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The Best S&P 500 Index Funds of 2023
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
Expense Ratio
0.015%
Minimum Investment
$0
5-Year Avg. Annual Return
9.81%
Expense Ratio
0.015%
Minimum Investment
$0
5-Year Avg. Annual Return
9.81%
Why We Picked It
Fidelity’s S&P 500 index fund is the least expensive offering on our list, charging a miniscule annual expense ratio of 0.015%. FXAIX posts returns that have historically outperformed its benchmark index, and it offers a dividend yield that’s pretty competitive.
The Fidelity 500 Index Fund should appeal to any investors looking for a single core holding, and it lacks a minimum investment amount for all account types. The fund, however, has a comparatively brief performance history that could deter some who are more confident with a fund that’s been through multiple economic cycles.
- Fund inception date: May 4, 2011
- Assets under management: $372 billion
- Dividend yield: 1.55%
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
Expense Ratio
0.02%
Minimum Investment
$0
5-Year Avg. Annual Return
9.79%
Expense Ratio
0.02%
Minimum Investment
$0
5-Year Avg. Annual Return
9.79%
Why We Picked It
Charles Schwab’s S&P 500 index fund offers an expense ratio that’s only ever so slightly higher than Fidelity’s offer but comes with the benefit of more than two decades of performance history. This could be a big plus for investors who are willing to pay a bit more for a fund with a longer track record, competitive historic returns compared to the S&P 500 and a nice dividend yield.
The $0 investment minimum for all account types helps make SWPPX a top consideration for earlier-stage investors looking to access large-cap holdings without the stress of choosing individual stocks.
- Fund inception date: May 19, 1997
- Assets under management: $64.6 billion
- Dividend yield: 1.35%
Methodology
Our methodology focused on more than a dozen index funds that aim to track the S&P 500. We excluded from consideration actively managed funds as they tend to charge higher expense ratios without delivering better returns or dividend yields. In addition, we excluded ETFs, which are covered in a separate listing.
In evaluating S&P 500 index funds, we focused on several key factors. Using data provided by Morningstar and fund management companies, we evaluated each candidate fund’s returns, expense ratio and dividend yield. We included funds that offered very low fees, that provided returns that closely matched or exceeded the performance of their benchmark index and that posted respectable dividend yields. In addition, we gave precedence to funds with low or zero minimum investment requirements.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Rates Investing Products.
What Are S&P 500 Index Funds?
tracks the performance of 500 of the largest U.S. public companies by market capitalization, or the total value of their publicly traded outstanding shares. Because it gives companies proportional sway over the index’s performance based on their market cap, the S&P 500 is strongly influenced by the performance of its largest companies.
The S&P 500 is widely recognized to be the chief benchmark for performance of large-cap stocks in the U.S. Companies are considered to be large-cap stocks if their total market capitalization is $10 billion or more.
Index funds that track the S&P 500 own stocks included in the index to mimic the performance of the index as closely as possible. Like all index funds, they are passively managed, which means that fund managers only buy and sell stocks to keep the fund’s asset allocation in line with the benchmark. Index funds do not engage in fund research to try to beat the market; they simply strive to match it.
How to Choose an S&P 500 Index Fund
There are many S&P 500 index funds available in the market, so it’s important to keep a few criteria to pick the right one for your portfolio. You’ll want to think about:
- Expense ratio. As index funds are passively managed, expense ratios, which represent the fees you pay for the upkeep of your fund, should be nominal. Because all S&P 500 index funds perform very similarly, the amount you’re paying in fees becomes incredibly important when picking a fund.
- Minimum investment. Index funds have different investment minimums for taxable investment accounts and IRAs. Make sure your favorites align with the initial amount you have to invest and that you’ll be able to purchase more shares in intervals that work with your budget.
- Dividend yield. Dividends are one of the perks of investing in large-cap companies. Be sure to compare the dividend yield between index funds as dividends can boost returns, even in down markets.
- Inception date. If you’re an investor that prefers to see a solid track record for a fund prior to investment, pay attention to the fund’s inception date. Funds with longer histories can help you see how an index fund capitalized on bull markets and mitigated losses in bear markets.
