Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you expect the nuclear energy industry to prosper over time, the PowerShares Global Nuclear Energy ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The PowerShares ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is 0.75%. That's steeper than many ETFs, but still considerably lower than the typical stock mutual fund.
This ETF doesn't have the best track record, losing to the S&P 500 over the past three years. Still, it's very young, with just a few years on the books. 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.
With a low turnover rate of 25%, this fund isn't frantically and frequently rejiggering its holdings, as many funds do.
What's in it?
Several companies involved in nuclear energy had strong performances over the past year. Duke Energy
FirstEnergy
Other companies didn't do as well last year, but could see their fortunes change in the coming years. Nuclear powerhouse Exelon
Another beneficiary, and probably a more immediate one, is General Electric
The big picture
Demand for energy isn't going away anytime soon, and even the recent Fukushima disaster doesn't seem to have turned most people off of nuclear power. 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 four ETFs you can count on. If you'd like to make money off the global demand for energy but don't want nuclear-heavy companies, then check out our special free report, "3 Stocks for $100 Oil," to learn about some compelling oil-centric stocks.