Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you expect the nuclear power industry to grow as our world continues to demand energy, especially the non-fossil-fuel kind, the S&P Global Nuclear Energy Index ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The nuclear power ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a relatively low 0.48%.
This ETF hasn't been the best performer so far, trailing the S&P 500 badly over the past three years. But it's also very young, with just a few years on the books. It's very small, too, so if you're thinking of buying, beware of occasionally large spreads between its bid and ask prices.
As with most investments, of course, we can't expect outstanding performances in every quarter or year. Investors with conviction need to wait for their holdings to deliver.
What's in it?
Several of this ETF's components made contributions to its performance over the past year. Despite doubts about nuclear energy's future after the Japanese earthquake, Exelon
FirstEnergy
Other companies hurt the ETF's returns last year but could have an effect in the years to come. Shaw Group
EnergySolutions
The big picture
Demand for energy isn't going away anytime soon, and for better or worse, nuclear energy remains in demand, too. A well-chosen ETF can grant you instant diversification across any industry or group of companies -- and make investing in and profiting from it that much easier.
Learn about the best dividend ETFs. And if you're looking for some great investments beyond ETFs, consider these 10 Stocks for Your Retirement Portfolio.