ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds are shares that mimic an index such as the FTSE 100 or American S&P 500. If the FTSE for example rallies by 6.5% over the next few months so will the corresponding ETF.
The difference between ETFs and futures, spread bets or other margined products traded such as CFDs, is that ETFs offers no leverage. They are also traded on the stockmarket just like any other share.
The spread betting firms do offer quotes on most ETFs. They also offer them on what's called ETCs or Exchange Traded Commodities. These enable speculators or investors access to such markets as Gold, Crude Oil or Currencies.
My personal opinion is ETFs/ETCs are not the best products to use for speculation as they're best suited for investors who want exposure to certain markets without the leverage.
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