ETF Guides
Understanding ETFs, choosing the right fund for your account and decoding real costs — our complete guides for independent investors.
TER and Tracking Difference: the real cost of your ETF
The TER displayed on the KID is not the real cost of your ETF. The Tracking Difference — the gap between the ETF's return and its index — is the only metric that measures what you truly pay. For some ETFs, the listed TER is 0.20% but the TD is negative: the ETF outperforms its index.
Read guidePhysical vs synthetic ETF replication: what difference does it make?
WPEA physically replicates the MSCI World while CW8 does so synthetically via a swap — yet both track the same index with a tiny gap. Understanding the difference lets you assess counterparty risk and explains why synthetic ETFs qualify for the French PEA.
Read guideMSCI World vs S&P 500: which index should you choose for your ETF?
The S&P 500 already accounts for 67% of the MSCI World. Choosing between the two is not neutral: you are either betting on global diversification or on the lasting dominance of large US companies. Performance, composition, risk and overlap compared.
Read guideWhat is an ETF? Understanding index funds in 10 minutes
An ETF automatically tracks a stock market index for an annual cost below 0.40%. But between listed TER and real cost (Tracking Difference), physical vs synthetic replication, and fund overlap — this guide covers what most articles don't.
Read guideCheck your ETF overlap
Enter two tickers to instantly see their overlap.