ETF is the acronym for Exchange-Traded Fund, which can be translated as “listed investment fund” and is an investment fund that is traded on the stock exchange. An ETF contains a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, or a combination of these. And they can be bought and sold as individual stocks during stock market trading hours.
ETFs offer several advantages for investors, one of them is diversification, as it allows you to gain exposure to a variety of assets with a single investment. Another of their characteristics is that they are easy to buy and sell, with relatively low transaction fees and real-time purchase and sale prices.
There are different types of ETFs, some replicate the performance of an index, others that are thematic and focus on a specific sector or theme, and asset ones that are managed by an investment team that seeks to outperform the underlying index.
In short, it is an investment fund that can be bought and sold like an individual stock, is made up of several assets, offers diversification, and ease of trading, and is an accessible way for individual investors to diversify their portfolios.
Some examples of popular ETFs
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): Tracks the performance of the S&P 500, which includes the top 500 publicly traded companies in the United States.
- iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA): Tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE index, which includes leading companies in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
- Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ): Tracks the performance of the Nasdaq 100, which includes the top 100 publicly traded technology companies in the United States.
- SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD): Invests in bullion and provides exposure to the price of gold.
- iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD): Invests in investment grade corporate bonds, with an “investment” or higher.
- iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI): Invests in major publicly traded Chinese companies.
- Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF): Invests in leading companies in the financial sector, such as banks, insurance companies, and investment companies.
These are just a few examples and there are many others available on the market, and remember that you should always research any instrument before investing in it to understand its composition and how it relates to your investment objectives.
Do ETFs generate compound interest?
The simple answer is that ETFs do not generate compound interest directly, since they are funds that replicate the performance of an index or a set of assets. However, if you replicate the performance of an index that has a compound return, it will also reflect that return. Therefore, if an ETF is made up of shares of companies that pay dividends, the investor will receive those dividends, which can generate a compounding return through reinvestment of those dividends.
How can I invest in an ETF from Mexico?
To invest in this instrument from Mexico you must have an account with a stock broker that allows you to operate in the stock market. Some brokers in Mexico include GBM+, Kuspit, and Accitrade, among others.
Before opening your account, check to see if the broker offers the ETF you are interested in. It is also advisable to review the commissions they charge.
Are there Mexican ETFs?
That’s right, there are Mexican Exchange Traded Funds. These are some of the investment funds that are listed on the stock market and that replicate the behavior of an index or basket of financial assets.
- iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (EWW)
- BBVA Mexico S&P/BMV IPC ETF (BMV: BBVAIPC)
- GBM Infrastructure ETF (BMV: GBMFINFRA)
- GBM ESG ETF (BMV: GBMESG)
It is important to highlight that they are investment instruments that carry risks, so it is advisable to evaluate the characteristics and performance of each one before making an investment decision. It is also advisable to consult with a financial advisor before investing in this or any other type of financial instrument.