ETF categories
ETFs grouped by what they hold. Each page compares the funds in the group on returns, volatility, worst fall, cost and size, and explains what domicile means for an investor living in the UAE.
- S&P 500 ETFsETFs that track the S&P 500, the 500 largest US companies. Because they follow the same index, cost and domicile matter more than the fund name.
- Nasdaq-100 ETFsETFs that track the Nasdaq-100, the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq, heavy in technology.
- Total US stock market ETFsETFs that hold almost every listed US company, large, mid and small, in one fund.
- Global equity ETFsOne-fund exposure to shares around the world. Funds on an all-world or ACWI index include emerging markets; MSCI World funds hold developed markets only.
- International equity ETFs (outside the US)ETFs that hold shares outside the United States, in developed markets and, for some, emerging markets too.
- Emerging markets ETFsETFs that hold shares in emerging markets such as China, India, Taiwan, Korea and Brazil.
- US dividend ETFsETFs that hold companies chosen for paying or growing dividends. For a UAE resident, US dividends usually have 30% withheld, which matters more here than for other equity funds.
- Technology and semiconductor ETFsETFs that hold technology companies, and two that hold chip designers and makers only.
- AI and robotics ETFsTheme ETFs that hold companies building or using artificial intelligence, robotics and automation. Theme funds are narrower and usually more volatile than broad index funds.
- Cybersecurity ETFsTheme ETFs that hold companies selling cybersecurity products and services.
- Clean energy ETFsTheme ETFs that hold solar, wind and other renewable energy companies.
- Healthcare and biotech ETFsETFs that hold healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
- Real estate (REIT) ETFsETFs that hold listed US property companies and real estate investment trusts.
- Gold and silver ETFsFunds that hold physical gold or silver, and one that holds gold mining companies (GDX), which moves differently from the metal.
- US Treasury bond ETFsETFs that hold US government bonds, from 1-month bills to bonds of 20 years and more, and inflation-linked Treasuries (TIPS). The longer the bonds, the more the price moves when interest rates change.
- US aggregate and corporate bond ETFsETFs that hold a broad mix of US bonds, or corporate bonds only, from investment grade to high yield.
- US small cap ETFsETFs that hold smaller US companies. Small caps have moved more than large caps, up and down.
Also: Irish UCITS ETFs for UAE residents. General information, not a recommendation. Past performance does not indicate future returns.