The 3 Best S&P 500 Index Funds for 2023 | The Motley Fool (2024)

S&P 500 Index Funds are passive investments allowing investors to match the performance of the S&P 500, an index featuring the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. They're ideal for investors who want to earn returns in line with the broader market but don't want to own individual stocks.

The 3 Best S&P 500 Index Funds for 2023 | The Motley Fool (1)

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3 best S&P 500 index funds in 2023

These three major S&P 500 funds are extremely similar in composition since each tracks the performance of the same index:

  1. Fidelity 500 Index Fund (NASDAQMUTUALFUND:FXAI.X)
  2. Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (NASDAQMUTUALFUND:SWPP.X)
  3. Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (NASDAQMUTUALFUND:VFIA.X)

All three are very low-cost ways to invest in the 500 companies making up the S&P 500 index. Fidelity has the lowest costs, with a 0.015% expense ratio. Schwab's is only slightly higher at 0.02%, while the Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares has a 0.04% expense ratio.

Fidelity and Schwab offer their index funds with no minimum investment, making them very accessible to beginning investors. Meanwhile, Vanguard has a relatively low minimum investment of $3,000.

Vanguard also offers an exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on investing in the 500 companies that comprise the S&P 500 index. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.92%) has a low minimum investment of one share ($355 as of March 14, 2023) and a low expense ratio of 0.3%. This index fund-like product trades on a major stock exchange, allowing investors to buy and sell like they would a stock.

Each S&P 500 index fund has very closely replicated the index's performance:

Data sources: Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard. Data as of March 14, 2023.
Index or Fund1-Year Total Return3-Year Annualized Return5-Year Annualized Return
S&P 500 Index-7.69%12.15%9.82%
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral Shares-7.74%12.11%9.78%
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund-7.73% 12.12%9.79%
Fidelity 500 Index Fund-7.71%12.14%9.81%

There are negligible differences between the performances of the S&P 500 and each of these three index funds that track it. The S&P 500 outperformed each fund slightly, as would be expected when accounting for each fund's expense ratio.

At the S&P 500's rate of return, a $10,000 investment made five years ago would have grown into $15,230 by early 2023. Even the worst-performing index fund of the three would have increased the $10,000 investment to $15,190 over the same five-year period, with that slight variation due to fees.

With any of these three funds, you can expect your investment to deliver a performance that's virtually identical to the S&P 500, less fees. Given its lower expense ratio, Fidelity's S&P 500 index fund will likely continue to slightly outperform Schwab and Vanguard over the longer term.

Why are S&P 500 index funds popular?

An index fund is designed to mirror the performance of a stock index. An S&P 500 index fund invests in each of the 500 companies in the (SNPINDEX:^GSPC). It doesn't try to outperform the index. Instead, it uses the index as its benchmark and aims to replicate its performance as closely as possible.

S&P 500 funds are by far the most popular type of index fund. But index funds can be based on practically any financial market, investing strategy, or stock market sector.

Index funds are popular with investors for a number of reasons. They offer easy portfolio diversification, with some funds providing broad exposure to hundreds or even thousands of stocks and bonds. You don't risk losing all your money if one company collapses, like you could with individual investments. However, you also don't have as much upside potential to the astronomical returns that can result from picking a single huge winner.

Index funds are passively managed, which means you're not paying for someone to actively pick and choose investments. Passively managed funds result in a lower expense ratio from lower investment management fees compared to actively managed funds.

