Exchange traded funds

The flexibility of a share with the diversification of a fund

Designed to track the performance of a benchmark like the FTSE 100 or S&P 500, exchange traded funds, or ETFs, combine the benefits of a fund (instant diversification and access to a whole market or sector) with the benefits of a share (flexibility, continuous pricing, ease of access and continuous dealing during market hours) making them simple, flexible and transparent additions to your portfolio.

iShares are the world’s leading exchange traded funds. Designed by Barclays Global Investors there are over 300 iShares available worldwide with more than 70 traded through the London Stock Exchange and available to trade and hold through a Barclays Stockbrokers MarketMaster®, ISA or SIPP.

London listed iShares

By accessing this section of the website and reviewing the list of London listed iShares, you are confirming that you are a UK resident investor. If you are not a UK resident investor, you should not access this section of the website.

Why Exchange Traded Funds?

ETFs can be simple, transparent and flexible additions to a balanced portfolio.

• Simple – bought and sold just like stocks, they are highly liquid and easy to trade.
• Transparent – the components of the ETF are fully visible to the investor.
• Flexible - trade in global markets and assets that are normally difficult to access.
• Diversification – access a whole country index through a single share.
• Low cost – as ETFs trade like stocks, standard commission rates apply (from £6.95 - £12.95 per online trade). There is no Initial Service Charge (ISC) and iShares have low Annual Management Charges (AMC) ranging from just 0.15% to 0.85%.
• No stamp duty - tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances.

 

Special Risk Notice

While most ETFs do not use leverage and achieve their objectives by purchasing a diversified pool of assets, for example the individual stocks that make up the FTSE100, some achieve their objectives through the use of derivatives, typically swaps, which carry counterparty risk.  If the counterparty (issuer of the derivatives) does not pay the sums due, the investor will see a reduced return regardless of the performance of the underlying assets. Potential investors should be aware of the nature of these products and the risks involved Find out more about counterparty risk

Special Notice about leveraged and Inverse Exchange Traded Funds
There are leveraged and inverse (or short) ETF products available from some providers within the full range of ETFs available to UK retail investors. Potential investors should be aware of the nature of these products and the risks involved. Find out more about leveraged and inverse ETFs.

ETFs are traded like shares and may not be for everyone. They closely track the performance of an index and as such their value can go down as well as up and you may get back less then you invested.

iShares Education

• Tools - Track the performance of an iShare against its index, view the index performance over your chosen period (ranging from 1 day to 5 years) or simply search for iShares that meet your own criteria. Visit iShares Educational Tools

• Introducing ETFs & iShares - Learn more about ETFs and iShares from the market leaders BGI.
  Download pdf

• Our frequently asked questions are a useful point of reference for information on trading iShares.

Trade with the best

Barclays Stockbrokers is the UK's number one retail stockbroker providing;

• Comprehensive research – current and historical pricing, trade volume, regulatory news and a host of charting options allowing you to track performance against other benchmarks across 12 different time periods
• Flexible order types – set limits, stops or trailing stop orders on your iShares or ETF trades at no extra charge
• Competitive trading commissions – trade online from £6.95 to £12.95 per trade.

How do I start investing in ETFs?

• Open an account and you could be investing today.
  
• Visit the accounts section to view our range of accounts on offer or;
  
• Our team of expert advisors can help you to pick the one that’s right for you. Call us on 0845 601 7788*.
  
• If you already have an account, login and select the Deal tab to start investing.

*Lines are open from 7.30am to 8.30pm Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 6.00pm Friday, and from 9.00am - 2.00pm Saturday. Calls made to 0845 numbers are free for BT residential customers (current as at January 2009). The price on non-BT phone lines may vary; please check with your service provider. You can only use these numbers if you are calling from within the UK. If calling from outside the UK, please call +44 141 352 3909. Calls may be recorded to monitor the quality of our service, to check instructions and for security purposes.

The information in this section of the website is intended for UK resident investors and the investments to which such information relates are only suitable for, and will only be sold to, investors in the UK. Access to information displayed in this section of the internet site may be restricted in certain countries. Barclays Stockbrokers does not intend information concerning the products in this section of the website to be shown to any persons who are prohibited from seeing such information by their country of residence or incorporation (as applicable). If you are not a UK resident investor, you should not access this section of the website.