ETF Trading Basics: The Advantages

Most people are just learning about ETF trading. Many have only heard bits and pieces about the Exchange-Traded Funds market and how it works. This is an incredibly complex market that a person will want to learn and get comfortable with before beginning trading in earnest. This is a brief overview of the benefits of ETF trading that may encourage a person to look into the market more closely.

Usually when someone talks about the “history” of a company, business, or market, people automatically think a long time. This is not the case with ETF. ETF became actively-managed in 2008. The “history” that ETF has is the relationship with the financial firms that are the major financial firms with a long history who are ETF leaders. By looking at these firms history with stocks, one can surmise that ETF will have a solid growth.

The next important item to know is that this industry is growing like crazy. In 2008 there were 628 ETFs with $562 billion, in August of 2009 there were 858 ETFs with $674 billion. With the growth has come many different types of ETFs that range from minimally risky to very risky.

There are numerous advantages to ETF trading. It has many of the benefits that stock provide. However, ETFs are usually very affordable when they are not actively-managed. Most ETFs do not have 12b-1 fees. There are lower accounting, distribution, and marketing costs. And, there is not forced purchase or sales of securities to pay shareholders.

There is a tremendous amount of buying and selling flexibility. ETFs can be bought and sold at any time during the trading day. A person can purchase shares on margin and sell short which allows hedging strategies to be used. Most of the benefits of stock trading are included in ETF trading. A person can use stop order, limit orders, use stop-loss orders, and buy on margin options (puts, calls, 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.

In order to be structured an ETF must get an exemption from the SEC. Most ETFs are structured as open-end management investment companies the same as mutual and money market funds so have greater flexibility in constructing a portfolio. They can participate in lending programs and can use futures and options to achieve investment objectives. The SEC has proposed a category for ETFs that will make them open-end management investment companies. When the proposal is approved ETFs will no longer have to get an exemption.

When considering ETF trading it is important to talk to a professional who has knowledge about ETF trading and the intricacies of the market. There are many complex details that one should have a solid knowledge in before entering trading. A professional will be able to assist and advise an individual in the best strategy to be successful when they begin trading.

Learn how it’s very possible to make 6% per month in your investment accounts using etf trading! “Big A” is a recognized expert in the world of etf trading system … reveals trading … investment secrets that have been kept under wraps by hedge traders for years. Get his free report … webinar today!