13. Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (IWF)
Overview: This ETF includes large cap stocks maintaining growth characteristics, such as higher pricing multiples and expected earnings growth.
ETF Alternatives: The overlap between IWD and its value counterpart is somewhat shocking; dozens of stocks are included in both of these products that might be expected to be mutually exclusive. For purer, exposure to style factors, the Guggenheim S&P 500 Pure Growth ETF (RPG) is a better choice here.
14. Total Bond Market ETF (BND)
Overview: This ETF, which includes investment grade bonds, was already mentioned as a more cost efficient alternative to AGG.
ETF Alternatives: Viewing BND as a one stop shop for fixed income exposure is perhaps a bit short-sighted, as this fund includes no exposure to many of the higher yielding corners of the fixed income market or international securities. The Madrona Global Bond ETF (FWDB) is much more expensive, but also much more representative of the global fixed income market.
15. Silver Trust (SLV)
Overview: SLV offers exposure to physical silver, which has outperformed gold by a huge margin over the last few years.
ETF Alternatives: For access to physical silver, SIVR is the only other option out there (and is actually quite a bit cheaper than SLV). PowerShares’ DBS offers exposure to futures-based strategies, while SIL allows investors to access stocks of mining companies engaged in the extraction of the precious metal.
16. Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund (SHY)