Offering low-cost access to virtually every corner of the market, ETFs allow investors big and small to build institutional-caliber portfolios with lower costs and better transparency than ever before. But what exactly is an ETF? And how does it provide these benefits? Start With Mutual Funds To understand how ETFs work, the best place to start is with something familiar, like a traditional mutual fund. Imagine half a dozen investors, sitting at home, each trying to figure out the best way to invest in ...