Reference Data Tables › ETF Reference Tables
ETF Reference Tables
ETF reference tables cover the quantitative benchmarks investors use when selecting and comparing funds. Which expense ratio is considered low for a given category? How much tracking error is normal for a bond ETF versus an equity ETF? How have fund flows shifted between asset categories over time? These tables provide the reference data that makes those comparisons concrete.
Direct Answer
ETF reference tables provide the benchmarks needed to evaluate whether a fund's costs, tracking accuracy, and liquidity are competitive within its category. An expense ratio of 0.20% might be reasonable for an actively managed fund but expensive for a large-cap index ETF where the category average is below 0.10%. Reference data makes those distinctions apparent.
Common questions
What is a reasonable expense ratio for different ETF categories?
Expense ratios vary significantly by asset class and management style. Broad US equity index ETFs from major providers now charge 0.03% to 0.05%. International equity ETFs typically range from 0.05% to 0.20%. Bond ETFs range from 0.03% for broad aggregate funds to 0.40% or more for high-yield or active funds. Thematic and factor ETFs generally charge more than plain index funds. Comparing a fund's expense ratio to the category average is a better benchmark than any single absolute threshold.
What causes tracking error in an ETF?
Tracking error is the difference between an ETF's return and its benchmark index return. The main sources are the expense ratio (the most consistent driver), dividend reinvestment timing (ETFs cannot immediately reinvest dividends the way the index assumes), securities lending income (which can partially offset expenses), and sampling decisions for ETFs that do not hold every index constituent. A small amount of tracking error is expected; persistent large deviations indicate execution problems.
Every guide in this section
10 guides in this section.
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- Bond ETF Comparison: AGG vs BND vs LQD
Reference table comparing major U.S. bond ETFs by category: aggregate (AGG, BND), corporate investment-grade (LQD), high-yield (HYG, JNK), Treasury (TLT, SHY), and TIPS, with du…
- Dividend ETF Comparison: VYM vs SCHD vs DVY
Comparison of major dividend ETFs: SCHD (0.06%), VYM (0.06%), DVY (0.38%), VIG, HDV, and DGRO.
- Gold and Commodity ETF Comparison
Reference table comparing gold ETFs (GLD, IAU, GLDM, IAUM), silver ETF (SLV), and broad commodity ETFs (PDBC, DJP, USO, UNG) by expense ratio, structure, and AUM.
- International ETF Comparison: VEA vs VXUS vs EFA
Comparison of major international ETFs covering developed markets (VEA, EFA, IEFA), all-world ex-US (VXUS), and emerging markets (VWO, EEM), with expense ratios and coverage details.
- Largest U.S. ETFs by Assets Under Management
The 20 largest U.S. ETFs ranked by assets under management, with expense ratios and index tracked.
- Leveraged ETF Expense Ratios and Risks
Reference table of 2x and 3x leveraged ETFs (TQQQ, SOXL, SPXL, SSO) and inverse ETFs, with expense ratios, AUM, and explanation of volatility decay risk.
- REIT ETF Comparison: VNQ vs SCHH vs IYR
Comparison of major REIT ETFs: VNQ (Vanguard, 0.12%), SCHH (Schwab, 0.07%), IYR (iShares, 0.40%), XLRE, VNQI, and REET, with yield, AUM, and holdings count.
- Sector ETF Expense Ratios and Fund Comparison
Sector ETF expense ratio comparison across all 11 GICS sectors for SPDR (XL series, 0.09%), Vanguard (V series, 0.10%), and iShares (IY series, 0.40%) providers.
- S&P 500 ETF Comparison: SPY vs VOO vs IVV
Side-by-side comparison of the three major S&P 500 ETFs: SPY (0.0945%), VOO (0.03%), and IVV (0.03%).
- Total U.S. Market ETF Comparison: VTI vs SCHB vs ITOT
Comparison of total U.S. stock market ETFs: VTI (Vanguard), SCHB (Schwab), and ITOT (iShares), all at 0.03% expense ratio with approximately 3,500-4,000 holdings.