Invest in whole markets with a single trade

What are ETFs?

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a basket of investments — stocks, bonds, commodities, or a mix — that trades on an exchange just like a single stock. When you buy one share of an ETF, you're buying a tiny slice of every holding inside it.

Think of it this way: instead of buying shares in 500 different US companies one by one, you can buy a single ETF that tracks the S&P 500 index and own a piece of all of them in one trade. It's diversification made simple.

Why choose ETFs over individual stocks?

Picking individual stocks takes time, research, and a fair amount of conviction. Even professional fund managers often struggle to beat the market consistently. ETFs let you skip the stock-picking pressure by tracking a whole index, sector, or theme.

They're also typically cheaper than actively managed funds. Most ETFs are passively managed — they simply track an index rather than paying a team of analysts to pick stocks — which keeps ongoing charges low. Combined with Abervest's flat £1 trades, that means more of your money stays invested.

Types of ETFs available

At Abervest, you can invest in ETFs covering a wide range of markets and themes:

• Broad market ETFs — Track major indices like the S&P 500, FTSE 100, or FTSE All-World, giving you instant global diversification.
• Sector ETFs — Focus on specific industries such as technology, healthcare, clean energy, or financials.
• Thematic ETFs — Invest in long-term trends like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or sustainable investing.
• Bond ETFs — Gain exposure to government and corporate bonds for a more balanced, income-focused portfolio.
• Commodity ETFs — Track gold, silver, oil, or agricultural products without needing to hold the physical asset.

Getting started with ETFs

Many investors start with a single broad market ETF as the core of their portfolio, then add more targeted ETFs as they learn and refine their strategy. There's no minimum investment and trades are a flat £1 — you can start building a diversified portfolio from day one.