Rob Wherry of SmartMoney reports exchange traded funds (ETFs) had a banner year ending with 359 ETFs and holding $417 billion in their coffers. Compared to the year before, with 201 ETFs holding $296 billion.
There are now specialty and sector funds available to suit different tastes. Remember to do some research before investing because ETF holdings vary. SmartMoney magazine rated mutual funds and placed them into seven categories, and because ETFs are performing well, they did the same based on performance evaluation mixed with ETF expert advice and came up with these areas:
- Large-Company ETFs: Rydex S&P Equal Weight (RSP) and iShares Russell 1000 Growth (IWF)
- Mid-Company ETFs: MidCap SPDR (MDY) and Vanguard’s MidCap (VO)
- Small-Company ETFs: iShares Russell 2000 Value (IWN)
- Multi-Cap ETFs: Vanguard Total Stock Market (VTI)
- International Company ETFs: iShares MSCI EAFE (EFA) and Vanguard Emerging Markets (VWO)
For full disclosure, some of Tom Lydon’s clients own IWN, also read the disclosure, as Tom Lydon is a board member of Rydex Funds.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Lydon serves as an independent trustee of certain mutual funds and ETFs that are managed by Guggenheim Investments; however, any opinions or forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Lydon and not those of Guggenheim Funds, Guggenheim Investments, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC or any of their affiliates. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.