ETFs
This Vanguard ETF just hit an all-time high as it continues to outperform the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite over the past 3 years.
Over the past three years, the S&P500 produced a total return (capital gains and dividends) of 32.4%, exceeding the Nasdaq CompositeThe total return of 26.8%. Nevertheless, both indexes performed well during this period, especially since 2022 was the worst stock market calendar year since 2008.
Despite a widespread sell-off in growth stocks in 2022, Vanguard’s technology sector exchange traded fund (ETF) has produced a total return of just over 50% over the past three years and 187.6% over the past five years. THE Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT:VGT) includes top stocks like Microsoft, AppleAnd Nvidia. And with an expense ratio of just 0.10%, or $10 in annual fees for every $10,000 invested, it’s an extremely inexpensive way to invest in the sector.
Here’s a breakdown of the fund and why it might be worth buying now.
Image source: Getty Images.
Looking under the hood of the technology sector
Tech stocks and growth stocks are two terms that can be used seemingly interchangeably. But technology sector industries have major differences. The three broad categories are semiconductors, software, and hardware.
Nvidia is a fabless chipmaker that designs its products and outsources manufacturing to a company like Taiwan Semiconductor. There are also material and equipment suppliers like ASMLwhich makes products needed for mass production of chips, such as its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems.
Software companies are generally categorized as infrastructure software – like Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, Palo Alto NetworksAnd Crowd strike — or application software — such as Selling power, SAP, Intuition, ServiceNow, UberAnd Shopify.
Apple is unique because it is vertically integrated and makes its own software and hardware. But there are also hardware companies like Dell Technologies, Arista NetworksAnd HP.
Here’s an overview of how Vanguard defines each sector, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF’s weighting by sector, and an example investment for each category.
Semiconductors |
27.6% |
Nvidia |
System software |
22.9% |
Microsoft |
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals |
17.3% |
Dell Technologies |
Application software |
14.4% |
Selling power |
Semiconductor materials and equipment |
4.4% |
ASML |
IT consulting and other services |
3.6% |
Accenture |
Communications equipment |
3.2% |
Cisco Systems |
Electronic components and electronic manufacturing components |
2.4% |
Amphenol |
Electronic equipment and instruments |
1.6% |
Garmin |
Other |
2.7% |
Data source: Vanguard.
The story continues
One of the big advantages of a technology sector ETF is that it covers both hot, high-margin growth stocks as well as companies that are more industrial and manufacturing in nature. The spotlight is often on high-growth software stocks, but we rarely hear about the integral companies that are the picks and shovels of the industry.
An example is Amphenol, an $82 billion company that makes sensors, antennas, cables, fiber optic interconnects and more. The electrical components company is a staple of the technology sector and a stock you’ll find in the Vanguard Information Technology ETF that might otherwise be overlooked.
The sector is benefiting from increased adoption of technologies and innovations. But it all falls apart without a network of suppliers, manufacturing services and component companies.
The pros outweigh the cons
By far the biggest disadvantages of investing directly in the technology sector as opposed to a broader sector, more diversified growth fund are that it is the most expensive sector with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just over 40, and that it excludes many technology-oriented companies like Amazon, Alphabeticalt, and Metaplatforms which are classified in other sectors.
The sector’s valuation is high relative to the overall market, but it’s not great considering the sector’s growth potential. For context, the Invesco QQQwhich tracks the performance of the 100 largest non-financial companies in the Nasdaq Composite, has a P/E of 37.3.
Tech stocks are expensive right now due to the massive rise in stock prices and their huge growth potential. We can expect semiconductor and software companies to have generally higher growth rates and higher valuations than hardware and component companies.
The good news is that many companies are growing rapidly and are expected to continue to grow at a breakneck pace. You can learn a lot about investor expectations based on forward P/E ratios, which divide a stock’s price by its forward earnings projections for the following year instead of its trailing 12-month earnings.
MSFT PE Ratio Chart (Forward)
As you can see from the chart, even the hottest tech stocks have somewhat reasonable forward P/E ratios. Of course, these are only estimates and should be approached with caution, as forecasts rarely turn out as expected. But overall, the forward P/E estimates for many tech stocks make perfect sense and indicate why the sector isn’t as overvalued as it might first appear.
If you don’t care too much about passive income and have a high risk tolerance, you might prefer to buy Apple, Adobe, or Salesforce at forward P/E ratios below 29 rather than Walmart with its forward P/E of 27 or Procter & Gamble with a forward P/E of 25.3. Tech isn’t the only sector hitting an all-time high. The market is generally more expensive than in previous years, meaning investors have to pay for quality one way or another.
