Investing Ideas

Mutual funds vs. ETFs

Here are some basic differences to consider when choosing a type of investment.

By: Fidelity Investments
Updated: 12/11/2024
Key Takeaways
  • ETFs and mutual funds have important differences.
  • Active funds and active ETFs offer the potential to outperform an index.

Today's investors face what seems like an ever-growing variety of investment choices, with new mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continuing to arrive.

Trying to make sense of these different products doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here is what to expect, and some factors to consider as an investor weighs their objectives.

Different products, different experiences

While considering ETFs and open-ended mutual funds, it is important to recognize how the vehicles' similarities and differences may influence an investor's experience. Buying and selling, pricing, disclosure, costs, holding-period return, and tax implications can all be different (see the table below).

For example, unlike with a traditional open-ended mutual fund, the price of an ETF is set throughout the day. Higher demand from investors can result in the shares trading at a premium (compared to the value of the stocks that the ETF holds), and falling demand could cause the ETF to trade at a discount (compared to the value of the ETF's holdings). This continuous pricing and the ability to place limit orders means the ETF's performance for any given time period is based largely on the market price return during the holding period, rather than on the ETF's net asset value (NAV)—the value of the stocks held by the ETF.

Comparing ETFs and open-ended mutual funds1

Exchange-traded funds Open-ended mutual funds
Buying and selling
  • ETFs are continuously priced throughout the trading day, and investors buy and sell them in the secondary market (i.e., the exchange on which the ETF trades)
  • ETF investors place orders through a broker; this allows them to place limit, stop-limit, and short-sale orders, and to trade on margin
  • Investors transact directly with the mutual fund company
  • Mutual fund investing does not require a brokerage account
  • Investors cannot buy mutual funds on margin, or set price limit orders
Pricing
  • Share prices fluctuate during the day on a stock exchange and have bid and offer prices
  • Price may trade above (premium) or below (discount) the NAV
  • All shareholder orders receive the same daily price—the NAV—calculated at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
Disclosure
  • Generally daily disclosure of portfolio holdings to market participants
  • Estimated value of underlying holdings, known as the Indicative Optimized Portfolio Value (IOPV), released to the exchange every 15 seconds during trading hours
  • Disclosure of the number of days shares traded at a premium/discount during the previous year
  • Disclosure of performance at NAV and market
  • Generally, delayed monthly or quarterly disclosure of portfolio holdings
  • Disclosure of NAV performance
Trading costs*
  • While many ETFs are sold commission free, brokers may charge a commission plus the difference between the bid and asking prices—the spread—on each buy and sell order
  • None for a no-load fund when bought directly through a fund company
Holding period return
  • Market price return (plus distributions)
  • Change in NAV (plus distributions)
Tax implications
  • Due to the in-kind creation/redemption process, ETFs are generally tax efficient, with investors typically realizing a gain (or loss) only when they exit a position
  • When investor redemptions are not offset by cash inflows from investors, the redemptions can trigger portfolio trading, which can have tax implications for shareholders
* ETFs and mutual funds are subject to management fees and other expenses.

Which vehicle is right for an investor?

Typically, the best way for an investor to choose an investment is to use their own goals, financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment timeline to create a strategy. Using that perspective may help to identify appropriate investment vehicles. Consider the following types of investors and their varied objectives.

Active investor

Fidelity believes in taking a long-term view of investing. But some people choose to be more active, accepting the risk and costs of buying and selling securities more frequently. If an investor prefers to manage their own accounts and wants to trade during market hours to implement their preferred investment strategies, ETFs can offer the flexibility to meet their needs. Similar to stocks and other types of investments, ETFs can be traded throughout the trading day and on margin. Investors also have the ability to set limit orders and sell short. Most open-ended mutual funds can only be purchased at their closing prices, or NAVs. ETFs offer transparency, allowing investors to review holdings daily and monitor portfolio risk exposures more frequently than with traditional open-ended mutual funds.

For the active investor, ETFs may satisfy the investor's need for more trading flexibility and holdings transparency.

Long-term investor

Consider investors weighing options for their long-term investment goals. Fidelity believes that short-term trading is generally not an appropriate savings strategy. With a long-term view, investors may not want to devote a lot of time to worrying about the intricacies of an active trading strategy; they might have little use for the potential of buying or selling shares during the day; and they would likely want to minimize transaction costs for regular purchases.

