Core Insights - The Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has advantages such as lower fees and stronger recent returns compared to the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO), which offers broader small-cap growth exposure and a slightly higher yield [1][2]. Cost & Size Comparison - VONG has an expense ratio of 0.07%, significantly lower than IWO's 0.24% - VONG's one-year return is 19.3%, while IWO's is 4.56% - VONG has a dividend yield of 0.46%, compared to IWO's 0.66% - VONG's assets under management (AUM) stand at $41.7 billion, while IWO's AUM is $12.95 billion [3]. Performance & Risk Metrics - VONG's maximum drawdown over five years is -32.72%, while IWO's is -42.02% - An investment of $1,000 in VONG would grow to $2,061 over five years, compared to $1,220 for IWO [4]. Fund Composition - IWO targets small-cap U.S. growth stocks with 1,090 holdings, primarily in technology (25%), healthcare (22%), and industrials (21%) - The top holdings in IWO are evenly distributed, with no single holding exceeding 2% of total assets - VONG is concentrated in large-cap growth, with technology making up 54% of its portfolio, followed by consumer cyclical (13%) and communication services (12%) - The top three holdings in VONG (Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft) account for over 36% of the fund [5][6]. Investment Considerations - VONG may appear superior due to its lower expense ratio, less severe maximum drawdown, and higher returns, but it has a heavy reliance on the tech sector, which limits diversification and increases risk [8]. - IWO, while experiencing lower recent returns, offers broader diversification and potential for explosive growth in small-cap stocks [9]. - The choice between VONG and IWO depends on whether an investor seeks large-cap growth or small-cap diversification [10].

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].