Should I buy ETFs or stocks?
Key Takeaways
However, there are disadvantages of ETFs. They come with fees, can stray from the value of their underlying asset, and (like any investment) come with risks.
You expose your portfolio to much higher risk with sector ETFs, so you should use them sparingly, but investing 5% to 10% of your total portfolio assets may be appropriate. If you want to be highly conservative, don't use these at all.
If the market falls, a passively managed ETF will generally follow it down. You can find actively managed ETFs, in which fund managers actively buy and sell securities in the hope of beating an index benchmark (though most aren't able to do so consistently). But such funds aren't as common.
Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification.
The single biggest risk in ETFs is market risk. Like a mutual fund or a closed-end fund, ETFs are only an investment vehicle—a wrapper for their underlying investment. So if you buy an S&P 500 ETF and the S&P 500 goes down 50%, nothing about how cheap, tax efficient, or transparent an ETF is will help you.
ETFs may close due to lack of investor interest or poor returns. For investors, the easiest way to exit an ETF investment is to sell it on the open market. Liquidation of ETFs is strictly regulated; when an ETF closes, any remaining shareholders will receive a payout based on what they had invested in the ETF.
The biggest hassle of an ETF closure is it upends your investment timeline, and there's nothing you can do about it. You're forced to sell or take liquidation proceeds, which can create a tax burden or lock in investment losses.
Bottom line. ETFs make a great pick for many investors who are starting out as well as for those who simply don't want to do all the legwork required to own individual stocks. Though it's possible to find the big winners among individual stocks, you have strong odds of doing well consistently with ETFs.
Generally speaking, fewer than 10 ETFs are likely enough to diversify your portfolio, but this will vary depending on your financial goals, ranging from retirement savings to income generation.
Can an ETF go to zero?
We conclude that in such a situation, an investor in a 2x leveraged ETF might not be doomed to eventual ruin, but funds invested in a 3x ETF will almost certainly approach a value of zero over time.
| ETF | Assets under management | Expense ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Invesco QQQ Trust (ticker: QQQ) | $244 billion | 0.2% |
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) | $14 billion | 0.35% |
| Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) | $19 billion | 0.09% |
| Global X Uranium ETF (URA) | $3 billion | 0.69% |
ETFs are less risky than individual stocks because they are diversified funds. Their investors also benefit from very low fees.
"A newer investor with a modest portfolio may like the ease at which to acquire ETFs (trades like an equity) and the low-cost aspect of the investment. ETFs can provide an easy way to be diversified and as such, the investor may want to have 75% or more of the portfolio in ETFs."
Pros: Returns can be higher than ETFs: Even though stocks are generally a riskier investment, the returns can be greater, especially if the company is growing quickly. Commission-free trading options: There are many commission-free options that allow you to trade stocks without spending an extra penny.
There is no fixed number of ETFs that can be classified as “too many” as it ultimately depends on an investor's individual goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy. However, it is generally recommended to avoid overdiversification, as it can lead to lower returns and higher fees.
ETFs are most often linked to a benchmarking index, meaning that they are often not designed to outperform that index. Investors looking for this type of outperformance (which also, of course, carries added risks) should perhaps look to other opportunities.
| Symbol | Name | 5-Year Return |
|---|---|---|
| TECL | Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares | 49.59% |
| TQQQ | ProShares UltraPro QQQ | 38.51% |
| ROM | ProShares Ultra Technology | 38.13% |
| SOXL | Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 37.92% |
The low investment threshold for most ETFs makes it easy for a beginner to implement a basic asset allocation strategy that matches their investment time horizon and risk tolerance. For example, young investors might be 100% invested in equity ETFs when they are in their 20s.
ETFs. Investment funds are a strategic option during a recession because they have built-in diversification, minimizing volatility compared to individual stocks. However, the fees can get expensive for certain types of actively managed funds.
Do you pay taxes on ETF if you don't sell?
At least once a year, funds must pass on any net gains they've realized. As a fund shareholder, you could be on the hook for taxes on gains even if you haven't sold any of your shares.
An ETF may not be a suitable investment. You can't make automatic investments or withdrawals into or out of ETFs. A mutual fund could be a suitable investment. You can set up automatic investments and withdrawals into and out of mutual funds based on your preferences.
How long should you keep ETFs? It depends on your investment goals and how long you want to stay invested in ETFs. While a long-term ETF holding for more than three years can get you better returns, short-term returns can also be more for some ETFs.
For ETFs held more than a year, you'll owe long-term capital gains taxes at a rate up to 23.8%, once you include the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on high earners. If you hold the ETF for less than a year, you'll be taxed at the ordinary income rate.
These are VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF SMH, Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF QQQM, Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund XLC, Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF MGK, and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF VCR. These funds are likely to continue outperforming should the existing trends prevail.
