When it comes to exchange traded fund (ETF) investing, transparency is often touted as an advantage. But do you know where to look?

There are many websites to go to, and they usually have a list and breakdown of the single stocks that the fund holds. Another good place to start is the individual provider’s site. For example if it is PowerShares Aerospace and Defense Portfolio (PPA) that you want to research further, you can go to PowerShares’ own site to get information such as expense ratios, holdings and more.

We have a list of providers with links to take you directly to the sites of U.S.-based ETF providers. Everyone has different layouts and ways of doing things, but often just entering the ticker you’d like into the search box on a provider’s site will take you to a page with information about the fund.

Matt Krantz for USAToday explains that the prospectus also has all the information  you would want, but the trick is to read through all of the fine print. A thorough list of holdings can also be found here.

Tags: PPA