Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) help risk-averse investors tap into sector-specific opportunities without the risks associated with owning individual stocks. One of those is financials, which typically includes everything from banks to insurance companies.
One of the most well-known ETFs in the financials sector is the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLF). XLF seeks to mimic the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index, which aims to represent the financial sector of the S&P 500. But whether owning that ETF is better than an investor picking stocks on their own depends on a few factors.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a “Double Down” signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same “Total Conviction” signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the…