{"id":336264,"date":"2025-01-21T14:12:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T14:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/bonus\/etfs-or-shares-which-is-better-for-you\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T10:56:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:56:50","slug":"etfs-or-shares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/etfs-or-shares\/","title":{"rendered":"ETFs or shares: which is better for you?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When it comes to building wealth, sooner or later you\u2019ll be faced with a crucial question: ETFs or individual shares?<\/strong> This choice is not just a question of returns; it also affects how much time, effort and risk you put into your investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, you\u2019ll learn about all the key differences between <strong>ETFs and individual shares<\/strong>, along with their respective pros and cons, so that you can make the best decision for your financial goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group nf-info-boxen\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<p class=\"nf-boxen-p-gut-zu-wissen\"><strong>In brief:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"infobox-ul\">\n<li class=\"infobox-li\">Shares are ownership stakes in a company that can potentially yield high returns, but also carry significant risks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"infobox-li\">ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) track indices such as the MSCI World and offer lower risk through broad diversification.<\/li>\n<li class=\"infobox-li\">Index funds are particularly suitable for beginners and long-term investors.<\/li>\n<li class=\"infobox-li\">With the core-satellite strategy, you can combine ETFs and shares to get the best of both investment types.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The difference between shares and ETFs: Which is better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing between <strong>shares <\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/etf-guide\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"285661\">ETFs <\/a><\/strong>is often a challenge for investors. Both investment vehicles offer unique advantages, but differ significantly in terms of their structure, risk and potential returns.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But which option is right for you? By the end of this article, you\u2019ll know whether <strong>shares or ETFs<\/strong> are a better fit for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of shares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you buy <strong>shares<\/strong>, you acquire a stake in a company and thus become a shareholder. This ownership status offers you numerous opportunities, many of which provide long-term benefits for investors.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shares are not just an investment, but also a way to exert direct influence over companies you believe in. The main advantages of shares are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High potential returns<\/strong>: A key advantage of shares is the <strong>high potential returns<\/strong> they offer compared to other asset classes. Individual shares can see significant price rises in a short space of time. Companies in growth sectors such as technology, renewable energy or biotechnology, in particular, often offer impressive potential for gains.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For <strong>example<\/strong>: If you had bought <strong>Apple shares (ISIN: US0378331005) 10 years ago<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><strong>had you bought it,<\/strong> the value of your <strong>investment <\/strong>would have <strong>risen by 748.32%<\/strong>. However, such price gains also carry risks, as a poor investment can quickly lead to losses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<!-- TradingView Widget BEGIN -->\n<div class=\"tradingview-widget-container\">\n  <div class=\"tradingview-widget-container__widget\"><\/div>\n  <div class=\"tradingview-widget-copyright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/de.tradingview.com\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"blue-text\">Track all markets on TradingView<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n  <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.tradingview.com\/external-embedding\/embed-widget-advanced-chart.js\" async=\"\">\n  {\n  \"width\": \"100%\",\n  \"height\": \"410\",\n  \"symbol\": \"NASDAQ:AAPL\",\n  \"interval\": \"W\",\n  \"timezone\": \"Etc\/UTC\",\n  \"theme\": \"light\",\n  \"style\": \"3\",\n  \"locale\": \"de_DE\",\n  \"hide_top_toolbar\": true,\n  \"allow_symbol_change\": true,\n  \"calendar\": false,\n  \"hide_volume\": true,\n  \"support_host\": \"https:\/\/www.tradingview.com\"\n}\n  <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<!-- TradingView Widget END -->\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Voting rights<\/strong>: Another argument in favour of shares is the <strong>voting rights<\/strong> that many companies grant their shareholders. As a shareholder, you can vote on important decisions at <strong>annual general meetings<\/strong>, such as the <strong>election <\/strong>of the board of directors or <strong>strategic direction<\/strong>. This form of participation makes shares attractive to investors who wish to play an active role in a company\u2019s development.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexibility in choice<\/strong>: Shares offer enormous <strong>flexibility <\/strong>when it comes to choosing the companies you want to invest in. You can <strong>specifically <\/strong><strong>select <\/strong><strong>companies <\/strong>that align with your personal beliefs and values. For example, many investors opt for sustainable companies or those that develop innovative technologies.