Couple smiling looking at phone

Exchange-TradedFunds (ETFs)

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Get started

What is an ETF?

Benefits of ETFs

Lower fees

ETFs strip away the unnecessary layers of fees that typically plague other investment products like mutual funds.

Diversification

ETFs allow your portfolio to easily gain exposure to a wide range of different companies at once.

Dividends

If the stocks owned through the fund pay dividends, the money is typically paid out in cash to the investor of the ETF.

How to start trading ETFs

Ready to take control of the ETFs you buy and sell? It’s as simple as opening an account, doing your research and placing an order on your preferred Questrade trading platform.

get started

Trade ETFs with confidence

With a self-directed Questrade account, you have access to the tools, resources and support you need to make ETF trades confidently.

Self-directed investing

I want to invest by myself

  • Trade stocks and ETFs commission-free 1. And options for as low as $0/contract 2.

  • Find fresh new trading ideas with easy-to-use research tools

  • Mobile, web or desktop—trade your way on powerful platforms

We’re here to help you get started

Our account specialists are available to assist with any account-related questions you may have, and to help you get set up.

Start chat

Reach us by phone

Toll-free Within Canada

1.888.298.4515

From the U.S.

1.416.227.6615

International

(001) 416.227.6615

Phone hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 8 PM EST

Get answers to frequently asked questions

ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) are a product that owns and manages its own basket of assets (stocks, bonds, commodities, etc.). Ownership of those assets is divided into individual shares, which you are able to purchase just like you would a stock. When you purchase shares of an ETF, you’re participating in the gains and losses of the underlying assets that are held within the ETF. If they have an overall increase in value, the value of individual shares will typically rise, and investors will earn a profit. And vice versa; if the assets have an overall decrease in value, individual shares drop in value, and investors incur a loss.

Yes, you can buy and hold any ETF that is listed on a designated stock exchange in a registered account.

While they are similar, ETFs have a few key differences that set them apart from mutual funds. Possibly the most important distinction is that ETFs typically have significantly lower management fees. Another difference is that mutual funds can only be traded once at the end of the trading day. ETFs on the other hand, trade on the stock exchange and are available to be bought or sold at any time as long as the market is still open. Finally, you can purchase just one share of an ETF if you wish, where most mutual funds have a minimum amount you must initially purchase.
Yes, ETFs can pay dividends. If the companies held within an ETF pay a dividend, the ETFs will pass the dividend onto you. There are also ETFs built entirely around a dividend strategy, they include fixed income products such as bonds or GICs.

1 'Zero commission trades', '$0 commissions', '$0 trading', 'trade commission-free' and similar messages, refer to commission-free trading for trades placed online through Questrade, Inc.'s website or mobile apps for stocks and ETFs that are listed on a stock exchange in the United States or Canada. Other fees may still apply.

2 As low as $0/contract pricing applies to US Options only.

Questrade, Inc. will provide a refund on your 99¢ USD options contract fees, charged in United States Dollars (“USD”), based on the progressive options pricing tiers you get to during the calendar month of trading. The refund for each tier applies only to contracts executed within that tier. For example, fees for contracts that fall into tier 2 are refunded based on the tier 2 rate, and fees for subsequent contracts that fall into tier 3 are refunded based on the tier 3 rate, and so on. Please see our options pricing for details on each tier.

Contract fee refunds will be paid out on the first business day of the month following the month in which the trades occurred. Refunds will be credited to the account(s) in which the eligible trades were executed. Other fees may still apply and are not covered by the refund. If a refund is paid into an individual RESP or Family RESP account, it will be credited in CAD equivalent of USD, as USD deposits are not available for RESP accounts.

Orders placed outside of standard market hours are processed immediately upon market opening. Excludes market closures and unforeseen events.

Questrade may close or modify fractional share positions in stocks or ETFs no longer eligible for fractional trading at any given time. Questrade Fractional Shares Disclosure Statement