1 No-Brainer Vanguard Index ETF to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 remains a solid investment option, but there are strategic reasons to consider diversifying into other index funds, particularly small-cap ETFs like the Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF and the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF [1][2]. Group 1: Small-Cap Performance - Small-cap stocks, represented by the Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF, have a history of solid performance, with market caps typically between $300 million and $2 billion [4]. - The average market cap of the S&P 500 Large Cap Index is approximately $370 billion, highlighting the significant difference in scale between small-cap and large-cap stocks [5]. - Small companies often have the potential for substantial growth, as evidenced by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Hims & Hers Health, which have transitioned to larger indices due to their growth [6]. Group 2: Market Trends and Analysis - Small caps have been underperforming compared to large caps, largely due to the rise of AI, which has significantly benefited larger technology companies [9]. - The current period marks the 15th year of large-cap outperformance, which is notable as the average cycle lasts about 11 years [11]. - Analysts from Bank of America Merrill Lynch suggest that small-cap stocks tend to outperform large caps following Fed interest rate cuts, with small caps recently showing their first quarter of positive year-over-year earnings growth since Q3 2022 [12]. Group 3: Valuation and Future Outlook - The S&P 600's forward-looking price-to-earnings ratio is 15.7, below its long-term average, contrasting with the S&P 500's P/E of 22.6, which is above its historical norm [12]. - A potential shift from expensive large caps to undervalued small caps may occur, driven by market recognition of these dynamics [13]. - Small caps have reported their first quarterly earnings growth since Q3 2022, and projections indicate continued improvement in earnings through at least the end of next year [16].