3 Ultra-Safe Vanguard ETFs to Buy, Even if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off in 2026

Core Insights - The S&P 500 has shown significant growth, with an increase of over 15% in 2025, following gains of over 20% in both 2024 and 2023, compared to its historical average annual return of 9% to 10% [1][2] Group 1: ETF Performance and Characteristics - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is the largest ETF globally, surpassing $2 trillion in net assets, and includes thousands of companies not in the S&P 500, representing about 16% of the total U.S. stock market [5][6] - The Total Stock Market ETF is expected to perform similarly to the S&P 500 over the long term but may be more suitable for investors wanting full market participation [6][7] - The Vanguard Value ETF focuses on value stocks, which tend to perform better during market sell-offs, with major holdings in companies like JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway, and offers a yield of 2.1% with a P/E ratio of 21.2 [9][10] - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF yields 2.2% and includes major companies like Walmart and Coca-Cola, which are expected to perform well during economic downturns due to their strong supply chains [12][13] Group 2: Market Trends and Investor Behavior - The S&P 500's rapid rise is attributed to strong earnings growth from key companies, including Nvidia, which, along with 19 others, constitutes about half of the index [2] - The consumer staples sector has underperformed in 2025, facing challenges from inflation and reduced consumer spending, but is expected to hold up during market sell-offs [11][13] - Investors are encouraged to use ETFs as part of a diversified portfolio, allowing for exposure to different sectors while managing risk [14]