How to invest in Switzerland using ETFs
How do I invest in Swiss stocks?
The easiest way to invest in the whole Swiss stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.
On the Swiss stock market you find 6 indices, which are tracked by ETFs.
Alternatively, you can consider indices on Europe. These indices weight Switzerland with up to 28%.
Performance of Swiss stocks (SLI®)
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on Switzerland
For an investment in the Swiss stock market, 6 indices tracked by 16 ETFs are available. On the Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 index there is 1 ETF. On the MSCI Switzerland index there are 3 ETFs. On the MSCI Switzerland 20/35 index there are 3 ETFs. On the SLI® index there are 4 ETFs. On the SMI® index there are 2 ETFs. On the SPI® index there are 3 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0.10% p.a. and 0.51% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 |
Switzerland | 1 ETF | 30 |
The Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 index tracks the 30 largest Swiss stocks. The weight of each stock is capped at 10%. |
MSCI Switzerland |
Switzerland | 3 ETFs | 38 (31/08/18) |
The MSCI Switzerland index tracks around 40 leading stocks on the Swiss market.
Index factsheet |
MSCI Switzerland 20/35 |
Switzerland | 3 ETFs | 38 (30/04/14) |
The MSCI Switzerland 20/35 index tracks around 40 leading stocks on the Swiss market.
The imbedded 20/35 rule limits the weight of the largest company to 35% and all other companies to maximum 20%.
Index factsheet |
SLI® |
Switzerland | 4 ETFs | 30 |
The Swiss Leader Index (SLI®) (total return) index tracks the 30 largest and most liquid stocks of the entire Swiss equity market. |
SMI® |
Switzerland | 2 ETFs | 20 |
The SMI® index tracks the 20 largest and most liquid Swiss large and mid cap stocks. |
SPI® |
Switzerland | 3 ETFs | 205 (31/08/18) |
The SPI® index tracks the performance of the Swiss equity market as a whole.
Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN |
Fund size in m CHF |
TER in % |
Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares SMI (CH)CH0008899764 | 2,043 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SMI (CHF) A-disCH0017142719 | 1,479 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| iShares Core SPI (CH)CH0237935652 | 1,264 | 0.10% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Optimized sampling | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF (CHF) A-accLU0977261329 | 578 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SPI (CHF) A-disCH0131872431 | 538 | 0.17% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Optimized sampling | |
| iShares SLI (CH)CH0031768937 | 371 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) MSCI Switzerland (CHF) A-disCH0226274246 | 335 | 0.21% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SLI (CHF) A-disCH0032912732 | 301 | 0.21% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| iShares SLI UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933964 | 236 | 0.51% p.a. | Distributing | Germany | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF (CHF) A-disLU0979892907 | 136 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Amundi MSCI Switzerland UCITS ETF - EUR (C)LU1681044720 | 122 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| Amundi ETF MSCI Switzerland UCITS ETF - CHFLU1681044993 | 53 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| ComStage Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 Net TR UCITS ETFLU0392496427 | 43 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Xtrackers SLI UCITS ETF 1DLU0322248146 | 36 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Optimized sampling | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF (CHF) A-UKdisLU1107560036 | 23 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| ComStage SPI TR UCITS ETFLU0603946798 | 8 | 0.40% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLI® | -6.93% | -12.68% | -9.06% | -12.18% | 6.07% | |
| Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 | -6.80% | -11.82% | -7.78% | -11.59% | 4.14% | |
| SPI® | -6.75% | -9.06% | -4.84% | -8.66% | 7.73% | |
| MSCI Switzerland 20/35 | -6.74% | -8.15% | -3.12% | -8.15% | 3.93% | |
| SMI® | -6.76% | -7.33% | -2.16% | -7.37% | 4.72% | |
| MSCI Switzerland | -6.72% | -8.15% | -3.07% | -7.26% | 6.81% |
| Index | 2019 in % |
2018 in % |
2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLI® | -12.18% | -12.18% | 20.25% | 0.45% | 2.63% | |
| Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 | -11.59% | -11.59% | 19.46% | -1.40% | 1.85% | |
| SPI® | -8.66% | -8.66% | 19.78% | -1.53% | 2.58% | |
| MSCI Switzerland 20/35 | -8.15% | -8.15% | 17.36% | -3.58% | 1.13% | |
| SMI® | -7.37% | -7.37% | 17.46% | -3.75% | 0.77% | |
| MSCI Switzerland | -7.26% | -7.26% | 18.38% | -2.72% | 1.74% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/12/18; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best Switzerland ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | UBS ETF (CH) SMI (CHF) A-dis | -7.23% |
| 2 | UBS ETF (CH) MSCI Switzerland (CHF) A-dis | -7.26% |
| 3 | iShares SMI (CH) | -7.37% |
The cheapest Switzerland ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | iShares Core SPI (CH) | 0.10% p.a. |
| 2 | UBS ETF (CH) SPI (CHF) A-dis | 0.17% p.a. |
| 3 | UBS ETF (CH) SMI (CHF) A-dis | 0.20% p.a. |
