Core Insights - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NASDAQ: VONG) is a passively managed index ETF aimed at providing exposure to the Russell 1000 Growth Index with net assets of $41 billion and an average daily trading volume of $117 million [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF is designed for investors seeking growth exposure through a diversified portfolio [1] - The ETF's significant net assets indicate strong investor interest and confidence in growth-oriented investments [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - Michael Del Monte, a buy-side equity analyst with over 5 years of experience, emphasizes a holistic approach to investment recommendations, considering the entire investment ecosystem rather than evaluating companies in isolation [1]

Core Insights - Successful investing requires three key ingredients: upfront capital, good investment alternatives, and time for growth [1] - The article suggests three Vanguard ETFs as suitable long-term investments for $2,000 [1] Vanguard S&P 500 ETF - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) aims to track the S&P 500 index and has delivered an average annual return of 14.7% since its inception in September 2010 [3] - Over the past year, the ETF has increased nearly 16% [3] - Top holdings include major companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta Platforms [3][4] - The ETF has a low annual expense ratio of 0.03% [4] Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NASDAQ: VONG) is noted as the best-performing ETF in Vanguard's family, with an average annual return of 16.96% since inception [5] - It has risen approximately 22.5% over the last 12 months [5] - The ETF invests in 390 growth stocks, with top holdings similar to those in the S&P 500 ETF, including Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Broadcom [5][7] - The annual expense ratio is 0.07%, which is competitive compared to the average of 0.93% for similar funds [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Utilities ETF is identified as a favorable investment option amidst a crowded market of ETFs, particularly for those looking to invest $1,000 now [7]. Group 1: ETF Performance and Selection - Vanguard offers a wide range of 97 ETFs, which can be overwhelming for investors [1]. - The top-performing Vanguard ETFs this year are primarily international funds, with the Vanguard International High Yield Dividend ETF and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF leading the list [3]. - Many of Vanguard's best-performing ETFs have high valuations, with the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio at 27.6, significantly above the historical average of 16.1 [5]. Group 2: Vanguard Utilities ETF Analysis - The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) owns 69 U.S. utility stocks, including major companies like NextEra Energy and Duke Energy, and has shown a year-to-date performance increase of around 15% [8]. - The P/E ratio of the Vanguard Utilities ETF is 21.4, which is lower than the S&P 500's earnings multiple, indicating a more favorable valuation [9]. - The ETF is expected to perform well if the stock market continues to rise, particularly due to the increasing demand for power from data centers supporting artificial intelligence [10]. Group 3: Economic Considerations - In the event of a stock market downturn, utility stocks are typically seen as safe havens, with most utilities having low exposure to tariff impacts [11]. - The Vanguard Utilities ETF is considered a "happy medium" investment, likely to perform better than many equity ETFs during economic downturns while potentially offering lower returns compared to other Vanguard ETFs in a strengthening economy [12].