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if environmental protection is important to you, you could invest in shares of companies that specialise in green technologies. Alternatively, some companies offer high dividend yields, which can provide you with a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/passive-income\/41-ways-to-build-passive-income\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4414\">passive income<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disadvantages of shares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although <strong>shares <\/strong>offer many advantages, they are not without their challenges. It is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks before investing in individual companies. Shares can carry significant <strong>risks<\/strong>, particularly for investors <strong>without <\/strong>extensive <strong>experience<\/strong>. The main disadvantages of <strong>shares <\/strong>are:   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High risk of loss: Arguably the most serious risk associated with shares is the possibility of a total loss. Individual companies can go bankrupt, whether due to poor financial results, poor management decisions or unexpected market events. Bankruptcy can occur particularly quickly in the case of small or highly specialised companies. Investors who put all their eggs in one basket run the risk of losing their entire investment.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine you invest in an up-and-coming public limited company operating in the renewable energy sector. If the company fails to hold its own against the competition, or if the management makes poor decisions, it could go into administration. Your invested capital would then be lost.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group nf-info-boxen-blau\"> \n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"> <p class=\"nf-boxen-p-lesetipp\"><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p> \n<p class=\"nf-boxen-p\">Only invest money that you can afford to be without in the long term, and diversify your portfolio to minimise the risk of loss.<\/p> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Time commitment<\/strong>: Successful <strong>investment in shares<\/strong> requires extensive <strong>research<\/strong>. You need <strong>to engage<\/strong> in a <strong>thorough analysis<\/strong> of companies\u2019 business models, financial indicators and future prospects. This ongoing market analysis not only <strong>takes a great deal<\/strong> of <strong>time<\/strong>, but also requires an <strong>understanding <\/strong>of complex <strong>economic <\/strong><strong>relationships<\/strong>. Without this knowledge, you run the risk of making the wrong decisions.   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those who do not wish to go to this trouble might benefit from passive alternatives, such as an <a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/creating-an-etf-portfolio\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"281761\">ETF portfolio<\/a> including, for example, a <a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/the-10-best-dividend\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5503\">dividend ETF<\/a>, which require less effort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of diversification<\/strong>: Another drawback of shares is that they often offer <strong>limited diversification<\/strong>. Many retail investors invest in just a few companies, which <strong>increases <\/strong>the <strong>risk<\/strong>. If these companies come under pressure, the <strong>impact <\/strong>on your <strong>portfolio <\/strong>is often severe.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whilst index funds invest in hundreds of shares worldwide, a portfolio of individual shares is often limited to just a few companies. This makes you more <strong>vulnerable <\/strong><strong>to <\/strong><strong>losses <\/strong>if a single sector or company performs poorly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of ETFs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Index funds<\/strong> are one of the most flexible and efficient investment options for retail investors. They allow you to invest in a wide range of assets, such as <strong>shares<\/strong>, <strong>bonds <\/strong>or even <strong>commodities<\/strong>, using just a single product. The main advantages of exchange-traded funds are:   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Greater security through diversification<\/strong>: One of the biggest advantages of exchange-traded funds is their <strong>automatic diversification<\/strong>. An index-linked fund invests in numerous companies at the same time, which significantly reduces your risk. If individual companies perform poorly, these losses are offset by the profits of other companies.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For example, with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/best-msci-world-etf\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"279163\">best MSCI World ETF<\/a><\/strong> (ISIN: IE00B4L5Y983), you are investing in over 1,500 companies worldwide. If a single company or even an entire sector underperforms, the overall value of your portfolio remains more stable than it would be with individual shares. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low costs:<\/strong> Another advantage of index funds is their low costs. Whilst actively managed funds often charge management fees of between 1% and 2%, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/total-expense-ratio-ter\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"285475\">total expense ratio<\/a><\/strong> (TER) of ETFs is usually between 0.1% and 0.3%. These low costs make them particularly attractive for your long-term <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/etf-returns\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"252069\">ETF returns<\/a><\/strong>.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group nf-info-boxen-blau\"> \n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"> <p class=\"nf-boxen-p-lesetipp\"><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p> \n<p class=\"nf-boxen-p\">Choose ETFs with a low total expense ratio to get the most out of your investment. <\/p> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Easy to use<\/strong>: You can invest <strong>passively <\/strong>in <strong>ETFs <\/strong>without spending a lot of time analysing individual shares. Once you\u2019ve bought an index fund, you <strong>hardly <\/strong>need to <strong>worry about<\/strong> managing it. The fund <strong>automatically <\/strong><strong>tracks <\/strong>the <strong>underlying <\/strong><strong>index<\/strong>. This not only saves you time, but also reduces stress, as you don\u2019t have to worry about short-term market fluctuations.   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Suitable for inexperienced investors<\/strong>: An <a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/etfs-for-beginners\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"264197\"><strong>ETF <\/strong><strong>for beginners<\/strong><\/a> makes it easy to start investing and build your wealth over the long term.