When browsing for an exchange traded fund, investors typically make a bee-line toward the largest ETF in a given market segment. However, with over 1,400 funds available, people should also look at alternative products that cover similar strategies.
If you take the time to look around, there are a number of funds outside the big ETFs that could provide better returns and diversification, writes Aaron Levitt for Investopedia.
For instance, many have invested in the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD), which has a 0.40% expense ratio, as a way to hedge against quantitative easing, debt issues and inflation expectations. Alternatively, the iShares Gold Trust (NYSEArca: IAU) is a similar offering but comes with a 0.25% expense ratio. [Reasons Why Gold ETFs Could Bounce Back]
Additionally, the ETFS Physical PM Basket (NYSEArca: GLTR) and the ETFS Physical White Metals Basket Share (NYSEArca: WITE) provide exposure to a basket of various precious metals. WITE holds the “white metals” silver, platinum and palladium; and GLTR holds a basket of silver, platinum, palladium and gold. [Why Platinum and Palladium ETFs are Breaking Out]