Index Funds and ETFs Explained: What You Actually Own
What an index fund or ETF share really represents, how the two structures are bought, priced and taxed, and what to check in any fund before you own it.
Funds and ETFs
Index funds, ETFs and mutual funds: how they work and how to read one before you buy.
All guides in this topic
Reading a Fund Fact Sheet and Prospectus Fee Table
A line-by-line guide to the standardized fee table in every mutual fund and ETF prospectus, illustrated with two real summary prospectuses, plus what a fact sheet and shareholder report add.
Total-Market, S&P 500 or International: What Each Index Holds
What a US total-market index, the S&P 500 and two international indexes actually hold, according to their providers' own rules, and how to check which index a fund follows.