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regular returns with minimal effort<\/strong>: another advantage of ETFs is the opportunity to generate <strong>passive income<\/strong>. This allows investors, for example, to build up an <strong>attractive return<\/strong> on their shares over the long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disadvantages of ETFs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although <strong>index funds<\/strong> offer a wide range of benefits, there are also specific <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/avoiding-etf-risks\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"251584\">risks associated with ETFs<\/a><\/strong>. It is important to understand these drawbacks before deciding to invest in this type of fund.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main disadvantages of index funds are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No outperformance: One of the key drawbacks of index funds is their structure. ETFs track indices such as the <strong>MSCI World<\/strong> or the <strong>DAX<\/strong>. They aim to replicate the average market performance rather than outperform it. Whilst investors in individual shares aim to achieve higher returns than the market, an ETF is always tied to its underlying index.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>: The Apple share mentioned earlier could yield a return of 20% in a year, whilst the corresponding <strong>NASDAQ ETF<\/strong> might only yield 10%. This means that, whilst index funds offer stability, you cannot expect them to outperform the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Market risk<\/strong>: Although index-linked funds <strong>reduce <\/strong><strong>risk <\/strong>through <strong>diversification<\/strong>, they <strong>remain<\/strong> vulnerable to <strong>general <\/strong><strong>market downturns<\/strong>. During a downturn, all companies within an index lose value, which also affects the ETF. To minimise this risk, you can diversify your investments by investing in different sector indices, such as a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/real-estate-etfs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58\">property ETF<\/a><\/strong>. This allows you to spread your capital across multiple asset classes.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No targeted investments<\/strong>: Another disadvantage of ETFs is their <strong>limited <\/strong><strong>flexibility<\/strong>. As these securities track entire indices, you cannot invest specifically in individual companies that you consider particularly promising. <strong>If a company within the index performs poorly, it remains in the fund nonetheless<\/strong>. It is often unclear whether and when the index will exclude the share.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group nf-info-boxen-blau\"> \n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"> <p class=\"nf-boxen-p-lesetipp\"><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p> \n<p class=\"nf-boxen-p\">With individual shares, you can specifically invest in companies that share your values or pay particularly high dividends. With ETFs, on the other hand, you are tied to the weighting of the relevant index. <\/p> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Annual tax liability for accumulation funds<\/strong>: One often-overlooked disadvantage of ETFs is the so-called \u2018<strong>advance lump-sum tax<\/strong>\u2019. This tax is levied every year in Germany, even if you have not realised any gains. The advance lump-sum tax is based on a notional return calculated from the value of the ETF and a fixed base rate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, suppose you hold a reinvestment fund worth several thousand euros. Even if you haven\u2019t realised any gains in the year in question, you may still be liable for a tax bill of several hundred euros. This tax can reduce your net return and should be taken into account in your planning.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Head-to-head comparison: Which is better suited to you \u2013 ETFs or shares?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that the respective pros and cons have been outlined, the six <strong>key <\/strong><strong>criteria <\/strong>are <strong>set out side by side<\/strong>. This allows you to see at a glance which type of security is best suited to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Investment horizon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs <\/strong>are ideal for long-term investors who wish <strong>to invest<\/strong> for <strong>at least<\/strong> <strong>a<\/strong> <strong>decade<\/strong>. As they are broadly diversified and track the overall market, they benefit from <strong>long-term<\/strong> <strong>positive <\/strong><strong>market trends<\/strong>. Short-term fluctuations are smoothed out over longer periods, which is why ETFs are particularly well-suited to retirement planning and wealth accumulation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shares<\/strong>, on the other hand, offer <strong>greater <\/strong><strong>flexibility<\/strong>, as they can be used for both <strong>short-term<\/strong> and <strong>long-term<\/strong> <strong>investments<\/strong>. Those who invest in <strong>individual shares<\/strong> can select specific companies and benefit from <strong>rapid <\/strong><strong>price rises<\/strong>. However, significant losses are also possible, which is why a deeper understanding of the market is required.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VsRCk3WZf7w?si=kPoJtqDDeUG9zhED\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Diversification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A major advantage of <strong>ETFs <\/strong>is their <strong>automatic<\/strong> <strong>diversification<\/strong>. A single ETF can comprise hundreds or even thousands of companies from various sectors and regions, thereby minimising the risk associated with individual companies going bankrupt. By investing in a global ETF, you spread your capital across numerous markets, thereby reducing your risk.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it <strong>comes to<\/strong> <strong>shares<\/strong>, <strong>diversification <\/strong><strong>depends <\/strong>on <strong>the investor<\/strong> <strong>themselves<\/strong>. Anyone who invests in only a few companies is exposing themselves to a high level of <strong>concentration risk<\/strong>. Achieving <strong>broad diversification<\/strong> across different sectors <strong>requires <\/strong>a significant amount of <strong>capital <\/strong>and <strong>time <\/strong>to select the right companies. Those who do not diversify sufficiently risk heavy losses in the event of market turbulence.