Business
ETFs vs mutual funds in 2026 and key differences investors should know
Roundhill Investments CEO Dave Mazza discusses the record-breaking performance of the DRAM ETF and the A.I.-driven demand boosting memory stocks on Making Money.
Investors have a growing list of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that they can choose from as they consider ways to structure their investment portfolios, though there are important differences between the two types of funds.
ETFs have grown rapidly as an investment category in recent years since they were developed in the early 1990s, with the total assets of the U.S.-listed ETF industry totaling about $13.5 trillion at the end of 2025 after increasing 30% year-over-year, according to the Institute of Business & Finance.
Mutual funds have been in existence for a little more than a century and the IBF’s data shows that mutual funds had $31.4 trillion in net U.S. assets at the end of last year, which amounts to an annual increase of about 10%.
“ETFs and mutual funds are both designed to help investors pool their money to invest in a broad mix of stocks or bonds, offering the benefits of diversification and professional management,” Kathy Kellert, head of index equity product at Vanguard, told FOX Business. “Many are index funds, where portfolio managers work to closely track a specific benchmark.”
HOW ETFS CAN BE EFFECTIVE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR RETIREES

ETFs are growing faster than mutual funds in terms of total U.S. assets, according to IBF data. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)
For investors considering the similarities and differences between ETFs and mutual funds as they weigh which may be the better fit for their portfolio, there are a number of factors they should take into account – including how they trade, tax efficiency and whether they’re actively or passively managed.
“Ultimately, both ETFs and mutual funds can play an important role in a well-diversified, long-term investment strategy. The right choice depends on an investor’s preferences around trading flexibility, tax considerations, and overall financial goals,” Kellert said.
How they trade
Vanguard’s Kellert said that, “ETFs trade on an exchange throughout the day, like stock, with prices that update in real time. Mutual funds, by contrast, are priced only once daily after the market closes, and all investors receive that same end-of-day price.”
Rizwan Hussain, senior investment portfolio strategist at Schwab Asset Management, told FOX Business that the price for an ETF is “reflecting the underlying portfolio holdings’ prices, providing investors liquidity during the day.”

The opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, on 28 May 2025. (Adam Gray for Fox News Digital)
“But when you buy or sell ETF shares, the price may be less than the net asset value (or NAV) of the ETF. This discrepancy (aka: the ‘bid/ask spread’) is often nominal, but for less actively traded ETFs, that might not always be the case,” he said.
Hussain added that mutual folders are executed once per day with the price based on the net asset value (NAV) at market close.
ETFS VS MUTUAL FUNDS IN 2026: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO?
Tax efficiency
Kellert said that ETFs are generally more tax efficient than mutual funds because of how they trade and the mechanisms fund managers use to rebalance the ETF’s holdings.
“Because ETF shares are typically exchanged between investors, and portfolio activities, like rebalances, are often handled ‘in kind’ – using securities rather than cash – ETFs are more likely to avoid realizing capital gains. Mutual funds, by contrast, may need to sell holdings to meet redemptions, which can generate gains that are distributed to all shareholders,” she said.
Hussain noted that ETFs “can potentially generate fewer capital gains for investors since they may have lower turnover (particularly passive ETFs) and can use the in-kind creation/redemption process to manage the cost basis of their holdings.”
He added that because of those distinctions, mutual funds have historically been more relevant for investors holding them in tax-deferred accounts.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives is launching an AI ETF. (iStock)
WHAT ARE ACTIVE ETFS AND HOW ARE THEY RESHAPING HOW AMERICANS INVEST?
Active and Passive Management
Data from the IBF shows that across ETFs and mutual funds, the amount of passively managed assets in U.S. funds was about $19.3 trillion at the end of December 2025, compared with about $17.4 trillion in actively managed funds.
“Most ETFs are passive investments pegged to the performance of a particular index (‘passive’); however, ‘active’ ETFs have gained popularity over the last year in particular,” Hussain said.
