ETFs & Funds Explained
A plain-English guide to what funds, ETFs and index funds actually are, how the mechanics work, what they cost, and how to assemble a sensible portfolio without overpaying.
- 1Part 1 of 9 7 min
What Is a Fund? Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Index Funds Explained
A plain-English guide to what an investment fund is, and how mutual funds, ETFs, and index funds differ in structure, trading, and cost.
Read part 1 - 2Part 2 of 9 8 min
ETFs vs Mutual Funds: Structure, Trading, and Tax Compared
ETFs and mutual funds both pool your money, but differ in trading, minimums, cost, and tax. Here is the comparison that actually matters.
Read part 2 - 3Part 3 of 9 8 min
How ETFs Actually Work: Creation, Redemption, and Authorised Participants
ETFs stay close to the value of what they hold thanks to creation, redemption, and arbitrage by authorised participants. Here is how the mechanism works.
Read part 3 - 4Part 4 of 9 8 min
Index Funds and Passive Investing: Tracking the Market Explained
Index funds aim to match a market rather than beat it. Learn how tracking works, what tracking error means, and why passive investing has grown so fast.
Read part 4 - 5Part 5 of 9 9 min
Reading an ETF: Expense Ratios, AUM, Liquidity, and the Fact Sheet
Learn to read an ETF fact sheet like an analyst: expense ratio (OCF/TER), AUM, liquidity, spread, tracking difference, and the KID metrics that matter.
Read part 5 - 6Part 6 of 9 9 min
Types of ETFs: Broad Market, Sector, Thematic, Bond, and Commodity
A tour of the main ETF types: broad-market, sector, thematic, bond, commodity, and crypto ETPs, with what each is for and where the risks hide.
Read part 6 - 7Part 7 of 9 8 min
Physical vs Synthetic ETFs and the Role of Swaps
Some ETFs own their holdings; others get the return through a swap. Learn how physical and synthetic replication differ, and where the risks really sit.
Read part 7 - 8Part 8 of 9 10 min
Domicile and Tax for Non-US Investors: UCITS, Irish Domicile, and Accumulating vs Distributing
Why ETF domicile matters for non-US investors: UCITS rules, Irish-domiciled funds, withholding tax, US estate tax, and accumulating vs distributing classes.
Read part 8 - 9Part 9 of 9 9 min
Building a Portfolio With ETFs: Core-Satellite, Costs, and Common Mistakes
How to assemble a sensible ETF portfolio: core-satellite structure, asset allocation, keeping costs low, rebalancing, and the mistakes to avoid.
Read part 9