What is ETFs in Stocks?

How ETFs Work

As we indicated in the beginning, ETFs share characteristics with mutual funds and shares. In the stock market, they are often exchanged in the form of shares that are generated via the use of creative blocks. There are ETF funds available for purchase and sale on all major stock exchanges during equities trading hours. 

ETF prices fluctuate based on the market value of the underlying assets. However, an ETF’s market price may also trade at a premium or discount to its Net Asset Value (NAV) due to supply and demand. The share price of an ETF grows in proportion to the price of one or more assets, and vice versa. It is the performance and asset management of the ETF business that determines the dividends paid to shareholders of ETFs. 

Depending on the firm, they may be controlled actively or passively. ETFs that are actively managed are run by a portfolio manager, who analyzes the stock market and takes a calculated risk by investing in high-potential firms, such as Facebook and Google. Passively managed ETFs track an index (e.g., Nifty 50, S&P 500) and invest in all companies listed in that index, regardless of whether they are rising or falling. Investing in an ETF rather than a mutual fund or a company's stock has several benefits.
 

Types of ETFs

Investors may choose from a wide range of ETFs that can be utilized for income creation, speculation, price appreciation, and risk management. These are some of the most popular investment options on the market today along with the intricacies of how ETFs work.

1. Bond ETFs

Investing in bond ETFs provides investors with monthly income. This means that their income distribution is influenced by the performance of bonds that they own. Government, corporate, and municipal bonds (sometimes known as municipal bonds) may all be included in this category. Bond ETFs do not have a maturity date, unlike their underlying assets. Their price is usually higher or lower than the real bond price. 

2. Stock-Based ETFs

In order to follow a specific industry or sector regarding how ETFs work, stock ETFs include a collection of equities. For example, a stock ETF may follow the performance of automotive or international companies.

The goal is to expose students to a wide range of companies in a particular sector, including both established and up-and-comers. Because they are less expensive and don't need real ownership of the underlying assets, stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an attractive alternative to stock mutual funds. 

3. Industry Based ETFs

An industry or sector ETF is a fund that tracks the performance of a particular industry or area. As an example, firms working in the energy industry will be included in an ETF for that sector. Investing in industry ETFs is a way to obtain exposure to the industry's potential upside by monitoring the performance of firms in that area.

There has been a surge in investment in the IT industry in recent years. While the negative of fluctuating stock performance is likewise reduced with an ETF, direct ownership of stocks is not involved. Additionally, industry ETFs may be utilized to shift from one sector to another throughout economic cycles. 

4. Commodity Based ETFs

For example, commodity ETFs invest in commodities such as crude oil or gold. Commodity ETFs provide a number of advantages. In the first place, they broaden a portfolio's diversity, making it easier to weather market downturns.

To provide an example, commodities ETFs may offer a buffer while the stock market is in freefall. Second, holding commodities ETF shares is less expensive than owning the commodity itself. There are no insurance or storage charges associated with the former. 

5. Currency Based ETFs

Investment vehicles that follow the performance of currency pairings, which include local and foreign currencies, are called currency ETFs. There are several uses for currency ETFs. A country's political and economic trends may be utilized to predict currency values.

Importers and exporters also use them to diversify their portfolios or to protect themselves from currency market volatility. Some of them are also employed as a kind of inflation protection. Even an ETF for Bitcoin is available. 

6. Inverse ETFs

Inverse ETFs are designed to profit from stock drops by shorting equities. Inverse ETFs use derivatives (like futures and options) to achieve inverse returns of an index. Investors in inverse ETFs are not directly shorting stocks but benefiting from price declines. Derivatives are used in an inverse ETF to short the stock. Essentially, they are wagers that the market will fall.

An inverse ETF's value rises proportionately as the market falls. One thing investors need to keep in mind when considering inverse ETFs is that many of them are really exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Unlike a bond, an ETN is traded like a stock and has an issuer like a bank as its backer. It is important to consult with your financial advisor to see whether an ETN is right for you.
 

Benefits and Risks of Trading ETFs

Now you know etf meaning in stock market let's understand its advantages. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) offer several benefits compared to traditional mutual funds:

1. Flexible Trading: Unlike mutual funds, which only trade once a day at the end of the trading session, ETFs can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. This means you can react quickly to market changes, much like trading individual stocks.

2. Transparency: Most ETFs provide daily updates on their holdings. This transparency helps investors see exactly what assets the ETF owns, giving you a clearer picture of where your money is invested.

3. Tax Efficiency: ETFs are generally more tax-friendly than actively managed mutual funds. This is because ETFs often generate fewer capital gains distributions, which can result in lower taxes for investors.

4. Order Types: ETFs allow for various order types that mutual funds don’t. you can place limit orders or stop loss orders. This flexibility helps you manage your investment strategy more effectively.
 

How to Invest in ETFs

In India, you can buy ETFs or Exchange-Traded Funds through online brokers or traditional broker-dealers. You can also purchase ETFs through your retirement accounts. If you prefer a more automated approach, a stockbroker can help.

ETFs have low expense ratios because they track an index, meaning they cost less to manage. Most online investing platforms and apps offer ETFs without commission fees, so you don't pay extra for buying or selling.
To start, open and fund a brokerage account. Then, you can search for ETFs and make trades. To choose the right ETF, use screening tools that consider factors like trading volume, expense ratio, past performance, and holdings. This helps you find the best options for your investment goals.
 

Most Popular ETFs

Here are the most famous ETFs on the basis of being traded most on exchange:

As of 1st April 2025

ETFs vs. Mutual Funds vs. Stocks

Dividends and Taxes

Dividend-paying businesses might also be advantageous to ETF investors.  A part of profits is distributed to investors in the form of dividends.  In addition to receiving a portion of any interest or dividends received, ETF shareholders may also receive residual value in the event that the fund is liquidated.

Since most purchases and sales of an ETF take place on an exchange and the ETF sponsor does not have to redeem shares each time an investor wants to sell ETF shares, an ETF is more tax-efficient than a mutual fund.
 

ETF Creation and Redemption

Large, specialized investors known as authorized participants (APs) are involved in the formation and redemption processes that manage the supply of ETF shares.  The AP purchases securities from the index, like the S&P 500 that the fund tracks, and sells or exchanges them for new ETF shares at a comparable price when an ETF manager wishes to issue more shares.  The AP then makes a profit by selling the ETF shares in the market.

A creation unit is the block of shares utilized in a transaction where an AP sells stocks to the ETF sponsor in exchange for shares in the ETF.  An accounting method used to calculate the total worth of the stocks or assets in an ETF is called the net asset value (NAV).

On the other hand, an AP also purchases ETF shares on the open market.  In return for individual stock shares that the AP can sell on the open market, the AP then sells these shares back to the ETF sponsor.  Consequently, the process known as redemption lowers the quantity of ETF shares.  The market's demand and whether the ETF is trading at a premium or discount to the value of its assets determine how much redemption and creation activity there is.
 

Do ETFs Provide Diversification?

Diversification is offered by almost all ETFs in comparison to buying individual stocks.  However, depending on how many different securities they hold or how they are weighted, some ETFs are quite concentrated.  For instance, compared to comparable funds with a wider asset distribution, a fund that concentrates half of its assets in two or three positions may offer less diversification.
 

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how ETFs work. Because of their wide range of benefits, ETFs are an excellent entry point for new investors and traders alike. Dollar-cost averaging, asset allocation, swing trading, sector rotation, short selling, seasonal patterns, and hedging are some of the best ETF trading methods for beginners.