Find the Right ETF — Fees, Holdings & NAV
We analyze 15 core ETFs the way we analyze stocks — with transparent data. Cost grading, holdings quality scoring from our 350-stock coverage, NAV tracking, and dividend withholding tax guidance for international investors.
Four Dimensions of ETF Analysis
Most ETF screeners only show expense ratios. We go deeper — scoring the quality of what's inside the fund and whether you're paying a fair price for the basket.
Cost Grade (A-F)
Expense ratio benchmarked against category peers. A Vanguard S&P 500 ETF at 0.03% saves you ~$20K over 30 years vs. a 0.30% competitor on $100K invested.
Holdings Quality
We score each ETF's top 10 holdings using our stock analysis — aggregate moat rating, Z-Score health, and dividend safety. A cheap ETF full of distressed companies is not a good value.
NAV Analysis
Is the ETF trading at a premium or discount to the value of its underlying holdings? Premiums mean overpaying, discounts may signal opportunity — or liquidity risk.
Dividend & Tax
Yield analysis plus withholding tax guidance for non-US investors. Chinese investors face 10% WHT, Korean 15%, others 30%. We show the real after-tax yield per language.
The Core of Any Portfolio
Three funds tracking the same 500 companies — the difference is in fees and liquidity.
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
State Street Investment Management · 0.095% expense ratio
D
1.14%
$652B
0%
Own Everything
Bet on Innovation
Income Generators
Buy at a Discount
Stability & Income
Beyond the US
Dividend Withholding Tax by Country
The US withholds tax on dividends paid to non-residents. Tax treaties reduce the rate. We calculate the after-tax yield automatically on every ETF page based on your language.
China
US-China tax treaty rate. Shown on Chinese (ZH) pages.
Japan
US-Japan tax treaty rate. Shown on Japanese (JA) pages.
South Korea
US-Korea tax treaty rate. Shown on Korean (KO) pages.
Default
Standard rate for countries without a tax treaty. Shown on EN/ES pages.
Explore ETF Research
Best Value ETFs
ETFs ranked by cost-adjusted expected value — factoring in fees, NAV alignment, and the fundamental quality of what's inside.
ETF vs. Mutual Fund
Tax efficiency, trading flexibility, and fee differences — when each vehicle makes sense for your situation.
Common Questions
How do you analyze ETFs differently from stocks?
ETFs are baskets of securities, so the analysis focuses on: (1) NAV discount/premium, (2) expense ratio vs. category benchmark, (3) holdings quality — what's the aggregate moat rating and Z-Score of the underlying stocks, and (4) dividend yield including withholding tax impact for non-US investors.
What is a NAV discount?
Net Asset Value (NAV) is the per-share value of all the securities inside the ETF. When the ETF's market price is below NAV, it trades at a discount — you're buying the basket for less than the pieces are worth individually.
Are lower expense ratios always better?
For index ETFs tracking the same benchmark, yes — lower fees directly increase your returns. But comparing expense ratios across different strategies isn't meaningful. A 0.50% factor ETF that outperforms a 0.03% market-cap ETF by 2% is the better deal despite higher fees.
Do non-US investors pay withholding tax on ETF dividends?
Yes. The US imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid to non-US investors. This rate may be reduced under a tax treaty — for example, 10% for China and Japan, 15% for South Korea, 10% for Mexico. We show the tax-adjusted yield on every ETF page based on your language.
Should I buy one ETF or build a portfolio of several?
For most investors, a single total market ETF like VTI provides sufficient diversification. Adding sector or factor ETFs makes sense only if you have a specific view. Over-diversifying across similar ETFs adds complexity without reducing risk. If you want income, adding a dividend ETF like SCHD is a common strategy.
Other Research Engines
Stock Fair Value
Individual stock analysis for the holdings inside your ETFs.
The Strike Zone
If you prefer picking individual stocks over ETFs, start here.
Dividend Safety
Grade the safety of dividends for individual stocks — A through F.