Keep in mind that you only need one S&P 500 index fund in your portfolio. The best funds post broadly similar returns that are within a few percentage points of each other, and there’s little to gain by splitting assets between two funds. If you’re truly torn between two, you could consider using one fund in your 401(k) and the other in an IRA or your taxable investment account.
Read More:
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SoFi Automated Investing
SoFi Management Fee
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Account Minimum
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Investment Minimum
$0
Monthly fee
$3 to $5
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Wealthfront
Annual advisory fee
0.25%
Account minimum
$500
What’s the Difference Between Index Funds and ETFs?
For most people, S&P 500 index funds and ETFs are functionally the same, and you’ll want to choose whichever fund, whether index or ETF, has the lowest cost and financial minimums that make sense for your investment goals.
Read more: ETF vs. Index Fund
That said, here are a handful of differences to keep in mind:
- ETFs are generally more liquid, trading throughout the day like stocks on the exchange; you can only buy or sell index funds at one point in the day, after other trading has ended. If you’re a long-term, buy-and-hold investor, this distinction is likely not relevant.
- Management fees on ETFs can be lower than on index funds tracking the same index, but don’t assume index funds are necessarily the pricier option.
- ETF buy-ins are often much lower than minimum investments required by mutual funds.
- However, fewer brokerages allow you to purchase fractional shares of ETFs, which may make it more difficult for you to buy additional shares.
- You’re much more likely to find only index funds in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k).
- ETFs have a slightly better setup for managing taxes, but this is less important to consider for index-based funds that aren’t engaging in frequent trading and for funds that you’re holding in tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Regardless of whether you pick an S&P 500 index fund or ETF, know that these funds remain a solid tool for you to access large cap stocks for your portfolio without having to vet individual stocks. With traditionally low management fees and a wide array of investment minimums, you’ll have plenty of options that align with your assets and investment strategy.
The author(s) held no positions in the securities discussed in the post at the original time of publication.
Next Up in Retirement
- Best Total Stock Market Index Funds
- What Are Index Funds?
- How To Buy Index Funds
- ETF Vs Index Fund: What’s The Difference?
- How To Invest In Vanguard Index Funds
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
FAQs
Which fund is best for next 10 years? ›
- ICICI Prudential Technology Fund.
- TATA Digital India Fund.
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Digital India Fund.
- SBI Technology Opportunities Fund.
- Principal Emerging Bluechip Fund.
- Sundaram Select Focus Fund.
- PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund.
- IIFL Focused Equity Fund.
Fund Name | 3-year Return (%)* | 5-year Return (%)* |
---|---|---|
Quant Tax Plan Direct-Growth | 48.89% | 22.04% |
ICICI Prudential Technology Direct Plan-Growth | 43.85% | 21.87% |
SBI Technology Opportunities Fund Direct-Growth | 37.54% | 21.21% |
Aditya Birla Sun Life Digital India Fund Direct-Growth | 38.25% | 21.02% |
Over the most recent year-to-date, one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods, FLCEX has outperformed the S&P 500, despite a sustained turnover ratio above 80%.
What is the most secure index fund? ›- iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT 0.08%) ...
- Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP 0.82%) ...
- iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV 0.03%) ...
- Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU 1.62%) ...
- iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF 0.14%) ...
- Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP 0.49%)
- Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund.
- UTI Flexi Cap Fund.
- Axis Midcap Fund.
- Kotak Emerging Equity Fund.
- Axis Small Cap Fund.
- SBI Small Cap Fund.
- SBI Equity Hybrid Fund.
- Mirae Asset Hybrid Equity Fund.
If your goal is to double your invested sum in 10 years, you should invest in a manner to earn around 7% every year. Rule of 72 provides an approximate idea and assumes one time investment.
How can I invest as a millionaire in 10 years? ›- Have Multiple Income Streams. ...
- Save as Much as You Possibly Can. ...
- Make Savings Automatic. ...
- Keep Debt to a Minimum. ...
- Don't Fall Victim to 'Shiny Ball Syndrome' ...
