Core Insights - The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF has outperformed the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF in both 1-year and 5-year total returns, but it comes with a higher expense ratio and greater sector concentration [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - The expense ratio for the Mega Cap Growth ETF is 0.07%, while the S&P 500 ETF has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% [3] - The 1-year return for the Mega Cap Growth ETF is 19.9%, compared to 12.3% for the S&P 500 ETF [3] - The dividend yield for the Mega Cap Growth ETF is 0.4%, whereas the S&P 500 ETF offers a higher yield of 1.2% [3] - The assets under management (AUM) for the Mega Cap Growth ETF is $33.0 billion, while the S&P 500 ETF has a significantly larger AUM of $1.5 trillion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - The maximum drawdown over 5 years for the Mega Cap Growth ETF is -36.01%, compared to -24.52% for the S&P 500 ETF, indicating higher volatility and risk for the Mega Cap Growth ETF [5] - An investment of $1,000 in the Mega Cap Growth ETF would have grown to $2,104 over 5 years, while the same investment in the S&P 500 ETF would have grown to $1,866 [5] Sector Concentration - The Mega Cap Growth ETF is heavily concentrated, with 69% of its assets in technology, 16% in consumer cyclicals, and only 6% in industrials [7] - In contrast, the S&P 500 ETF has a more diversified allocation, with 36% in technology, 13% in financial services, and 11% in consumer cyclicals [6][11] Holdings and Diversification - The S&P 500 ETF holds 504 companies, providing broad market exposure, while the Mega Cap Growth ETF has only 66 holdings, leading to less diversification [6][10] - The top holdings in both ETFs include major tech companies like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, but they represent a larger portion of the Mega Cap Growth ETF's assets [7][11] Historical Context - The Mega Cap Growth ETF was established in 2007 and experienced the 2008 financial crisis, while the S&P 500 ETF was launched in 2010, resulting in higher returns for the S&P 500 ETF since inception [12]

Core Insights - SPXL and QLD are leveraged ETFs with different targets: SPXL aims for triple the daily performance of the S&P 500, while QLD seeks double the daily returns of the Nasdaq-100, resulting in distinct sector exposures and risk profiles [1][2]. ETF Overview - SPXL, issued by Direxion, has an expense ratio of 0.87%, a one-year return of 35.6%, a dividend yield of 0.8%, and assets under management (AUM) of $5.9 billion. Its beta is 3.05, indicating higher volatility compared to the S&P 500 [3]. - QLD, issued by ProShares, has an expense ratio of 0.95%, a one-year return of 44.6%, a dividend yield of 0.2%, and AUM of $9.9 billion. Its beta is 2.22, reflecting lower volatility than SPXL [3]. Performance Metrics - Over five years, a $1,000 investment in SPXL would grow to $4,717, while the same investment in QLD would grow to $3,434. Both funds experienced a maximum drawdown of approximately 63% [4]. - SPXL has outperformed QLD over a longer timeframe, with a five-year total return of 366% (CAGR of 36.1%) compared to QLD's 252% (CAGR of 28.6%). Both funds significantly outperformed the S&P 500, which had a total return of 123% (CAGR of 17.4%) over the same period [8]. Sector Exposure - QLD's portfolio is heavily weighted towards technology (54%), followed by communication services (16%) and consumer cyclical (13%). It holds 121 companies, with top positions in Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft [5]. - SPXL spreads its assets across 516 holdings, with its largest positions mirroring the S&P 500, but with smaller weights in Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft compared to QLD [5]. Investment Considerations - Both SPXL and QLD provide leveraged exposure to major indexes, but they come with high fees and extreme volatility. The daily leverage reset mechanism can impact long-term returns if held beyond a single day [9].

Core Insights - The article compares Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD), focusing on their cost, performance, sector exposures, and structural details to determine which may better fit a dividend-focused strategy [1] Cost & Size - FDVV has an expense ratio of 0.16% while SCHD has a lower expense ratio of 0.06% - As of October 27, 2025, FDVV's one-year return is 10.9% compared to SCHD's -4.2% - FDVV offers a dividend yield of 3.0%, whereas SCHD provides a higher yield of 3.8% - FDVV has assets under management (AUM) of $7.1 billion, significantly less than SCHD's AUM of $70.2 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, FDVV experienced a maximum drawdown of 20.19%, while SCHD had a lower maximum drawdown of 16.86% - An investment of $1,000 in FDVV would have grown to $2,419 over five years, compared to $1,716 for SCHD [3] Holdings & Sector Exposure - SCHD tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, holding 103 companies with significant exposure to Energy (20%), Consumer Defensive (19%), and Healthcare (16%) - Key holdings in SCHD include AbbVie, Cisco Systems, and Merck & Co. - FDVV has a higher allocation to Technology (25%), Financial Services (19%), and Consumer Defensive (13%), with top holdings including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple [4][5] Long-term Performance - Over the last decade, FDVV generated total returns of 13% annually, while SCHD produced 11% growth, both trailing the S&P 500's 14% return during the same period [6] Investment Considerations - Both ETFs offer attractive dividend yields, low expense ratios, and below-market betas, issued by reputable financial firms - Investors with existing exposure to the S&P 500 may find FDVV less appealing due to its significant holdings in the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks, which account for nearly 18% of its assets - SCHD's focus on essential sectors may provide a more defensive investment option for those lacking exposure in these areas [7][8]