ETF Guides
Plain-English deep dives on the largest and most-traded ETFs. Each guide covers what's inside, the fund's costs and performance, the perennial comparisons (VOO vs SPY, QQQ vs QQQM, etc.), and how to use the ETF as a building block in a Walnut basket.
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
The S&P 500 in one ticker. Now the largest ETF in the world by AUM, with one of the lowest expense ratios of any equity fund.
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
The original S&P 500 ETF and still the most-traded equity ETF in the world. Higher expense ratio than VOO/IVV but unmatched options liquidity.
Invesco QQQ Trust
The Nasdaq-100 in one ticker. Tech-heavy growth exposure and the most popular vehicle for big-tech beta.
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
Every US-listed stock in one ticker. Broader than VOO, the same large-caps at the top plus small and mid-caps below.
VanEck Semiconductor ETF
Concentrated bet on the 25 largest US-listed semiconductor companies. Tighter and more top-heavy than SOXX.
iShares Semiconductor ETF
Broader semiconductor ETF than SMH. Holds ~30 names with more balanced weighting across the top of the fund.
Vanguard Information Technology ETF
Broad US technology sector in one ticker. Includes semiconductors, software, and IT services at the cheapest expense ratio in the category.
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
The S&P 500 technology sector. More concentrated at the top than VGT and uses a select-sector methodology.
Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Quality-tilted dividend ETF. Screens for cash flow durability and dividend growth, not just headline yield.
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Broad high-yield dividend ETF. More diversified than SCHD with a less aggressive quality screen.
iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF
US aerospace and defense in one ticker. The standard passive vehicle for defense modernization exposure.
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund
The S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector. Amazon and Tesla dominate the top of the fund.
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund
The S&P 500 industrials sector. Aerospace, machinery, defense, transports, and infrastructure all together.
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