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Reward 1️⃣: Successfully open account and first deposit HK$80,000 or above and retain for 60 days to get the exclusive rewards:
- BERMAS 26" Front-open Suitcase (valued at HK$3,999) /De'Longhi Icona Vintage Series Pump-Driven Espresso Coffee Machine (valued at HK$3,288) /SONY WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (valued at HK$3,190) / Apple Watch SE GPS (44mm) (valued at HK$2,199) / HK$2,000 Apple Store Gift Card / PARKnSHOP supermarket Vouchers / HKTVmall e-Vouchers OR
Reward 2️⃣: Successfully open account and first deposit ≥ HK$10,000 or above and retain for 60 days to get the exclusive rewards:
- Beyerdynamic AMIRON 100 True Wireless with Active Noise Cancellation (valued at HK$1,999) / Sennheiser ACCENTUM True Wireless earbuds (valued at HK$1,750) / ROLLINK Flex (VEGA II) 21" Collapsible CARRY-ON Suitcase (valued at HK$1,299) / HK$1,000 Apple Store Gift Card / PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers / HKTVmall e-Vouchers
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Account opening tutorial: Download and start using Futubull app > Click "ME" and enter "Promotion" Click "Redemptions"> Enter the MoneySmart redemptions code - "MS24", and deposit funds within 7 days
Valuable Capital Brokerage Account
- Min. Commission Fee US Stocks
- US$0.99
- Commission Fee HK Stocks
- HK$0
- Account Opening Min. Funding
- HK$10,000
💰New account opening and transaction promotion in December! New customers can receive rewards of up to HK$3,267!
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New customers who successfully open account via MoneySmart with promo code「32BR」, fulfilling specific requirements and submit the reward claim can get rewards below (either 1)
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【Reward 1️⃣】Successfully open account and deposit ≥ HK$10,000 and retain for 60 days to get :
- SONY WH-CH720N Headphone (Valued at HK$1,299) / Jollying Pebble 24" Foldable Suitcase (Valued at HK$1,499) / HK$1,000 Apple Store Gift Card / HK$1,000 PARKnSHOP Supermarket Vouchers / HK$1,000 HKTVmall e-Vouchers OR
【Reward 2️⃣】Deposit ≥ HK$40,000 and no withdrawal for 60 days to get :
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 (value: HK$2,499) / De'Longhi Dedica Style Series Pump-driven Espresso Coffee Machine(EC685) (value: HK$2,168) / HK$2,000 Apple Store Gift Card / HK$2,000 PARKnSHOP Supermarket Voucher / HK$2,000 HKTVmall e-Vouchers⠀⠀
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【Reward 3️⃣】
New customers who successfully open an account and complete any transaction (regardless of transaction type) by January 31, 2025, will receive an additional HK$50PARKnSHOP Supermarket Vouchers! (Each person can receive a maximum reward of HK$200）
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See below for more rewards.
Endowus
- All-in Platform Fee
- 0.10-0.60%
- Minimum Investment Amount
- HK$500
- Minimum First Funding Amount
- HK$10,000
【 Reward 1 】HK$500 Apple Store Gift Card
【 Reward 2 】HK$500 PARKnSHOP supermarket vouchers
【 Reward 3 】HK$500 HKTVmall voucher
Advantages of ETFs
Transparent
Unlike mutual funds, ETFs are transparent - it will show you the underlying investments, which is not always the case when you invest in mutual funds.
Diversifying your portfolio
With just one holding of an ETF, the investors are exposed to a wide range of investments such as the top 500 large-cap companies in United States, to global bonds and even commodities like gold. For example, by investing in gold ETFs, you do not need to physically possess gold in order to invest in gold per say, making it a lot easier to diversify your investment portfolio and access a wide range of investment products.
Cost-efficient
ETFs unlock diversification for investors given the multiple holdings, spreading the risk of your investments. For example, if you buy an ETF that tracks the S&P 500, it is just like buying a small part of each of the index’s 500 companies but at a much lower cost considering the commission fees charged for each trade and the capital required.
