New to Investing? Here's a List of ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a great starting point when you are ready to start investing and learning the ropes. With people losing their shirts on meme stocks, the Bear market spiral, and crypto, there is an opportunity to start SMART+ER than the average investor.

It’s important to consider this, especially if you are a new investor.

Studies of stock pickers found that the vast majority of professional money managers – about 85% – underperform the market over a multiyear period. This means that they can win (and win big) in the short run, and lose way more the next cycle.

So next time you hear about the hottest ticket in town, ask about their track record. And then go for something with a bit more certainty than gambling.

Table of Contents

There are Advantages and Disadvantages to Consider when Investing in an ETF

Advantages

ETFs typically have lower expense ratios than mutual funds, which can save you money over time.
They can provide instant diversification by tracking a broad market index, such as the S&P 500.
There are ETF requirements such as disclosing holdings.
Additionally, there is a degree of Tax efficiency and Flexibility since you trade them throughout the day, like stocks. The latter is a massive benefit over mutual funds.

Disadvantages

ETFs may have trading costs, such as a commission or bid-ask spread.
They may not track their underlying index perfectly, due to factors such as trading costs and market impact.
Some use leverage, which can magnify your losses as well as your gains.
Many end up over-diversifying with multiple ETFs in their portfolios.
ETFs can be complex and even overwhelming at first.
And finally, you can still lose money if you come in at a high and get hit with a low. The real barometer is time. The longer you have to invest the better you will perform.

Check out some of the ETFs that are available, below. I’ll be updating this list periodically since there are plenty more. But I have to vet them first. Bonus for all the readers, if you want to get a near-accurate view of the TNFG Investment Portfolio with all the holdings, click because it’s blue. It will send you to the google sheets view.

People ask and I always deliver on transparency.

Build a Diversified Portfolio from the Start

Go with one that’s tied to an INDEX

ETF Ticker Symbol	Name	Annual Expense Ratio	5-Year Average Annualized Return	Price Per Share as of 4.13.23
$VOO	Vanguard S&P 500	0.03%	10.9%	$379.78
$IVV	iShares Core S&P 500	0.03%	11.0%	$415.17
$SPY	SPDR S&P 500	0.095%	10.9%	$413.41
$QQQ	NASDAQ 100 Index	0.20%	15.35%	$319.24
$SPLG	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500	0.03%	11.20%	$48.61
$SCHX	Schwab U.S. Large-Cap	0.03%	10.72%	$48.76
$DIA	SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	0.16%	8.76%	$340.37

Notice how they are all nearly identical ie they are pegged closely to the S&P 500. DIA is tied to the DOW and QQQ is tied to the NASDAQ.

Nothing’s Wrong with a Bit of High-Dividend ETFs

ETF Ticker Symbol	Name	Annual Expense Ratio	5-Year Average Annualized Return	Price Per Share as of 4.13.23	Dividend Yield
$FDVV	Fidelity High Dividend	0.29%	10.29%	$38.79	3.76%
$JEPI	*JPMorgan Equity Premium Income	0.35%	—	$54.88	11.41%
$VYM	Vanguard High Dividend Yield	0.06%	8.64%	$107.12	3.10%
$FIDI	Fidelity International High Dividend	0.39%	0.58%	$19.59	5.44%
$VYMI	Vanguard International High Dividend Yield	0.22%	3.14%	$64.18	4.45%
$SPYD	SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend	0.07%	6.25%	$38.26	4.49%

*JEPI is kinda something else but I like it so it’s on the list.

Even Industry Specific ETFs exist

ETF Ticker Symbol	Index/Industry Tracking	Annual Expense Ratio	5-Year Average Annualized Return	Price Per Share as of 4.13.23	Dividend Yield
$JETS	U.S. Global Jets	0.60%	-9.03%	$18.07	0.82%
$VDE	Vanguard Energy	0.10%	8.44%	$120.09	3.87%
$QCLN	Clean Energy Industry	0.60%	12.03%	$52.84	0.55%
$XSD	SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF	0.35%	23.62%	$195.84	0.44%
$BETZ	Sports Betting & iGaming	0.75%	-11.70%	$16.34	0.58%
$IPO	Renaissance IPO	0.60%	0.30%	$28.45	0.11%
$FDIG	Crypto Industry and Digital Payment	0.39%	—	$17.55	—
$SMH	VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.35%	21.22%	$252.32	0.94%
$TAN	Invesco Solar ETF	0.69%	25.12%	$77.00	0.12%
$FTEC	Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.08%	17.58%	$112.91	0.81%