VNQ - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares

NYSEArca - Nasdaq Real Time Price. Currency in USD
87.46
-1.42 (-1.60%)
At close: 4:00PM EDT
Stock chart is not supported by your current browser
Previous Close88.88
Open88.97
Bid87.21 x 1400
Ask87.55 x 900
Day's Range87.31 - 89.03
52 Week Range71.08 - 91.85
Volume5,064,560
Avg. Volume5,081,680
Net Assets64.15B
NAV87.39
PE Ratio (TTM)N/A
Yield3.47%
YTD Return19.11%
Beta (3Y Monthly)0.61
Expense Ratio (net)0.12%
Inception Date2004-09-23
Trade prices are not sourced from all markets
  • 5 ways to invest in real estate if you’re not rich
    MarketWatchyesterday

    5 ways to invest in real estate if you’re not rich

    Real estate remains one of the most popular assets for U.S. investors. Sure, those investors can always buy Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, that allow anyone with a brokerage account and as little as a hundred bucks the ability to play different real-estate segments.

  • This Big Investing Blunder Cost Millionaires $136 Billion This Year
    Investor's Business Daily8 days ago

    This Big Investing Blunder Cost Millionaires $136 Billion This Year

    Just because you're rich doesn't mean you're right, apparently. This year's mistake cost the wealthy an estimated $136 billion so far.

  • 9 Set-It-And-Forget-It ETFs to Simplify Your Portfolio
    InvestorPlace10 days ago

    9 Set-It-And-Forget-It ETFs to Simplify Your Portfolio

    Many investors want a simple set-and-forget portfolio which will provide a balance between growth and income over time. And particularly if you are just beginning to build a portfolio, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide an easy and less expensive means to do this.Source: Shutterstock Inside my Profitable Investing, I have a large collection of model portfolios which are offered to achieve my goal of all-weather performance with lots of income and risk-controlled growth using stocks, bonds and funds -- including ETFs.For ETFs, your portfolio should be weighted to the best sectors of the U.S. markets, with shares in specific stock sectors that are geared to provide growth and income over time. As such, the stock ETF allocation should be set at 56% of your overall portfolio. I continue to recommend a roughly equal weighing for each of the funds you choose.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThis same method applies in the fixed-income sectors that are focused on corporate bonds and preferred stock, as well as the buoyant municipal bond markets. The fixed-income allocation should be set at 44% overall, including an 11% allocation to cash. And like with the stock-based funds, the individual fixed-income ETFs should be weighted evenly. * 7 Retail Stocks to Buy for the Second Half of 2019 And note, the municipal bond ETFs can be bought in tax-free accounts. Some brokerages give warnings about this, but there are no restrictions to doing it. You will give up some of the tax-free income advantage, but the total return prospects for this market remain compelling. Stock AllocationsI'll start with the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:VYM), for access to the general market with a dividend focus. VYM continues to do well year to date with a return of over 14%. Expenses are 0.6%, or just $6 annually for every $10,000 invested.That is the baseline for the stock market. Now let's move into one of the more attractive and defensive market sectors. REITs continue to gain from improving property values and rising income, fueling increasing dividends. Step into this sector safely with the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ). This ETF has resulting in a return year to date of 22% and expenses of 0.12%.Next we move on to the utilities market, which is also gaining from the security of essential services businesses. These, in turn, fuel ample and rising dividends. This sector should be bought with the Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU), which has turned in a return year-to-date of 15.7% and carries expenses of 0.1%.Healthcare traditionally has been a reliable growth market through thick and thin. Americans continue to need more and more healthcare and related products -- again providing security in revenues and reliable dividends. This sector has, though, been affected by concerns over potential government changes in healthcare rules. But these concerns, while valid, are still well into the future, probably well beyond the 2020 election. You can invest here with the Vanguard Health Care ETF (NYSEARCA:VHT), which has generated a return to date of 10.8%. The expense ratio is 0.1%.Then we move to the technology market. This sector is challenged by the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, which may further impact supply chains in China as well as sales all over the world. But the innovation engines remain on a fuller throttle, resulting in a return that dwarfs the general stock market. Buy in here with the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT) with a return to date of 31.3% and expenses of 0.1%.The petroleum and energy markets remain uncertain. The supply of crude oil outside the U.S. continues to be threatened by internal hostilities in many Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and externally, by sanctions on others including some attacks on ships and pipelines in the Middle East. In the US, shale producers are pumping lots and infrastructure to transport it is coming online -- but the stockpiles are holding down prices.In addition, a slowing global economy is putting supply and demand models into a case for less demand, which is also putting a cap on prices.All this said, the U.S. companies remain great sources of cash flows and are fueling U.S. regional economic growth. And in turn -- they are generating ample cash for bigger dividends. The sector should be represented by the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLE) which has turned in a return year to date of 12.2%.Stock Sector Performance Year to Date Using Vanguard and SPDR ETFs Source Bloomberg Fixed-Income ETFs to Invest InAmong fixed-income allocations, you should have specific ETFs for corporate bonds, preferred stocks and municipal bonds.The U.S. economy continues to grow, with little inflation. This is providing excellent opportunities for specific sectors of the bond markets. Add in a docile Federal Reserve Bank which, while not cutting its target rate range for Fed Funds in the June meeting of its Open Market Committee (FOMC), is still expected to ease money conditions in the target range.Corporate bonds are doing well. The economy is bringing more revenues to companies, which in turn makes them better credit risks. And with yield above Treasuries, they drive more demand for these bonds. This sector should be bought with the SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SPIB) which has generated a return year to date of 5.5% and a 12-month yield of 3.1%. Expenses are 0.07%.Next is preferred stocks. Preferred stocks are the bonds of the stock market. They provide the certainty of largely fixed dividends that are paid before dividends to common stockholders. They are defensive and bigger income-producing investments -- perfect for the current market. The sector should be bought with the iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF (NASDAQ:PFF) which has generated a return to date of 8.8% and has a 12-month yield of 5.8%. Expenses are 0.46%.Municipal bonds continue from last year to be a go-to market for improving prices with yield premiums to U.S. Treasuries. With the economy doing better, tax revenues for most state and local authorities are improving as well, which in turn drives up the credibility and bond prices. The sector should be bought for total return and not just tax-free income with the Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:VTEB) which has turned in a return to date of 4.1%. Its 12-month yield is 2.3% and expenses are 0.08%.Fixed Income Sector Year to Date Performance using Index Sector ETFs Source BloombergNow I've presented my way to build an all-weather ETF portfolio, perhaps you might like to see more of my market research and recommendations for further safer growth and bigger reliable income. For more - look at my Profitable Investing. Click here to learn more: https://profitableinvesting.investorplace.com/Neil George is the editor of Profitable Investing and does not have any holdings in the securities mentioned above. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Stocks to Buy on College Students' Radars * 7 Retail Stocks to Buy for the Second Half of 2019 * The S&P 500's 5 Best Highest-Yielding Dividend Stocks The post 9 Set-It-And-Forget-It ETFs to Simplify Your Portfolio appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • 5 Unbeatable ETF Strategies for 2nd Half
    Zacks11 days ago

    5 Unbeatable ETF Strategies for 2nd Half

    We have highlighted some investing ideas that could prove to be extremely beneficial for investors for the rest of the year in the current market environment.

  • Will the Fed’s Dovish Stance Ignite REITs This Year?
    Market Realist18 days ago

    Will the Fed’s Dovish Stance Ignite REITs This Year?

    With the strength of the labor market faltering, market participants expect the Federal Reserve to take a dovish stance on interest rates. What does this mean for REITs?

  • ETF Trends23 days ago

    Is the Housing Market Ready to Heat up Again?

    Summer has arrived and that could mean a boost in real estate activity as prospective buyers, especially parents, look for homes ahead of the start of the new school year in the fall. "According to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, home prices in the United States grew by 3.5% in April," wrote Ralph McLaughlin, Deputy Chief Economist at real estate data company CoreLogic. A possible price uptick is starting to be felt in the priciest metropolitan areas, which could lead a forthcoming housing heat-up.

  • REITs vs. REIT ETFs: How They Compare (VNQ, IYR)
    Investopedia25 days ago

    REITs vs. REIT ETFs: How They Compare (VNQ, IYR)

    Learn about the difference in investing in a REIT for a single real estate company versus investing in a REIT ETF that tracks a larger REIT index.

  • Looking for a Pot Stock With a Wide Moat and a Dividend? Try IIPR
    InvestorPlacelast month

    Looking for a Pot Stock With a Wide Moat and a Dividend? Try IIPR

    Even though the cannabis industry is still in its infancy, investors looking for a marijuana stock with a dividend aren't completely out of luck. Income-seeking investors should look to Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) as a possible pot play. IIPR is structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT) and to keep that favorable tax treatment, REITs must be out 90% of their operating income in the form of dividends.Source: Shutterstock Cannabis investing is still in its formative stages, but there are a few traits many marijuana stocks share in common. To be clear, we're talking about the industry's credible names that trade on major exchanges. Think Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CRON), Aphria (NYSE:APHA) and others.Essentially the entire universe of major cannabis stocks are considered growth names. It is merely a matter of whether they are mid- or small-cap growth stocks. As a result, investors searching for dividends in the marijuana space are not going to find a lot.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 5 Red-Hot IPO Stocks to Buy for the Long Run For the moment, the best way for investors in the U.S. to marry the concepts of dividends and cannabis stocks is with IIPR. IIPR Backstory Leads to a Wide MoatIIPR's backstory remains relevant today. Innovative Industrial Properties was able to procure its REIT status before President Trump won the White House. After Trump won, the company's rivals encountered difficulties securing the REIT treatment, essentially extending a competitive advantage to IIPR.Innovative Industrial Properties owns and operates industrial venues that are leased to legal medicinal cannabis firms. Moreover, IIPR fills an important void for many legitimate cannabis growers and operators: providing funding that is unobtainable at traditional banks.Business owners known getting a loan from a traditional bank is hard. When your business is considered illegal at the federal level and your bank is federally regulated -- as all banks are in the U.S. -- there is no avenue to financing at that bank.Innovative Industrial Properties' model is simple: it buys properties from growers that are regulated at the state level and leases those properties back to the growers. By selling to IIPR, the growers get much-needed capital without the hassle of being turned down by their local bank. The benefit to Innovative Industrial Properties is that the leases its tenants sign are usually long term, providing the company and its investors with revenue predictability and maybe down the road, low earnings variability.For those pondering how Innovative Industrial Properties is able to trade on a major U.S. exchange, the answer is twofold. First, the company does not actually touch marijuana plants or grow them. Second, Executive Chairman Alan Gold ran healthcare REIT BioMed Realty Trust prior to that company being sold in 2016, meaning he has a history of running a legitimate, NYSE-traded company. The Bottom Line on IIPRInnovative Industrial Properties has a lot going for it, including the aforementioned competitive advantage, which generates robust yields on its deals."Capital remains sufficiently scarce that IIP averages a 15% yield on its sale-leaseback deals," according to Barron's.However, positive traits do not always come cheap in financial markets. Due to their above-average dividend yields and defensive characteristics, REITs usually are not value stocks -- nor are price-to-earnings ratios generally useful metrics. You invest in REITs for the payouts, not necessarily price increases.However, Innovative Industrial Properties trades for nearly 106x times earnings, making it feel like an Internet stock dressed up as a REIT. Plus, the stock yields just 1.78%. That is less than what investors get on the S&P 500 and 10-year Treasuries, which are significantly less risky than shares of IIPR.However, many pot stocks don't have a P/E ratio at all -- because they don't yet have earnings. * 7 Top-Rated Biotech Stocks to Invest In Today Based on its steady funds from operations (FFO), Innovative Industrial Properties' valuation is not actually alarmingly high. Importantly, that FFO implies the company has adequate payout coverage and dividend growth potential.Todd Shriber does not own any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * The 7 Best Tech Stocks to Buy for the Second Half of 2019 * 7 Top-Rated Biotech Stocks to Invest In Today * 4 Semiconductor Stocks to Sell Compare Brokers The post Looking for a Pot Stock With a Wide Moat and a Dividend? Try IIPR appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • REIT Funds Testing Multi-Year Resistance
    Investopedialast month

    REIT Funds Testing Multi-Year Resistance

    Real estate investment trust funds have finally completed round trips into the highs posted before the 2008 economic collapse.

  • ETF Strategies to Follow If Fed Cuts Rate
    Zackslast month

    ETF Strategies to Follow If Fed Cuts Rate

    If the Fed cuts interest rates, investors should follow some strategies in order to gain from the future trend.

  • 5 Safe Ways to Earn 3%
    Kiplingerlast month

    5 Safe Ways to Earn 3%

    It seems like forever ago, but the average 12-month certificate of deposit (CD) used to yield well more than 5%.In fact, prior to the tech wreck of 2000 - and the start of two decades of experimental monetary policy by the Federal Reserve - 5% would have been considered low. It wasn't usual to see CD yields over 10% in the 1980s. Those were the days!It's unlikely that we'll ever see 10% CD rates again in our lifetimes. Even 5% would seem like a stretch in a world in which the average 12-month CD still yields less than 1% after more than three years of Fed rate hikes.It's important to remember, though, that the high yields of the past came at a time of much higher inflation. At today's lower inflation rates, even a 3% yield allows you to stay well ahead of inflation. You're not getting rich quick at that yield, but it's respectable. And importantly, it can be done safely.Today, we're going to look at five safe ways to pocket a yield of at least 3%. While you might want to push for a higher return on your long-term investment portfolio, you can consider these as options for your cash savings that you might need in the next one to five years. SEE ALSO: 33 Ways to Get Higher Yields (Up to 12%!)

  • MoneyShowlast month

    It's Time to Buy Boring Stocks

    Rate cut expectations have been inching higher. What does the bond market's message send to investors? asks income expert Bryan Perry, editor of Cash Machine.

  • Dow Jones Today: Another Day of Market Struggles
    InvestorPlace2 months ago

    Dow Jones Today: Another Day of Market Struggles

    Just when it looked like the major U.S. equity benchmarks were poised to snap out of their recent doldrums, market participants sold modest early session gains, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 slightly lower in the afternoon, but buyers rallied late in the day to send all three indexes slightly higher.Source: Shutterstock The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite added 0.21% and 0.27%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.17%. Eighteen Dow members finished higher Thursday, a day after just three closed up. Careful What You Wish ForThese should be the ideal days for investors to embrace defensive sectors, but some supposedly low-volatility names are betraying that reputation. As was noted in this space yesterday, the strong dollar is hampering consumer staples stocks.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsWalgreen Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) was the second-worst performer among the 30 Dow stocks Thursday, shedding 2.1%. The company, one of the largest pharmacy operators in the U.S., is in the midst of a cost-cutting effort that could see up to 200 of its Boots stores shuttered, but investors are not responding positively to that news. * 7 Stocks to Buy for Monster Growth Shares of the drug store giant now reside nearly 42% below the 52-week high, putting the stock in bear market territory two times over, and Walgreen Boots Alliance currently trades uncomfortably close to its 52-week low.Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) was the worst offender in the Dow today, sliding 2.3% after UBS downgraded the high-yielding telecommunications giant to "neutral" from "buy." UBS analyst John C. Hodulik reiterated a $59 price target on the stock, implying modest upside from Thursday's closing levels."Hodulik said that potential industry consolidation and the adoption of 5G technology might provide some upside to the shares, but any such benefit 'appears partially priced in," according to Barron's.Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), one of the Dow's largest components, traded slightly lower on speculation that if China decides to use rare earths metals as a weapon in the trade war against the U.S., smartphone makers could be constrained by limited supplies.China dominates the market for rare earth metals and those metals are primary components in an array of consumer electronics, such as smartphones and tablets. Fears of crimped rare earth exports come as Apple is getting ready to unveil yet another iPhone."So even a short term action affecting production could have longer term consequences for the company," said Goldman Sachs, according to Barron's. Bottom Line on the Dow Jones TodayFor equity investors, it feels like there is nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide this month, but some familiar sectors are providing shelter from trade war storms. No the, real estate and utilities sectors, neither of which have any representation in the Dow, are not considered adventurous fare.However, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSEARCA:XLU) and the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ) are up modestly higher this month while the S&P 500 is down 5%.In terms of individual names to consider, Dow component Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is down more than 5% this month, but that may be a case of the baby being thrown out with the bathwater.In a note out Thursday, JPMorgan reiterated an "outperform" rating on Cisco, reminding investors about the company's relatively light China exposure. The stock yields 2.6%."Cisco remains our top pick for investors looking at safe havens in the current environment to navigate through the trade war noise," according to JPMorgan.Todd Shriber does not own any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Sell Amid an Escalating Trade War * 5 REITs to Buy While They're Dirt Cheap * The Only 3 Marijuana Stocks You Need to Own Compare Brokers The post Dow Jones Today: Another Day of Market Struggles appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • TheStreet.com2 months ago

    How to Invest in Real Estate: Buying vs. Not Buying Property

    Investments are inherently risky - real estate in particular. The subprime mortgage crisis was barely a decade ago and it played a large role in a devastating recession. Is real estate a good investment today?

  • ETF Trends2 months ago

    Consider REIT ETFs as Trade Uncertainty Looms Over Markets

    Real estate investment trusts and sector-related ETFs could be an area for investors to look to as the U.S.-China trade tiff grips the markets. REITs are comprised of companies that own office towers, ...

  • The 5 Best Real Estate REIT ETFs of 2019
    Investopedia2 months ago

    The 5 Best Real Estate REIT ETFs of 2019

    These five ETFs are solid investments for those who want real estate exposure without any headaches.

  • ETF Trends2 months ago

    4 Top REIT ETFs for Shelter And Income

    Sectors and exchange traded funds focusing on the domestic economy could benefit investors amid international headline risk. Even better if those funds offer solid income streams and above-average dividend ...

  • 3 REIT ETFs to Buy for a Dovish Fed
    InvestorPlace2 months ago

    3 REIT ETFs to Buy for a Dovish Fed

    A recent uptick in equity market uncertainty is prompting many investors to revisit defensive and lower volatility assets and the related ETFs. Some of the ETFs to buy for investors looking to be defensive are broad market funds and that makes sense, but some sectors can help investors bolster their portfolios' defensive postures.The real estate sector is one of the smallest sectors in the S&P 500, but is also home to plenty of ETFs to buy for investors looking for defensive exposure. Recently, the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ), the largest real estate ETF by assets, has performed less poorly than the broader market. Historically, large-cap real estate investment trust (REIT) funds have not only delivered higher dividend yields than broader equity benchmarks, but less volatility as well.With expectations in place that the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates this year, the rate-sensitive real estate sector could present defensive investors with a slew of credible ETFs to buy. Adding to that case is the domestic focus of the real estate sector, making the group ideal for investors looking skirt international headline risk.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 6 Signs That Marijuana Legalization is Closer Than You Think For investors searching for some defensive ETFs to buy, consider some of the following real estate funds. Pacer Benchmark Data & Infrastructure Real Estate SCTR ETF (SRVR)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.60% per year, or $60 on a $10,000 investment.A good point to remember when looking for ETFs to buy, or any asset class for that matter, is to look for strength in the face of weakness. The Pacer Benchmark Data & Infrastructure Real Estate SCTR ETF (NYSEARCA:SRVR) certainly fits that bill. While broader indexes and some traditional real estate funds have recently scuffled, SRVR is up 1.10% over the past week, extending its impressive year-to-date gain to 22.61%.SRVR can be seen as a next-generation real estate ETF to buy because it is levered to a slew of exciting trends, including cloud computing, 5G and other revolutionary technologies. What makes SRVR one of the premier real estate ETFs to buy is that rival, traditional funds, such as VNQ, have only token exposure to the REITs that are driving SRVR higher. Investors are not giving up on income by embracing SRVR. The REIT fund had a dividend yield of 3.25% at the end of the first quarter. Overall, this ETF buy is offering up plenty for investors to like, including an above-average dividend yield, significant leverage to a fast-growing theme and strength in the face of broader market adversity. Global X SuperDividend REIT ETF (SRET)Source: Shutterstock Expense ratio: 0.59%The Global X SuperDividend REIT ETF (NASDAQ:SRET) is at the other end of the spectrum as the aforementioned SRVR. SRET is down 2.57% over the past week and its chart indicates the fund could have further to fall over the near term. So this fund may not be an ETF to buy right now, but it is one for investors to consider when global headwinds abate.SRET tracks the Solactive Global SuperDividend REIT Index and holds 30 of the world's highest yielding REITs, giving it some international diversity. That said, SRET's ex-US exposure is currently modest and comes in the form of a roughly 10% combined allocation to France and Australia. With more than 59% of its weight allocated to mortgage REITs, or mREITs, SRET is positioned to take advantage of a more sanguine interest rate outlook in the U.S. With a 30-day SEC yield of 7.97%, SRET is most certainly a high-yield asset, meaning it needs the Federal Reserve to remain on hold with rate hikes. * 7 Dividend Stocks to Buy as the Trade War Reignites Still, some investors view this an ETF to buy. SRET had $180.72 million in assets under management at the end of the first quarter, a figure that has since jumped to almost $204 million. SRET also pays a monthly dividend. Pacer Benchmark Industrial Real Estate SCTR ETF (INDS)Source: Oleg Zaytsev via FlickrExpense ratio: 0.60%Like its aforementioned stablemate SRVR, the Pacer Benchmark Industrial Real Estate SCTR ETF (NYSEARCA:INDS) is an ETF to buy because it is at the epicenter of some seismic shifts in the real estate universe. There are plenty of headlines out there about the "death of retail" and the "retail apocalypse," but that chatter is relevant to brick-and-mortar retailers, not e-commerce names like Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Simply put, e-commerce is the future of retail, brick-and-mortar stores are rapidly closing and e-commerce companies need space.Retailers closed a record-breaking 102 million square feet of store space in 2017, then smashed that record in 2018 by closing another 155 million square feet of space, according to estimates by the commercial real estate firm CoStar Group," reports Business InsiderMore than 6,000 retail stores have been shuttered just this year and some analysts believe the U.S. remains well overstocked when it comes to physical retail space. Expect the industrial REITs in INDS to snatch up plenty of that space and market it to purveyors of online retail operations. INDS yields 3.35% and is up 20.63% year-to-date, trouncing its more traditional rivals, like VNQ, while underscoring its status as one of the best real estate ETFs to buy.Todd Shriber does not own any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Dividend Stocks to Buy as the Trade War Reignites * 10 Stocks That Could Squeeze Short Sellers, Including CGC * 5 Tech Stocks Getting Crushed Compare Brokers The post 3 REIT ETFs to Buy for a Dovish Fed appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Solid US Labor Market Puts Focus on 3 Sector ETFs & Stocks
    Zacks2 months ago

    Solid US Labor Market Puts Focus on 3 Sector ETFs & Stocks

    The U.S. labor market has been in great shape defying slowdown worries. Unemployment rate fell to a fresh 49-year low in April. Play this optimism with these sector ETFs and stocks.

  • MoneyShow3 months ago

    Is This the Right Time for REITs

    I have generally not been a big backer of REITs over the years for a variety of reasons, including complex taxes, high payout ratios and their dependence on real estate markets, notes Chuck Carlson, dividend expert and editor of DRIP Investor.

  • 8 Great Vanguard ETFs for a Low-Cost Core
    Kiplinger3 months ago

    8 Great Vanguard ETFs for a Low-Cost Core

    Vanguard is the best-known pioneer of low-cost investing, including in the exchange-traded fund space. But it's hardly alone anymore, as providers such as Schwab, iShares and SPDR have all hacked away at each other with ever-shrinking fees.Still, don't sleep on Vanguard ETFs. While Vanguard isn't always No. 1 among the cheapest index funds in every class, it's still a low-cost leader in several areas, and it's typically one of the least expensive options no matter where you look.And inexpensive does matter. Let's say an investor puts $100,000 apiece in two different funds that both gain 8% annually, but Fund A charges 1% in fees while Fund B charges 0.5%. In 30 years, Fund A will be worth a respectable $744,335 ... but Fund B will be worth $865,775. That's roughly $120,000 lost not just in fees, but also lost opportunity cost from returns that could have been reinvested in the fund.Here are eight low-cost Vanguard ETFs that investors can use as part of a core portfolio. All of these index funds are among the least expensive in their class and offer wide exposure to their respective market areas. SEE ALSO: The 19 Best ETFs for a Prosperous 2019

  • REITs Suddenly Out Of Favor As ETFs Hit This Bearish Signal
    Investor's Business Daily3 months ago

    REITs Suddenly Out Of Favor As ETFs Hit This Bearish Signal

    ETFs tracking real estate investment trusts, which make up nearly half of IBD ETF Leaders screen, are suddenly out of favor.

  • The Market Is Strong, Even With Rising Risks — What to Buy Now?
    InvestorPlace3 months ago

    The Market Is Strong, Even With Rising Risks — What to Buy Now?

