Index Funds vs ETFs: Which is a better investment option?
Investments in the financial market have grown significantly over the past few years in India. Index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are two popular investment options. These passive investment schemes are managed by professional fund managers. Both options allow you to diversify the portfolios and obtain exposure to a wide range of assets.
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| Scheme Name | 1-Year Return | Invest Now | Fund Category | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund | +32.80% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.12% |
| Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund | +38.59% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.21% |
| Axis Nifty Next 50 Index Fund | +71.83% | Invest Now | Equity: Large Cap | 0.25% |
| Axis Nifty 500 Index Fund | — | Invest Now | Equity: Flexi Cap | 0.10% |
| Axis Nifty Midcap 50 Index Fund | +46.03% | Invest Now | Equity: Mid Cap | 0.28% |
However, index funds and ETFs differ in several ways.
Let’s take a look at the meaning of index funds and ETFs and which is a better option for investment.
What are Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)?
Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs are investment funds that primarily trade in the intraday stock market and generate returns by the end of the day. They are significantly transparent and provide investors with exact information about their investment allocations. They are also affected by stock market fluctuations, with the transactions taking place in real time. It includes industry, bond, currency, commodity, inverse ETFs and others.
What are Index Funds?
Index funds are like mutual funds that invest in stocks, bonds and commodities. However, they generally align their trading activity with well-known indices like the NIFTY 50 or the SENSEX 100. Investors benefit from investing in volatile stocks with lower risk because the index fund ensures that investments remain consistent with the benchmark, regardless of market volatility.
They have the potential to generate high returns and long-term wealth creation, making them a popular passive investment option among investors.
Which is a better investment option between ETFs and Index funds -?
Both index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are becoming popular among Indian investors. Investors can access a diverse array of securities through index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). However, there are several key differences between the two investment options. Index funds have higher expense ratios than exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as mutual funds require more active management.
Furthermore, the minimum investment amounts needed to invest in an index fund are typically less than those needed to invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
ETFs provide greater trading flexibility than index funds as they trade like stocks on an exchange throughout the trading day.
Index funds are a safer form of investment, while ETFs are good for better growth. In comparison to ETFs, index funds are a commonly traded type of investment.
Index funds offer a more convenient method of reinvestment while also diversifying the investor’s risk compared to ETF funds.
An investor can invest in an index fund through a systematic investment plan (SIP), but this cannot be done for ETF trading. However, the decision to choose between index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is totally based on your overall financial strategy, trading preferences and investment goals.