Where can I buy S&P 500 Index Fund?
Nearly all major brokerages and fund companies now offer some type of S&P 500 fund. Investors may access these funds through financial advisors, full-service brokers, or discount brokers. If you need some guidance, we break down some of the basics of S&P 500 index investing through ETFs and mutual funds.
The S&P 500 is a stock market index composed of about 500 publicly traded companies. You cannot directly invest in the index itself. You can buy individual stocks of companies in the S&P 500, or buy an S&P 500 index fund or ETF. Index funds typically carry less risk than individual stocks.
Fund (ticker) | 5-year annual returns | Expense ratio |
---|---|---|
Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index (FNILX) | 14.6% | 0% |
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) | 14.5% | 0.03% |
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) | 14.5% | 0.095% |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) | 14.5% | 0.03% |
Ways to Invest in the S&P 500
The easiest way is to invest in an S&P 500 index fund. You can do this in a tax-advantaged account like a 401(k), IRA, HSA, or 529 plan. You could also open a taxable brokerage account to purchase an S&P 500 index fund.
Ever since the S&P 500 index was devised, it has built an impeccable track record of earning positive returns over time. In fact, research shows it's actually harder to lose money with the S&P 500 than it is to make money if you keep a long-term outlook.
If you want an inexpensive way to invest in S&P 500 ETFs, you can gain exposure through discount brokers. These financial professionals offer commission-free trading on all passive ETF products. But keep in mind that some brokers may impose minimum investment requirements.
Meanwhile, if you only invest in S&P 500 ETFs, you won't beat the broad market. Rather, you can expect your portfolio's performance to be in line with that of the broad market. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. See, over the past 50 years, the S&P 500 has delivered an average annual 10% return.
For beginners, the vast array of index funds options can be overwhelming. We recommend Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) (minimum investment: $1; expense Ratio: 0.03%); Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) (minimum investment: NA; expense Ratio: 0.2%); and SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA).
Many S&P 500 index funds charge less than 0.10 percent annually. In other words, at that rate you'll pay only $10 annually for every $10,000 you have invested in the fund. Some funds are even less expensive than that.
- DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct - Growth. ...
- Sundaram Nifty 100 Equal Weight Fund Direct-Growth. ...
- Nippon India Nifty 50 Value 20 Index Fund Direct - Growth. ...
- Motilal Oswal Nifty 500 Index Fund Direct - Growth. ...
- ICICI Prudential Nifty 100 Low Volatility 30 ETF FOF Direct - Growth.
How do I buy an index fund?
You can open a brokerage account that allows you to buy and sell shares of the index fund that interests you. Alternatively, you can typically open an account directly with a mutual fund company that offers an index fund you're interested in.
- Step 1: Create a Fidelity Account. ...
- Step 2: Research the S&P 500. ...
- Step 3: Determine Your Investment Strategy. ...
- Step 4: Choose Your Investment Vehicle. ...
- Step 5: Place Your Order. ...
- Step 6: Monitor Your Investment.
Key Takeaways. The S&P 500 index tracks some of the largest stocks in the United States, many of which pay out a regular dividend. The index's dividend yield is the total dividends earned in a year divided by the index's price. Historical dividend yields for the S&P 500 have typically ranged from between 3% to 5%.
According to our calculations, a $1000 investment made in February 2014 would be worth $5,971.20, or a gain of 497.12%, as of February 5, 2024, and this return excludes dividends but includes price increases. Compare this to the S&P 500's rally of 178.17% and gold's return of 55.50% over the same time frame.
In 1980, had you invested a mere $1,000 in what went on to become the top-performing stock of S&P 500, then you would be sitting on a cool $1.2 million today.
If the S&P 500 outperforms its historical average and generates, say, a 12% annual return, you would reach $1 million in 26 years by investing $500 a month.
Online trading platforms like Ally Invest and E*TRADE® offer commission-free trading.
It might actually lead to unwanted losses. Investors that only invest in the S&P 500 leave themselves exposed to numerous pitfalls: Investing only in the S&P 500 does not provide the broad diversification that minimizes risk. Economic downturns and bear markets can still deliver large losses.
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.
Assuming an average annual return rate of about 10% (a typical historical average), a $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 could potentially grow to approximately $25,937 over 10 years.
What are the disadvantages of the S&P 500 index fund?
The main drawback to the S&P 500 is that the index gives higher weights to companies with more market capitalization. The stock prices for Apple and Microsoft have a much greater influence on the index than a company with a lower market cap.
Think About This: $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 2000 would have grown to $32,527 over 20 years — an average return of 6.07% per year.
Disadvantages include the lack of downside protection, no choice in index composition, and it cannot beat the market (by definition).
Over the long term, index funds have generally outperformed other types of mutual funds. Other benefits of index funds include low fees, tax advantages (they generate less taxable income), and low risk (since they're highly diversified).
Since index funds usually have no minimum required for investment, you can spread a relatively small amount of money across several different funds.