Growth is a beautiful thing
The Vanguard Information Technology ETF is the best ETF in the technology sector due to its low cost, large net assets, and Vanguard’s strong reputation. The fund is a particularly good choice for investors who want to gain more exposure to the entire sector rather than just selecting a handful of flagship stocks.
The valuation appears high, but if earnings forecasts are accurate, one could argue that it is fair, or even cheap.
The bottom line is that earnings growth is the main catalyst for a sustainable recovery and can justify even the highest increases. Nvidia is a good example as its earnings growth continues to fuel its stock price rise. The fact that the stock is up 582% over the last three years, but its P/E is still below 40, says a lot about the quality of its earnings growth.
Overall, technology remains a great long-term buy if you can stomach the cyclicality of the sector and approach investing with a time horizon of at least three to five years.
Should you invest $1,000 in the Vanguard World Fund – Vanguard Information Technology ETF right now?
Before purchasing shares of Vanguard World Fund – Vanguard Information Technology ETF, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has just identified what they believe to be the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard World Fund – Vanguard Information Technology ETF was not one of them. The 10 stocks selected could produce monster returns in the years to come.
Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005…if you had invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you would have $703,539!*
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow plan for success, including portfolio building advice, regular analyst updates, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of the S&P 500 since 2002*.
*Stock Advisor returns May 28, 2024
John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, former director of market development and spokesperson for Facebook and sister of Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Daniel Foelber holds positions in Advanced Micro Devices. The Motley Fool holds positions and recommends ASML, Accenture Plc, Adobe, Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Arista Networks, Cisco Systems, CrowdStrike, Garmin, Intuit, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Shopify, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Uber Technologies and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and Helmerich & Payne and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $290 calls on Accenture Plc, long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short January 2025 $310 calls on Accenture Plc and $405 short calls in January 2026 on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
This Vanguard ETF just hit an all-time high as it continues to outperform the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite over the past 3 years. was originally published by The Motley Fool
ETFs
Missed the Bull Market Resumption? 3 ETFs to Help You Build Wealth for Decades
The market’s rebound from the 2022 bear market was not only unexpected. It was also bigger than expected. S&P 500 The stock price is up 60% from the bear market low, despite no clear signs at the time that such a rally was in the works. Chances are you missed at least part of this current rally.
If so, don’t be discouraged: you’re in good company. You’re also far from financially ruined. While you can’t go back and make up for the missed opportunity, for long-term investors, the growth potential is much greater.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss the next big bull run, you might want to tweak your strategy a bit. This time around, you might try buying fewer stocks and focusing more on exchange traded funds (or ETFs), which are often easier to hold when things get tough for the overall market.
With that in mind, here’s a closer look at three very different ETFs to consider buying that could – collectively – complement your portfolio brilliantly.
Let’s start with the basics: dividend growth
Most investors naturally favor growth, choosing growth stocks to achieve that goal. And the strategy usually works. However, most long-term investors may not realize that they can get the same type of net return with boring dividend stocks like the ones held in the portfolio. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEMKT: VIG) which reflects the S&P US Dividend Growth Index.
As the name suggests, this Vanguard fund and its underlying index hold stocks that not only pay consistent dividends, but also have a history of consistently increasing dividends. To be included in the S&P US Dividend Growers Index, a company must have increased its dividend every year for at least the past 10 years. In most cases, however, they have been doing so for much longer.
The ETF’s current dividend yield of just under 1.8% isn’t exactly exciting. In fact, it’s so low that investors might wonder how this fund is keeping up with the broader market, let alone growth stocks. What’s being grossly underestimated here is the sheer magnitude of these stocks. dividend growthOver the past 10 years, its dividend per share has nearly doubled, and more than tripled from 15 years ago.
The reason is that solid dividend stocks generally outperform their non-dividend-paying counterparts. Calculations by mutual fund firm Hartford indicate that since 1973, S&P 500 stocks with a long history of dividend growth have averaged a single-digit annual return, compared with a much more modest 4.3% annual gain for non-dividend-paying stocks, and an average annual return of just 7.7% for an equal-weighted version of the S&P 500. The numbers confirm that there’s a lot to be said for reliable, consistent income.
The story continues
Then add capital appreciation through technology
That said, there’s no particular reason why your portfolio can’t also hold something a little more volatile than a dividend-focused holding. If you can stomach the volatility that’s sure to continue, take a stake in the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ).
This Invesco ETF (often called the “cubes” or the triple-Q) is based on the Nasdaq-100 index. Typically, this index consists of 100 of the Nasdaq Composite IndexThe index is one of the largest non-financial indices at any given time. It is updated quarterly, although extreme imbalance situations may result in unplanned rebalancing of the index.
