What is Expense ratio?

An expense ratio is the yearly fee a fund charges, expressed as a percentage of the money you have invested in it.

An expense ratio of 0.10% costs $10 a year per $10,000 invested. It is taken out of the fund automatically, so you never see a bill.

Why it matters to you

Small differences in fees compound into large differences over decades.

FAQ

What is Expense ratio?

An expense ratio is the yearly fee a fund charges, expressed as a percentage of the money you have invested in it.

What is a low expense ratio?

Broad index funds and ETFs often charge 0.10% or less a year.

Related terms

ETF (exchange-traded fund) · Index fund · Mutual fund

All plain-English definitions → · Educational only, not investment advice.

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