Shares/Stock ETFs Vs. Mutual Funds

[Jasmine]

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds are both investment vehicles that pool money from many investors to buy a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. Nevertheless, there are numerous key differences between ETFs and Mutual Funds

1. Structure: ETFs are traded on stock exchanges, like individual stocks, and can be bought or sold at any time during market hours. Mutual funds, on the other hand, are priced once a day at the market close.
2. Management: ETFs are passively managed, meaning they aim to track the performance of a specific index, such as the S&P 500. Mutual funds are actively managed, meaning a fund manager makes decisions on what to buy and sell.
3. Costs: ETFs typically have lower expense ratios than mutual funds, due to their passive management style.
4. Taxation: ETFs tend to be more tax-efficient than mutual funds, as they are structured in a way that minimizes capital gains distributions.
5. Investment style: ETFs offer more flexibility and versatility in terms of investment style and asset classes, as there are ETFs available for a wide range of market segments and investment strategies. Mutual funds are typically more limited in terms of investment options.

Ultimately, the choice between an ETF or a mutual fund will depend on the individual investor's goals, risk tolerance, and investment style.