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Potential returns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs <\/strong>generally track the market and generate an average annual return of 7 to 8% over the long term. As they track the overall market, they are not designed to outperform it. Whilst the return is solid, there is no opportunity to achieve above-average returns.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between 2014 and 2023, the MSCI World ETF (in euros) generated an average annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boerse.de\/renditedreieck\/MSCI-World\/XC0009692739\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">return <\/a>of 8.2%.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSCI-World-Rendite-pa-3-1024x569.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-336277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSCI-World-Rendite-pa-3-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSCI-World-Rendite-pa-3-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSCI-World-Rendite-pa-3-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSCI-World-Rendite-pa-3.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>MSCI World Return Triangle<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shares<\/strong>, on the other hand, offer the chance to <strong>outperform <\/strong>the <strong>market<\/strong>. Those who invest early in successful companies can make huge profits. High returns are particularly possible in growth sectors such as technology or renewable energy. However, the <strong>risk <\/strong>is higher, as individual companies can also suffer <strong>heavy losses<\/strong> or even go bankrupt.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs are considered a low-risk investment<\/strong> as their broad diversification helps to cushion losses incurred by individual companies. Investors who invest globally are less vulnerable to regional economic crises or the performance of individual sectors. Nevertheless, ETFs are not risk-free, as they can also lose value in bear markets.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <strong>shares<\/strong>, the level of risk depends heavily on the <strong>choice <\/strong>of <strong>companies<\/strong>. Investing in sound, well-established companies can reduce the risk, but you are still at the mercy of the economic performance of individual firms. Speculative shares <strong>may offer<\/strong> <strong>high potential returns<\/strong>, but they can <strong>also <\/strong><strong>lose value<\/strong> drastically. A total loss is not uncommon with shares.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Time required<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs are particularly suitable for investors<\/strong> who do not wish <strong>to spend much time<\/strong> managing their investments. Once set up, an ETF savings plan can be left unchanged for years. As ETFs automatically track the market, no active management is required.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Investing in <strong>shares<\/strong>, on the other hand, <strong>requires <\/strong>more time and <strong>specialist knowledge<\/strong>. Anyone investing in individual shares should <strong>regularly <\/strong><strong>analyse <\/strong><strong>company financials<\/strong>, keep track of market trends and adjust their strategy. Economic news and geopolitical events also have an impact on the stock market, which is why constant monitoring is essential.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs have relatively low costs<\/strong>. Management fees (TER) are usually between 0.1% and 0.3% per year. As <strong>ETFs are passively managed<\/strong>, there are no high management fees. Trading costs are also low, as ETFs are usually purchased through savings plans.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are <strong>no ongoing management fees<\/strong> for <strong>shares<\/strong>, but <strong>trading fees<\/strong> and <strong>spreads <\/strong>can eat into returns. Frequent traders pay more for transactions and may need to use paid analysis tools. Whilst long-term buy-and-hold investors can minimise these costs, trading in individual shares is generally still more expensive than trading in ETFs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Right to have a say<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs do not offer any direct say in corporate matters<\/strong>, as investors only hold indirect stakes in the constituent companies. <strong>Decision-making power<\/strong> <strong>remains <\/strong>with <strong>the <\/strong><strong>fund providers<\/strong>, who vote on behalf of the constituent shares. Consequently, ETF investors have no influence over corporate decisions or annual general meetings.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With <strong>shares<\/strong>, on the other hand, investors <strong>often <\/strong><strong>have <\/strong><strong>voting rights<\/strong> as <strong>shareholders <\/strong>in a company. Anyone who holds shares in a company can <strong>attend <\/strong><strong>annual general meetings<\/strong> and <strong>vote <\/strong>on <strong>corporate strategies<\/strong>, <strong>dividends <\/strong>or <strong>board elections<\/strong>. This gives long-term investors greater control over their investment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparison table: ETFs vs. shares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Criterion<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>ETFs<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Shares<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Investment horizon<\/strong><\/td><td>Long term (at least 10 years)<\/td><td>Flexible, with the potential for short-term gains<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Diversification<\/strong><\/td><td>Very widely spread<\/td><td>Depending on your individual choice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Opportunities for returns<\/strong><\/td><td>An average of 7 to 8% per year<\/td><td>Potentially above-average returns are possible<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Risk<\/strong><\/td><td>Low due to broad diversification<\/td><td>High risk for individual companies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Time required<\/strong><\/td><td>Minimal, as it is passively managed<\/td><td>High, as active analysis is required<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Costs<\/strong><\/td><td>Low administrative fees (0.1% to 0.3%)<\/td><td>No fixed fees, but high order costs are possible<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Right to be consulted<\/strong><\/td><td>No influence on business decisions<\/td><td>Voting rights at annual general meetings<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re looking for a <strong>safe<\/strong>, <strong>long-term<\/strong> investment that requires <strong>very little<\/strong> <strong>effort<\/strong>, <strong>ETFs <\/strong>could be the right choice. If you want to <strong>invest <\/strong><strong>actively<\/strong>, select specific companies and potentially achieve <strong>higher <\/strong><strong>returns<\/strong>, you might find success with <strong>individual shares<\/strong>. However, you should also be aware of the potentially higher risk involved.