What is the best low cost index fund?
Our recommendation for the best overall S&P 500 index fund is the Fidelity 500 Index Fund. With a 0.015% expense ratio, it's the cheapest on our list. And it doesn't have a minimum initial investment requirement, sales loads or trading fees. Over the last 10 years, FXAIX has returned an annualized 12.02%.
Our recommendation for the best overall S&P 500 index fund is the Fidelity 500 Index Fund. With a 0.015% expense ratio, it's the cheapest on our list. And it doesn't have a minimum initial investment requirement, sales loads or trading fees. Over the last 10 years, FXAIX has returned an annualized 12.02%.
- HDFC Index S&P BSE Sensex Fund. ...
- Tata S&P BSE Sensex Index Fund. ...
- UTI Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index Fund. ...
- HSBC Nifty 50 Index Fund. ...
- Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF FoF. ...
- Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund. ...
- Mirae Asset Equity Allocator FoF. ...
- Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund.
In the past year, SPY returned a total of 21.88%, which is slightly higher than VOO's 21.42% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has had annualized average returns of 12.23% , compared to 12.29% for VOO. These numbers are adjusted for stock splits and include dividends.
- Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 1.0%) ...
- Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM -0.2%) ...
- Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ 0.05%) ...
- iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT 0.97%) ...
- Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP -0.21%)
Considerations for investing in index funds. As you're looking at index funds, you'll want to consider the following factors: Long-run performance: It's important to track the long-term performance of the index fund (ideally at least five to ten years of performance) to see what your potential future returns might be.
Fund (ticker) | 5-year annual returns | Expense ratio |
---|---|---|
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) | 14.5% | 0.03% |
Schwab S&P 500 Index (SWPPX) | 14.5% | 0.02% |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX) | 14.5% | 0.04% |
Fidelity 500 index fund (FXAIX) | 14.5% | 0.015% |
If you are investing in an S&P 500 index fund:
If your index fund has no minimum, you can usually purchase in any dollar amount. If your index fund has a minimum, then you have to purchase at least the minimum amount. If your index fund has an expense ratio, you'll be charged that as a fee.
Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification.
Mutual funds come with a variety of objectives and strategies, and there are many more options than with index funds to customize how you want to invest.
Is there anything better than index funds?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds are similar in many ways but ETFs are considered to be more convenient to enter or exit. They can be traded more easily than index funds and traditional mutual funds, similar to how common stocks are traded on a stock exchange.
Index fund | Minimum investment | Expense ratio |
---|---|---|
Vanguard 500 Index Fund - Admiral Shares (VFIAX) | $3,000. | 0.04%. |
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) | No minimum. | 0.02%. |
Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) | No minimum. | 0.015%. |
Fidelity Zero Large Cap Index (FNILX) | No minimum. | 0.0%. |
In fact, Vanguard's index funds and ETFs (including VOO, which we just discussed) are popular choices with investors, thanks in part to their low costs and competitive long-term performances.
Average Return. In the past year, QQQ returned a total of 33.44%, which is significantly higher than VOO's 22.93% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has had annualized average returns of 17.92% , compared to 12.34% for VOO. These numbers are adjusted for stock splits and include dividends.
Company | Shares held | Holding value |
---|---|---|
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) | 43,000 | $18,782,400 |
SPDR S&P 500 Trust ETF (SPY) | 39,400 | $18,727,214 |
Jefferies (JEF) | 433,558 | $17,520,079 |
Liberty Latin Americ Class C (LILAK) | 1,284,020 | $9,424,707 |
While indexes may be low cost and diversified, they prevent seizing opportunities elsewhere. Moreover, indexes do not provide protection from market corrections and crashes when an investor has a lot of exposure to stock index funds.
Market exposure: The most popular index is the S&P 500 index, but index funds track dozens of other indexes. Choose an index that offers the market exposure you want, then focus on funds that track the index.
Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have many different varieties of low-cost index funds. They have lower expenses and fees than actively managed funds. Index funds involve passive investing, using a long-term strategy without actively picking securities or timing the market.
Over the long term, index funds have generally outperformed other types of mutual funds. Other benefits of index funds include low fees, tax advantages (they generate less taxable income), and low risk (since they're highly diversified).
To be sure, if you have the time, knowledge, and desire to create a portfolio of individual stocks, by all means, go for it. But even if you do own individual stocks, index funds can form a solid base for your portfolio. Index funds offer investors of all skill levels a simple, successful way to invest.
What is the average return on index funds?
The average stock market return is about 10% per year, as measured by the S&P 500 index, but that 10% average rate is reduced by inflation.
Key Points. The S&P 500's track record is impressive, but the Vanguard Growth ETF has outperformed it. The Vanguard Growth ETF leans heavily toward tech businesses that exhibit faster revenue and earnings gains. No matter what investments you choose, it's always smart to keep a long-term mindset.
Fund | Medalist Rating | Q1 Return |
---|---|---|
GQG Partners US Equity | Silver | 23.59 |
GQG Partners Global Equity | Gold | 19.93 |
Neuberger Berman 5G Cnnctvty | Bronze | 19.65 |
IFSL Meon Adaptive Growth | Neutral | 19.30 |
Are there dividend-paying index funds? Yes, there are several dividend-paying index funds for investors who prioritize steady income over high growth.
Investor tip: When learning how to invest in the S&P 500, we recommend buying a fund over hand-picking individual stocks. Here's why: investing across all sectors and securities within the index diversifies your investments and your risk, which minimizes the effects of market volatility.
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