What is an ETF? Learn about exchange-traded funds
ETFs are a combination of various types of assets. Find out if they’re the right type of investment for your money.
7 min read
Mar 28, 2024
James Royal, Ph.D.
Principal writer, Investing and wealth management
EXPERTISE
- Investing
- Wealth management
- Behavioral finance
- Stock analysis
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science in management, University of Florida
- Master of Arts in English, University of Florida
- Doctorate in English, University of Florida
Our goal is to get wiser every day and avoid the mistakes of the past.
— James Royal, Ph.D.
About the author
Bankrate principal writer and editor James F. Royal, Ph.D. covers investing and wealth management. His work has been cited across major media, including CNBC, the Washington Post, The New York Times and the Associated Press. Royal believes in the power of education to help individuals make smart financial decisions that can positively and significantly improve their lives.
Experience
James is the author of The Zen of Thrift Conversions. He’s a veteran writer and stock analyst with a history of working in the financial-services industry, including at the Motley Fool and Bankrate.
Education
Royal has a bachelor’s degree in management as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in English earned at the University of Florida.
Media mentions
CNBC
Yahoo Finance
Reuters
Cheddar TV
Forbes
Barron’s
Our goal is to get wiser every day and avoid the mistakes of the past.
— James Royal, Ph.D.
James's latest articles
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What is the S&P 500?
When people ask “how the market did today,” they’re often referring specifically to the S&P 500.
4 min read Mar 27, 2024 -
How to avoid paying capital gains taxes on investments
Here’s how you can (legally) avoid paying taxes on your capital gains and what to watch out for.
4 min read Mar 27, 2024 -
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Cryptocurrency taxes: A guide to tax rules for Bitcoin, Ethereum and more
The IRS is stepping up enforcement on potential tax evasion by looking more closely at who’s exchanging cryptocurrencies.
6 min read Mar 27, 2024 -
Need to report cryptocurrency on your taxes? Here’s how to use Form 8949 to do it
Here’s what to know about declaring your capital gains and losses when using Form 8949.
6 min read Mar 27, 2024 -
Donor-advised funds: A popular tax-advantaged way to give to charity
Here’s how a donor-advised fund works and why it may be an attractive option for the wealthy.
5 min read Mar 27, 2024
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9 biggest 401(k) mistakes to avoid
Don’t make these errors when using a 401(k) to save for retirement.
5 min read Nov 20, 2024 -
Stock market holidays in 2024: US markets are closed on these days
When is the stock market closed? Here’s a list of days when the major exchanges observe holidays.
1 min read Nov 11, 2024 -
What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average?
These companies make up the popular Dow Jones Industrial Average.
3 min read Nov 04, 2024 -
Elon Musk in 2024: What to know about the world’s richest person
Learn which investments helped make Elon Musk the richest person in the world.
8 min read Nov 04, 2024 -
What to do if your Social Security payment is late
Is your Social Security check late? Here’s what to do.
2 min read Oct 29, 2024 -
Best time of the year to retire for tax purposes
When you retire can potentially have a big impact on your retirement income and the taxes you owe.
4 min read Oct 24, 2024 -
Warren Buffett: Top investing lessons and advice from Berkshire’s legendary CEO
Here’s what else you should know about Warren Buffett, his investment approach and largest holdings.
8 min read Oct 22, 2024 -
What is Bitcoin mining and how does it work?
Here are the basics on how Bitcoin mining works and some key risks to be aware of.
5 min read Oct 21, 2024