There are also distinctions between ETFs and mutual funds in terms of how frequently they disclose their portfolio holdings, with ETFs typically doing daily disclosures while mutual funds are at longer intervals which can be advantageous for managers of active mutual funds.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“ETF managers are generally required to disclose fund holdings daily, whereas mutual funds disclose full portfolio holdings on a less frequent basis, typically monthly or quarterly. This later disclosure periodicity is typically a benefit to active mutual fund managers who are looking to avoid disclosing their strategy details to competitors,” Hussain added.
Business
Up to 300 jobs to go at Channel 7, The West Australian
Southern Cross Media Group, owner of the 7 TV network and The West Australian, will cut between 250 and 300 full-time equivalent positions as part of a major cost reduction program.
Business
Bond traders keep bets on Fed hike in 2026
Interest-rate swaps showed traders were still pricing in a rate hike by December after the report on Wednesday, while Treasury yields were little changed. The rate on two-year notes, which are more sensitive to near-term changes in monetary policy, was 4.11%, down from around 4.13% before the figures. The US dollar slipped.
“The biggest takeaway is that it gives the Fed a tiny bit of breathing room,” said Dan Carter, senior portfolio manager at Fort Washington Investment Advisors. “Another hot month would have put a lot more pressure on them on rate hikes, but this is just soft enough to allow them to wait and see.” The core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy to show underlying inflation, increased 0.2% from April, compared to a 0.3% consensus forecast among economists polled by Bloomberg.
Bond traders maintain expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike by year-end, despite a softer US core inflation reading. This eased immediate pressure on the Fed to act sooner, allowing for a “wait and see” approach. The core CPI’s 0.2% rise from April fell short of the 0.3% consensus forecast.
Ahead of the report, traders in the options market linked to the Fed-sensitive Secured Overnight Financing Rate had been piling into positions targeting multiple rate hikes in the coming months. Some had even embraced wagers for a move as soon as September following Friday’s strong US employment report.
Those moves capped a repricing in the bond market since late February, when the US-Israel attack on Iran sparked a surge in oil prices. That upended bets that the central bank under Warsh would be able to lower rates, as Trump has advocated.
Business
Costamare Stock: The Business Has Improved, The Relative Case Has Not (NYSE:CMRE)
I cover stocks that I usually own or that I like to research. I also believe in the future of Bitcoin. Follow me for intricate ideas and (hopefully) market-beating returns 🙂 .
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Broadcom Stock Looks Like A Value (Growth) Trap (NASDAQ:AVGO)
Julian Lin is a financial analyst. He finds undervalued companies with secular growth that appreciate over time. His approach is to look for companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors with long growth runways.
Julian is the leader of the investing group Best Of Breed Growth Stocks where he only shares positions in stocks which have a large probability of delivering large alpha relative to the S&P 500. He also combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation hurdles to add an additional layer to the conventional margin of safety. Features include: exclusive access to Julian’s highest conviction picks, full stock research reports, real-time trade alerts, macro market analysis, individual industry reports, a filtered watchlist, and community chat with access to Julian 24/7. Learn more.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GOOGL, NVDA either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Thai Gold Prices Plunge After Record 38 Daily Revisions
Gold prices in Thailand experienced extreme volatility on June 10, 2026, with 38 revisions. The day concluded with a sharp THB2,450 drop, prompting investor and consumer caution.
Key Points
- Gold prices on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, experienced significant intraday volatility.
- The Gold Traders Association recorded 38 price adjustments before the market’s final close.
- Prices dropped sharply by THB2,450 from the previous day, leading to investor and consumer scrutiny.
Volatile Trading Day Culminates in Sharp Decline
Gold prices on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, experienced extreme volatility, marked by an unprecedented 38 successive price revisions announced by the Gold Traders Association. This dynamic trading environment persisted throughout the day, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty for market participants. The day’s trading concluded with a significant downward correction at the 5:11 PM market close, indicating a pronounced shift in market sentiment during the latter part of the trading session.
Substantial Price Drop Impacts Market
The sharp decline observed at the close of trading represented a considerable loss for gold holders, with the price falling by a total of THB2,450 compared to the preceding day’s closing value. This substantial price movement prompted widespread attention from both investors, who are closely assessing the implications for their portfolios, and consumers, who are monitoring the affordability of gold. The significant drop underscores the sensitivity of gold prices to various market forces and investor behavior.
