The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) continues to be a cornerstone for long-term investors, endorsed by Warren Buffett as an optimal choice for wealth accumulation. This ETF offers exposure to over 500 large-cap U.S. stocks, providing significant diversification and a historical tendency to recover from downturns. While it has generated impressive returns—721% since January 2000—investors should be aware of its average performance compared to growth-oriented ETFs, which have outpaced it in recent years.

The S&P 500 ETF’s average annual return of 15.21% over the last decade highlights its stability, though it may underperform against riskier growth ETFs like the Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG), which boasts a 17.77% return. This trade-off between safety and potential returns is crucial for investors to consider when constructing their portfolios.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that while VOO is a reliable long-term investment, those seeking higher returns may need to balance their exposure with growth-focused options to optimize their portfolios.

Source: fool.com