ETFs enable investors to access a whole market sector, region, theme, commodity basket or fixed income strategy in one simple trade. As they are open-ended, ETF shares can be created as necessary to meet demand.

Since the first ETF launched in 1993, the range and variety of ETFs has drastically increased. ETFs today provide access to a range of asset classes including equity indices, fixed income, money markets, commodities, private equity indices, currencies and more exotic products like funds of hedge funds.

This guide will explain the different types of ETFs, the pros and cons of the products, the alternatives and who should consider this investment.

Supporting material is from Mark Johnson, head of UK sales at iShares; Nick Blake, head of retail at Vanguard; Ben Thompson, director of business development, listed products and ETF UK for Lyxor; Simon Luhr, managing partner of FinEx ETF; Frank Spiteri, executive director and head of retail distribution strategy for ETF Securities (UK) Limited; and Morningstar’s European passive fund analyst team.