Single Stock Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) (2024)

disb

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

Understand Unique Risks of Single Stock ETFs
The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) wants consumers to be aware of the risks related to Single Stock Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). While an ETF sounds like a simple “single” investment, it comes with enhanced risks; including lack of diversification, daily resets, leveraged structure, active trading needs, and compounding losses.

What is a Single Stock ETF?
Single Stock ETFs track the performance of a single underlying security in contrast to most ETFs that track the performance of multiple securities. They pay positive or negative multiples of the market performance of the underlying stock. That means a single ETF holder has a leveraged position and faces a greater exposure to market volatility than just simply holding that single stock. And typically, Single Stock ETFs are not designed to be held for more than one day. The value of a Single Stock ETF resets daily, adding another layer of risk with instant realization of losses, as it closes daily and redeems ETF shares.

What Does a Single Stock ETF Look Like?
Suppose that Fleetza Pizza, Inc. is traded on an exchange, and there are two different Single Stock ETFs based on Fleetza’s stock price. The first Single Stock ETF is a 2x leveraged, and the second is a 2x inverse leveraged fund. On Monday, if Fleetza’s stock price goes up 10% from $100 to $110 per share, the 2x leveraged Single Stock ETF would earn 20%, and go to $120 per share, while the 2x inverse Single Stock ETF would lose 20%, thus dropping to $80 per share. On Tuesday, the Single Stock ETFs reset their respective prices, and begin trading again.

The profit or loss you can experience from investing in a single stock ETF can greatly increase when the stock's price fluctuates. This profit or loss is determined at the end of each day when the stock market closes, and it is reflected in your investment account daily. That is why single Stock ETFs are meant to be actively traded. They are not designed to be long-term holds.

Know the Risks
Single Stock ETFs:

  • Are not in the best interest of long-term investors
  • Lack diversification
  • Pose leveraged and compounding losses

The Bottom Line
Be careful when you invest in a complex product. If you cannot afford to lose your investment largely, use caution. Contact DISB for resources that will help you understand the risks associated with Single Stock ETFs. For more information, visit disb.dc.gov or finra.org/investors/insights/lowdown-leveraged-and-inverse-exchange-traded-products.

DISB Mission
Our mission is three-fold: (1) cultivate a regulatory environment that protects consumers and attracts and retains financial services firms to the District; (2) empower and educate residents and (3) support the development and expansion of business.

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Single Stock Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) (2024)

FAQs

Is there a single stock ETF? ›

There are two versions of single stock ETFs: leveraged and inverse. With a leveraged SSE, the fund uses derivatives to magnify the returns of the underlying stock. For example, say that you buy a leveraged SSE built around ABC Co.

What is the largest single stock ETF? ›

The biggest single-stock ETF, a 2x long Nvidia fund from GraniteShares, has posted more than $1 billion in inflows in 2024 and is approaching $2 billion in total assets. Proponents of the funds say they are a tool that allows regular investors to employ strategies long used by Wall Street.

What is the difference between a single stock and an ETF? ›

Stocks represent a piece of ownership in a publicly traded company. ETFs are a bundle of assets and securities such as different stocks and bonds. A single ETF can contain dozens or hundreds of different stocks, or bonds or almost anything else considered an investable asset.

Is an ETF a good investment? ›

Bottom line. ETFs make a great pick for many investors who are starting out as well as for those who simply don't want to do all the legwork required to own individual stocks. Though it's possible to find the big winners among individual stocks, you have strong odds of doing well consistently with ETFs.

Can you buy single stock as ETF? ›

Single Stock ETFs track the performance of a single underlying security in contrast to most ETFs that track the performance of multiple securities. They pay positive or negative multiples of the market performance of the underlying stock.

Can you buy a single ETF? ›

These days, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, can do much more than passively track a basket of stocks. For example, recently introduced single-stock ETFs allow traders to place big bets on individual stocks.

What are three disadvantages to owning an ETF over a mutual fund? ›

Disadvantages of ETFs
  • Trading fees. Although ETFs are generally cheaper than other lower-risk investment options (such as mutual funds) they are not free. ...
  • Operating expenses. ...
  • Low trading volume. ...
  • Tracking errors. ...
  • The possibility of less diversification. ...
  • Hidden risks. ...
  • Lack of liquidity. ...
  • Capital gains distributions.

Why buy an ETF instead of a mutual fund? ›

ETFs typically track a specific market index, sector, commodity, or other asset class, exposing investors to a range of securities in a single investment. Their benefits include liquidity, lower expenses than mutual funds, diversification, and tax advantages.

Are ETFs safer than stocks? ›

Are ETFs Safer Than Stocks? ETFs are baskets of stocks or securities, but although this means that they are generally well diversified, some ETFs invest in very risky sectors or employ higher-risk strategies, such as leverage.

What is the safest ETF? ›

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are one of the safer types of investments out there, as they require less effort than investing in individual stocks while also increasing diversification.

Should I put all my money in ETFs? ›

You expose your portfolio to much higher risk with sector ETFs, so you should use them sparingly, but investing 5% to 10% of your total portfolio assets may be appropriate. If you want to be highly conservative, don't use these at all.

What are the top 5 ETFs to buy? ›

7 Best ETFs to Buy Now
ETFExpense RatioYear-to-date Performance
Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX)0.65%26.2%
YieldMax NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF (NVDY)1.01%12.9%
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX)0.35%14.9%
Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX)0.50%22.9%
3 more rows
May 7, 2024

How much should I invest in a single ETF? ›

You expose your portfolio to much higher risk with sector ETFs, so you should use them sparingly, but investing 5% to 10% of your total portfolio assets may be appropriate. If you want to be highly conservative, don't use these at all.

What is a 3X leveraged single stock ETF? ›

Leveraged 3X ETFs are funds that track a wide variety of asset classes, such as stocks, bonds and commodity futures, and apply leverage in order to gain three times the daily or monthly return of the respective underlying index.

Do you own actual stock with an ETF? ›

ETFs do not involve actual ownership of securities. Mutual funds own the securities in their basket. Stocks involve physical ownership of the security. ETFs diversify risk by creating a portfolio that can span multiple asset classes, sectors, industries, and security instruments.

Can I buy one unit of ETF? ›

However, the ETF lot sizes are usually quite large compared to average transaction size of retail investors. You can invest or redeem with the AMC like any open ended mutual fund. You can buy one or more units of ETFs in the stock market / exchange.

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