Core Viewpoint - Global investment offers more opportunities and reduces volatility risks associated with single markets, with index funds being the most suitable entry point for ordinary investors [5][94]. Group 1: Advantages of Index Funds - Index funds have six major advantages over actively managed funds, including low costs, transparency, diversified allocation, reduced human influence, low cognitive costs, and productization of investment philosophies [6][18]. - The management fee for index funds is approximately 0.2% per year, with some as low as 0.05%, compared to about 0.5% for actively managed funds [8][9]. - Index funds provide transparency by publicly disclosing their holdings, allocation percentages, and rebalancing activities, which reduces the risk of opaque operations [10]. - Index funds inherently offer diversified exposure, which mitigates individual stock risks through periodic adjustments [11]. - The performance of index funds is less affected by individual fund managers, as their primary role is to track the index [12][13]. - Indexes are based on predefined rules that are easy to understand, allowing investors to use them as long-term investment tools [14][15]. - Indexes can embody established investment philosophies, making it easier for investors to find products that meet their specific needs [16][17]. Group 2: Current Status of Global Index Funds - The global index fund market has developed a stable oligopoly with three major index providers: S&P Dow Jones, MSCI, and FTSE Russell [25]. - S&P Dow Jones is known for its U.S. indices, including the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Index [27]. - MSCI specializes in global asset allocation, with indices covering various countries and regions [29]. - FTSE Russell is recognized for its global asset allocation indices, including the FTSE A50, which tracks A-shares [31]. - The three largest index fund companies are BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard, collectively managing over 80% of U.S. index fund assets [43]. Group 3: Historical Market Cycles - The U.S. stock market has experienced three major bull and bear market cycles since 1929, with bull markets typically lasting longer than bear markets [52][64]. - The first bear market occurred from 1929 to 1945, followed by a bull market from 1945 to 1972, characterized by significant economic recovery [54][57]. - The second bear market lasted from 1972 to 1982, while the subsequent bull market extended from 1982 to 2001, driven by declining interest rates [59][60]. - The third bear market spanned from 2001 to 2008, with a prolonged bull market emerging afterward, lasting until the present [61][62]. Group 4: Investment Strategy Recommendations - Investors are advised to use funds that are not needed for at least five years to invest during undervalued market phases [67][90]. - The global index investment strategy is recommended during 4-5 star market phases, which indicate undervaluation [84][95]. - The "Global Index Investment Portfolio" offers a diversified approach to investing in multiple countries and regions through index funds, allowing for easy access to global market performance [80][96].

Core Viewpoint - Global investment offers more opportunities and reduces volatility risks associated with single markets, with index funds being the most suitable entry point for ordinary investors [3][5]. Group 1: Advantages of Index Funds - Index funds have six major advantages over actively managed funds: low cost, transparency, diversified allocation, reduced human influence, low cognitive cost, and productization of investment philosophy [6][21]. - The management fee for index funds is approximately 0.2% per year, with some as low as 0.05%, compared to about 0.5% for active funds [8][9]. - Index funds provide transparency by publicly disclosing their holdings, allocation percentages, and rebalancing activities, which reduces the risk of opaque operations [10]. - Index funds inherently offer diversified exposure, reducing individual stock risk through broad market representation [11][12]. - The impact of human factors is minimized in index funds, as changes in fund management do not significantly affect fund performance [13][14]. - Indexes follow predefined rules for stock selection, making them easy to understand and use for long-term investment [15][16]. - Different index types cater to various investment philosophies, such as dividend, growth, and value strategies [17][18]. Group 2: Current Status of Global Index Funds - The index fund industry exhibits a strong leader effect, with three major index providers: S&P Dow Jones, MSCI, and FTSE Russell [32][33]. - The top three index fund companies are BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard, collectively managing over 80% of the total index fund assets in the U.S. [58]. Group 3: Historical Market Cycles - The U.S. stock market has experienced significant bull and bear markets since 1929, with notable cycles occurring in 1945-1972, 1982-2001, and post-2008 [68][80][83]. - The market typically sees long bull phases and shorter, sharper bear phases, with investment opportunities arising during downturns [84][85][86]. Group 4: Global Stock Index Valuation - Investment in global stock markets should be approached with funds that are not needed for at least five years, particularly during undervalued phases [87][114]. - Historical valuation trends indicate that global stock markets have experienced significant fluctuations, with notable lows during crises and subsequent recoveries driven by monetary policy [90][91]. Group 5: Global Index Investment Strategy - The "Global Index Investment Strategy" offers a diversified approach to investing in multiple countries and regions through index funds, allowing for easy access to global market performance [100][102]. - The strategy is recommended during periods when the global stock market is rated at 4-5 stars, indicating favorable investment conditions [105][114].