Quick Read Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) yields 2.73% with 0.09% fees and gained 14.31% over the past year. NextEra Energy raised its dividend 10% in 2025. Constellation Energy doubled its dividend from 2022 to 2023. The Federal Reserve cut rates 75 basis points to 3.75% between September and December 2025. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares ...

Core Insights - The utilities sector is not typically seen as a growth stock haven, yet it remains attractive for investors seeking high dividends and low volatility [1] - The Vanguard Utilities ETF gained 16.5% last year, ranking as the fourth-best sector in the S&P 500, closely trailing the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's 17.8% increase [2] - The Vanguard Utilities ETF offers a 30-day SEC yield of 2.73%, more than double that of the S&P 500 counterpart, highlighting its appeal for income-focused investors [3] Sector Performance - The utilities sector can generate solid returns, as evidenced by the Vanguard Utilities ETF's performance [2] - The ETF's strong showing is complemented by its attractive dividend yields compared to other sectors [3] AI Influence - The utilities sector is experiencing a growth refresh due to the artificial intelligence boom, with increased power demands from data centers [5] - Goldman Sachs projects a 2.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in U.S. power consumption from 2023 to 2030, largely driven by data centers [6] Strategic Partnerships - Constellation Energy, a major holding in the ETF, has secured long-term power purchase agreements with Meta Platforms and Microsoft, indicating the sector's alignment with AI-driven growth [7] - Talen Energy has also established a 20-year power purchase agreement with Amazon for an AWS data center, further showcasing the sector's relevance in the AI landscape [7] Investment Considerations - While not the highest-yielding fund, the Vanguard Utilities ETF is considered a smart investment for certain investors, particularly in the context of potential interest rate cuts [8]

Core Viewpoint - Vanguard offers three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are considered solid investment options regardless of potential market downturns in 2026, emphasizing a long-term investment strategy [2][12]. Group 1: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) tracks the S&P 500 index, which includes approximately 500 companies representative of the U.S. economy [3]. - Historical data shows that after every bear market, the S&P 500 index eventually reaches new highs, indicating a strong long-term upward trend [5]. - The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.03%, making it an attractive option even when the index is near all-time highs [6]. Group 2: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) focuses on stocks that have increased dividends annually for at least 10 consecutive years, eliminating the highest-yielding 25% to favor growth [7][8]. - This ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.05% and includes over 330 stocks, providing diversification and a history of price appreciation and dividend growth [9]. - The investment strategy is designed to favor financially strong companies with good business models, making it a growth-oriented choice rather than a yield-focused one [8]. Group 3: Vanguard Utilities ETF - The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is positioned to benefit from a projected 55% increase in electricity demand between 2020 and 2040, driven by advancements in AI, data centers, and electric vehicles [10]. - The ETF has a reasonable expense ratio of 0.9% and ensures portfolio diversification, with approximately 90% of its holdings exposed to the anticipated growth in electricity demand [11]. - This ETF offers a straightforward way to capitalize on long-term opportunities in the utility sector, which is expected to see significant investment and growth [10].

Core Insights - U.S. electricity demand is projected to increase significantly, driven by artificial intelligence and other trends, marking the fastest growth since the 1990s [2][6] - The utilities sector has outperformed the S&P 500 year to date, with a 23% increase, suggesting a potential investment opportunity [3][4] Electricity Demand Trends - Goldman Sachs estimates a 2.4% annual increase in U.S. electricity consumption through 2030, influenced by electrification, industrial reshoring, and AI [2][6] - The utilities sector's performance is expected to continue improving as electricity demand rises [3] Vanguard Utilities ETF - The Vanguard Utilities ETF tracks 69 U.S. utility companies, primarily electric utilities, and has an expense ratio of 0.09% [4][5] - The ETF has achieved a total return of 186% over the last decade, averaging 11% annually, compared to the S&P 500's 300% return [8] Major Utility Companies - Key holdings in the Vanguard Utilities ETF include NextEra Energy (10.3%), Constellation Energy (6.8%), and Southern Company (6.6%), with Constellation Energy showing an 81% stock increase year to date [7] - The majority of the top 10 holdings have outperformed the S&P 500 this year, indicating strong market performance [4][7] Investment Strategy - The Vanguard Utilities ETF is recommended to be held alongside AI stocks and S&P 500 index funds for diversified exposure [8][9] - The S&P 500 has a significant number of companies mentioning AI in earnings calls, highlighting its relevance in the current market [10]

