Comparing ETFs, Mutual Funds, and Closed-End Funds

In 2024, only 5% of ETFs distributed capital gains to shareholders compared to 43% of mutual funds (Morningstar, 2024). That single statistic explains why ETFs have captured over 10 trillion in assets - but the choice between ETFs, mutual funds, and closed-end funds is not always obvious. Each structure has distinct advantages depending on how you invest and what you own.

The durable lesson: For most investors in taxable accounts, ETFs offer a 0.5-1.0% annual tax advantage through their creation/redemption mechanism (Poterba and Shoven, 2002). But mutual funds still win for automatic investing, and closed-end funds offer opportunities unavailable elsewhere.

How Each Structure Works

ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)

Trading: Intraday on exchanges, like individual stocks

Pricing: Real-time, typically within pennies of NAV (net asset value)

Purchase mechanics: Buy through any brokerage; can purchase 1 share or fractional shares

Minimum investment: As low as 1 dollar (with fractional shares)

Expense ratios: Typically 0.03-0.20% for broad index funds

Tax efficiency: High - creation/redemption mechanism avoids realizing capital gains

The mechanism: When investors sell ETF shares, they sell to other investors on the exchange. The ETF itself does not have to sell holdings to raise cash. When large redemptions occur, authorized participants exchange ETF shares for the underlying stocks in kind - no sale, no taxable event.

Mutual Funds

Trading: Once daily at 4 PM ET closing NAV

Pricing: All orders executed at same end-of-day price

Purchase mechanics: Order through fund company or brokerage; specify dollar amount

Minimum investment: Typically 1,000-3,000 for initial investment

Expense ratios: 0.05-0.25% for index funds, 0.50-1.50%+ for active funds

Tax efficiency: Lower - must sell holdings to meet redemptions

The difference: When investors redeem mutual fund shares, the fund must sell holdings to raise cash. Those sales create taxable capital gains distributed to remaining shareholders - even if you did not sell anything.

Closed-End Funds (CEFs)

Trading: Intraday on exchanges, like ETFs

Pricing: Can trade at significant premium or discount to NAV

Share count: Fixed - does not create or redeem shares based on demand

Expense ratios: 0.50-2.00% (often higher than ETFs)

Leverage: Often use 25-40% leverage to enhance returns and income

Income focus: Must distribute 90%+ of income, often offering higher yields

The opportunity: Average CEF trades at 5% discount to NAV. If you buy at a 10% discount and the discount narrows to 5%, you gain 5% from discount narrowing plus any NAV appreciation - or you can lose from discount widening.

Tax Efficiency: The Numbers

2024 Capital Gains Distributions:

• ETFs: 5% distributed capital gains
• Mutual Funds: 43% distributed capital gains

Why this matters: A mutual fund distributing 10% of NAV as capital gains triggers taxes for all shareholders. In a 20% LTCG bracket, you owe 2% of your holdings in taxes - even without selling. Repeat annually and the drag compounds.

20-year impact (Poterba and Shoven estimate): Annual tax drag of 0.5-1.0% compounds to 15-25% less wealth over two decades - just from structural inefficiency, not investment performance.

The point is: In taxable accounts, the structure you choose can matter as much as the fund you choose.

Cost Comparison: Real Examples

SP 500 Index:

• VOO (ETF): 0.03% expense ratio
• VFIAX (Mutual Fund): 0.04% expense ratio
• SPY (ETF): 0.09% expense ratio

At these levels, cost differences are minimal. The tax efficiency advantage of ETFs matters more.

Active Large Cap:

• Typical active mutual fund: 0.75-1.25%
• Typical active ETF: 0.50-0.75%

Closed-End Funds:

• Typical CEF: 1.00-2.00% (often includes leverage costs)

30-year cost impact: 100,000 at 8% return:

• 0.03% fee (VOO): 943,000
• 1.03% fee (active fund): 726,000
• Difference: 217,000 lost to fees

When to Use Each

Use ETFs when:

• Investing in taxable accounts (tax efficiency)
• You want intraday trading flexibility
• You prefer to buy whole dollar amounts through fractional shares
• You want the lowest expense ratios available
• You are making lump-sum investments

Use Mutual Funds when:

• Automatic investing is important (many 401ks require mutual funds)
• You want to invest exact dollar amounts without fractional share complexity
• You are in a retirement account (tax efficiency irrelevant)
• You want certain active managers only available in mutual fund format
• Your broker does not offer fractional ETF shares

Use Closed-End Funds when:

• You want income and are comfortable with leverage
• You can identify discounts likely to narrow
• You understand the additional risks (leverage, discount volatility)
• You are sophisticated enough to evaluate the manager and strategy
• You want access to niche strategies (municipal bonds, alternatives)

CEF Deep Dive: The Discount Opportunity

How discounts work:

• CEF has 100M in assets (NAV of 10 per share)
• Market prices shares at 9 (10% discount)
• You buy at 9, own 10 of assets

Scenario analysis (1-year holding):

NAV grows 10% to 11, discount narrows to 5%:

• Market price: 11 x 0.95 = 10.45
• Your return: (10.45 - 9.00) / 9.00 = 16.1% (vs 10% NAV return)

NAV grows 10% to 11, discount widens to 15%:

• Market price: 11 x 0.85 = 9.35
• Your return: (9.35 - 9.00) / 9.00 = 3.9% (vs 10% NAV return)

The point is: Discounts can be opportunity or trap. Widening discounts turn NAV gains into price losses.

Common Mistakes

Using mutual funds in taxable accounts when ETF exists Unnecessary tax drag. For identical index exposure, use the ETF in taxable.

Ignoring bid-ask spreads on thinly traded ETFs Low-volume ETFs can have spreads of 0.20-0.50%. Use limit orders, not market orders.

Buying CEFs at premium If you pay 105% of NAV and the premium disappears, you lose 5% immediately.

Assuming all ETFs are tax-efficient Some ETFs hold bonds or use derivatives that reduce tax efficiency. Check the funds distribution history.

Checklist

Before choosing a structure:

• Is this a taxable or retirement account? (ETF advantage mainly in taxable)
• What are the expense ratios for each option?
• Does the mutual fund have a similar ETF alternative?
• For CEFs: What is the current discount/premium to NAV?
• For thinly traded ETFs: What is the bid-ask spread?
• Do you need automatic investment features? (Mutual funds often easier)

References

• Morningstar (2024). Fund Flows and Capital Gains Distribution Data.
• Poterba and Shoven (2002). Exchange-Traded Funds: A New Investment Option.
• Cherkes et al (2009). Closed-End Fund Discount Puzzle.