That’s not what makes this fund a must-have for many investors, though. It turns out that most high-growth tech companies choose to list their shares through the Nasdaq Sotck exchange rather than other exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock ExchangeNames like Apple, MicrosoftAnd Nvidia are not only Nasdaq-listed securities. They are also the top holdings of this ETF, with Amazon, Meta-platformsand Google’s parent company AlphabetThese are of course some of the highest-yielding stocks on the market in recent years.
This won’t always be the case. Just as companies like Nvidia and Apple have squeezed other names out of the index to make room for their stocks, these current names could also be replaced by other names (although it will likely be a while before that happens). It’s the proverbial life cycle of the market.
This shift, however, will likely be driven by technology companies that are offering revolutionary products and services. Owning a stake in the Invesco QQQ Trust is a simple, low-cost way to ensure you’re invested in at least most of their stocks at the perfect time.
Don’t forget indexing, but try a different approach
Finally, while Triple-Q and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation funds are smart ways to diversify your portfolio over the long term, the good old indexing strategy still works. In other words, rather than risk underperforming the market by trying to beat it, stick to tracking the long-term performance of a broad stock index.
Most investors will opt for something like the SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Fund (NYSEMKT:SPY), which of course mirrors the large-cap S&P 500 index. And if you already own one, great: stick with it.
If and when you have some spare cash to put to good use, consider starting a mid-cap funds as the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT: IJH) instead. Why? Because you’ll likely get better results with this ETF than you will with large-cap index funds. Over the past 30 years, S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index significantly outperformed the S&P 500.
^MID Chart
The disparate degree of gains actually makes sense. While no one disputes the solid foundations on which most S&P 500 companies are built, they are in many ways victims of their own size: It’s hard to get bigger when you’re already big. This is in contrast to the mid-cap companies that make up the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index. These organizations have moved past their rocky, shaky early years and are just entering their era of high growth. Not all of them will survive this phase, but companies like Advanced microsystems And Super microcomputer Those that survive end up being incredibly rewarding to their patient shareholders.
Should You Invest $1,000 in iShares Trust – iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF Right Now?
Before purchasing shares of iShares Trust – iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF, consider the following:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has just identified what they believe to be the 10 best stocks Investors should buy now…and the iShares Trust – iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks selected could generate monstrous returns in the years to come.
Consider when Nvidia I made this list on April 15, 2005… if you had $1,000 invested at the time of our recommendation, you would have $791,929!*
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including portfolio construction advice, regular analyst updates, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service offers more than quadrupled the return of the S&P 500 since 2002*.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 8, 2024
John Mackey, former CEO of Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, former director of market development and spokesperson for Facebook and sister of Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. James Brumley has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard Specialized Funds – Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Nasdaq and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a position in Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard Specialized Funds – Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Nasdaq and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. disclosure policy.
Missed the Bull Market Resumption? 3 ETFs to Help You Build Wealth for Decades was originally published by The Motley Fool
ETFs
This Simple ETF Could Turn $500 a Month Into $1 Million
This large-cap ETF offers investors the potential for above-market returns while minimizing risk.
It’s always inspiring to hear stories of people who invested in a company and made tons of money as the company grew and became successful. While these stories are a testament to the power of investing, they can also be misleading. That’s not because it doesn’t happen often, but because you don’t have to make a big splash on a single company to make a lot of money in the stock market.
Invest regularly in exchange traded funds (AND F) is a great way to build wealth. ETFs allow you to invest in dozens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of companies in a single investment. For investors looking for an ETF that can help them become millionaires, look no further than the Vanguard Growth ETFs (VUG 0.61%).
A history of outperforming the market
Since its launch in January 2004, this ETF has outperformed the market (based on S&P 500 Back), with an average total return of around 11.6%. The returns are even more impressive when looking back over the past decade, with the ETF posting an average total return of around 15.7%.
The ETF’s past success doesn’t mean it will continue on this path, but for the sake of illustration, let’s take a middle ground and assume it averages about 13% annual returns over the long term. Averaging those returns, monthly investments of $500 could top the $1 million mark in just over 25 years.
Assuming (emphasis on the word “assume”) that the ETF continues to generate an average total return of 15.7% over the past decade, investing $500 a month could get you past $1 million in about 23 years. At an annual return of 11.6%, that would take nearly 28 years.
There is no way to predict the future performance of the ETF, but the most important thing is the power of time and Compound profit. Earning $1 million by saving alone is a difficult and unachievable task for most people. However, it becomes much more achievable if you give yourself time and make regular investments, no matter how small.
So why choose the Vanguard Growth ETF?
This ETF can offer investors the best of both worlds. On the one hand, since it only contains large cap stocksIt offers more stability and less volatility than you typically find with smaller growth stocks. At the other end, the focus on growth means it is built with the goal of outperforming the market.
