Frequently Asked Questions

For investing in ETFs in India, you need to open a Demat account with a bank or brokerage, which allows you to buy and hold ETFs. Next, select an ETF investment that aligns with your goals and research its performance, expense ratio, and tracking error. You can buy the ETF just as you would stocks.

No, the securities in ETF funds depend on the benchmark index. So, depending on the composition of that index, an ETF investment can comprise of stocks, bonds, commodities etc.

There are several types of ETF funds in India. These include broad market ETFs that track major indices like Nifty 50, gold ETFs, which track the prices of domestic gold, bond ETFs, which invest in government or corporate bonds, sector ETFs, which focus on specific sectors such as banking or technology and commodity ETFs, which track commodities like silver and other metals.

ETF investments passively track indices and trade like stocks on exchanges, allowing intraday trading and typically having lower fees. In comparison, actively managed mutual funds invest in securities that are selected by fund managers who seek to outperform the market in the long term. This can lead to higher expense ratios. Moreover, unlike ETF funds, mutual funds are not traded on the stock exchange and units can only be bought and sold at the end of a business day.

The Net Asset Value (NAV) of an ETF funds is calculated at the close of each trading day. It represents the value of the ETF’s holdings, minus any liabilities, divided by the total number of outstanding units. In addition to the daily NAV, ETFs also provide an indicative NAV or iNAV throughout the trading day, based on real-time market movements.

Yes, you can sell ETF funds anytime during market hours, just like stocks. ETF funds trade on exchanges, so you can buy or sell them throughout the trading day at the current market price, unlike mutual funds, which only trade once daily at the end-of-day price. This flexibility makes investing in ETFs beneficial for those who want the option to react quickly to market changes. However, be mindful of potential transaction costs or liquidity issues, especially with niche or low-volume ETF funds.

The market price of an ETF funds is determined by supply and demand throughout the trading day. The net asset value (NAV), representing the total value of the underlying shares, is calculated at the end of each trading day.

When investing in ETFs, you can choose to hold them the long term. There's no predefined maturity date, and ETF funds can be part of a buy-and-hold approach.

The suitability of ETF as an investment depends on several factors, including your investing preferences and goals. An ETF can be suitable for investors seeking a passive approach with the potential to provide returns that are in line with the relevent market segment (represented by the benchmark index), subject to tracking error. It is also suitable for those who want intra-day liquidity.