Core Insights - The article compares two consumer staples ETFs: Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP), highlighting their similarities and differences in terms of holdings, performance, and cost [6][9]. Fund Overview - Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) includes 103 stocks, providing broader coverage in the consumer defensive sector, with significant holdings in Walmart, Costco Wholesale, and Procter & Gamble [2]. - State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) focuses on 37 companies, primarily large-cap stocks, and aims to mirror the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index [3]. Performance Metrics - XLP offers a higher dividend yield of 2.7% compared to VDC's 2.2%, making it more appealing for income-focused investors [7]. - Both funds have low expense ratios and solid long-term performance histories, making them suitable for buy-and-hold investors [9]. Holdings Composition - XLP has a higher weighting in consumer non-durables, while VDC has a greater focus on retail stocks [8]. Investment Considerations - Income-oriented investors may prefer XLP due to its higher dividend yield, while those bullish on retail may favor VDC [9].

Core Insights - The main differences between the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) are cost, sector purity, and size, with XLP offering lower expenses and a sharper focus on consumer staples [1][2] Cost and Size Comparison - XLP has an expense ratio of 0.08%, significantly lower than IYK's 0.38% [3][4] - As of November 28, 2025, XLP has a 1-year return of -4.1%, while IYK has a return of -1.8% [3] - XLP has a larger Assets Under Management (AUM) of $15.5 billion compared to IYK's $1.3 billion [3] Performance and Risk Analysis - Over the last five years, IYK has a max drawdown of -15.05%, while XLP has a slightly higher drawdown of -16.29% [5] - An investment of $1,000 in IYK would have grown to $1,266 over five years, compared to $1,186 for XLP [5][10] Portfolio Composition - XLP consists of 37 holdings focused entirely on consumer defensive companies, with major positions in Walmart, Costco, and Procter & Gamble [6] - IYK has a broader portfolio with 55 holdings, including 86% in consumer defensive stocks and 12% in healthcare, featuring companies like Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola [7] Investment Strategy - XLP emphasizes direct retailing, while IYK includes a mix of sectors, appealing to investors seeking diversification beyond consumer staples [8][9] - Despite IYK's higher expense ratio, it has delivered higher returns, suggesting that the cost may be justified for investors [10]

Core Insights - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples ETF (FSTA) provide similar exposure to the U.S. consumer staples sector, with VDC having a larger assets under management (AUM) [2][8] - Both ETFs have nearly identical expense ratios and dividend yields, with FSTA being slightly cheaper at 0.08% compared to VDC's 0.09% [5][8] - Performance metrics show that both ETFs have similar risk profiles and returns, with minor differences in their top holdings [6][9] Cost & Size Comparison - FSTA has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VDC has 0.09% - As of November 28, 2025, FSTA's 1-year return is -3.7% and VDC's is -3.4% - FSTA offers a dividend yield of 2.3% compared to VDC's 2.2% - AUM for FSTA is $1.3 billion and for VDC is $8.3 billion [4][5] Performance & Risk Metrics - The maximum drawdown over 5 years for FSTA is -16.56% and for VDC is -16.54% - Growth of $1,000 over 5 years results in $1,254 for FSTA and $1,255 for VDC [6] Holdings & Sector Allocation - VDC employs a full replication strategy with 103 holdings, focusing on large-cap consumer defensive stocks like Walmart, Costco, and Procter & Gamble [7] - Sector allocation for VDC is 98% consumer defensive and 1% consumer cyclical - FSTA closely mirrors VDC's sector weightings and top holdings, with 104 stocks in its portfolio [9]

The only two direct AI investments held in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio are Apple and Amazon (AMZN 1.26%). Despite trimming his exposure to the iPhone maker considerably over the past year, Apple remains Berkshire's largest position -- currently worth about $63.6 billion. Amazon is a considerably smaller position, worth roughly $2.2 billion at current market prices. Buffett is not known as a technology investor, but even his portfolio has some exposure to the artificial intelligence (AI) megatrend. Warren ...