2 Vanguard ETFs to Buy Hand Over Fist and 1 to Avoid

Core Insights - Low-cost ETFs are effective tools for building a diversified stock portfolio without incurring high fees [1] - Investors should consider updating their watchlists with top stocks and ETFs for 2026 [1] Vanguard ETFs Overview - Vanguard offers over 50 equity ETFs with low fees, providing exposure to various market segments and strategies [2] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is the largest S&P 500 ETF by net assets, serving as a broad market investment option [3] - The Vanguard Growth ETF and Vanguard Value ETF are highlighted as strong investment choices for different investor preferences [6] Performance Analysis - Megacap tech-focused growth stocks have driven market performance, leading to the Growth ETF outperforming the S&P 500 and Value ETF [4] - The Growth ETF comprises 60% of its investments in ten leading growth stocks, referred to as the "Ten Titans" [8] Vanguard Growth ETF - The Growth ETF is suitable for investors seeking exposure to high-performing growth stocks, allowing for diversified investments [7] - The ETF's holdings include major companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, which are currently at all-time highs [8] Vanguard Value ETF - The Value ETF is appealing for investors looking for industry-leading companies at reasonable valuations, featuring a P/E ratio of 20.5 and a dividend yield of 2.1% [10] - The Value ETF includes only one of the "Ten Titans," Oracle, and focuses on companies like JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway [11] - The ETF's holdings are characterized by steady earnings and growing dividends, making it suitable for passive income investors [12] Comparison with S&P 500 ETF - Both the Growth and Value ETFs are considered better buys than the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF due to their ability to align with specific investment objectives and risk tolerance [13] - The expense ratios for the Growth and Value ETFs are 0.04%, slightly higher than the S&P 500 ETF's 0.03% [13] Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF - The Momentum ETF is designed for traders rather than long-term investors, utilizing a quantitative model to invest in stocks with recent price increases [14] - The fund has a high turnover rate of 76.9%, indicating active trading, which contrasts with the lower turnover rates of the Growth and Value ETFs [15][16] - Over the past five years, the S&P 500 ETF has outperformed the Momentum ETF, suggesting that high trading activity may not yield better returns [16]