Originally Posted by andycrazn
if you need to ask questions about an etf, dont do it. its far too risky.
i just got scottrade and wow! scottrade is better than etrade and zecco.
How is an ETF risky? It depends on which ETF you are referring too. This category of investment vehicles is fairly broad. FAZ is a lot more risky then say DIA.
There are different types of ETFs. So to answer Hoopervilaa's question:
ETF = exchange traded fund which utilizes encapsulation.
Laymans Definition:
Basically, you take a bunch of stocks, throw them in a box and you trade the box as you would one stock.
You get the diversification of a mutual fund with the liquidity of a single stock.What Andycrazn was eluding too were leveraged ETFs.
*The following is a grosely oversimplified explanation of Leveraged ETFs:
There are various forms of leverage, but they all follow the same principal. You do
something to amplify your grains. However, your losses are alsoamplified.
FAS and FAZ are the most popular leveraged ETFs recently, especiallly on NT. Kramer hates these
.
Both FAS and FAZ employ 3x leverage meaning whatever change occurs in the stocks that FAS/FAZ are following, that change's value is multiplied by a factorof 3. FAS is a bull ETF which follows the financial sector and FAZ is the bear version. So if finance goes up that day, FAS gains. If fiancials drop that day,FAZ gains.
FAZ is done though. Hoopervilaa, I'm assuming you're new to investing so I'd stick to non-levered ETFs and hold them for the long-term. Most ofthem will double in value eventually. Stay away from daytrading and levaraged ETF till you've gotten some exposure in the stock market and are good withtechnical analysis.