Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you'd like to add some small-cap stocks to your portfolio because their great room for growth, the Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The Vanguard ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a very low 0.16%. (Vanguard is known for its low fees.) The fund is very small, too, so if you're thinking of buying, beware of occasionally large spreads between its bid and ask prices. Consider using a limit order if you want to buy in.
This ETF has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year, but it's also very young, with not much of a track record to assess. 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?
Plenty of small-cap companies had strong performances over the past year. Questcor Pharmaceuticals
Salix Pharmaceuticals
Brunswick
Other companies didn't do as well last year, but could see their fortunes change in the coming years. CommVault Systems
The big picture
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.
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