An ETF prospectus is a document that the ETF sponsors use to define their ETF to the public and potential investors.
An ETF prospectus typically covers these points:
The type of holdings: This section covers the holdings in detail, clearly explaining the amount of investment made in different holdings. It also tells about the assets the ETF holds such as stocks, bonds, small or large caps.
Limitations on buying and selling.
Performance charts and graphs with brief explanations to ease comprehension.
Expense ratios as well as other charges that the ETF attracts.
Net asset value and liquidity of the ETF
Privacy policies, disclaimers and other marketing information.
As different sponsors create different ETFs, one should know where to refer to get the ETF prospectus.
Below is a table that lists the ETF families with their sponsors that should be contacted for the respective prospectus.
ETF Family
Sponsor
Alps ETF Trust
Pimco ETFs
BlackRock
PowerShares ETNs
Amex Mid-Cap SPDR (MDY)
PowerShares
Barclays iPath ETNs
PowerShares (BLDRS)
Claymore ETFs
ProShares
CurrencyShares (Rydex)
RevenueShares
Direxion Shares
Rydex
Emerging Global Shares
State Street Global Advisors (DIA)
Elements ETN
State Street Global Advisors (GLD)
Fidelity (ONEQ)
State Street Global Advisors (Select Sector)
First Trust ETFs
State Street Global Advisors (SPDRs)
Greenhaven Funds
TDAX Independence ETFs
Index IQ
United States Gasoline Fund (UGA)
IQ Investment Advisors (QQQX)
United States Heating Oil Fund (UHN)
iShares (Barclays)
United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG)
JP Morgan/Alerian ETNs
United States 12 Month Oil Fund (USL)
MacroShares (Claymore)
United States Oil Fund (USO)
Market Vectors ETNs (Morgan Stanley)
Vanguard
Market Vectors ETFs (Van Eck)
Wisdom Tree
ETF prospectuses are documents for information so decisions should be based on studying various other factors like:
market trends
shifts
projections before buying or selling ETF.
Newspapers and ETF centers are other good sources of information about ETFs.