Top 3 cheapest ETFs for the S&P 500 in 2024

The ETF market in Europe has undergone a significant evolution, characterized by a race to the bottom on fees that has redefined investor expectations in terms of costs and accessibility. This trend was triggered by a mix of macroeconomic and strategic factors, including accommodative monetary policies and intense competition between issuers that pushed toward a continuous reduction in overall expenses. In particular, the reduction in interest rates has provided a further stimulus to reduce costs, improving the attractiveness of ETFs as an investment tool for both retail and institutional investors.

Among issuers, State Street Global Advisors has taken a leading role in reducing fees on its S&P 500 ETF, setting new standards for cost-efficiency. Likewise, other managers such as UBS Asset Management and DWS have followed this direction, expanding the offering of low-cost ETFs across different asset classes, including precious ones such as gold. This dynamism has led to greater accessibility and democratization of benchmark investing, allowing investors to benefit from diversified strategies at previously unimaginable costs.

The search for ETFs with the lowest TER, especially those that track the S&P 500, one of the most iconic and followed stock indexes globally, reflects a strategy aimed at maximizing investment efficiency while minimizing operating costs. In this article, we will analyze 3 ETFs, which take a position on the S&P500 and which have the lowest costs (TER) and expenses on the market.

1. SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF (Acc)

In the current investment landscape, characterized by a growing sensitivity towards sustainability and financial performance, the SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF (Acc) stands out as one of the most innovative and least expensive tools to access leading US companies through an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) filter..

This ETF, with a TER of just 0.03% per annum, represents an extremely cost-efficient investment solution for replicating the S&P 500 ESG Leaders Index, selecting companies based on rigorous sustainability criteria without compromising performance.

The full physical replication strategy adopted by the SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF is particularly relevant. By purchasing all the securities in the underlying index, the ETF guarantees high replication fidelity, minimizing the tracking error compared to the reference index. This approach is particularly popular with risk-conscious investors seeking to mimic the performance of the S&P 500 ESG Leaders Index as closely as possible while benefiting from a dividend accumulation policy. This latter feature ensures that dividends generated by portfolio securities are reinvested, contributing to the compound growth of the ETF’s value over time.

With assets under management exceeding €2 billion, the SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF demonstrates high acceptance among investors, signaling confidence in its ability to offer sustainable exposure to the US economy.

Launched in December 2019 and domiciled in Ireland, this ETF not only offers advantages in terms of costs and investment strategy but also acts as a vehicle through which investors can participate responsibly in financial markets, supporting companies that respect high ESG standards.

2. Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF

In parallel, the Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF emerges as another player in the low-cost ETF arena, offering investors another route to access the 500 largest US companies with a slightly higher TER of 0.05 % per annum. This ETF stands out for its synthetic replication strategy, using an unfunded swap to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index. This method helps reduce the costs and risks associated with physically purchasing securities while maintaining a high correlation with the reference index.

With assets under management amounting to almost €17 billion, the Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF is one of the most popular choices among investors looking for a combination of broad diversification, low costs, and an innovative approach to asset replication. Launched in May 2010 and with tax domicile in Ireland, this ETF has proven over time to be an effective solution for those wishing to invest in the US economy through an efficient and flexible vehicle.

Adopting a dividend accumulation strategy, similar to that of the SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF, ensures investors automatically reinvest dividends, increasing the compound growth potential of their investment.

3. iShares S&P 500 Swap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)

Within the universe of ETFs that track the S&P 500 with a cost-efficiency perspective, the iShares S&P 500 Swap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) represents a third strategic option for investors. Similar to the Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF, this fund also uses a synthetic replication strategy, using a swap to emulate the performance of the S&P 500 index. This method allows for efficient portfolio management and reduction in transactional costs, with a competitive TER of 0.05% per annum, effectively positioning itself as one of the least expensive ETFs available on the market.

With assets under management of approximately €3.6 billion and a launch in September 2020, the iShares S&P 500 Swap UCITS ETF presents itself as a relatively new but robust solution for investors seeking exposure to the US economy through an efficient and innovative financial vehicle. Choosing a dividend accumulation strategy promotes compound growth of invested capital, making it particularly suitable for long-term investors who wish to reinvest automatically generated returns. lack of currency hedging exposes investors to exchange rate fluctuations, which can represent both a risk and an opportunity depending on market conditions.

Comparison and final considerations

When comparing the SPDR S&P 500 ESG Leaders UCITS ETF, the Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF, and the iShares S&P 500 Swap UCITS ETF, it is clear that each presents a unique approach to investing in the S&P 500 Index. The TER represents a deciding factor for many investors, with the SPDR ETF offering the lowest cost at 0.03%, followed closely by the other two ETFs at 0.05%. However, in addition to the cost, it is crucial to consider the replication methodology (physical vs. synthetic), the dividend payout policy, and the associated risk profile.

The SPDR ETF stands out for its focus on ESG criteria, offering added value for investors aware of the social and environmental implications of their investments. On the other hand, Invesco and iShares ETFs, both with a synthetic replication strategy, can offer tax efficiency benefits.

The choice between these ETFs will depend on the investor’s priorities, including risk considerations, investment time horizon, and the importance of ESG criteria. In an increasingly competitive and diverse investment environment, low-cost, high-efficiency options like these S&P 500 ETFs allow investors to build optimized portfolios that reflect their financial goals and personal values.

In conclusion, the evolution of the ETF market has led to a significant reduction in costs for investors, improving accessibility and offering new opportunities for capital allocation. A detailed understanding of the characteristics of each ETF, together with a careful evaluation of the market context, remains essential to fully exploit the potential of these financial instruments.

Disclaimer The information and considerations contained in this article should not be used as the sole and principal basis on which to make investment decisions. The reader retains full freedom in his own investment choices and full responsibility in making them, since he alone knows his risk appetite and his time horizon. The information contained in the article is provided for informational purposes only and its disclosure does not constitute and should not be considered an offer or solicitation for public savings.

Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-02-11 17:13:00. Original title: I 3 ETF sull’S&P 500 meno costosi del 2024