- Optimize Your Tax Situation. ...
- Invest Your Raises.
3 best S&P 500 index funds in 2023
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO -0.17%) iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV -0.21%) SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY -0.14%)
- Expense Ratio: 0.015%
- 2022 Return: -18.13%
- Yield: 1.33%
- Assets Under Management (AUM): $373.8 billion.
- Minimum Investment: $0.
- Inception Date: Feb. 17, 1988 (Share Class Inception Date: May 4, 2011)
- Issuing Company: Fidelity23.
Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification. But the number of ETFs is not what you should be looking at. Rather, you should consider the number of different sources of risk you are getting with those ETFs.
What is the best way to invest $5000 for 2 years? ›
- Invest in Your 401(k) and Get Employer Matching Dollars.
- Pay Off High-interest Debts First.
- Use a Robo Advisor.
- Invest in High-quality Dividend Stocks.
- Create a Diversified Portfolio Using Buckets.
- Fund a 529 Plan for Your Child's (or Other Relative's) College Education.
- High-yield savings accounts.
- Certificates of deposit.
- Money market accounts.
- Treasury bonds.
- Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities.
- Municipal bonds.
- Corporate bonds.
- S&P 500 index fund/ETF.
- Mutual Funds. Mutual funds pool money from several sources and invest in equities. ...
- Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) ...
- Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) ...
- National Savings Certificate (NSC) ...
- Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) ...
- Bank and Post Office Fixed Deposit (FD)
Fidelity and Vanguard both do a good job keeping costs fairly low, but Fidelity has a slight edge overall. Both brokers charge zero commission for stock and ETF trades, but Fidelity charges $0.65 per contract on options trades, while Vanguard charges $1 per contract for customers with less than $1 million in assets.
What mutual funds perform better than the S&P 500? ›Fund | Seven-year return | One-year return |
---|---|---|
Morgan Stanley US Growth | 510% | 78.3% |
Morgan Stanley US Advantage | 371% | 56.5% |
T. Rowe Price US Large Cap Growth Equity | 312% | 39.8% |
T. Rowe Price US Blue Chip Equity | 291% | 33.3% |
5-Year Avg. Annual Return. Vanguard is one of the biggest names in the industry, and its S&P 500 index fund historically outperforms the benchmark index.
What are the Big 3 index funds? ›The three largest index fund managers—BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”); State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Corporation (“SSGA”); and the Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”)—collectively known as the “Big Three,” own an increasingly large proportion of American public companies.
What is the #1 safest investment? ›For example, certificates of deposit (CDs), money market accounts, municipal bonds and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are among the safest types of investments.
What is better than index funds? ›ETFs are more tax-efficient than index funds by nature, thanks to the way they're structured. When you sell an ETF, you're typically selling it to another investor who's buying it, and the cash is coming directly from them. Capital gains taxes on that sale are yours and yours alone to pay.
Is it safe to invest in mutual funds in 2023? ›These schemes can be volatile, but they also have the potential to offer superior returns over a long period. You can invest in these mutual fund categories if you have a long-term investment horizon and an appetite for higher risk.
Will mutual funds go up in 2023? ›
The bear has yet to release its grip on the equities markets. And recession talk continues to swirl. That's why top mutual fund managers are looking to bulletproof their portfolios in 2023.
What is the best 2025 target date funds? ›- American Century One Choice Blend+ 2025. ...
- Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund. ...
- Natixis Sustainable Future 2025 Fund. ...
- MassMutual Select T. ...
- MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan2025Fd. ...
- Fidelity Freedom® Blend 2025 Fund. ...
- JPMorgan SmartRetirement® Blend 2025 Fd. ...
- Columbia Adaptive Retirement 2025 Fund. CAIDX | Mutual Fund.
At 10%, you could double your initial investment every seven years (72 divided by 10). In a less-risky investment such as bonds, which have averaged a return of about 5% to 6% over the same time period, you could expect to double your money in about 12 years (72 divided by 6).
