Mutual Funds and ETFs

A mutual fund and an exchange-traded fund (ETF) both enable investors to easily access diversified portfolios of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other assets, without having to purchase each holding individually. By leveraging professional management—active or passive—within regulatory safeguards and a variety of strategies, investors can confidently select a solution aligned to their risk, time, and asset-class needs.

A key difference is how they trade: mutual funds are priced and traded once per day at the end of the trading session based on their net asset value (NAV), so all investors who buy or sell on the same day receive the same price regardless of when they place their orders. In contrast, ETFs trade on stock exchanges throughout the trading day, like individual stocks, so their prices fluctuate with supply and demand and can differ from their underlying NAV at any given moment. This intraday trading also means ETFs typically incur brokerage commissions on each trade, whereas many mutual funds can be bought directly from the fund company without a brokerage fee, though they may carry front-end fees.

Beyond differences in trading and fees, there are also distinctions in costs and tax efficiency. ETFs are generally more tax-efficient and often have lower expense ratios than actively managed mutual funds, especially index-based ETFs, because they usually have lower turnover and use in-kind creation/redemption mechanisms that limit capital gains distributions. In contrast, mutual funds—particularly actively managed ones—tend to trade more frequently within the portfolio, which can trigger taxable capital gains that are passed through to shareholders even if they haven’t sold their shares.

Reflecting the differences already noted, mutual funds are often better suited to automatic, recurring investments, whereas ETFs usually require manual trades or separate brokerage-level automation, since they are executed like stocks. Total Asset Management reminds you to always consider your investing goals, time horizon, and trading preferences carefully when choosing between these two options to ensure the best fit for your financial strategy.

At Total Asset Management, we carefully select funds in partnership with leading global providers. We choose mutual funds and ETFs that fit your investment strategy, risk level, and long-term goals. Each portfolio is built with quality in mind, so every part supports your overall wealth plan.

We offer many options, including actively managed funds that aim to beat the market and passively managed ETFs that track major indices. This range lets you shape your investments to match your preferences, whether you want steady market exposure or hope to benefit from expert management.

We offer a wide range of investments across global markets, industries, and asset types, giving you access to growth opportunities worldwide. Our portfolios include a balanced mix of stocks, bonds, and alternative assets to help manage risk and support steady growth. We also include funds focused on new trends and fast-growing areas such as technology, renewable energy, and healthcare, so you can benefit from market changes.

To help you get better long-term returns, we focus on tax-efficient investments by choosing mutual funds and ETFs that reduce taxes and improve after-tax results. After building your portfolio, our team monitors your investments and makes adjustments as needed to align with the market and your goals. This ongoing attention helps your investments stay strong and flexible, supporting steady growth through all market conditions.