Learn how index funds invest in market indexes like the S&P 500 for broad diversification and market performance replication.

Index funds and ETFs offer low-cost options to gain broad market exposure, yet they differ in fees, trading flexibility, and tax structures. Understanding these differences helps investors determine ...

Learn about Vanguard index funds and if they're right for you. Understand index funds, Vanguard, and how to approach ...

Based on the conventional wisdom in the financial-planning industry and in financial media, you'd think the new world of low-cost exchange-traded funds and index funds is a straightforward win-win for ...

Older adults likely began their investing careers before exchange-traded funds existed and have stuck with traditional mutual funds. But as retirement approaches, many investors look at their ...

The ability to outperform during volatile periods is an oft-touted benefit of actively managed mutual funds and ETFs. However, just 33% beat their average index fund counterpart from July 2024 through ...

The Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF offers low-cost, diversified exposure to the entire U.S. utility sector, including small- and mid-caps, with a 0.09% expense ratio. The fund provides stability, ...

Picking the best mutual fund for a long-term buy-and-hold strategy is less about guessing which geography, sector or market cap will outperform and more about minimizing the ways Wall Street and the ...

Each of the 10 largest active bond funds beat their category averages in 2025, while six of the 10 largest bond index funds outperformed. PIMCO Total Return Fund and PIMCO Income Fund held the highest ...

A Morningstar study reveals that passively managed index funds generally outperform actively managed funds. Lower operating costs are a key factor in the superior performance of index funds. This ...