Best ETFs

U.S. News has identified exchange-traded funds best suited for long-term investors seeking low-cost, diversified portfolios. Our rankings compare the cost and structure of hundreds of ETFs. Read more about our Best Fit ranking methodology.

Large-Cap

#1

Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF (VONE)

Performance (1-YR): 0.32% Expense Ratio: 0.12%

#2

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR)

Performance (1-YR): 0.33% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#3

iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY)

Performance (1-YR): 0.53% Expense Ratio: 0.20%

Gold Oriented

#1

iShares COMEX Gold Trust (IAU)

Performance (1-YR): 11.04% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

#2

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

Performance (1-YR): 11.23% Expense Ratio: 0.40%

#3

Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)

Performance (1-YR): 45.74% Expense Ratio: 0.55%

Emerging Markets

#1

Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE)

Performance (1-YR): 24.16% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#2

BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund (ADRE)

Performance (1-YR): 31.53% Expense Ratio: 0.30%

#3

iShares Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Fund (EMHY)

Performance (1-YR): 5.41% Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Real Estate

#1

Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH)

Performance (1-YR): 1.24% Expense Ratio: 0.07%

#2

Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ)

Performance (1-YR): 0.63% Expense Ratio: 0.10%

#3

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR)

Performance (1-YR): 1.06% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

General Bond

#1

iShares Core 1-5 Year USD Bond ETF (ISTB)

Performance (1-YR): 1.42% Expense Ratio: 0.12%

Municipal Debt

#1

iShares iBonds Sep 2016 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (IBME)

Performance (1-YR): 0.65% Expense Ratio: 0.30%

#2

Market Vectors Short Municipal Index ETF (SMB)

Performance (1-YR): 0.37% Expense Ratio: 0.20%

#3

iShares iBonds Sep 2017 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (IBMF)

Performance (1-YR): 1.10% Expense Ratio: 0.30%

Small-Cap

#1

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SLY)

Performance (1-YR): 1.13% Expense Ratio: 0.20%

#2

Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO)

Performance (1-YR): 0.56% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#3

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA)

Performance (1-YR): 1.05% Expense Ratio: 0.08%

Commodities

#1

iShares GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG)

Performance (1-YR): 43.12% Expense Ratio: 0.75%

#2

Global X Uranium ETF (URA)

Performance (1-YR): 44.63% Expense Ratio: 0.69%

#3

PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (DBB)

Performance (1-YR): 26.29% Expense Ratio: 0.75%

China Region

#1

Deutsche X-trackers MSCI South Korea Hedged Equity ETF (DBKO)

Performance (1-YR): 16.00% Expense Ratio: 0.58%

#2

iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI)

Performance (1-YR): 15.51% Expense Ratio: 0.61%

Corporate Debt

#1

SPDR Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF (FLRN)

Performance (1-YR): 0.46% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#2

SPDR Barclays Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (LWC)

Performance (1-YR): 2.09% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#3

Guggenheim BulletShares 2015 Corporate Bond ETF (BSCF)

Performance (1-YR): 0.10% Expense Ratio: 0.24%

Natural Resources

#1

Vanguard Energy Index Fund (VDE)

Performance (1-YR): 32.55% Expense Ratio: 0.14%

#2

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES)

Performance (1-YR): 51.36% Expense Ratio: 0.36%

#3

Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE)

Performance (1-YR): 30.67% Expense Ratio: 0.21%

Updated 09.03.2015

Top Performing ETFs As of 08.05.2015

(VXDN)

None |

Total Return: 41.64%

iPath Bloomberg Tin Subindex Total Return ETN (JJT)

Commodity | Commodities Funds

Total Return: 19.07%

Market Vectors India Small-Cap Index ETF (SCIF)

Global Equity | Small-Cap Funds

Total Return: 11.03%

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI)

Equity | Health/Biotechnology Funds

Total Return: 76.36%

Market Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT)

Global Equity | China Region Funds

Total Return: 68.39%

Deutsche X-trackers Harvest CSI 500 China A-Shares Small Cap ETF (ASHS)

Global Equity | Small-Cap Funds

Total Return: 67.63%

* Annualized

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