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Two Vanguard Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to Invest in with $500, Maintaining a Long-Term Position

A financial backer, casually deployed with feet on the desk, leans back in front of a digital...
A financial backer, casually deployed with feet on the desk, leans back in front of a digital device, grinning.

Two Vanguard Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to Invest in with $500, Maintaining a Long-Term Position

Investing in stocks might make you think of thoroughly analyzing each company individually before diving in, but there's an easier and nearly effortless way to boost your portfolio's value. This approach involves investing in a diverse group of leading companies by getting into a good exchange-traded fund (ETF). To start off the new investment year on a high note, let's consider two Vanguard ETFs that could thrive in this current bull market and for the long term.

1. Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG)

This ETF provides exposure to over 200 large-cap growth stocks, making it a valuable addition during periods of market growth. The fund mirrors the S&P 500 Growth Index, making it an ideal choice for well-established companies with robust track records.

Currently, technology stocks dominate the fund with a 39% weighting. Some of the most heavily weighted tech stocks include Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, each contributing between 6-12% to the fund. The beauty of this ETF is that it provides exposure to 11 different industries, giving you instant diversification.

As of now, communication services and consumer discretionary are the second and third biggest industries in the ETF, contributing 14% and 13%, respectively. The ETF may adjust its composition over time to ensure it consistently provides exposure to the top growth stocks. With a remarkable 110% growth over the past five years, this Vanguard ETF has proven its strength.

2. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) focuses on stocks that have a proven track record of dividend growth. It includes more than 300 large-cap stocks, providing dividend income as well as capital appreciation over time.

Like the Vanguard Growth ETF, this fund is heavily weighted towards tech stocks (25%), but industries known for dividend payments, such as financials and healthcare, also have significant weightings of 21% and 14%, respectively. Notable representatives among the top 10 stocks in this fund include Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, and UnitedHealth Group.

Choosing stocks with a track record of dividend growth can help investors benefit from recurrent income. During strong market times, dividends contribute to winnings, and during down times, they can serve as a form of loss limitation while providing steady income. This ETF has grown by 55% over the past five years, offering a proven track record of stability.

One essential aspect to consider when investing in ETFs is expense ratios. To ensure fees do not significantly eat into your performance over time, choose an ETF with an expense ratio below 1%. The Vanguard Growth and Dividend Appreciation ETFs both meet this criteria with expense ratios of 0.1% and 0.06%, respectively.

Both Vanguard ETFs are easily accessible and provide investors with diverse exposure to the stock market, making them excellent choices to add to your portfolio in 2021 and beyond.

After careful analysis, investing in the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) could be a smart move, particularly during periods of market growth. Its focus on large-cap growth stocks, such as Nvidia and Apple, ensures a diversified investment, even with technology stocks making up a significant portion of the fund.

Furthermore, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) offers a different investment strategy, focusing on stocks with a history of dividend growth. Investors can benefit from steady income, even in challenging market conditions, with noteworthy companies like Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, and UnitedHealth Group leading the way. By considering expense ratios, both Vanguard ETFs are cost-effective options for diversifying your portfolio and enhancing your finance management.

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