
Key Takeaways
- The expense ratio (ER) is a measure of mutual fund operating costs relative to assets.
- Investors pay attention to the expense ratio to determine if a fund is an appropriate investment for them after fees are considered.
- Expense ratios may also come in variations, including gross expense ratio, net expense ratio, and after reimbursement expense ratio.
What is considered a good expense ratio?
A good expense ratio is between 0.5 and 0.75 percent for an actively managed portfolio. A fund that is greater than 1.5 percent is considered too high. The different costs can impact how much you have at retirement. For example, let’s say you have an initial investment of $100,000 and can contribute $10,000 per year for 30 years.
What is an expense ratio and what does it mean for You?
The expense ratio, also known as the management expense ratio (MER), measures how much of a fund's assets are used for administrative and other operating expenses . An expense ratio is determined by dividing a fund's operating expenses by the average dollar value of its assets under management (AUM).
What is expense ratio and does it affect returns?
The expense ratio tells you the fee that an investment company charges you for managing the fund. This fee is deducted from the fund regardless of whether the fund delivers a positive or negative returns. In short, expense ratio will decrease an investment returns in the long run. What is an Expense Ratio?
Does expense ratio affect my investments?
When you invest in a fund with a higher expense ratio, the returns you earn are lowered by that much more. If you are interested in a few funds, lower expense ratios make an excellent secondary factor.

What is a good expense ratio for stocks?
around 0.5% to 0.75%High and Low Ratios A good expense ratio, from the investor's viewpoint, is around 0.5% to 0.75% for an actively managed portfolio. An expense ratio greater than 1.5% is considered high.
What does an expense ratio of .1 mean?
If you invest in a mutual fund with a 1% expense ratio, you'll pay the fund $10 per year for every $1,000 invested. That money is swept out of your investment in the fund, meaning you won't get a bill for the charge. That's one reason why these fees are easy to miss.
Is an expense ratio of 1% high?
2% is considered a low fee and anything over 1% is high, according to many experts. The higher the expense ratio, the more it'll eat into your returns. Before investing, check the fees. One of the most important factors that affect the expense ratio of a fund is whether it's actively or passively managed.
Why is expense ratio important?
A mutual fund's expense ratio is very important to investors because fund operating and management fees can have a large impact on net profitability. The expense ratio for a fund is calculated by dividing the total amount of fund fees—both management fees and operating expenses—by the total value of the fund's assets.
Does Robinhood expense ratio?
Robinhood, which launched in 2014, charges zero commission fees on stock and ETF trades. The investor pays the usual management fee to the ETF provider, typically an expense ratio under 0.5%.
What is a good expense ratio for an index fund?
The best expense ratio is 0%. Surprisingly, some passive fund managers are starting to offer index funds with expense ratios of 0%. A good expense ratio for a mutual fund is less than 1%.
What is a bad expense ratio?
For mutual funds that invest in large U.S. companies, look for an expense ratio of no more than 1%. And for funds that invest in small or international companies, which typically require more research, look for an expense ratio of no more than 1.25%.
Is expense ratio deducted daily?
It is deducted on a daily basis after calculating its per day expense. The annual expense ratio is divided by the number of trading days of the year and is charged on the closing gross NAV.
Do ETFs pay dividends?
ETFs are required to pay their investors any dividends they receive for shares that are held in the fund. They may pay in cash or in additional shares of the ETF. So, ETFs pay dividends, if any of the stocks held in the fund pay dividends.
How does expense ratio affect return?
The expense ratio, which is calculated annually and disclosed in the fund's prospectus and shareholder reports, directly reduces the fund's returns to its shareholders, and, therefore, the value of your investment.
What is low expense ratio for mutual fund?
FUNDS WITH THE LOWEST EXPENSE RATIOName of the FundExpense Ratio (%)1-Year Returns(%)Edelweiss Long Term Equity – Direct (G)0.68%36.62%Kotak Tax Saver Fund – Direct (G)0.72%37.19%Mahindra Manulife ELSS – Direct (G)0.73%44.29%IDFC Tax Advantage – Direct (G)0.74%49.74%6 more rows
What is an expense ratio Vanguard?
How expense ratios are calculated at Vanguard. As each fund passes its fiscal year-end, the annual expense ratio is calculated by dividing the fund's operational expenses by its average net assets. If the fund's assets are increasing faster than its costs, you'll enjoy lower expenses as a fund shareholder.