Core Insights - Generating dividend income from stocks is an effective strategy for passive income while remaining invested in the market, especially when the S&P 500 is experiencing significant returns [1][2] Group 1: Dividend Stocks - Investing $28,000 in equal parts of ExxonMobil, Whirlpool, and the Vanguard Utilities ETF can yield at least $1,000 in annual dividend income [3] - ExxonMobil has a strong history of dividend growth, having raised its payout for 42 consecutive years, with a current forward yield of 3.4% [5][6] - The company maintains a conservative payout ratio of 68% over the past five years, ensuring financial health while rewarding shareholders [7] Group 2: Whirlpool - The recent sell-off of Whirlpool stock following a Federal Reserve rate cut presents a buying opportunity, as lower rates typically benefit the company [10] - Whirlpool's competitive positioning is expected to improve due to tariffs on Asian competitors, which will favor domestic producers [12][13] - The stock offers a 4.7% dividend yield, making it attractive for both income-seeking and speculative investors [13] Group 3: Utilities Sector - The utility sector is currently outperforming the S&P 500, driven by steady cash flow and increasing power demands, particularly due to AI [14][21] - AI's demand for power is creating opportunities for utility companies, especially those with off-grid solutions [18][21] - The Vanguard Utilities ETF offers a low expense ratio of 0.09% and a 2.8% yield, making it a simple way to invest in the growing demand for power [22]

Group 1 - BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink suggests updating the traditional 60/40 portfolio to a 50/30/20 allocation, reflecting changes in the investment landscape [1][4] - The traditional 60/40 portfolio consists of 60% stocks and 40% bonds, which can be easily managed with just two ETFs and two trades annually [2][3] - Fink's updated allocation includes 50% in stocks, 30% in bonds, and 20% in alternative assets such as private equity, real estate, and infrastructure [4][8] Group 2 - The new asset classes proposed by Fink are seen as differentiated enough to warrant inclusion in a modern portfolio, acknowledging the evolution of investment opportunities [4][5] - Suggested ETFs for real estate and infrastructure include Vanguard Real Estate Index ETF with an expense ratio of 0.13% and SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF with an expense ratio of 0.4% [6][7] - The shift to a 50/30/20 allocation is not considered radical, as it merely reallocates a small percentage from bonds and stocks to new asset categories [8][9]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 is down 5.9% year to date, while the Nasdaq Composite is in correction, down over 10% from a recent high [1] - Despite broader market declines, the healthcare sector, utilities, and consumer staples have posted year-to-date gains [1] Healthcare Sector - The Vanguard Health Care ETF has gained 4.5% this year, with a low expense ratio of 0.09% and a minimum investment of $1 [3] - The healthcare sector is generally considered safe due to consistent demand for healthcare products and services, which are less affected by economic cycles [4] - Eli Lilly has significantly influenced the sector, with a market cap of $719 billion and a 10.5% weighting in the Vanguard Health Care ETF, raising concerns about the sector's safety due to its reliance on discretionary products [5] - The Vanguard Health Care ETF has a yield of 1.4% and a P/E ratio of 31.6, indicating a more expensive valuation compared to the S&P 500 [6] Utilities Sector - The Vanguard Utilities ETF yields 2.9% and has a P/E ratio of 20.2, making it attractive for passive income and value investors [7] - Over 61% of the fund is invested in electric utilities, which are regulated and provide predictable cash flows, although they have lower growth prospects [8] - The utility sector is considered one of the safest in the stock market, with minimal exposure to tariffs, but it tends to trade at a discount to the S&P 500 due to its low growth potential [9] Consumer Staples Sector - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF includes major retailers and everyday product manufacturers, which tend to perform well during economic downturns [10] - The sector benefits from steady growth driven by population increases and global consumption, with companies able to pass on higher costs to consumers [11] - Costco and Walmart, which make up over a quarter of the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF, have recently experienced stock pullbacks despite their strong market positions [12] - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF has a yield of 2.1% and a P/E ratio of 24.8, offering higher passive income potential compared to the S&P 500 [13] Investment Strategy - Safe sectors like healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples can provide stability in a diversified portfolio, reducing overall volatility [14] - Over-concentration in high-growth stocks can lead to increased portfolio risk, making it beneficial to include safer dividend stocks or ETFs [15]