Disadvantages of ETFs
Tracking error
ETFs may not track an index accurately as it does not always hold every asset in the index it is trying to track, resulting in a tracking error between the ETF’s performance and that of the index.
Currency risk
ETFs traded in a different currency can expose you to currency risk. The exchange rate movements may affect the value of shares that are bought and sold in that currency. For example, if you buy an ETF that invests in Japanese stocks, you will see the value of your ETF change not only if the price of the stocks changes, but also if the exchange rate between HKD and Yen changes.
Vulnerable to market volatility
All investments carry risks and ETFs are no exception. It is important to know that investing in ETFs does not necessarily guarantee returns. It could result in loss if the broad market index e.g. S&P 500 that it tracks is down so it is still vulnerable to market volatility.
Compare your US stock accounts now to buy US stock ETFs!
Looking at the historical prices of many US stock ETFs, they have gone up steadily over the last 5 years. Grab your investment chance now to invest in US stock ETFs! Compare the commissions of different US stock accounts, and get ready to invest in US stock market now!
Types of ETFs
There are different types of ETFs available in the market, including the most commonly seen ones like passive ETFs, actively managed ETFs, leveraged ETFs, and inverse ETFs:
Passive ETFs
Replicate the performance of a broader index e.g. S&P 500 or a more specific targeted sector or trend.
Actively managed ETFs
Have portfolio managers making decisions about which securities to include with an aim to beat the market performance.
Leveraged ETFs
Seek to return some multiples (e.g., 2× or 3×) on the return of the underlying investments.
Inverse ETFs
Attempt to earn gains from stock declines by shorting (selling) stocks. It's a good alternative to short selling.
Who is ETF for?
As there will be brokerage commissions involved every time you trade, ETFs may be better suited for a buy-and-hold investor or someone who does not wish to actively manage their investment portfolio or who wish to access a particular investment but find it difficult to e.g. gold.
How to buy ETF?
Create a brokerage account
ETFs can be traded through online brokers. A brokerage account allows you to trade ETFs, stocks and other investment products.
Fund the account
After you have created a brokerage account, you will need to fund the account before you can start investing in ETFs. Usually, you can fund your brokerage account in different ways, but the exact way will depend on the broker.
Search for ETFs
After funding your account, you can search for ETFs and trade in the same way that you would do for shares of stocks.
Confirm and purchase
Check carefully the amount that you would like to purchase and then confirm to complete your order.
ETF vs mutual funds
| ETF vs mutual funds | ETF | Mutual Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | Lower (usually only charge brokerage exchange commissions and platform fee (if any)) | Higher (usually charge agent commissions) |
| Transparency | Higher | Lower |
| Investment cost | Lower | Higher |
| Management style | Passive | Active |
| Flexibility | Higher | Higher |
What are the fees and charges for ETFs?
Unlike mutual funds, ETFs do not normally charge a load. Since ETFs are traded directly on an exchange, brokerage commissions are usually incurred. It is important for investors to compare the brokerage fees, which can become an issue if an investor deposits small amounts of capital on a regular basis into an ETF leveraging on the "dollar cost averaging strategy".
Further reading
Looking to read more investment and wealth management related articles? Look no further:
FAQ
What are ETFs made up of?
- ETFs can be structured to track anything from a particular index to a market or any commodity.
What is ETF bitcoin?
- A bitcoin ETF tracks the value of Bitcoin through a basket of assets.
What's the difference between an ETF and a mutual fund?
- ETFs are usually passively managed whereas mutual funds are usually actively managed.
What types of ETF can I buy?
- There are many types of ETFs available in the market such as stock index ETFs, commodity ETFs, inverse ETFs and leveraged ETFs.
Why is the market price sometimes different from the net asset value (NAV) of an ETF?
- The changes in the supply or demand for an ETF might affect the price of an ETF from the NAV of the ETF.