Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are rapidly growing in popularity, and for good reason. 

ETFs offer investors an easy, cost-efficient way to diversify their portfolios. But what are they, and what advantages do they offer over other investments? Deirdre Gibson joins us today to talk about ETFs and why you should consider putting some in your portfolio.

Deirdre Gibson is a Senior National Sales Consultant and ETF Specialist for Praxis Investment Management, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. 

What Is an ETF—and How Does It Differ from a Mutual Fund?

Think of an ETF as a basket of investments—stocks, bonds, or even commodities—that trades on an exchange like a stock. Unlike mutual funds, which process trades at the end of the day, ETFs allow you to buy and sell shares throughout the day. This provides investors with more flexibility, especially during volatile market conditions.

ETFs are also more tax-efficient than mutual funds. Mutual fund transactions often trigger taxable events for all shareholders, whereas ETFs, due to their structure, generally limit capital gains taxes.

Like mutual funds, ETFs offer built-in diversification by holding a variety of assets. This helps reduce risk—if one stock in the fund dips, others can offset the loss. It’s also advised to avoid trading ETFs during the first and last 10 minutes of the market day, when prices are more volatile and spreads are wider.

While some ETFs are straightforward, others are complex. For example, oil futures ETFs don’t always track the price of oil as expected, making them riskier for everyday investors. Thankfully, ETF issuers are required to disclose all holdings and strategies on their websites, empowering investors to make informed decisions.

Faith-Based Investing with Praxis

Historically, faith-based investing has centered around mutual funds. But that’s changing. Praxis recently launched two ETFs designed with Christian values at their core:

• PRXG: Praxis Impact Large Cap Growth ETF
• PRXV: Praxis Impact Large Cap Value ETF

These funds reflect biblical principles by screening out companies involved in harmful practices and engaging with others to encourage positive change. One powerful example? Praxis helped Hershey and other chocolate companies address child slavery in their supply chains—an impact made possible through years of collaborative engagement.

For 2025, Praxis is focusing on technological transformation, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. It’s vital to have Christians at the table asking not just what is possible, but what kind of future we want to create.

If you're interested in faith-based investing and work with a financial advisor, we encourage you to start a conversation with them. Your advisor wants to help you achieve your goals, and your values are an integral part of that. More advisors today are equipped to offer faith-based investments that don’t compromise on financial performance.

Learn More

You can explore Praxis’s biblically responsible investment solutions, including their new ETFs, by visiting praxisinvests.com.

Faithful investing is more accessible than ever. With tools like ETFs and firms like Praxis leading the way, it’s possible to steward God’s resources with wisdom, impact, and integrity.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• Should I prioritize charity donations and extra mortgage payments or build up my emergency savings first?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine
• Praxis Investment Management
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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