ETF Securities has launched a guide called 'ETPedia' to help retail investors understand exchange-traded products.
The firm, an Institute of Financial Planning corporate member, said ETFs and ETPs offered efficient diversification in traditional assets and traditional restricted sector such as commodities.
Global assets in ETPs totalled $2.1trillion in April 2013 but only around 15 per cent are owned by European investors.
ETF Securities said it expected that post-RDR more investors would start considering alternative investments as part of a tactical asset allocation strategy.
The guide covers areas such as ETP structure, ETP risks, taxation, trading and pricing and types of investments.
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Frank Spiteri, head of retail distribution strategy, said: "With the release of ETPedia, I believe that we've met our aim in delivering a comprehensive, non-biased educational resource for the investing retail public. We see Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) as the investment tool of the future and with this evolution there is a need for education.
"Therefore, as an ETP provider we felt we had an obligation to improve the quality of educational material made available. We hope ETPedia becomes the go-to educational resource for individuals, IFAs and other key intermediaries in the retail space."
He said many misconceptions remained around ETFs such as issues of liquidity and the belief ETFs are illiquid and he hoped the guide would correct these.
The guide is available on the ETF Securities website at http://www.etfsecurities.com/retail/uk/en-gb/education/etpedia.aspx 

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