By asset class

Multi-asset ETFs

One fund that blends stocks and bonds, so a whole ready-made portfolio fits into a single purchase.

Stocks and bonds in one fund

What Multi-asset ETFs are

A multi-asset ETF holds more than one type of investment inside a single fund, usually stocks and bonds together. Stocks are small shares of companies; bonds are loans to governments or companies that pay interest. Instead of buying one ETF for shares and another for bonds, you get the mix in one buy.

Beginners often like these because they are simple and hands-off. The classic example is a '60/40' blend: ~60% stocks and ~40% bonds. Fund ranges such as Vanguard LifeStrategy let you pick a split that matches how much movement you are comfortable with, and the fund keeps that balance for you over time.

The trade-off is less control and a slightly higher fee than a single plain index ETF. The mix is chosen by the fund, not by you. The bond portion usually moves more calmly than stocks, which can soften the fund's swings, though it may also mean lower returns than an all-stocks fund over the long run.

At a glance

Classic exampleThe '60/40' mix: ~60% stocks and ~40% bonds

Ranges you'll seeVanguard LifeStrategy, iShares and Xtrackers all-in-one portfolios

What's insideOften a fund of funds (it holds other ETFs), spreading across thousands of holdings

Typical fee (TER)~0.20%–0.35% per year

Risk levelDepends on the split; more stocks means bigger ups and downs

Why beginners look here

A whole portfolio in one

A single purchase gives you a ready-made blend of stocks and bonds, with no assembling of separate funds needed.

Rebalances itself

The fund quietly tops up whichever part has shrunk, keeping your chosen stock-to-bond mix steady over time.

Pick your comfort level

More bonds usually means a calmer ride with smaller swings; more stocks means bigger ups and downs and, in the past, faster long-run growth — though nothing is guaranteed.

What to look for

The stock and bond split A 20/80 fund behaves very differently from an 80/20 one, so check the numbers match how much movement you are comfortable with.

Accumulating or distributing Accumulating reinvests dividends and interest for you, while distributing pays them into your account as cash.

The yearly fee (TER) Multi-asset funds usually cost a little more than a single index ETF, so compare the TER between similar options.

What sits inside Many are 'funds of funds' holding other ETFs, so look at which regions and bond types make up the mix.

Popular Multi-asset ETFs

A few of the largest, pulled live from the screener — an example, not a recommendation.

State Street® SPDR® Morningstar Multi-Asset Global Infrastructure UCITS ETF (Dist)

MAGI · IE00BQWJFQ70

Mixed assets IE Pays cash

Yearly fee (TER)?0.40%

1-yr return+8.8%

Fund size?€953m

Good to know

What does '60/40' mean?

It means roughly 60% of the fund is in stocks and 40% in bonds. The first number is usually the stock share, so a higher first number puts more emphasis on stocks.

Can this be my only fund?

Some beginners use one multi-asset ETF as a complete, hands-off portfolio, since it already spreads across stocks and bonds. Whether that suits you is a personal decision, not something we advise on.

What are the bonds doing in there?

Bonds are loans to governments or companies that pay interest. Mixed in with stocks, they often move more calmly, which can soften the fund's overall swings.