##{"id":58952,"date":"2011-10-06T11:08:36","date_gmt":"2011-10-06T00:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fnarena.com\/index.php\/2011\/10\/06\/smsfundamentals-learn-more-about-etfs\/"},"modified":"2011-10-06T11:08:36","modified_gmt":"2011-10-06T00:08:36","slug":"smsfundamentals-learn-more-about-etfs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.fnarena.com\/index.php\/2011\/10\/06\/smsfundamentals-learn-more-about-etfs\/","title":{"rendered":"SMSFundamentals: Learn More About ETFs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tSMSFundamentals<\/span> is an ongoing feature series dedicated to providing SMSFs<\/span> (smurfs<\/span>) with valuable news, investment ideas and services, in line with SMSF<\/span> requirements and obligations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tFor an introduction and story archive please visit FNArena's<\/span> SMSFundamentals<\/span><\/a> website.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tEarlier SMSFundamentals<\/span> articles have sought to introduce smurfs<\/span> to exchange-traded funds (ETF<\/span>) for consideration in self-managed super funds. (Active, Passive And ETFs<\/span><\/a>; Exchange-Traded Funds Part II<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\n\tBlackRock<\/span> Australia's ETF<\/span> business iShares<\/span> has this week announced the launch of what it calls a multi-faceted education campaign to raise investor understanding of ETFs<\/span>. iShares<\/span> is the world leader in listed ETFs<\/span>, accounting for more than 40% of the global ETF<\/span> market.<\/p>\n

\n\t“This education series,” suggests iShares<\/span> Australia head Mark Oliver, “explains what ETFs<\/span> are, the way they work and how they can be incorporated into investment portfolios”.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn launching the campaign, Oliver is attempting to counter what he suggests is recently published misleading information about ETFs<\/span> that should be countered by facts. “We believe all investors should be appropriately informed about ETFs<\/span>,” says Oliver, “particularly their safe structure and the benefits they provide”. With ETFs<\/span>, investors are provided with an attractive way to access multiple markets, asset classes and sectors in a cost-effective manner, Oliver suggests.<\/p>\n

\n\tAs part of the campaign, iShares<\/span> has added tools to its website providing a performance chart which examines how closely an iShares<\/span> ETF<\/span> follows its benchmark. There is also a portfolio allocation tool allowing investors to view the underlying countries and sectors in a portfolio, and a global pricing tool that shows investors when a fund’s underlying holdings trade on the local market.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe above tools are prefaced by an educational video, “Understanding ETFs”<\/span>. FNArena<\/span> recommends readers take a look at the iShares<\/span> educational website <\/a>and peruse its offerings.<\/p>\n

\n\tThere are currently over 50 ETFs<\/span> listed on the ASX<\/span> through BlackRock<\/span> and other ETF<\/span> sponsors, offering investment in local and global stocks indices, stock sectors, high-yield portfolios, fixed interest and commodities. Visit the ASX's<\/span> ETF<\/span> page <\/a>for listing details.<\/p>\n

\n\tPlease be advised by FNArena<\/span>, as is the case with investments of any sort, that it is imperative you seek independent advice from your stockbroker or financial adviser as to the most appropriate ETF<\/span> selections for your portfolio, and please educate yourself on the workings of EFTs<\/span> and the implications for risk, reward and tax management before formulating your investment decisions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"