Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you expect the world's consumer products industry to thrive as the global economy recovers and develops and rising incomes permit more purchases, the iShares S&P Global Consumer Staples ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The iShares ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a relatively low 0.48%.
This ETF has performed reasonably, beating the S&P 500 handily over the past three years. 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 an ultra-low turnover rate of 4%, this fund isn't frantically and frequently rejiggering its holdings, as many funds do.
What's in it?
Several of this ETF's components made strong contributions to its performance over the past year. Domestic tobacco giant Altria
Drugstore giant Walgreen
Other companies didn't add as much to the ETF's returns last year but could have an effect in the years to come. PepsiCo
The big picture
Demand for consumer staples, by definition, isn't going away anytime soon. 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.
ETFs can help you find the way to better investing results. To find some great ETF investing ideas, take a look at The Motley Fool's special free report, " 3 ETFs Set to Soar During the Recovery ."