Many open-ended mutual funds are available with no loads, no commissions, and no transaction fees. Many brokerages and banks offer automatic investing plans that allow regular purchases of mutual funds. These programs generally do not exist for ETFs. Moreover, open-ended mutual funds are bought and sold at their NAV, so there are no premiums or discounts. While an ETF also has a daily NAV, shares may trade at a premium or discount on the exchange during the day.2 Investors should evaluate the share price of an ETF relative to its indicative NAV.

Finally, any tax benefits that may exist for an ETF are irrelevant for someone saving in a tax-deferred IRA or workplace savings account, such as a 401(k), since taxes are paid upon withdrawal.

For the long-term investor, both ETFs and open-ended mutual funds could be appropriate choices based on investment goals.

Investors in a high tax bracket

Investors in a high tax bracket who are saving in a taxable account, like a brokerage account, may be interested in investments that offer tax efficiency for their taxable assets. In this scenario, if an investor finds that an open-ended index mutual fund and an index ETF are similar relative to their investment objectives, passive investments—index funds and passive ETFs—have the potential to be more tax-efficient than active funds and active ETFs.

Relative to actively managed mutual funds, some actively managed ETFs offer potential tax advantages.3 However, we caution investors against making long-term investment decisions based solely on any potential tax benefits. Investors should evaluate how an investment option fits with their time horizons, financial circumstances, and tolerance for market volatility, as well as cost and other features.

Investors in a high tax bracket may choose ETFs to take advantage of potentially greater tax efficiency.

Summary

While mutual funds and ETFs are different, both can offer exposure to a diversified basket of securities, and can be good vehicles to help meet investor objectives. It is important for investors to pick the best choice for their specific investing needs, whether an ETF, an open-ended mutual fund, or a combination of both.

Here are some points to consider when weighing vehicle options:

  • Trading Is it important to be able to execute fund trades at prevailing prices throughout the trading day? Consider ETFs.
  • Transaction costs Would an investor prefer trading a fund at NAV without paying a load, and avoiding the potential of paying a premium at purchase (discount at sale)? Consider ETFs or no-load mutual funds.
  • Margin Does an investor like the flexibility of trading on margin? Consider ETFs.4
  • Automatic saving Does the investor's strategy include dollar-cost averaging? Consider the automated savings features of mutual funds in brokerage accounts.
  • Transparency Does an investor want to know a fund’s holdings each day? Consider ETFs that offer holdings transparency.
  • Cost Make sure to consider all costs and expenses related to any investment vehicle.
  • Diversification Do the benefits of both ETFs and mutual funds have the potential to help meet investment goals? Consider building a portfolio incorporating both types of vehicles, including other types of investments, to gain exposure to different asset classes.
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1. For more information, see Closed-end funds vs. mutual funds and ETFs

2. An ETF that is trading at a premium has a market price higher than its NAV; therefore, an investor would pay more for the ETF than its holdings are actually worth. If an ETF is trading at a discount, its market price is lower than its NAV, so the investor would buy the ETF for less than the value of its holdings.

3. ETF investors trade shares with other investors through the stock exchange instead of with the fund. As a result, many investor trades do not trigger transactions in the fund, which could result in capital gains. If an investor sells in a traditional open-ended mutual fund, the transaction is between the investor and the fund, which may create the need for the portfolio to sell securities to raise the cash needed to meet the redemption, which may trigger a capital gain for all the mutual fund’s shareholders.

4. Certain ETFs are not marginable until 30 days from settlement.

This information is intended to be educational and is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific investor.

Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information.

ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks of their underlying securities which may include the risks associated with investing in smaller companies, foreign securities, commodities and fixed income investments. Foreign securities are subject to interest rate, currency- exchange rate, economic and political risk all of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs that target a small universe of securities, such as a specific region or market sector are generally subject to greater market volatility as well as the specific risks associated with that sector, region or other focus. ETFs which use derivatives, leverage, or complex investment strategies are subject to additional risks. The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks because of fees, expenses and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount to its Net Asset Value (NAV). The degree of liquidity can vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be magnified if no liquid market exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them. Each ETF has a unique risk profile which is detailed in its prospectus, offering circular or similar material, which should be considered carefully when making investment decisions.

Short selling and margin trading entail greater risk, including but not limited to risk of unlimited losses and incurrence of margin interest debt, and are not suitable for all investors. Please assess your financial circumstances and risk tolerance prior to short selling or trading on margin.

Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. The information herein is general in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.

Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Neither asset allocation nor diversification ensures a profit or guarantees against a loss.

Third-party marks are the property of their respective owners. All other marks are the property of FMR LLC.

Fidelity Investments® provides investment products through Fidelity Distributors Company LLC; clearing, custody, or other brokerage services through National Financial Services LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC; and institutional advisory services through Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC.

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