Investing involves a tradeoff between risk and return, and this ETF falls somewhere in the middle for the most part. That’s not just because it only contains large-cap stocks. It’s also because large-cap stocks are leading the way. Here are the ETF’s top 10 holdings:
- Microsoft: 12.60%
- Apple: 11.51%
- Nvidia: 10.61%
- Alphabet (both share classes): 7.54%
- Amazon: 6.72%
- Meta-platforms: 4.21%
- Eli Lilly: 2.88%
- You’re here: 1.98%
- Visa: 1.72%
The Vanguard Growth ETF is not as diversified as other broad ETFs, with the top 10 holdings making up nearly 60% of the fund and the “The Magnificent Seven” with stocks accounting for about 55%. However, many of these companies (particularly mega-cap technology stocks) have been among the best performers in the stock market over the past decade and still have great growth opportunities ahead of them.
Big tech stocks are expected to continue to see growth in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligenceand cybersecurity; Eli Lilly will benefit from advances in biotechnologyTesla is one of the leaders in electric vehicles, which are still in the early stages of development; and Visa is expected to be one of the forerunners as the world moves toward more digital payments.
ETF concentration adds risk, especially if Microsoft, Apple or Nvidia is experiencing a slowdownBut these companies are well positioned to drive long-term growth despite any short-term setbacks that may arise. Consistent investments over time in the Vanguard Growth ETF should pay off for investors.
Randi Zuckerberg, former head of market development and spokesperson for Facebook and sister of Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Stefon Walters has positions in Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, Vanguard Index Funds-Vanguard Growth ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a position in shares of Apple and Microsoft. disclosure policy.
ETFs
Ethereum ETFs Could Bring in $1 Billion a Month
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Kraken’s chief strategy officer Thomas Perfumo predicted that Ethereum ETFs could attract between $750 million and $1 billion in monthly investments.
“Market sentiment is being priced in. I think the market has priced in something like $750 million to $1 billion of net inflows into Ethereum ETF products each month,” Perfumo said.
In the interviewPerfumo noted that if inflows exceed expectations, it could provide strong support to the industry and potentially drive Ethereum to new record highs.
This creates positive support for the industry, if we go beyond that, note that Bitcoin was at a rate above $2.5 billion
He said
Moreover, the hype around Ethereum ETFs has already sparked some optimism among investors. After the SEC approved the 19b-4 filing, Ethereum’s price jumped 22%, attracting investment into crypto assets.
This price movement shows how sensitive the market is to regulatory changes and the growth potential once ETFs are approved.
Perfumo also highlighted other factors supporting current market sentiment, including the upcoming US elections and a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Recent US CPI data suggests disinflation on a monthly and annual basis, with some traditional firms predicting rate cuts as early as September.
These broader economic factors, combined with developments in the crypto space, are shaping the overall market outlook.
Regarding Kraken’s strategy, Perfumo highlighted the exchange’s goal of driving cryptocurrency adoption through strategic initiatives. When asked about rumors of Kraken going public, he reiterated that the company’s intention is instead to broaden cryptocurrency adoption.
Read also : Invesco, Galaxy Cut Ether ETF Fees to 0.25% in Competitive Market
ETFs
Kraken Executive Expects Ethereum ETF Launch to “Lift All Boats”
Kraken Chief Strategy Officer Thomas Perfumemo said: Ethereum ETFs (ETH) could help the crypto sector while commenting on political developments in the United States.
On July 12, Perfumo told Bloomberg that spot Ethereum ETFs would attract capital flows while drawing attention to crypto, noting:
“It’s a rising tide, which lifts the whole history of the boat.”
Perfumo further explained that the final value of Ethereum “depends on the Ethereum ETF.”
He said the cryptocurrency market is “pricing in” between $750 million and $1 billion in net inflows into Ethereum products on a monthly basis, which would imply that Ethereum could reach all-time highs between $4,000 and $5,000.
Perfumo also compared expectations to Bitcoin’s all-time high in March, which he called a “silent spike” that occurred without any evidence of millions of new investors entering the industry.
Political evolution
Perfumo also commented on political developments. At the beginning of the interview, he said that the results of the US elections “will set the tone for policymaking and the legislative agenda for the next four years.”
He also stressed the importance of legislative action and clarity and noted that recent developments show bipartisan support in Congress.
The House recently voted to pass the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) and attempted to repeal controversial SEC accounting rules with the Senate. However, the president Joe Biden Chosen to veto The resolution.
Perfume said:
“Even if you encounter obstacles at the executive level, [there’s] “There is still good progress to come.”
He added that the Republican Party appears “more pro-crypto.” [and] “more progressive” on the issue, noting Donald Trump plans to attend the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville.
Trump has also made numerous statements in support of pro-crypto policy, including at recent campaign events in Wisconsin And San Francisco.
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