Français
- Getting startedLearn about the stock market, investment types, and how to get started.
- Understanding riskLearn about the risk-return relationship, risk tolerance, and why it matters.
- Building your investing strategyYour investing strategy is personal. Learn about asset mix, active versus passive investing, and more.
- Psychology of InvestingMake better financial decisions by learning about behavioural insights.
- Working with an advisorA financial advisor can help you choose investments and manage your portfolio.
- Tracking your progressLearn how to track your investing progress and see how you're doing.
- Rules and regulationsRegulators protect investors in Canada by setting and enforcing securities rules.
- Community outreachOSC in the Community takes the OSC's mandate from Bay Street to Main Street.
- AnnuitiesAnnuities are an investment that can generate a steady income in retirement.
- BondsBonds are an investment that generate interest after a fixed period of time.
- Crypto assetsCrypto assets are digital investments with different opportunities and risks.
- ESG investingESG investing allows you to choose investments that align with your priorities.
- ETFs (exchange-traded funds)These funds hold a collection of investments and are traded on a stock exchange.
- GICs (Guaranteed investment certificates)GICs guarantee a specific rate of return over a short period of time.
- Mutual funds & segregated fundsMutual funds pool multiple investments into a fund owned by many investors.
- Pension & savings plansDifferent kinds of workplace pension plans provide retirement income.
- Real estateBuying a home is a way to invest your money and diversify your portfolio.
- StocksStocks give you equity in a company, and are traded on a stock exchange.
- More complex investmentsComplex investments have potential for high reward, but also higher risk.
- RDSPPeople with disabilities can save with a Registered Disability Savings Plan.
- RESPSave for your child's education with a Registered Education Savings Plan.
- RRIFYou open a Registered Retirement Income Fund with funds from your RRSP.
- RRSPA Registered Retirement Savings Plan grows your savings tax free until you retire.
- TFSAA Tax-Free Savings Account helps you save for any goal, tax free.
- Bank accountsChequing and savings accounts can help you manage your short-term needs.
- BudgetingA budget can help you manage your spending, saving, and plan for the unexpected.
- Life EventsLearn about how your financial needs may change at different stages of life.
- Making a planHaving a plan can make it easier to make the right investing decisions for you.
- Managing debtDebt shouldn't get in the way of your saving and investing. Learn how to manage it.
- Personal insurancePersonal insurance coverage can help protect you and your loved ones.
- RetirementPlanning for retirement helps you determine how much to save and where.
- Running a small businessImprove your financial knowledge for your business and your personal life.
- Saving moneyKeep your financial goals on track by saving some money each month.
- Understanding taxLearn more about how tax filing and tax deductions work.
- Wills and estate planningPreparing a will and estate plan ensure your final wishes are taken care of.
- Types of fraudLearn how to spot frauds and scams and what they look like.
- Making a complaintKnow your options for making a complaint.
- Reporting fraudIf you suspect you've been a victim of fraud, report it immediately.
- Checking registrationAlways check the registration of anyone trying to give advice or sell investments.
- Investor warnings and alerts
- CalculatorsPractice calculating compound interest, savings, debt consolidation, and more.
- Quizzes and toolsCheck your knowledge of scams, behavioural biases, and other financial tools.
- WorksheetsTry our downloadable tools to help you plan and budget.
- VideosOur videos show you the basics of investment types, frauds to watch for, and more.
- Investing chartsSee the impact of market ups, downs, and more based on historic data.
- Research & reportsDive into groundbreaking research to better understand retail investor behaviours, attitudes and experiences.
- Investing introductionIf you’re new to Canada or investing visit our multilingual site for more information in 23 languages.
- Investor NewsStay informed about the latest investor initiatives, educational resources, and warnings/alerts.
- Investing questionsFind unbiased answers to your investing questions from a trusted source.
- Get Smarter About CryptoLearn more about crypto assets including how they work, rules and regulations, and crypto fraud. If you are considering investing in crypto assets, always work with a registered crypto asset trading platform.
- Investing fundamentalsExplore the eight fundamentals that can help you make smarter investing decisions.
- Investment reportingWalk through the steps to see how your investments are doing.
Investing Academy

Search for:

When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to go to the desired page. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

Home / Types of investments / ETFs (exchange-traded funds) / ETFs 101: What is an ETF?

ETFs Investing

ETFs 101: What is an ETF?

1 min read

Share

Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to LinkedIn
Share to Reddit
Share via Email

In this video, learn the basics about exchange-traded funds.

Last updated September 25, 2023

ETFs (exchange-traded funds)

Articles in this section

Articles read

How Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) work 7 min read

How to buy and sell ETFs 1 min read

4 Differences between ETFs and mutual funds 3 min read

How to monitor ETF performance 2 min read

What are the different types of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? 8 min read

ETFs 101: What is an ETF? 1 min read

Feedback Survey

Not likely

Would you recommend this content?(Required)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Not likely Extremely likely

What is the most important reason for your score?

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Feedback Survey

Not likely

Would you recommend this content?(Required)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Not likely Extremely likely

What is the most important reason for your score?

Email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Post navigation

Back To:

Previous: What are the different types of exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?

8 min read

Up Next:

Next: GICs (Guaranteed investment certificates)

Sign up for Investor News

Join 18,000+ subscribers and stay informed with timely articles, the latest investor warnings and financial literacy resources like videos, calculators and quizzes.

Email

Past issues

June 17, 2025
June 3, 2025
May 13, 2025

Connect with us

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram

About Us
Contact Us
Investor News
Media
Glossary
OSC in the community
OSC Website
Terms of use
Privacy Policy
Accessibility policy

Brought to you by the OSC Investor Office

This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a source of official OSC policy or a substitute for legal or financial advice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified professional advisor before acting on any information appearing on this website. For details, please see our full Terms of Use and Privacy policy

Go back to top