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 15 ETFs are available. On the Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 index there is 1 ETF. On the MSCI Switzerland index there are 2 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 | 2 ETFs | 36 (30/06/17) |
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 | 203 (31/10/16) |
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 | 2,424 | 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 | 956 | 0.10% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Optimized sampling | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF (CHF) A-accLU0977261329 | 652 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| iShares SLI (CH)CH0031768937 | 625 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SLI (CHF) A-disCH0032912732 | 615 | 0.22% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SPI (CHF) A-disCH0131872431 | 563 | 0.17% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Optimized sampling | |
| UBS ETF (CH) MSCI Switzerland (CHF) A-disCH0226274246 | 364 | 0.21% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| iShares SLI UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933964 | 254 | 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 ETF MSCI Switzerland UCITS ETF CHFFR0010871145 | 64 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | France | Unfunded swap | |
| ComStage Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 Net TR UCITS ETFLU0392496427 | 36 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| db x-trackers SLI UCITS ETF (DR) 1DLU0322248146 | 34 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Optimized sampling | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Switzerland 20/35 UCITS ETF (CHF) A-UKdisLU1107560036 | 24 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| ComStage SPI TR UCITS ETFLU0603946798 | 14 | 0.40% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMI® | 1.35% | 2.82% | 12.15% | 14.32% | 17.12% | |
| MSCI Switzerland 20/35 | 1.59% | 2.88% | 12.01% | 14.36% | 17.17% | |
| MSCI Switzerland | 1.60% | 3.07% | 12.89% | 15.41% | 19.93% | |
| SPI® | 1.66% | 3.19% | 13.54% | 16.50% | 23.16% | |
| Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 | 2.72% | 3.23% | 11.62% | 20.69% | 21.91% | |
| SLI® | 2.70% | 3.16% | 12.19% | 22.69% | 23.12% |
| Index | 2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
2014 in % |
2013 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Switzerland 20/35 | 13.03% | -3.58% | 1.13% | 11.52% | - | |
| SMI® | 13.10% | -3.75% | 0.77% | 12.52% | 23.40% | |
| Dow Jones Switzerland Titans 30 | 13.74% | -1.40% | 1.85% | 11.86% | 21.88% | |
| MSCI Switzerland | 13.98% | -2.72% | 1.74% | 12.37% | - | |
| SLI® | 14.29% | 0.45% | 2.63% | 8.62% | 24.10% | |
| SPI® | 14.76% | -1.53% | 2.58% | - | - |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/07/17; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best Switzerland ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | UBS ETF (CH) SLI (CHF) A-dis | 23.51% |
| 2 | iShares SLI (CH) | 22.69% |
| 3 | iShares SLI UCITS ETF (DE) | 22.37% |
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 | 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 | 1,384 | 0.45% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SMIM (CHF) A-disCH0111762537 | 587 | 0.27% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| iShares Swiss Dividend (CH)CH0237935637 | 231 | 0.15% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (CH) SPI Mid (CHF) A-disCH0130595124 | 127 | 0.29% p.a. | Distributing | Switzerland | Full replication |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPI® Select Dividend 20 | 2.12% | 3.26% | 12.20% | 14.45% | 21.56% | |
| SMIM® | 2.72% | 4.01% | 19.52% | 25.04% | 47.37% | |
| SPI® Mid Cap | 2.46% | 4.24% | 19.19% | 26.56% | 50.31% |
| Index | 2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
2014 in % |
2013 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPI® Select Dividend 20 | 13.19% | 0.10% | 1.18% | - | - | |
| SMIM® | 21.69% | 6.42% | 10.75% | 11.75% | 30.78% | |
| SPI® Mid Cap | 21.74% | 8.20% | 10.49% | 12.12% | 28.99% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/07/17; 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 15 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0.15% p.a. and 0.51% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe | Europe
Switzerland: 13.98% (31/10/2016) |
12 ETFs | 445 (30/06/17) |
The MSCI Europe (total return) index tracks the leading stocks from 15 European industrial countries.
Index factsheet |
| MSCI Europe ex UK | Europe
Switzerland: 19.61% (31/10/2016) |
1 ETF | 336 (30/06/17) |
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: 20.90% (31/10/2016) |
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 MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 | 6,163 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| db x-trackers MSCI Europe Index UCITS ETF (DR) 1CLU0274209237 | 3,231 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| iShares MSCI Europe ex-UK UCITS ETFIE00B14X4N27 | 3,012 | 0.40% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| Lyxor MSCI Europe UCITS ETF D-EURFR0010261198 | 1,937 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | France | Unfunded swap | |
| Amundi ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETFFR0010655696 | 1,292 | 0.15% p.a. | Accumulating | France | Unfunded swap | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 | 922 | 0.35% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| iShares MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 | 888 | 0.33% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Optimized sampling | |
| Source MSCI Europe UCITS ETF AIE00B60SWY32 | 850 | 0.20% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Unfunded swap | |
| SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00BKWQ0Q14 | 653 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Ireland | Full replication | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0446734104 | 266 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933949 | 221 | 0.51% p.a. | Distributing | Germany | Full replication | |
| HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 | 204 | 0.20% p.a. | Distributing | Ireland | Full replication | |
| ComStage MSCI Europe TRN UCITS ETFLU0392494646 | 18 | 0.25% p.a. | Accumulating | Luxembourg | Unfunded swap | |
| db x-trackers MSCI Europe Index UCITS ETF (DR) 1DLU1242369327 | 17 | 0.25% p.a. | Distributing | Luxembourg | Full replication | |
| Amundi ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETFFR0012857118 | 9 | 0.15% p.a. | Distributing | France | Unfunded swap |
| Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOXX® Europe 50 | 2.58% | 2.62% | 12.79% | 16.45% | 7.01% | |
| MSCI Europe | 3.53% | 3.55% | 13.78% | 19.29% | 12.75% | |
| MSCI Europe ex UK | 3.69% | 4.20% | 15.96% | 22.11% | 18.75% |
| Index | 2017 in % |
2016 in % |
2015 in % |
2014 in % |
2013 in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOXX® Europe 50 | 10.90% | 0.04% | -4.03% | 4.01% | 18.92% | |
| MSCI Europe | 12.56% | 1.77% | -2.49% | 4.68% | 21.69% | |
| MSCI Europe ex UK | 15.11% | 1.66% | -0.17% | 4.50% | 24.18% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/07/17; Calculations in CHF based on the largest ETF of the respective index.