What is rule of 42? ›If the criminal contempt involves disrespect toward or criticism of a judge, that judge is disqualified from presiding at the contempt trial or hearing unless the defendant consents. Upon a finding or verdict of guilty, the court must impose the punishment.
What is the investing rule of 7? ›Assuming long-term market returns stay more or less the same, the Rule of 72 tells us that you should be able to double your money every 7.2 years. So, after 7.2 years have passed, you'll have $200,000; after 14.4 years, $400,000; after 21.6 years, $800,000; and after 28.8 years, $1.6 million.
How to get rich in 2023? ›- Become a Realtor. “Becoming a realtor is one of the quickest and most lucrative ways for millennials to generate wealth fast,” said Marcus P. ...
- Start a Digital Company. ...
- Become a Consultant. ...
- Start a Small Business. ...
- Invest In Real Estate.
- Capitalize on Compound Interest. ...
- Leverage Your Job. ...
- Establish Daily, Weekly and Monthly Savings Goals. ...
- Identify Ways to Increase Your Income. ...
- Find Simple Investments to Grow Your Money. ...
- Cut Expenses.
How many US millionaire households are there? A new survey has found that there are 13.61 million households that have a net worth of $1 million or more, not including the value of their primary residence. That's more than 10% of households in the US.
What sectors will do well in 2023? ›- Energy. Information. technology. Health care. Utilities.
- Real estate. Materials. Industrials. Communication. services.
- Consumer. staples. Consumer. discretionary. Financials.
- CBD Product Manufacturing in the US. 2023-2024 Revenue Growth: 28.0% ...
- 3D Printing & Rapid Prototyping Services in the US. 2023-2024 Revenue Growth: 26.2% ...
- Solar Power in the US. 2023-2024 Revenue Growth: 25.5% ...
- International Airlines in the US. ...
- Tour Operators in the US.
Which penny stocks will grow in 2023? ›
S.No. | Name | CMP Rs. |
---|---|---|
1. | Shyam Century | 17.40 |
2. | Veeram Securit. | 9.76 |
3. | Pasupati Acrylon | 26.95 |
4. | Trident | 29.65 |
The S&P 500 Index, shown in bright red, delivered its worst five-year return of -6.6% a year over the five years ending in February 2009.
What is the average return for an S&P 500 index fund? ›S&P 500 annual returns
Over the past 30 years, the S&P 500 index has delivered a compound average annual growth rate of 10.7% per year.
Is Investing in the S&P 500 Less Risky Than Buying a Single Stock? Generally, yes. The S&P 500 is considered well-diversified by sector, which means it includes stocks in all major areas, including technology and consumer discretionary—meaning declines in some sectors may be offset by gains in other sectors.
Is it safe to put all your money in an index fund? ›Investors who buy index funds will not lose all of their investment. That's because they're investments buoyed by hundreds or thousands of underlying securities. As such, they're highly diversified, making it almost impossible for them to reach a value of zero.
What are 2 cons to investing in index funds? ›- Lack of downside protection: There is no floor to losses.
- No choice in the index fund's composition: Cannot add or remove any holdings.
- Can't beat the market: Can only achieve market returns (generally)
But the 5% rule can be broken if the investor is not aware of the fund's holdings. For example, a mutual fund investor can easily pass the 5% rule by investing in one of the best S&P 500 Index funds, because the total number of holdings is at least 500 stocks, each representing 1% or less of the fund's portfolio.
Where should I invest my $300000 short-term? ›- High-yield savings accounts. ...
- Short-term corporate bond funds. ...
- Money market accounts. ...
- Cash management accounts. ...
- Short-term U.S. government bond funds. ...
- No-penalty certificates of deposit. ...
- Treasurys. ...
- Money market mutual funds.
- Invest With a Robo Advisor. One of the easiest ways to start investing is with a robo advisor. ...
- Individual Stocks. Individual stocks represent an investment in a single company. ...
- Real Estate. ...
- Individual Bonds. ...
- Mutual Funds. ...
- ETFs. ...
- CDs. ...
- Invest in Your Retirement.
- Boost your retirement contributions. ...
- Trim your expenses. ...
- Pay off high-interest debt. ...
