Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you expect companies focused on the rare-earth and strategic metals that are used in industry to prosper as the global economy picks up, the Market Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF
The basics
ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The rare-earth ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is a relatively low 0.57%.
This ETF doesn't have much of a performance yet, as it's just a few years old. It badly lagged the S&P 500 last year and is well ahead of it so far this year. 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?
Relatively few rare-earth and strategic metals companies had strong performances over the past year, as the global economy has put pressure on the industry. Newmont Mining
Other companies didn't do as well last year, but could see their fortunes change in the coming years. Molycorp
Titanium Metals
The big picture
Demand for critical metals 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.
Learn about the 5 ETFs That Could Soar in 2012. And if you're looking for some great investments beyond ETFs, consider these 12 Dividend Stocks for 2012.