Mutual Funds & ETFs

ETF vs. ETN: An Overview Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are popular investment options, but come with their own structures and risks. ETFs invest in physical assets like stocks or bonds, while ETNs are unsecured debt issued by financial institutions. Both track indexes or benchmarks, yet each carries unique benefits and risks. Investors can also find niche market options for both ETFs and ETNs.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that use options strategies have exploded in popularity, with two of the most popular types reaching about $120 billion in assets in 2025. The upshot is that you can invest in these sophisticated income-generating strategies without knowing the difference between a call and a put.