- Save for emergencies. ...
- Renegotiate/consolidate loans. ...
- Keep your cars for as long as possible. ...
- Increase your salary.
Where can I get 10 percent interest on my money? ›
- Invest in Stocks for the Long-Term. ...
- Invest in Stocks for the Short-Term. ...
- Real Estate. ...
- Investing in Fine Art. ...
- Starting Your Own Business (Or Investing in Small Ones) ...
- Investing in Wine. ...
- Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
- Invest in REITs.
- Index Funds, Mutual Funds and ETFs.
- Individual Company Stocks.
- Real Estate.
- Savings Accounts, MMAs and CDs.
- Pay Down Your Debt.
- Create an Emergency Fund.
- Account for the Capital Gains Tax.
- Employ Diversification in Your Portfolio.
Becoming a millionaire in five years is an extremely aggressive goal, but it could happen. Although hitting a home run with an investment is what dreams are made of, the most realistic path is to put aside big chunks of money every year. The historical average return for the S&P 500 index is 8%.
Where to invest $10,000 right now? ›- Max Out Your IRA. ...
- Contribution to a 401(k) ...
- Create a Stock Portfolio. ...
- Invest in Mutual Funds or ETFs. ...
- Buy Bonds. ...
- Plan for Future Health Costs With an HSA. ...
- Invest in Real Estate or REITs. ...
- Which Investment Is Right for You?
- What Are Short-Term Investments? ...
- High-Yield Savings Account. ...
- Money Market Accounts. ...
- Money Market Funds. ...
- Cash Management Accounts. ...
- Short-Term Corporate Bonds. ...
- No-Penalty Certificates of Deposits (CD) ...
- Short-term U.S. Government Bonds.
S&P 500 index funds are an excellent way to get diversified exposure to the heart of the U.S. stock market. These passively managed funds track the large-cap stocks that represent approximately 80% of the total value of the U.S. equity market.
What are the top 10 in the S&P 500? ›- Apple Inc. (AAPL)
- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
- Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN)
- Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)
- Alphabet Inc. Class A (GOOGL)
- Alphabet Inc. Class C (GOOG)
- Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)
- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B)
Is Investing in the S&P 500 Less Risky Than Buying a Single Stock? Generally, yes. The S&P 500 is considered well-diversified by sector, which means it includes stocks in all major areas, including technology and consumer discretionary—meaning declines in some sectors may be offset by gains in other sectors.
What is the safest S&P 500 index fund? ›- Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 1.96%)
- iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV 1.93%)
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY 1.88%)
This year has been promising so far for investors, with stock prices finally starting to look up. After falling nearly 20% throughout 2022, the S&P 500 is currently up by more than 7% in 2023.
What is the 1 year return of the S&P 500? ›
S&P 500 1 Year Return is at -9.23%, compared to -9.72% last month and 14.77% last year.
Is Vanguard S&P 500 ETF a good investment? ›The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF appeals to many investors because it's well-diversified. The fund is heavily weighted in information technology, health care, and consumer discretionary. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF offers low fees because the fund's management team is not actively trading, instead just mirroring the S&P 500.
How should I invest in the S&P 500? ›To invest in the S&P 500 you can buy stocks of the individual companies in the index, or invest in index funds or exchange-traded funds that replicate the index.
Is the S&P 500 a good investment for 2023? ›The S&P 500 was expected to end 2023 at 4,200 points, which would amount to a 9.4% increase for the calendar year, according to the median forecast of 42 strategists polled by Reuters. This forecast target is unchanged from a November 2022 poll.
How much would $8000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1980 be worth today? ›The PCE Price Index changed by 2.63% per year on average between 1980 and 2023. The total PCE inflation between these dates was 205.72%. In 1980, PCE inflation was 10.77%. This means that the PCE Index equates $8,000 in 1980 with $24,457.34 in 2023, a difference of $16,457.34.
Why not invest all in the sp500? ›Investing only in the S&P 500 limits your portfolio to stocks, which can be a risky decision during major market crashes. Holding bonds, cash, real estate, and other assets can help to limit your risk during these periods.