What are bank ETFs?

Bank ETFs are bundled stocks linked under a single financial security. They are a low-risk, low-cost, and convenient way to trade in a portfolio of banking sector stocks. 

In this comprehensive review, we’ll explain what bank ETFs are, how they function, and discuss their pros and cons. You’ll also discover the best bank ETFs in terms of performance and gain insights into the key factors you should consider before trading them. Let’s get started!

Understanding the concept of bank ETFs

An ETF stands for exchange-traded fund. It’s a publicly traded security that tracks an index, sector, or commodity. These financial assets aim to replicate the performance of particular securities they follow in the market. 

Bank ETFs are a subtype of ETFs that track various bank sector indices. It gathers banking stocks in a single fund, so traders don’t have to select stocks individually. 

Bank ETFs offer diversification, lower expenses, and easy trading. It’s an asset worth considering for any trader looking for portfolio diversification.

How do bank ETFs operate?

When an individual trades in a bank ETF, their capital is combined with other traders. Then, the ETF brokers and providers will buy shares in the constituent banks based on their index weightage. 
 

The ETF will then track the performance of the basket of banks’ shares. You can now conduct fundamental and technical analysis of the bank ETFs you bought to foresee their actual price in the near period.  

Among the prominent CFD trading platforms, markets.com offers trading opportunities for everyone. You won’t own a physical asset with CFDs, but you can speculate on its price, making trading more efficient.

Advantages of trading bank ETFs in CFD 

Bank ETFs are a popular choice for traders looking to add financial exposure to their portfolios. Here are the key advantages of trading in CFD bank ETFs:

Portfolio diversification

When you invest in CFD bank ETFs, your capital is spread out across a diverse range of companies within the banking sector. This means that you can mitigate risk by reducing the impact of adverse events that may take place with individual companies. 

Furthermore, portfolio diversification offers you the opportunity to gain exposure to a sector that has historically performed well while minimising the risk associated with trading in a single company. The banking sector is a crucial part of the economy, and trading in CFD bank ETFs allows you to participate in the growth of this sector. 

Lower trading expense

CFD bank ETFs generally have lower expenses compared to actively managed ETFs. This is because they are passively managed and do not incur the costs of active management. The lower fees can positively impact capital returns as it reduces the costs of operating the ETF.

Easy on trading

Bank ETFs can easily be bought and sold through a brokerage account. This type of ETF provides an efficient way for traders to gain exposure to the banking sector without needing a large capital outlay or extensive research required for trading individual stocks.

Higher market liquidity

Bank ETFs offer a higher level of liquidity compared to individual stocks. Liquidity measures how easily an asset can be bought or sold without affecting its market price. 

An increased liquidity of bank ETFs signifies that traders can easily trade them on the market without impacting the price of the underlying securities. 

The reasons for increased liquidity in bank ETFs are due to the growing popularity of this ETF to traders and its trading hours, which can be bought and sold throughout the trading day.

Risks related to bank ETFs

Trading in bank ETFs can provide a range of advantages, but it’s also crucial to understand the risks involved. 

• Market risk: The value of a bank ETF is commonly affected by traditional market indicators, such as economic conditions, both locally and globally, as well as political events and price fluctuations. 
• Credit risk: If an ETF's underlying banks default or face bankruptcy, you may lose your traded capital or struggle to achieve your financial goal. You need to examine each bank in an ETF to avoid this from happening. 
• Concentration risk: This risk emerges because most bank ETFs hold a significant percentage of their holdings in a smaller number of banks. Hence, any drastic change in the performance of these banks can have a cascading effect on the overall value of the ETF.

Therefore, CFD traders should do comprehensive research, scrutinising the ETF’s composition and the underlying banks’ financial standing before deciding to buy and sell bank ETFs.

Expand your knowledge with this write-up: How trading works?
 

Key elements to evaluate before trading bank ETFs

When trading in bank ETFs, you must take into account the various factors concerning bank ETFs to ensure success in trading.

First, expert opinions are significant in the ETF trading decision process. Opinions from financial analysts, portfolio managers, and other experts can provide insight into how a particular bank ETF may perform based on economic and market conditions. 

Historical data of a bank ETF is also vital in assessing its performance. Traders should examine the bank ETF’s past returns and its volatility to determine if it fits their financial objectives and risk appetite. 

Furthermore, you should consider the bank ETF’s structure, such as its expense ratio and assets under management, to evaluate its potential returns and cost efficiency. 

Finally, it is necessary to consider the fundamentals of a bank before trading in a CFD bank ETF. You should research a bank’s financial statements and read up on news articles and analyst reports to assess a bank thoroughly. 

Remember that banks with stable balance sheets, profitability, and growth potential will perform better than those with weak fundamentals. 

3 most promising bank ETFs 

So, you’ve decided to trade in bank ETFs. The question is, which ones are worth your hard-earned capital? Here are the top three bank ETFs that will pique your interest:

1. SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE)

With over $3.7 billion in assets, this bank ETF provides exposure to companies in the banking industry and tracks the S&P Banks Select Industry Index. KBE’s diversified portfolio comprises mid-cap, regional and national banks, making it an excellent option for those looking for diversity in their capital.

2. iShares US Regional Banks ETF (IAT)

This bank ETF tracks the Dow Jones US Select Regional Banks Index and invests in US regional banks. It has an expense ratio of 0.42% and over $1 billion in assets. IAT can be a good choice for traders who want exposure to the potential growth of regional banks.

3. Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB)

This fund follows the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index and has an expense ratio of 0.35% with $2.5 billion in assets. KBWB’s portfolio comprises banks with a market capitalisation of $500 million. This bank ETF is a good choice if you’re interested in trading in mid-cap banks.

Consider trading bank ETFs at markets.com today

To sum up, investing in bank ETFs can offer several advantages, including diversification, lower expenses, easy trading, and higher liquidity. You can also acquire exposure to a diversified portfolio of bank stocks, which can help to reduce the risk of holding individual stocks. 

Additionally, CFD bank ETFs usually have lower fees than actively managed ETFs. Trading in ETFs is also easy, as they can be bought and sold like stocks on brokerage accounts such as over-the-counter (OTC) platforms. Bank ETFs are highly liquid, allowing you to exit your position quickly.

However, market, credit, and concentration risks still exist. It is essential to thoroughly analyse the associated risks to bank ETFs to reduce the likelihood of losing your traded capital. It would be best to consider expert opinions regarding historical data and the bank’s fundamentals to increase your chances of success in the dynamic world of financial trading.

Traders who remain diligent in their research on bank ETFs can gain more significant returns and a well-diversified portfolio. Learn more and sharpen your skills with the various trading resources available at markets.com. 

We offer a selection of over 75 ETFs frequently traded by experts. 

Become a member of markets.com and start trading bank ETFs now.

When considering "CFD Bank ETFs" for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involve a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice.