Stock Discussion Forum

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
Expense ratio: 0.03%
Assets: $622 billion
While it's tempting to get tactical, the truth is that no investor can ever know for sure where the market is headed. At the same time, reams of investment research shows that the most profitable long-term strategy for most of ...

iShares Gold Trust (IAU)
Expense ratio: 0.25%
Assets: $42.7 billion
Looking beyond just investing in stocks, it's worth noting that gold has significantly outperformed most equities in 2025. That's for obvious reasons, thanks to the precious metal's reputation as a low-risk store of value that ...

Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV)
Expense ratio: 0.08%
Assets: $37.7 billion
Another leading sector ETF that has outperformed in 2025 is XLV, which has also risen despite troubles for the broader domestic stock market. That's in part because healthcare is one of the most reliable sectors ...

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI)
Expense ratio: 0.17%
Assets: $8.3 billion
If you like those prior two funds, then VYMI is a good example of blending both an overseas focus as well as prioritizing low-risk dividend stocks. This leading Vanguard ETF focuses on international ...

Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU)
Expense ratio: 0.08%
Assets: $18 billion
U.S.-based utilities book nearly every penny of their revenue right here at home, making them relatively insulated from troubles with trade. Furthermore, the highly regulated nature of this industry, coupled with a ...

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK)
Expense ratio: 0.06%
Assets: $19.4 billion
One of the top Vanguard ETFs of the year, this ranks as the top Vanguard ETF of 2025 through the end of March, with a return of around 12%. This fund owns nearly 1,300 different companies to touch all major markets on the ...

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI)
Expense ratio: 0.74%
Assets: $7.4 billion
This leading iShares fund has surged almost 10% since Jan. 1 and is up a spectacular 35% or so in the last 12 months. There are only about 50 total stocks in the portfolio, but top holdings are the biggest names in the ...

After two straight 20%-plus up years for the S&P 500 in 2023 and 2024, many investors have learned to be content with what the market gives them. In 2025, that's proving to be a much less attractive option.
The S&P 500 is down about 5% through March 31, with market losses steeply accelerating in ...

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing therapies to treat cystic fibrosis. Vertex also owns the rights to 60% of the profits from sales of CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) gene-editing therapy exagamglogene autotemcel ...

Stryker Corp. (SYK)
Stryker is a medical technology company that specializes in orthopedics and neurotechnology. Meyer says Stryker's high exposure to outpatient procedures and its impressive Mako robotic orthopedic system make it an attractive health care equipment investment. She says the ...