No matter whether you’re a seasoned investor or a novice at the stock-trading game, there’s a popular option that may suit your portfolio-offering the stability of proven performers you know, plus the growth potential of innovative companies you may not have heard of yet. It also has additional benefits like low costs and tax efficiency.

QQQ-the trade name for the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock (NASDAQ: QQQQ)-is a type of investment product known as an exchange traded fund (ETF). With a trading volume averaging 99.7 million shares per day, it is the most actively traded, listed equity security in the U.S.*

Active investors appreciate the simplicity and liquidity of trading a basket of stocks in a single transaction. Long-term investors appreciate that the fund is based on NASDAQ’s 100 largest non-financial companies and diversified across sectors. The investment covers a range of industries, including computer hardware and software, telecommunications retail/wholesale trade, biotechnology and transportation, with a simple purchase of a single stock.

Additionally, QQQ is eligible for 401(k) and IRA investments, making it attractive for a long-term buy-and-hold investment strategy. And because QQQ represents the collective performance of these companies, the impact of price fluctuations caused by a specific company is another reason QQQ is also attractive.

Direct Purchases

For the first time, investors who purchase the same dollar amount of shares at regular intervals can have direct access to an ETF such as QQQ. QQQDirect is an affordable online investing service that provides one plan purchase of QQQ per month free of any charge. It is a fractional share, dollar-based service that allows as little as $10.00 per month to be invested with QQQDirect’s AutoVest Schedule.

NASDAQ has played a significant role in the equification of America and QQQDirect is yet another way we can break down barriers to stock ownership. By buying a single share of QQQ, dollar-cost average investors will own a portfolio of NASDAQ’s industry-leading companies-including the likes of Microsoft, Starbucks and Dell.

This new service expands the ability of investors to make sound investment decisions. As an advocate of investor education and empowerment, AAII views the introduction of QQQDirect as a new, cost-efficient opportunity for individuals to practice the principles of sound investing.