I get quite a few requests to cover ETFs from readers, but few requests are ever seriously considered, let alone written out. No offense is intended to anyone who asks me for coverage. It's personal preference; I just like to pick my own topics.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving c ...

Investors have plowed more than $900 billion into U.S. exchange-traded funds so far this year. ...

Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a strong historical performance, with the S&P 500 index never producing a negative total return over any 20-year period [1][12] - The ETF aims to mirror the performance of the S&P 500 index, which has shown an annualized return of 8.58% over the past 20 years [8][10] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a lower expense ratio compared to other similar ETFs, which can significantly impact long-term investment returns [16][17] Performance Metrics - The S&P 500 index increased from a closing value of 1,223.13 to 6,340 over the trailing 20-year period, resulting in an annualized return of 8.58% [8] - An initial investment of $100,000 with monthly contributions of $800 could yield over $1,000,000 in 20 years at the same annualized return rate [9] - Historical data shows that all 106 rolling 20-year periods of the S&P 500 produced positive total returns, regardless of market conditions [11][12] Comparison with Other ETFs - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a net expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust's 0.09% [16] - The lower expense ratio of the Vanguard ETF can lead to substantial savings over long investment horizons, especially for larger investments [17] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is positioned as a reliable option for investors looking to build wealth over time, compared to other index funds [14][15]