What Advisors Should Know About Trump Accounts
Trump Accounts are among the newest additions to the savings landscape, and while the name has generated headlines, advisors may find that the greater opportunity lies in how these accounts fit into long-term financial planning.
Trump Accounts: Comparing the 5 Selected Low-Cost Index ETFs
No matter what side of the aisle your political beliefs and values align with, there is one thing the majority of Americans can agree on: the country finds itself firmly in an affordability crisis. From a lopsided housing market and elevated used car prices to college tuition and higher energy prices fueling inflation, prices for everyday items and wealth-building milestones are near all-time highs.
Initial 5-ETF Lineup Released for Newly Launched Trump Accounts
The U.S. Department of the Treasury officially announced the investment lineup for the rollout of Trump Accounts, which includes five popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Trump Accounts are tax-advantaged investment vehicles that assists U.S. families with building long-term wealth for their children.
ITOT: Broad Market Exposure Comes With AI Concentration Risk
I am downgrading iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) to Hold due to a less favorable macro environment and increased concentration risk. ITOT's broad market exposure now carries greater risk from concentrated AI-linked stocks. Recent inflationary pressures, resilient labor markets, and the Fed's neutral stance have removed the prior macro tailwind for ITOT.
ITOT vs. VTV: Is Broad Market Exposure or Value Stock Stability the Better Buy for Investors?
ITOT covers the entire U.S. stock market with heavy tech exposure, while VTV focuses on large-cap value stocks. Both ETFs have an identical ultra-low expense ratio, but VTV pays a higher dividend yield.
ITOT: Things Have Changed (Rating Upgrade)
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF benefits from a tech-heavy portfolio, favored by current market conditions. NVDA and AAPL hold significant weights, balancing risk-on AI exposure with defensive cash flow stability. Macro risks have diminished, supporting a wider return differential in ITOT's favor versus value-focused strategies.
ITOT: Opportunities And Risks Are Balanced
ITOT offers broad U.S. equity exposure with low fees, but the current valuation is shaky, amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Short-term risks and heightened volatility are balanced by cautious optimism, with economic growth expected to slow before rebounding in late 2025 and early 2026. Long-term equity performance remains intact, but a cautious approach for now makes sense.
ETFs & Dollar-Cost Averaging: Simple Strategy for Long-Term Investing
Dollar-cost averaging is a smart strategy to implement in the current economic landscape. Look at ETFs to make it easy.
2 Low-Cost ETFs With More Than 2,400 Holdings That You Can Buy and Hold for Decades
One of the easiest, most effective ways to invest in stocks is by using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that give you a broad position in the entire market. Just holding on to these types of ETFs for the long haul can help you grow your portfolio in the years ahead.
U.S. Economy Grows 3.1% in Q3: ETFs to Play
The U.S. economy displayed strong resilience in the third quarter. These ETFs could be apt buys now.
ITOT: Potential To Outperform In 2025
ITOT, with its mix of large, mid, and small-cap stocks, is poised to outperform the S&P 500 in a rate-cut environment. The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.03% and offers a more reasonable valuation compared to the S&P 500. ITOT's higher exposure to mid and small-cap stocks positions it well for growth as interest rates decline and business activities improve.
ITOT: Why Market-Cap Weighting Isn't Optimal For Total Market ETFs
ITOT is a low-cost total market fund representing approximately 4,000 U.S. securities. It's marketed to passive investors and has $58 billion in assets under management with a 0.03% expense ratio. ITOT's market-cap-weighting scheme is a weakness. While this works well for the large-cap segment, small and mid-cap investors are better served by factor funds that emphasize quality. The weakness appears when analyzing ITOT and SPY fundamentally. There is minimal or no improvement in growth and valuation, but quality takes a hit. This helps explain recent underperformance.
