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

iShares MSCI USA Index Fund (EUSA)

Performance (1-YR): 24.24% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#2

iShares Dow Jones US Index Fund (IYY)

Performance (1-YR): 24.68% Expense Ratio: 0.20%

#3

iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)

Performance (1-YR): 24.88% Expense Ratio: 0.07%

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Gold Oriented

#1

PowerShares DB Gold Fund (DGL)

Performance (1-YR): 16.47% Expense Ratio: 0.50%

#2

iShares COMEX Gold Trust (IAU)

Performance (1-YR): 15.14% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

#3

Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)

Performance (1-YR): 39.97% Expense Ratio: 0.55%

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Emerging Markets

#1

BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund (ADRE)

Performance (1-YR): 2.53% Expense Ratio: 0.30%

#2

Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE)

Performance (1-YR): 5.45% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#3

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index Fund (EEMA)

Performance (1-YR): 6.11% Expense Ratio: 0.49%

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Real Estate

#1

Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH)

Performance (1-YR): 11.77% Expense Ratio: 0.07%

#2

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR)

Performance (1-YR): 11.64% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

#3

PowerShares KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT Portfolio (KBWY)

Performance (1-YR): 31.87% Expense Ratio: 0.35%

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Municipal Debt

#1

iShares S&P California Municipal Bond Fund (CMF)

Performance (1-YR): 0.16% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

#2

iShares S&P New York Municipal Bond Fund (NYF)

Performance (1-YR): 0.89% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

#3

iShares S&P Short Term National Municipal Bond Fund (SUB)

Performance (1-YR): 0.16% Expense Ratio: 0.25%

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Precious Metals

#1

Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL)

Performance (1-YR): 31.30% Expense Ratio: 0.65%

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Small-Cap

#1

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SLY)

Performance (1-YR): 29.97% Expense Ratio: 0.20%

#2

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

Performance (1-YR): 31.25% Expense Ratio: 0.08%

#3

PowerShares S&P SmallCap Information Technology Portfolio (PSCT)

Performance (1-YR): 26.53% Expense Ratio: 0.29%

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Commodities

#1

PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (DBB)

Performance (1-YR): 7.77% Expense Ratio: 0.75%

#2

iShares GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG)

Performance (1-YR): 8.06% Expense Ratio: 0.75%

#3

PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC)

Performance (1-YR): 5.95% Expense Ratio: 0.75%

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China Region

#1

PowerShares Golden Dragon China Portfolio (PGJ)

Performance (1-YR): 12.89% Expense Ratio: 0.60%

#2

iShares MSCI China Index Fund (MCHI)

Performance (1-YR): 4.36% Expense Ratio: 0.61%

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Corporate Debt

#1

SPDR Barclays Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (ITR)

Performance (1-YR): 3.62% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#2

SPDR Barclays Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (LWC)

Performance (1-YR): 0.27% Expense Ratio: 0.15%

#3

Guggenheim BulletShares 2013 Corporate Bond ETF (BSCD)

Performance (1-YR): 0.79% Expense Ratio: 0.24%

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Natural Resources

#1

Vanguard Energy Index Fund (VDE)

Performance (1-YR): 23.68% Expense Ratio: 0.14%

#2

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

Performance (1-YR): 35.80% Expense Ratio: 0.36%

#3

iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund (PICK)

Performance (1-YR): 10.18% Expense Ratio: 0.39%

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Updated 06.17.2013

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Top Performing ETFs as of 06.05.2013

iPath Global Carbon ETN (GRN)

Commodity | Commodities Funds

Total Return: 34.69%

Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN)

Global Equity | Natural Resources Funds

Total Return: 23.14%

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN)

Equity | Natural Resources Funds

Total Return: 19.18%

Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF (GREK)

Global Equity | European Region Funds

Total Return: 88.56%

First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (QCLN)

Equity | Natural Resources Funds

Total Return: 67.23%

Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy ETF (GEX)

Global Equity | Natural Resources Funds

Total Return: 61.79%

* annualized