Swiss indices on small and mid caps or dividend strategies
Alternatively, you can consider indices on small and mid caps or dividend strategies. In total you can invest in 3 alternative indices on Switzerland tracked by 4 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these alternative indices is between 0.15% p.a. and 0.45% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMIM® | Switzerland
Mid Cap |
2 ETFs | 30 |
The Swiss Market Index Mid (SMIM®) index tracks the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss mid-cap equities. |
| SPI® Mid Cap | Switzerland
Mid Cap |
1 ETF | 80 |
The SPI MID® index tracks the 80 largest mid-cap stocks in the Swiss equity market that are not included in the blue chip SMI index. |
| SPI® Select Dividend 20 | Switzerland
Dividend |
1 ETF | 20 |
The SPI® Select Dividend 20 index tracks the 20 companies with the hightest dividend yield in the Swiss equity market. |
| ETF ISIN |
Fund size in m CHF |
TER in % |
Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares SMIM (CH)CH0019852802 | 1,191 | 0.45% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SMIM (CHF) A-disCH0111762537 | 743 | 0.27% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| iShares Swiss Dividend (CH)CH0237935637 | 340 | 0.15% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SPI Mid (CHF) A-disCH0130595124 | 139 | 0.29% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMIM® | -6.82% | -20.02% | -19.15% | -17.90% | 15.75% | |
| SPI® Mid Cap | -6.55% | -17.36% | -17.19% | -16.47% | 17.92% | |
| SPI® Select Dividend 20 | -6.63% | -6.47% | -1.13% | -4.44% | 11.97% |
| Index | 2019 in % |
2018 in % |
2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMIM® | -17.90% | -17.90% | 32.48% | 6.42% | 10.75% | |
| SPI® Mid Cap | -16.47% | -16.47% | 30.47% | 8.20% | 10.49% | |
| SPI® Select Dividend 20 | -4.44% | -4.44% | 17.05% | 0.10% | 1.18% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/12/18; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
Europe indices with a share of Switzerland
Besides Switzerland ETFs you may consider investing in ETFs on the European stock market. In total, you can invest in 3 Europe indices, which are tracked by 16 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0.12% p.a. and 0.51% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe | Europe
Switzerland: 12.64% (29/12/2017) |
13 ETFs | 446 (31/08/18) |
The MSCI Europe (total return) index tracks the leading stocks from 15 European industrial countries.
Index factsheet |
| MSCI Europe ex UK | Europe
Switzerland: 17.56% (29/12/2017) |
1 ETF | 345 (31/08/18) |
The MSCI Europe ex UK index tracks the leading stocks from European industrial countries, excluding United Kingdom.
Index factsheet |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | Europe
Large Cap Switzerland: 18.60% (29/12/2017) |
2 ETFs | 50 |
The STOXX® Europe 50 (total return) index tracks 50 European large cap stocks.
Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN |
Fund size in m CHF |
TER in % |
Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 | 4,743 | 0.12% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Europe Index UCITS ETF 1CLU0274209237 | 2,410 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Amundi MSCI Europe UCITS ETF - EUR (C)LU1681042609 | 2,321 | 0.15% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| iShares MSCI Europe ex-UK UCITS ETFIE00B14X4N27 | 2,134 | 0.40% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| Lyxor MSCI Europe UCITS ETF D-EURFR0010261198 | 1,975 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | France | Unfunded swap | |
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 | 1,097 | 0.12% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Europe Index UCITS ETF 1DLU1242369327 | 656 | 0.12% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 | 654 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00BKWQ0Q14 | 591 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| Invesco MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00B60SWY32 | 484 | 0.19% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Unfunded swap | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0446734104 | 291 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 | 155 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933949 | 143 | 0.51% p.a. | Distributing | Germany | Full replication | |
| ComStage MSCI Europe TRN UCITS ETFLU0392494646 | 13 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| Amundi ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETF - EUR (D)LU1681042781 | 8 | 0.15% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| Xtrackers ESG MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1CIE00BFMNHK08 | 6 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe ex UK | -6.43% | -12.07% | -12.09% | -14.07% | 6.32% | |
| MSCI Europe | -6.11% | -11.66% | -12.46% | -13.74% | 5.52% | |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | -6.42% | -10.03% | -10.88% | -13.55% | 2.78% |
| Index | 2019 in % |
2018 in % |
2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe ex UK | -14.07% | -14.07% | 21.71% | 1.66% | -0.17% | |
| MSCI Europe | -13.74% | -13.74% | 20.19% | 1.77% | -2.49% | |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | -13.55% | -13.55% | 18.85% | 0.04% | -4.03% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/12/18; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.