An ETF is a basket of stocks that reflects the composition of an index, like S&P CNX Nifty, BSE Sensex or the banking index. An ETF’s trading value is based on the net asset value of the underlying stocks that it represents. It is similar to a mutual fund that you can buy and sell in real-time at a price that change during the trading session. ETFs are essentially index funds that are listed and traded on exchanges like stocks. They enable investors to gain broad exposure to entire stock markets in different countries and specific sectors with relative ease, on a real-time basis and at a lower cost than many other forms of investing.What are the types of ETFs?
The two popular ETFs in India are index ETFs and commodity ETFs. Most ETFs in India are index funds that hold securities and attempt to replicate the performance of a stock market index. Nifty Bees, Junior Bees, Gold Bees, Bank Bees and Hang Sang Bees are some of the ETFs traded in India. Among the commodity ETFs, gold ETFs are actively traded in India.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using ETFs?
There are several benefits in investing in ETFs. They can be easily bought and sold like stocks during trading hours using your demat account with no additional paperwork. They have lower expense ratio and the minimum investment is of one unit. However, unlike mutual funds that do not need a demat account, for buying and selling ETFs you need a trading account. Also since ETFs, like stocks, are bought through a broker, every time you trade you also end up paying brokerage for your transaction. However, ETFs allow investors to take the benefit of intra-day movements in the market, which is not possible with open-ended funds.
Take the example of a gold ETF. Buying physical gold and storing it involve tedious processes. You will have to pay a mark up to the jeweller and then spend some more get a bank locker. On the other hand, buying, selling and storing gold in electronic form is more convenient and price-effective. As ETFs are listed on the exchanges, distribution and other operational expenses are significantly lower.
How are ETFs used?
Asset allocation: For individuals it could be difficult to manage asset allocation given the cost involved. ETFs provide investors with exposure to broad segments of the equity markets. They enable investors to build customised investment portfolios in line with their risk taking ability and time horizon.
Ride the market rally: Many times, investors need time to make investment decisions, like buying a particular stock, but do not want to miss out on the opportunity in the stock markets. At such times they can park their funds in ETFs. Because ETFs are liquid, investors can participate in the market rally while deciding where to invest the funds for the longer-term, thus avoiding potential opportunity costs.
Hedging Risks: ETF’s can be used as hedging vehicle because they can be borrowed and sold short. The smaller denominations in which ETFs trade relative to most derivative contracts provide a more accurate risk exposure match, particularly for small investment portfolios.
ETF Gold India
The two popular ETFs in India are index ETFs and commodity ETFs. Most ETFs in India are index funds that hold securities and attempt to replicate the performance of a stock market index. Nifty Bees, Junior Bees, Gold Bees, Bank Bees and Hang Sang Bees are some of the ETFs traded in India. Among the commodity ETFs, gold ETFs are actively traded in India.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using ETFs?
There are several benefits in investing in ETFs. They can be easily bought and sold like stocks during trading hours using your demat account with no additional paperwork. They have lower expense ratio and the minimum investment is of one unit. However, unlike mutual funds that do not need a demat account, for buying and selling ETFs you need a trading account. Also since ETFs, like stocks, are bought through a broker, every time you trade you also end up paying brokerage for your transaction. However, ETFs allow investors to take the benefit of intra-day movements in the market, which is not possible with open-ended funds.
Take the example of a gold ETF. Buying physical gold and storing it involve tedious processes. You will have to pay a mark up to the jeweller and then spend some more get a bank locker. On the other hand, buying, selling and storing gold in electronic form is more convenient and price-effective. As ETFs are listed on the exchanges, distribution and other operational expenses are significantly lower.
How are ETFs used?
Asset allocation: For individuals it could be difficult to manage asset allocation given the cost involved. ETFs provide investors with exposure to broad segments of the equity markets. They enable investors to build customised investment portfolios in line with their risk taking ability and time horizon.
Ride the market rally: Many times, investors need time to make investment decisions, like buying a particular stock, but do not want to miss out on the opportunity in the stock markets. At such times they can park their funds in ETFs. Because ETFs are liquid, investors can participate in the market rally while deciding where to invest the funds for the longer-term, thus avoiding potential opportunity costs.
Hedging Risks: ETF’s can be used as hedging vehicle because they can be borrowed and sold short. The smaller denominations in which ETFs trade relative to most derivative contracts provide a more accurate risk exposure match, particularly for small investment portfolios.
ETF Gold India
At present there are seven Gold ETFs -- Kotak Gold, Gold Share, Gold Bees, Reliance Gold and Quantum Gold ,Religare Gold,SBI Gold-- listed on the National Stock Exchange.
Analysts believe that Gold ETFs have emerged as the top investment avenue in recent times when stock market returns dropped drastically, while physical gold prices are touching the roof in domestic as well as global markets.According to an analysis of the returns provided by Gold ETFs, investors have reaped on an average of 15 per cent in the past three months, while in the past six months the returns have increased by over 20 per cent.
"There is no counter party risk involved in the Gold ETF investment and people are taking it is as a hedge against risk," Ashika Stock Brokers' Research Head Paras Bothra said.
On 16th June.2010, KotakGold ETF settled at Rs. 1830.70 , UTI Mutual Fund's GoldShare ended at Rs 1813.80, Benchmark MFs GoldBees at Rs 1,840.20 on the National Stock Exchange.
Besides, Reliance MF's RelGold closed at Rs 1766.25 and Quantum Gold at Rs 911.95,SBI Gold at Rs.1846.30 & Religare Gold at Rs.1867.30 on NSE.
"People are understanding that the economic problem is deep and intrinsic value is going to deplete. Hence, it has emerged as the only favoured asset class giving positive returns," Bothra added.
Source : www.economitimes.com,www.onemint.com,www.nseindia.com
On 16th June.2010, KotakGold ETF settled at Rs. 1830.70 , UTI Mutual Fund's GoldShare ended at Rs 1813.80, Benchmark MFs GoldBees at Rs 1,840.20 on the National Stock Exchange.
Besides, Reliance MF's RelGold closed at Rs 1766.25 and Quantum Gold at Rs 911.95,SBI Gold at Rs.1846.30 & Religare Gold at Rs.1867.30 on NSE.
"People are understanding that the economic problem is deep and intrinsic value is going to deplete. Hence, it has emerged as the only favoured asset class giving positive returns," Bothra added.
Source : www.economitimes.com,www.onemint.com,www.nseindia.com
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