The AI-driven market surge has hit troubled times and JPMorgan analyst Jason Hunter is telling investors to be cautious.
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO -0.30%) is one of the market's most popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It tracks the S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.29%) market index with pinpoint precision and minimal fees.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been around for about three decades, but they've grown in popularity in recent years. They trade on the market, so they're much easier to invest in than traditional mutual funds, and they often come with low expense ratios instead of high management fees.
If you're new to investing and don't have a lot of money to get started, don't fret. The best place for new investors to begin is often with exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which will give investors instant diversification through a portfolio of stock holdings.
Why VOO Is A Better Choice Than VTI
If you're looking for a simple way to generate wealth in the stock market with little effort, you can't go wrong with an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
[00:00:04] Lee Jackson: Okay, let's do, back to back 20 percent plus years on the S& P 500 and, you know, are we getting close to the ledge?
In the vaguest of senses, investing $1,000 in the benchmark S&P 500 stock market index at the very start of 2024 would have, by the year's end, proven a wildly profitable maneuver. Indeed, a January 2 investment would have, by December 31, appreciated 23.31% to a hefty $1,233.10.
The S&P 500 had a fantastic 2024, roaring into a bull market and going on to deliver a 23% gain. And that's after already climbing in the double digits the previous year.
I maintain a hold rating on VOO due to mixed economic signals and potential volatility from upcoming Q4 earnings reports and macroeconomic data. Key economic indicators to watch include CPI, PPI, and retail sales, which could influence market sentiment and interest rate expectations. The strong US dollar poses an earnings risk for multinational companies, affecting the S&P 500's overall performance due to currency fluctuations.
Putting $1,000 into any investment is a significant commitment, with the obvious goal of maximizing your return and minimizing your losses. One fantastic way to do that is with an exchange-traded fund (ETF), which allows you to buy shares like you would a stock and can be purchased with small amounts of money.
Warren Buffett's stock picking prowess is legendary, and has been the foundation of his successful investing track record with Berkshire Hathaway.