ETFs Outnumber Stocks in US! What’s Your Goal for Holding ETF??

ETFs are becoming a go-to tool for investors around the world. US ETF market has reached a striking milestone.

According to Bloomberg citing Morningstar, there are now 4,370 ETFs listed across U.S. exchanges—that’s more than the 4,172 individual stocks available.

With nearly $12 trillion AUM, ETFs have become a powerhouse industry. But more choice doesn’t always mean easier decisions.

On SGX, the choices are relatively straightforward:

  • SPDR STI ETF – tracking Singapore’s Straits Times Index, covering blue-chip names

  • Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF – focused on REITs with steady dividends

  • SPDR Gold Shares – a hedge against uncertainty

  • Lion-OCBC Hang Seng Tech ETF – exposure to Hong Kong’s fast-growing tech sector

The Paradox of Too Much Choice

Morningstar’s Ben Johnson calls this “choice overload.”

  1. Too many options: Strategies overlap, fund names look similar, and it’s hard to tell what’s different.

  2. Execution matters: Two ETFs may claim the same strategy, but differences in cost, tracking error, or methodology can change returns.

What’s your goal for holding ETF?

Broad market exposure $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ , hot theme $iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF(IGV)$ or Alternative assets $iShares Gold Trust(IAU)$

What ETFs are in your portfolio?

Do ETFs outnumber stocks in your portfolio?

What features do you look at when picking ETFs or stocks?

Do you feel overloaded with too many choices?

# ETFs Outnumber Stocks in US! What’s Your Goal for Holding ETF??

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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  • Shyon
    ·09-19
    TOP
    For me, ETFs are mainly about getting broad market exposure while keeping risks lower compared to holding just a few individual stocks. With one ETF, I can cover an entire sector or index without worrying too much about single-stock volatility. It gives me a sense of balance in my portfolio, especially when markets turn unpredictable.

    That said, I often lean toward leveraged ETFs like SOXL, TSLL, and NVDL. While these are riskier than traditional ETFs, I see them as a way to amplify exposure to sectors or companies I already have conviction in. It lets me capture more upside while still being diversified within that theme.

    When I pick ETFs, I focus on liquidity, costs, and whether the fund truly delivers on its strategy. Still, the ETF space has become overwhelming—too many funds with similar names and overlapping strategies. At the end of the day, I stick to a few ETFs that fit my purpose, rather than getting lost in the sea of choices.

    @Tiger_SG @Tiger_comments @TigerStars

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  • 北极篂
    ·09-19
    TOP
    我自己的投资组合里,ETF已经成为主力。核心是追踪全球和美国大盘的宽基,例如SPY和VT,用来获取整体经济增长的长期回报;另外还配置了少量行业型ETF,比如半导体的SMH和清洁能源的ICLN,用来捕捉特定趋势,但每只比例都控制在组合的5%到10%之间。整体算下来,ETF的数量确实已经超过单一股票,因为我希望大部分资金放在分散度更高、管理更省心的工具上。


    挑选ETF时,我最看重三个特征:第一是基金规模和流动性,规模大、成交活跃可以降低买卖差价;第二是费用率,长期持有哪怕0.1%的差异都会拉开收益;第三是跟踪误差和成分透明度,我会仔细核对成分股结构是否符合自己的行业判断。相较之下,买股票时我更注重企业的商业模式、盈利能力以及管理层执行力。


    面对市场上上千只ETF,选择确实越来越多,有时也会有“眼花缭乱”的感觉。我的应对方式是先设定清晰的资产配置目标,再根据风险承受度决定宽基与主题的比例,最后只在目标范围内做比较。这样就算新品层出不穷,也不至于陷入无休止的选择困境。
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  • Cadi Poon
    ·09-21
    在新交所,選擇相對簡單:

    SPDR STI ETF-追蹤新加坡海峽時報指數,涵蓋藍籌股

    獅輝S-REIT ETF-專注於股息穩定的房地產投資信託基金

    SPDR黃金股-對衝不確定性

    獅子-華僑恆生科技ETF-涉足香港快速增長的科技行業

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  • Tiger_SG
    ·09-24
    Thanks for participating in my discussion. Your coins have been sent through the tiger coin center!
    Check them in the history - “community distribution“[Smile][Miser]
    @TheStrategist
    @takleee
    @FTGR
    @ECLC
    @Mrzorro
    @setia100
    @chiaosiong
    @Cadi Poon
    @TimothyX
    @BTS
    @北极篂
    @Shyon
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  • BTS
    ·09-23
    ETFs provide low-cost, diversified exposure to broad markets, while stocks are higher-risk, targeted investments that require more analysis

    Key factors to consider include what the ETF or stock tracks, along with its key fundamentals and structure

    To avoid being overwhelmed, start with broad ETFs, refine choices according to goals, and use screeners to stay focused。。。
    Tag :
    @Huat99
    @Snowwhite

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  • TimothyX
    ·09-21
    ETF正在成爲全球投資者的首選工具。美國ETF市場已經達到了一個引人注目的里程碑。

    據彭博社援引晨星報道,現在有4,370只ETF在美國交易所上市-這比4,172只個股可獲得的。

    與近12萬億美元資產管理規模,ETF已經成爲一個發電站行業。但是更多的選擇並不總是意味着更容易的決定。

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  • setia100
    ·09-20
    This is the reason US stock markets keep going higher. New ETFs continue buy-in to sustain the uptrend...😲
    Many stock gurus might be underestimated this trending ❗👍
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  • chiaosiong
    ·09-19
    I would accumulate qqq enough. by looking at the return rate of qqq for the past 10 years, you know what to do. that's amazing. it's simply a good choice for children education fund.
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  • Mrzorro
    ·09-19
    For me, SPDR STI ETF is my choice because it's tracking Singapore’s Straits Times Index, covering blue-chip companies. [USD] [USD] [USD]
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  • ECLC
    ·09-19
    Consider go for ETF when feel overloaded with too many choices but funds not enough.
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  • FTGR
    ·09-20
    ETF is safer than individual stock. Just have some to balance the portfolio.
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  • takleee
    ·09-20
    so long they have good fundementals
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  • Ibit is king
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