What You May Have Missed This Week...
A better S&P 500 ETF Than VOO & SPY, the best of Vanguard & iShares and how to improve your retirement accounts in 2024!
In addition to the regular posts here on Substack, I also publish ETF research and notes over on my blog, ETF Focus.
In case you wanted to catch up on the latest research above and beyond what you’re reading here, this is a quick list of some of the most recent articles from the blog!
5 ETFs That Could Juice Your Retirement Accounts In 2024
For retirement investors, that means a renewed focus on principal preservation. If you've got decades to let your retirement savings grow, you can be more tilted to the growth and tech side because you have years to make up for any potential losses. If you're older and/or closing in on retirement, you may not have that luxury. If you're overexposed to risk, any damage caused by a bear market could be too severe to recover from when you need the money. Balancing out your IRA or 401(k) with defensive equities could help limit some of that downside risk.
I actually believe there are some intriguing opportunities in equities right now. You just have to look outside of tech!
Is This S&P 500 ETF Better Than SPY And VOO?
In the world of ETFs, low cost is king. From an investor perspective, it's important to make sure that the fund's strategy is consistent with your goals & objectives. From an issuer perspective, they're well aware that low cost tends to attract investor money.
There is no better example of this than with the S&P 500 ETFs. The three largest ETFs in existence all track the S&P 500 - the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Combined they account for more than $1.3 trillion of investor money.
But investors may not know that there's actually a fourth ETF that belongs in this club and it may actually be the best of the bunch.
3 Best Vanguard ETFs of 2024
Vanguard's lineup of ETFs continues to stand out in the market. With 86 options currently available, Vanguard’s offerings are predominantly characterized by broad diversification and a passive, index-based investment approach. True to Vanguard's reputation, these ETFs come with the low fees that investors have come to expect from the firm.
In the vast sea of Vanguard’s ETF options, there are a few that I believe are particularly noteworthy for my readers. Here are three standout Vanguard ETFs for 2024:
3 Best iShares ETFs of 2024
BlackRock iShares stands as a towering presence in the ETF marketplace, boasting a comprehensive suite of 425 ETFs that cover an expansive range of asset classes, including equities, bonds, commodities, derivatives, thematic investments, multi-asset solutions, and even cryptocurrency.
Navigating through the extensive selection of 425 funds, however, can be a daunting task, potentially leading to analysis paralysis among investors trying to identify the best options for their portfolios. To simplify this process and provide some direction, I'm spotlighting what I consider to be the three standout ETFs from iShares' lineup for 2024.
The Art of Investment Selection: How to Pick the Right Assets for Your Portfolio
Investing is far from a “one size fits all” endeavor. Financial gurus online will pitch left and right about the “best” investment to deploy funds into—which isn’t really possible as everyone’s financial situation is different. The reality is that it depends on your individual financial circumstances to determine what the actual best investment is for you. When you are able to objectively analyze your financial situation, only then can you determine the “best” investment. In today’s world it’s easier than ever to get exposure to the investments that best suit your needs.
This Is The Only Leveraged ETF That I Would Buy & Hold Long Term
Nearly all leveraged ETFs come with a prominent warning in their prospectus: they are not designed for long-term holding. The combination of leverage, market volatility, and an unfavorable sequence of returns can lead to disastrous outcomes.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, and one such outlier is the WisdomTree U.S. Efficient Core Fund (NTSX). NTSX stands out as a leveraged ETF intended for long-term investment, making it a rare breed in its category.
"What Advice Do You Have For A Beginner Investing His First $1000 In ETFs?"
On a recent reader Q&A session over on Substack, I received the following question (lightly edited for clarity)...
How would you advise a beginner investing $1000 in ETFs and which one would you recommend. And why?
It’s a great topic for first timers and a good refresher even for experienced investors!
The Best No-Fee, Zero Expense Ratio ETFs of 2024
In today's investment landscape, the allure of low fees seems to be underappreciated. For those of us who pride ourselves on being frugal and are always on the lookout for the best deals, there's good news. In a bid to attract cost-conscious investors, some ETF providers have begun to offer products with a 0% expense ratio.
3 ETF Picks for The Lazy Couch Potato Investor
As someone who's made a career out of being an ETF nerd, my days are filled with reading prospectuses and staying afloat in the continuous tide of new ETF launches. It's what I'm paid to do, after all. If you're reading this, you might share my enthusiasm for ETFs.
Or perhaps you're a new investor, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer variety of options available in your quest for the perfect investment vehicle. If you're in search of a hands-off, highly diversified, and low-cost investment portfolio, I've got you covered.