Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Advantages Of ETF Trading: Basics

By Patrick Deaton

If you are a person who has just been introduced to ETF Trading (Exchange-Traded Funds), then this introduction may be helpful. ETF is very complex and there are many moving parts to trading so this is a broad brush stroke of some basic information and the advantages of ETF trading.

There are many benefits to ETF trading but a person needs to know that the "history" referred to in ETF is relative. The major players in ETF trading are large financial firms that have a strong history and background in the stock market. ETF itself began being actively-managed in 2008. When one looks for a "history" of success with ETF they will want to look to the firms that have a history of success on Wall Street.

Another factor in determining the popularity of ETF training are the numbers. There were 628 ETFs in 2008 with $562 billion. In August, 2009, there were 858 ETFs holding $674 billion. Part of the astounding growth of ETF trading has been due to the number of ETF trading markets that are available. Some of the trading is of minimal risk to a trader. Other trades are extremely high risk and require extensive knowledge of the movement of the market one is trading in.

Among the benefits of ETFs is their likeness to stocks. The difference is that they are usually less expensive and are not actively-managed. Buying and selling of securities to accommodate shareholders does not take place with ETFs. Most ETFs don't have 12b-1 fees. And, there are lower distribution, accounting, and marketing expenses.

A person moving from stock trading to ETF trading will notice a distinct increase in the flexibility of buying and selling. ETFs are bought and sold at any time during the trading day. A trader can buy shares on margin and sell short to employ hedging strategies. Many of the stock trading benefits come with ETFs. A trader can use limit orders, stop-loss orders, buy on margin options, etc.

ETFs generate relatively low capital gains so have the same tax efficiency as that found in mutual funds. This is because of the low turnover in portfolio securities that ETFs have. A trader can balance their portfolio allocations more economically because of the market exposure and diversity of the trading. And, whether the ETF is actively-managed or indexed, there is transparency. Each day the ETF website posts the net asset value and other information that the trader will want to know for the day before. One is never left in the dark about trading or asset management.

The SEC provides an exemption in order for an ETF to be structured. Most are open-end management investment companies just as money market and mutual funds. This gives them greater flexibility in portfolio construction. ETFs participation in lending programs. They also use futures and options to achieve investment objectives. There is a proposal being considered to create an ETF category so that they will no longer need an exemption from the SEC.

An individual considering ETF trading will want to become very knowledgeable in every aspect of trading. By contacting a professional who has expertise in the details and intricacies of ETF trading a person will be able to make the decisions and create a strategy that will help them to be successful in their trading endeavors. - 23204

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