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group nf-info-boxen-blau\"> \n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"> <p class=\"nf-boxen-p-lesetipp\"><strong>Good to know: <\/strong><\/p> \n<p class=\"nf-boxen-p\">If you can\u2019t decide between shares and ETFs, you can still invest in both at the same time. <\/p> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combining ETFs and shares: the core-satellite strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>core-satellite strategy<\/strong> is a tried-and-tested method for combining the strengths of the <strong>best <\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/10-best-etfs-for-the-future\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"237207\">ETFs <\/a><\/strong>and <strong>individual shares<\/strong>. This approach allows you to build a portfolio that is both stable and opportunistic. The strategy is based on a clear allocation:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Core: Stability through ETFs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The core of your portfolio consists of <strong>funds <\/strong>that offer broad diversification and long-term stability. A common approach with the core-satellite strategy is to invest around 80% of your capital in broadly diversified index funds.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advantages of the core component:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Risk minimisation<\/strong>: ETFs spread your investment across hundreds of companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low costs<\/strong>: Thanks to the low <strong>total expense ratio<\/strong>, your returns remain high.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simplicity<\/strong>: ETFs require minimal management effort and are ideal for a passive <strong>ETF portfolio<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, by investing in the S&amp;P 500 (ISIN: IE00B5BMR087), you are investing in the 500 largest listed US companies. Your portfolio benefits from the broad market performance in the US and remains stable, even if individual companies make losses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Satellite: Opportunities with individual shares<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can invest the remaining 20% of your portfolio in <strong>individual shares<\/strong> to capitalise specifically on growth opportunities. This gives you the chance to select companies that you believe are particularly promising. Through these targeted investments, you can potentially achieve <strong>above-average returns<\/strong>. Alternatively, you can adjust the percentage allocation and create a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/70-30-portfolio-will-this-pay-off\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"282756\">70\/30 portfolio<\/a><\/strong>.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advantages of the satellite component:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Higher potential returns<\/strong>: Individual shares offer you the chance to outperform the market.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexibility<\/strong>: You can capitalise on trends and innovative companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Personalisation<\/strong>: Choose companies that align with your personal values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, you might invest specifically in companies such as Tesla (ISIN: US88160R1014) to capitalise on the growing demand for electric vehicles. At the same time, Amazon (ISIN: US0231351067) could also be included in your satellite portfolio to benefit from the ongoing e-commerce boom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why a combination of shares or ETFs makes sense <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combining funds and individual shares gives you the best of both worlds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stability<\/strong>: Your core portfolio remains secure thanks to broad diversification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opportunities<\/strong>: Your satellite locations enable you to focus specifically on growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexibility<\/strong>: You can easily adapt your portfolio to changes in the market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The core-satellite strategy<\/strong> is an ideal way to combine stability with potential returns. By investing 80% of your capital in broadly diversified ETFs, you ensure long-term stability and minimise risk.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can use the remaining 20% to invest specifically in individual shares, allowing you to capitalise on trends and innovative companies. <strong>This approach is <a href=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/etf\/etfs-or-shares\/\">ideal for beginners<\/a> looking to build their first investment portfolio.<\/strong> Use a combination of individual shares and index funds to optimally balance your portfolio and invest successfully in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Core-Satellite-Portfolio-3-1024x569.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-336283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Core-Satellite-Portfolio-3-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Core-Satellite-Portfolio-3-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Core-Satellite-Portfolio-3-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Core-Satellite-Portfolio-3.