The S&P 500's "Average" Year Almost Never Happens. Here's How Often It Actually Lands Near 10%.

With dividends reinvested, the S&P 500 gained around 10.6% a year from 1957 through 2025. Just 4 of the 69 calendar years ended with a return between 8% and 12%.

The Motley Fool • 3 hours ago

If I Only Had $1,000 to Invest, I'd Buy This 1 ETF and Wouldn't Touch It for 20 Years

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF gives investors instant exposure to the U.S. economy, with a higher concentration in tech stocks. It's impossible not to be drawn by the ultralow expense ratio of 0.03%.

The Motley Fool • a day ago

3 Reasons the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Could Be Worth Holding for the Next 20 Years

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's (VOO) diversified portfolio of large-cap stocks with a minimal 0.03% expense ratio are just a few of its features. A built-in momentum strategy could actually enhance its long-term return potential.

The Motley Fool • 12 hours ago

Missing the S&P 500's 10 Best Days in 20 Years Cut a $10,000 Investment's Ending Value by More Than Half

A $10,000 investment in an S&P 500 fund 20 years ago grew to around $82,300 with dividends reinvested. Without the fund's 10 best days, that investment finished at around $35,700.

The Motley Fool • a day ago

AI Stocks Are The Next Dividend Growers

AI and chip stocks are turning into dividend growers, and popular dividend ETFs like FDVV already hold names such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Broadcom, and Alphabet among their top holdings. Free cash flow is fueling the raises: Nvidia produced $48.6B in a single quarter and lifted its dividend from $0.01 to $0.25, while Broadcom keeps almost half of every sale. TDIV and TDV give investors technology-heavy dividend growth in one fund, with TDIV growing its total payout 48.6% over five years and TDV raising its dividend 23% over the last five years.

Seeking Alpha • 21 hours ago

S&P500: Yields And Stocks Are Dropping Together, It Has A Dangerous Precedent

Yields and stocks are falling together as they did in Q4 2018, which was the last time a Q4 closed lower. Recent declines are driven by AI sector debt concerns, intensifying competition, and falling prices, echoing 2018's Q4 risk-off dynamics and flight to safety.

Seeking Alpha • 19 hours ago

History Says a Stock Market Sell-Off Is Coming Eventually. Here's the Smartest ETF to Buy Right Now.

There are some indications that stocks are overvalued right now. That could tempt some investors to sell.

The Motley Fool • Oct 16, 2026

VOO, VTI, SPY, or IVV? How These 4 Index Funds Differ

The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) includes small- and mid-caps, making it a more comprehensive portfolio. Expense ratios, trading spreads, and liquidity are also key differentiators among these ETFs.

The Motley Fool • Oct 16, 2026

Inflation Rose to 3.7% in September. Is It Time to Sell the S&P 500?

Consumer prices climbed 3.7% in the 12 months through September, up from 3.4% for August. Since 1950, the S&P 500 climbed over the following year after around 69% of months with inflation at 3.5% or above.

The Motley Fool • Oct 16, 2026

S&P 500 Snapshot: Stocks Slide Nearly 2% for the Week

The S&P 500 slid 1.95%, capping off its worst weekly showing since late June. Key Takeaways The S&P 500 fell nearly 2% for the week, its worst since the week of June 26.

ETF Trends • Oct 16, 2026