    Stocks are up over 16% so far this year, as tracked by the S&P 500 Index. That's astonishing given that last year, from the start to the top on Sept. 20, 2018, the S&P 500 Index was up only 9.62%.S&P 500 Index Total Return Source BloombergInvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsSo, what's driving all of the buying?I'll start with FOMO. Fear of missing out is a powerful motivator in the markets -- the idea that if you don't get in and buy, you'll miss out on the big rally. I believe that's a big part of getting more investors, from hedge funds to individuals, to reduce their money market funds or buying power in their brokerage accounts and shift to stocks.And as the market builds on gains and the financial and Main Street media reports more and more on the upward progress, it only fuels the buying. And this isn't a new thing. Take any of the past big up market moves of the past decades and you'll see FOMO kick in and remain until fear takes over after some big down days. We saw examples of that at the start of February and October of last year. * 10 S&P 500 Stocks to Weather the Earnings Storm Next is the Federal Reserve and its Open Market Committee (FOMC). The FOMC bungled its messaging last year. It laid out the plan to watch core inflation as measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index (PCE) and said it wanted to see the PCE reach 2% and then some before it would need to act. Then it acted anyway, reducing the bond portfolio and stoking fears of more aggressive actions alongside raising its target range for Fed Funds.Then, with the stock market slipping and politics coming in on the play, it punted, and now it's pretty clear that it's going to be passive for a while. This means that the bond market will continue to be supported with the FOMC keeping its bond portfolio more or less intact. And with easy money with interest rates still not far from post-crisis levels, the credit market supports a buoyant stock market.Moving it forward is the concept of Modern Monetary Theory or MMT. This is a spin on an old theory attributed to many, including German economist George Knapp. And in very brief summary, MMT holds that the government that issues fiat money can do so largely at will and can control inflation via taxes or bond issuance. This way, government can spend at nearly at will.Of course, this works until it doesn't, when money isn't recognized, and no one will buy government bonds except the central bank.But it is being rolled out as a politically pleasing means of not only keeping the FOMC's bond portfolio, but potentially for having even larger government budgetary spending for all sorts of things.Next up is the bond market. The U.S. 10-year Treasury is sitting near 2.59% and remains well bought in the market. This, in turn, is aiding the market for mortgages, which lenders and traders use as benchmarks for modeling prices and yields. So, mortgage rates should remain low, providing further economic stimulus as well as consumer confidence all good for stocks.And it isn't just because of the FOMC. Demand by bond buyers, from wealthy investors to insurance companies and pension funds, remains strong. And given the demographics of the U.S. market aging further, that demand should keep a lid on yields for a while.And in turn, with lower Treasury yields, the corporate and other bonds, including municipal bonds, look even more attractive for the same bond investors -- all helping the economy and the general stock market.And last up is the U.S. dollar. The dollar, as measured by the Bloomberg US dollar Index, which tracks a basket of 10 major currencies, is up nearly 7% over the past year. That makes the U.S. a prime destination for global investment.This shows up in U.S. Treasury tracking of foreign government and private inflows of capital that are buying U.S. stocks and bonds. And while there were some outflows in the downturn in the fourth quarter for U.S. stocks, overall, the net amount of foreign investment in the U.S. is vastly higher in the most recent data than were it was back in 2016.And all of this comes as the underlying themes that I've been writing about recently about consumer comfort and business confidence to invest in long-term capital spending remain intact. The Big WorryNow, where will the cracks show up?I think that the biggest risk for the U.S. stock market is the reality of company performance. One of the reasons for the selloff in the fourth quarter last year was the fear that sales growth and, more importantly, earnings growth would slow from the stellar numbers of last year into 2019.For the fourth calendar quarter of 2018, the members of the S&P 500 Index reported sales growth, on average, about 6% and earnings growth around 12%. But what may be coming for the coming quarters looks a lot slower. And so far, as earnings for the first calendar quarter are rolling in, it has been a mixed bag with more risks on the horizon in the coming weeks. Tech Stocks -- Stocks to Buy, or Topping Out?This is particularly threatening for the information technology sector. This segment of the S&P 500 Index has been a big driver of the performance of the index this year, and is one of the more highly valued. Any disappointments in the earnings from the first calendar quarter of this year will most likely have a negative impact on the overall index -- and the market.So, while many companies turned in some nice numbers from the fourth quarter, the risk is that as more folks take a look at the expectations for slowed growth in sales and earnings, the compelling case to buy fades and selling comes back.Source: BloombergAnd at the core of the risk sector would be the information technology stocks, particularly found in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as Vanguard's Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT). This ETF has soared, with a price gain alone from Dec. 24, 2018 to date of over 35%. It is the underlying, synthetically represented stocks that have the greatest risk for earnings disappointment.This is why I continue to recommend plenty of safer, more income-focused investments and defensive investments in the model portfolios of my Profitable Investing.But that said, I do believe that even in some downturns for the general market that there are plenty of stocks in industries that worked in tougher times and will work going forward. But above all else -- keep your focus on the dividend and income paying investments right now.Source: BloombergIn particular, look at a few key segments stating with real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs have been one of the stellar performing sectors but still remains a value. The Bloomberg US REITs Index has generated a trailing year's return of 19% and was one of the better-performing indexes, losing less during the broad U.S. stock selloff in the fourth quarter of 2018 than many peers. One of the easiest means for synthetic exposure is in the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ).Source: BloombergNext is the utilities market sector. Again, like with REITs, utilities provide defense with better yield and the added benefit of having both regulated and unregulated businesses. The S&P 500 Utilities Index has a trailing year's return of 19% and was again a better performer during the selloff late last year. The go-to ETF for exposure can be found in the Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU).Source: BloombergAnd last up is the healthcare sector. With U.S. healthcare spending solidly on the rise -- regrettably due to an ever-aging and more unhealthy population -- this makes for a defensive sector with growth still in the works. The ETF for broad synthetic exposure is the Vanguard Health ETF (NYSEARCA:VHT).The key to dealing with a toppy-looking market is to be aware of what got it there, the threats that are rising and where to begin to diversify ahead of the next pull-back or sell-off.Neil George is the editor of Profitable Investing and does not have any holdings in the securities mentioned above. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Stocks to Buy for Spring Season Growth * This Is How You Beat Back a Bear Market * 7 Dental Stocks to Buy That Will Make You Smile Compare Brokers The post The Market Is Strong, Even With Rising Risks -- What to Buy Now? appeared first on InvestorPlace.

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