Investor and Consumer Vigilance
Following the day’s pronounced price fluctuations and the significant drop, a heightened sense of vigilance is evident among both investors and consumers. The latest market data, specifically the 38th announcement of gold buying and selling prices, serves as a critical reference point for understanding the immediate impact of the day’s trading. This close monitoring is crucial for making informed decisions in the wake of such a volatile trading period and anticipating future price movements.
Other People are Reading
Business
Sodexo books $100m Westgold contract
Sodexo Australia has extended its working relationship with Westgold Resources after securing a significant renewed agreement.
Business
SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SABS) Presents at FOCIS 2026 Annual Meeting – Slideshow
SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SABS) Presents at FOCIS 2026 Annual Meeting – Slideshow
Business
Verizon: A Good Defensive Play In Times Of Market Exuberance
Verizon: A Good Defensive Play In Times Of Market Exuberance
Business
Pimco says ‘credit loss cycle’ has begun, favours quality bonds
Pimco, which manages $2.3 trillion in assets, said the AI buildout could widen the range of economic outcomes over the next five years while leaving weaker and more heavily leveraged borrowers more exposed. High-grade credit spreads — the extra yield investors demand over US Treasuries to hold highly rated corporate debt — remain near their lowest levels in three decades. Demand for riskier debt has also held up despite a recent global bond selloff, as higher yields draw buyers. Pimco said that backdrop clashes with “elevated secular uncertainty,” and “we interpret this as complacency rather than strength.”
The firm also pointed to “increased instances of maturity extensions and payment-in-kind structures that allow borrowers to repay debt with more debt.”
Business
Gold rises from 6-mth low amid heightened Iran tensions, Fed rate concerns

Gold rises from 6-mth low amid heightened Iran tensions, Fed rate concerns
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Evereve – Corporette.com
-
Crypto World6 days ago
Jensen Huang Approves Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron for NVIDIA (NVDA) HBM4 Memory Supply
-
Crypto World3 days agoAnatomy of the June crypto crash: Fed, Iran, Saylor
-
Entertainment4 days agoThe Best Mystery Series of All Time Is Surging on Streaming 30 Years After It Ended
-
NewsBeat3 days agoAlexander Zverev wins the French Open to finally earn a 1st Grand Slam title
-
Tech5 days agoSuspicious Polyfill login prompts pop up on Toshiba, Muji websites
-
Crypto World4 days agoSenator Cynthia Lummis Calls CLARITY Act the Most Consequential Financial Legislation of This Generation
-
Tech6 days agoMicrosoft launches MXC, an OS-level sandbox for AI agents, with OpenAI and Nvidia already on board
-
Tech4 days agoMicrosoft unveils seven homegrown AI models in new bid for ‘long term self-sufficiency’
-
Business6 days ago(VIDEO) Justin Bieber Delivers Surprise Happy Birthday Serenade to Diners at Los Angeles Mexican Restaurant
-
Business4 days agoThe Pain Points Taking a Fragile Tech Rally Down a Notch
-
Crypto World3 days ago
Eli Lilly (LLY) Stock Surges 4% Following Breakthrough Sleep Apnea Trial Results
-
Crypto World6 days ago
LBank Surpasses 25 Million Users Worldwide as AFA Partnership Continues to Drive Global Growth
-
Tech5 days agoVon der Leyen’s AI envoy pick draws conflict-of-interest fire
-
Tech6 days agoMeta steals a tactic from Tesla and builds data centers in tents
-
Crypto World4 days agoTrump’s AI Ownership Plan Could Benefit Anthropic at OpenAI’s Expense
-
Sports1 day agoBangladesh beat Australia after 20 years in ODIs, register only their second win over six-time world champions | Cricket News
-
Business3 days agoHigh Stakes for Wembanyama as New York Pushes for 3-0 Lead
-
Tech5 days agoHackers now exploit SolarWinds Serv-U flaw to crash servers
-
Tech3 days agoNotion restores access to Anthropic after service disruption

You must be logged in to post a comment Login