# Learn: how to read a buffer, income or thematic ETF

> Plain-words glossaries, one per category, defining every term ETFIQ uses, from the buffer and the cap to active share and the stated multiple.

Data as of Oct 20, 2026. Rebuilt every trading night.

## Vocabulary

6 glossaries, one per category, in the order the words appear on a fund card.

### Reading a leveraged ETF: the words

What the stated multiple, the daily reset, compounding and decay mean on a leveraged or inverse ETF, and why two times a day is not two times a year.

### Reading a buffer ETF: the vocabulary in plain words

What the band, the cap, the buffer, protection left and the outcome period mean on a defined outcome ETF, defined one at a time.

### Reading an income ETF: the vocabulary in plain words

What cash paid, total return, the benchmark gap, the payout rate and return of capital mean on an option-income ETF.

### Reading a thematic ETF: the vocabulary

What overlap, active share, in-index weight, concentration and drawdown mean on a thematic ETF, and why the name is not the holdings.

### Reading a crypto ETF: the vocabulary in plain words

What tracking difference, spot, sponsor and staking mean on a crypto ETF, why these are trusts rather than registered funds, and why two returns cannot always be subtracted.

### Reading an alternatives ETF: the vocabulary

What correlation, beta, a down week, down-week capture and return against T-bills mean on an alternatives ETF, and why each is measured weekly over one year.

### Where to next

---

Source: ETFIQ, independent ETF data. Recomputed nightly from public filings and prices.
Cite: ETFIQ, Learn: how to read a buffer, income or thematic ETF, data as of Oct 20, 2026. https://etfiq.com/learn/
Licence: https://etfiq.com/license/ Figures ETFIQ computes are free to use with attribution: ETFIQ (etfiq.com). Issuer data stays under its owner's terms.
HTML: https://etfiq.com/learn/