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: ETFs or shares? Invest in both for maximum returns <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The choice between <strong>shares and ETFs<\/strong> depends on your goals, your knowledge and your risk profile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ETFs <\/strong>are ideal for <strong>beginners <\/strong>looking for a stable, long-term investment strategy. With <strong>broad diversification<\/strong>, low costs and ease of use, they are perfect for building wealth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Individual shares<\/strong>, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to target specific trends and growth sectors. However, they require more time and specialist knowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the <strong>core-satellite strategy,<\/strong> you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Invest 80% of your capital in funds to ensure stability, and allocate the remaining 20% to individual shares to capitalise on strong growth trends.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whichever strategy you choose, think about how much risk you\u2019re willing to take and what makes sense for you in the long term. That way, you can tailor your portfolio to suit your needs perfectly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about ETFs or shares?<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-07e24814 uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-true uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-2c128a7c \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>Which is better: ETFs or individual shares?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>It depends on your goals. ETFs are ideal for long-term, steady wealth accumulation with low risk. Shares offer the potential for higher returns, but require more time and specialist knowledge.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-631f9fe3 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>Which ETFs are suitable for beginners?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Beginners should opt for broadly diversified index funds such as the S&amp;P 500 or MSCI World. These funds minimise risk and are cost-effective. <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-e9dab8c3 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>What role do costs play in ETFs?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>The Total Expense Ratio (TER) plays a crucial role in ETFs. Low costs increase your returns in the long term. Exchange-traded funds often have a TER of between 0.1% and 0.3%.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-0b1e1dba \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>Can I invest in ETFs and shares at the same time?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Yes, the core-satellite strategy allows you to combine both types of investment. ETFs offer stability, whilst shares provide targeted growth opportunities. <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-7a00d5ee \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>How does the core-satellite strategy work?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>The core-satellite strategy combines ETFs and individual shares. You invest 80% of your portfolio in index funds such as the MSCI World to ensure stability. You can invest the remaining 20% in individual shares such as Tesla or Amazon to capitalise on specific growth opportunities.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-3ee6d272 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>How much capital do I need to start investing in shares or ETFs?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>You can build up your wealth over the long term with a savings plan starting from just \u20ac1 a month. Many brokers, such as Trade Republic and Scalable Capital, offer favourable terms for beginners to make it easier to get started. <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-874df9c5 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>What are the risks associated with ETFs?<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are subject to market risk as they track the performance of an index. During a market downturn, ETFs can also lose value. In addition, taxes such as the flat-rate withholding tax may reduce your return.  <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to building wealth, sooner or later you\u2019ll be faced with a crucial question: ETFs or individual shares? This choice is not just a question of returns; it also affects how much time, effort and risk you put into your investment. In this article, you\u2019ll learn about all the key differences between ETFs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":336271,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1031],"tags":[1032,1040,1036],"class_list":["post-336264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-etf","tag-etf-en","tag-etfs-en","tag-shares"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024-.png",1920,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024--150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024--300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024--768x432.png",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024--1024x576.png",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024--1536x864.png",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/northern.finance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EN-Aktien-oder-ETF-Was-ist-die-bessere-Wahl-2024-.png",1920,1080,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Aleks Bleck","author_link":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/author\/phil-nf\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"When it comes to building wealth, sooner or later you\u2019ll be faced with a crucial question: ETFs or individual shares? This choice is not just a question of returns; it also affects how much time, effort and risk you put into your investment. In this article, you\u2019ll learn about all the key differences between ETFs&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=336264"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":337376,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336264\/revisions\/337376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/336271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=336264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=336264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/northern.finance\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=336264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}