In this Australian Finance Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Gemma Mitchell continue the ETF mini-series by showing you how to research and compare ETFs like a pro.
After learning what ETFs are and how they work in episodes one and two, this episode focuses on building trust and confidence when choosing between similar ETFs. They cover:
- How to research ETFs using a simple checklist
- The key documents you need (like the PDS)
- How to compare performance, fees and fund size
- Why similar ETFs can still be very different
Topics Covered
- Why ETFs are used by both beginners and advanced investors
- Why similar ETFs aren’t always identical
- How to research an ETF step-by-step
- What is a PDS (Product Disclosure Statement)?
- Key documents to review before investing
- Comparing ETF performance (and why past performance isn’t everything)
- How ETF prices actually work
- Does fund size matter?
- Does ETF price matter ($5 vs $100)?
- ETF research checklist:
- Index (what does it track?)
- Fees (MER / management costs)
- Long-term performance
- Fund size (FUM)
- Common investor questions: Should you hold multiple similar ETFs?
- Is that real diversification?
- Why choose one ETF over another?
- Do lower fees always win?
- What if an ETF is new with limited history?
- When ETFs work well (long-term investing)
- When ETFs might not suit your strategy
