Key Points IonQ has outperformed the market by a wide margin over the last year. It has also been highly volatile, demonstrating the importance of a long-term, buy-and-hold approach to investing. 10 stocks we like better than IonQ › Quantum computing company IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has been a big winner for early investors. If you'd invested $1,000 in IonQ one year ago, you'd now have $3,689 (as of Oct. 27). A $1,000 investment in the S&P 500, on the other hand, would have grown to $1,180. However, your ...

Group 1 - The S&P 500's performance in September highlighted market uncertainties, with Wall Street facing increased economic uncertainty that may impact investor confidence [1] - A buy-and-hold strategy is recommended for building a resilient investor portfolio, especially in the current economic landscape [1][5] - The buy-and-hold strategy is characterized as a passive investment approach, suitable for long-term returns and minimizing emotional trading behaviors [2][4] Group 2 - The current geopolitical environment and legal uncertainties are leading investors to adopt more stable strategies like buy-and-hold [5] - Concerns over the sustainability of the AI boom are raising sector concentration risks, which could affect investor confidence and lead to market volatility [6] - A long-term passive investment strategy is seen as a way to navigate short-term market fluctuations effectively [7] Group 3 - ETFs are highlighted as a means to implement the buy-and-hold strategy, offering diversification and tax efficiency [8] - Specific ETFs tracking the S&P 500, such as Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), are recommended for long-term investment [9] - Total stock market ETFs like Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) are also suggested for investors seeking broader market exposure [11]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the simplicity and effectiveness of using two Vanguard ETFs for a long-term investment portfolio, making it suitable for both novice and experienced investors [2][6]. ETF Structure and Benefits - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are described as pooled investment vehicles that offer liquidity and simplicity, trading like stocks while providing diversified investments similar to mutual funds [3]. - Vanguard ETFs are noted for their low expense ratios, with the highlighted ETFs having an expense ratio of just 0.03%, making them cost-effective compared to mutual funds and financial planners [5]. Recommended ETFs - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is highlighted as a straightforward investment that tracks the S&P 500 index, representing the largest and most significant U.S. companies [7][8]. - The Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) focuses on high-quality bonds with maturities of five to ten years, providing a balanced yield-to-volatility ratio in the fixed income space [9]. Portfolio Construction - A balanced portfolio typically consists of a mix of stocks and bonds, with a common allocation being 60% stocks and 40% bonds, though this can be adjusted based on individual risk tolerance [10]. - An example is provided where a $2,000 investment could be allocated as $1,200 in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and $800 in the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF, with annual rebalancing suggested to maintain the target allocation [11]. Long-term Management - Investors are advised to periodically reassess their risk tolerance and adjust their stock-bond mix accordingly, with a focus on maintaining the desired allocation over time [12][13].

Core Insights - The S&P 500 has historically been a reliable index for generating significant stock gains over decades, making it a low-risk option for long-term growth [1] - Investing a lump sum of $25,000 into an ETF that tracks the S&P 500, such as SPDR S&P 500 ETF, and holding it for 25 years could potentially lead to wealth accumulation and a comfortable retirement [2] Investment Strategy - A buy-and-hold strategy is recommended as it can help ensure portfolio value increases over time, avoiding the pitfalls of chasing trends [4] - A diverse portfolio or a set-it-and-forget-it approach can be beneficial, although there are no guarantees regarding stock performance when funds are needed [5] Expected Returns - Current S&P 500 levels suggest that future average returns may trend lower than the historical average of around 10%, with projections for a $25,000 investment showing potential growth to between $135,686 and $215,577 after 25 years, depending on annual returns of 7% to 9% [6][8] - While significant growth is possible, achieving a portfolio worth over $1 million may not be feasible with this strategy alone [8] Adjusting Investment Goals - To improve the likelihood of reaching investment goals, increasing monthly contributions can help compound returns over time [9] - Focusing on growth stocks rather than merely mirroring the market may provide better chances for outperforming the market and achieving above-average returns [10] Portfolio Management - Investing in individual stocks or ETFs that track growth stocks can introduce more risk but may yield higher rewards [11] - Regular portfolio reviews are essential to assess performance and make necessary adjustments [11]

Group 1 - When stock prices decline without clear reasons, it raises concerns among investors about potential underlying issues within the business [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting due diligence and encourages investors to build portfolios of high-quality, dividend-paying companies [2] - The author expresses a personal investment strategy focused on long-term holdings in blue-chip stocks, BDCs, and REITs to supplement retirement income [2]

Group 1 - Cloudflare (NYSE: NET) is recognized as a leading cloud stock with strong revenue growth and improving key metrics [1] - The company secured its largest contract for the Workers developer platform in Q1 2025, marking a significant milestone [1] Group 2 - Royston Roche, with over a decade of experience in capital markets, has a background working with major financial institutions and investment firms [1] - Roche is known for his fundamental analysis expertise and employs a buy-and-hold investment strategy [1]