Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are type of investment fund that holds a basket of assets such as stocks, bonds or commodities. One of the main advantages of ETFs is their low expense ratios, which can save investors money in the long run. With the help of ETFs, investors can spread their risk over a variety of assets and benefit from diversification. Due to the fact that they can be traded like individual stocks throughout the day, they are also quite volatile. ETFs also offer transparency because they make it simple for investors to learn about the fund's holdings and performance. In general, ETFs provide investors with a convenient and cost - effective option to expose themselves to a variety of assets.