References
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invested-1000-p-global-decade-133005715.html
- https://www.titan.com/articles/etf-drawbacks
- https://www.retirebeforedad.com/fxaix-vs-voo/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/08/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-owns-2-etfs.html
- https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/00142J818
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/how-to-invest-in-index-funds/
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/how-to-buy-sp-500-index-fund/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fidelity-500-index-fund-fxaix-110005658.html
- https://www.quora.com/Is-it-a-good-idea-to-invest-all-our-savings-into-one-stock-market-index-fund
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/buying-stocks/articles/heres-what-happens-when-you-only-invest-in-sp-500-etfs/
- https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/09/21/the-best-performing-stock-on-the-sp-500-since-1980.aspx
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/exchangetradedfunds/08/etf-mutual-fund-difference.asp
- https://ccl.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/BEBCHUK-HIRST-1%20(The%20Specter%20of%20the%20Giant%20Three)%20(Boston%20University%20Law%20Review)(Introduction).pdf
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-invest-in-sp500
- https://tradethatswing.com/average-historical-stock-market-returns-for-sp-500-5-year-up-to-150-year-averages/
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-performing-fidelity-funds-for-retirement
- https://www.dividendmax.com/united-states/nyse-arca/financial-services/vanguard-sandp-500-etf/dividends
- https://www.digrin.com/stocks/detail/FXAIX/
- https://www.process.st/how-to/buy-sp-500-a-guide-to-fidelity/
- https://www.sarwa.co/blog/invest-sp-500
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/low-risk-investments/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/103114/5-things-you-need-know-about-index-funds.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/071616/history-sp-500-dividend-yield.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/033015/whats-difference-between-index-fund-and-etf.asp
- https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/vanguard-vs-fidelity
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/is-the-sp-500-all-you-need-to-retire-a-millionaire-12
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/best-sp-500-index-funds/
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-s-p-500-index-funds/
- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/etf-vs-mutual-fund-it-depends-on-your-strategy
- https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/view-all/315911750
- https://www.moneyunder30.com/how-to-invest-in-index-funds/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/fund/fxaix
- https://m.economictimes.com/mutual-fund-screener/top-performing-index-funds
- https://ycharts.com/indicators/sp_500_5_year_return
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/sp-500-etfs
- https://www.fool.com/investing/how-to-invest/index-funds/
- https://www.franklintempleton.com/planning-and-learning/learn-about-investing/investing-principles/cost-of-timing-the-market
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/best-total-stock-market-index-funds/
- https://money.usnews.com/funds/mutual-funds/large-blend/fidelity-500-index-fund/fxaix
- https://talkmarkets.com/content/how-much-money-do-i-need-to-invest-to-make-3000-a-month?post=431352
- https://investmentinsight0.quora.com/Does-it-make-sense-to-invest-in-multiple-index-funds
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/got-%24500-a-month-to-invest-heres-how-the-sp-500-could-make-you-a-millionaire
- https://www.fool.com/investing/how-to-invest/index-funds/dividends/
- https://www.financialsymmetry.com/5-reasons-to-consider-not-only-investing-in-the-sp-500-ep-209/
- https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/315911750
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/011316/pros-and-cons-indexes.asp
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-index-funds/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mutualfund/05/etfindexfund.asp
- https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/spy-vs-voo-which-warren-buffetts-two-etfs-is-better-bet
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/genius-ways-1-000-month-105500970.html
- https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/03/17/before-you-buy-the-vanguards-sp-500-etf-here-are-3/
- https://www.fidelity.com/why-fidelity/security-protection
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vanguard-p-500-etf-voo-112006029.html
- https://www.process.st/how-to/invest-in-sp-500-fidelity/
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-fidelity-mutual-funds-to-buy-and-hold
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/index-funds-vs-mutual-funds
- https://fundselectorasia.com/10-funds-that-beat-the-sp-500-by-over-20-in-2023/
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/how-can-i-buy-sp-500-fund/
- https://www.physicianonfire.com/voo-vs-qqq-which-index-etf/
- https://lakshmishree.com/blog/15-best-etfs-in-india-to-invest-in-2024/
- https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/03/24/you-can-do-better-than-sp-500-buy-this-etf/
- https://www.stash.com/learn/how-to-invest-in-sp500-2/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/more-money-investing-10-000-220010726.html
- https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/01/27/is-right-now-a-good-time-to-invest-in-the-sp-500-h/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-sp-500-how-to-invest/
- https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/spy-vs-voo-which-warren-buffetts-etfs-is-better
- https://portfolioslab.com/tools/stock-comparison/FXAIX/SPY
- https://www.tipranks.com/mutual-funds/fxaix/forecast
- https://finimize.com/content/forget-straight-sp-500-here-are-four-ways-invest-next-decade
- https://www.morningstar.ca/ca/news/185437/sp-500-or-total-stock-market-index-for-us-exposure.aspx
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/031716/vfinx-vs-spy-mutual-fund-vs-etf-case-study.asp
- https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/etfs/etf-vs-mutual-fund
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/022216/put-10000-sp-500-etf-and-wait-20-years.asp
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/stocks-vs-etfs/
- https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/how-can-i-earn-100-200-or-500-per-month-in-guaranteed-income-in-retirement
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-the-Vanguard-S-P-500-Index-Fund-and-the-SPDR-S-P500-exchange-traded-fund-ETF
- https://www.investopedia.com/investing-in-index-funds-4771002
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/investing/best-401k-investments/
- https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/analysis/315911750
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/how-to-invest-in-sp-500/
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/etf-vs-index-fund/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/111215/vanguard-total-stock-index-vs-vanguard-500-index-fund.asp
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/index-funds-vs-mutual-funds
- https://stockinvest.us/dividends/FXAIX
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/sp-500-index-fund
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/retirement/how-many-funds-do-you-need-in-your-retirement-account/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/122215/spy-spdr-sp-500-trust-etf.asp
- https://moneywise.com/investing/reviews/voo-vs-spy
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/investing/best-sp-500-index-funds/
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/index-investing/
- https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/resources/education/efts-vs-stocks-a-guide-to-similarities-and-differences