  • Your money will track the market's performance. Historically, the S&P 500's annual returns have been in the 9% to 10% range. In some years, the index will lose value. For example, during the Great Recession, the S&P 500 lost about half of its value. Meanwhile, the index experienced a bear market starting in early 2022. As of March 14, 2023, the S&P 500 was down more than 6% over the past year. But over the long term, it's always recovered. Never in the S&P 500's history has a 20-year investment resulted in a loss.
  • You keep more of your investment profits in your pocket. S&P 500 index funds are low-cost investments. While active managers are likely to match or even beat the market's performance over time, their fees eat away at your returns. Because they're passive investments with low fees, S&P 500 index funds deliver returns that mirror the index's returns over the long term.
  • You're investing in 500 of the most profitable companies in the U.S. The corporations represented in the S&P 500 are subject to stringent listing criteria. To join the index, a company must have a $12.7 billion market capitalization, and the sum of its past four quarters' earnings must be positive. Each company must also get approval from an index committee. The S&P 500's largest holdings include Apple (AAPL 1.56%), Amazon (AMZN 2.54%), Microsoft (MSFT 1.55%), and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -0.07%).
  • You can put your investment decisions on autopilot. The S&P 500 has a flawless track record of delivering profits over long holding periods, allowing you to invest without worrying as much about stock market fluctuations. You also don't have to research or follow individual companies. You can simply budget a certain amount and automatically invest it on a regular schedule. This practice is known as dollar-cost averaging. Even if you do pick individual stocks, S&P 500 funds are a good foundation for your investment portfolio since you're guaranteed the returns of the stock market.
Long-Term Investors' 9 Favorite Index FundsLooking to the long term? Get in on these index funds.
4 Top Small-Cap U.S. Index Funds to Buy in 2023Smaller companies can add up to big returns, and these index funds track them.
How Index Funds Work and Why They're the Easiest Way to InvestIf you want to keep your investing simple, start with an index fund.
How to Invest in Index FundsIndex funds track a particular index and can be a good way to invest.

Beware of leveraged S&P 500 index funds

Be wary of leveraged funds that are advertised as S&P 500 ETFs. Leveraged ETFs use borrowed money and/or derivative securities to amplify investment returns or to bet against the index. For example, a 2x-leveraged S&P 500 ETF aims to return twice the index's performance each day. So if the index rises by 2%, the ETF's value rises by 4%. If the index falls by 3%, the ETF loses 6%.

These leveraged products are intended to be day-trading instruments and have an inherent downside bias over the long term. In other words, a 2x-leveraged S&P 500 ETF over the long term will not return twice the index's performance.

Investing in S&P 500 index funds is one of the safest ways to build wealth over time. But leveraged ETFs -- even those that track the S&P 500 -- are highly risky and don't belong in a long-term portfolio.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Matthew DiLallo has positions in Amazon.com, Apple, and Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com, Apple, Microsoft, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The 3 Best S&P 500 Index Funds for 2023 | The Motley Fool (2024)

FAQs

The 3 Best S&P 500 Index Funds for 2023 | The Motley Fool? ›

Looking ahead to second-quarter reports, analysts are calling for S&P 500 earnings to fall 6.4% compared to a year ago. Fortunately, analysts are projecting S&P 500 earnings growth will rebound back into positive territory in the second half of 2023.

Which index fund is best for 2023? ›

Best Index Funds in India to Invest in 2023
  • UTI Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct-Growth.
  • Axis Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct-Growth.
  • Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct-Growth.
  • Nippon India Nifty SmallCap 250 Index Fund Direct-Growth.
May 24, 2023

What 3 index funds should I invest in? ›

Best index funds to invest in for June 2023
  • Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index.
  • Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.
  • SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust.
  • iShares Core S&P 500 ETF.
  • Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund.
  • Shelton NASDAQ-100 Index Direct.
  • Invesco QQQ Trust ETF.
  • Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF.
Jun 1, 2023

What will the S&P 500 return in 2023? ›

S&P 500 Year to Date Return for 2023
YearTotal ReturnPrice Return
202312.8211.96

Is it a good time to invest in S&P 500 2023? ›

Looking ahead to second-quarter reports, analysts are calling for S&P 500 earnings to fall 6.4% compared to a year ago. Fortunately, analysts are projecting S&P 500 earnings growth will rebound back into positive territory in the second half of 2023.

Where to invest $25,000 in 2023? ›

What are the best types of investments of 2023?
  • High Yield Savings Accounts. ...
  • Short-Term Certificates of Deposits. ...
  • Short-Term Government Bonds Funds. ...
  • S&P 500 Index Funds. ...
  • Dividend Stock Funds. ...
  • Real Estate & REITs. ...
  • Cryptocurrency.

What are the top 5 sectors to invest in 2023? ›

5 Best Sectors for Long-term Investment in India 2023
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods)
  • Housing finance companies.
  • Automobile Companies.
  • Infrastructure.
  • Bonus: Pharmaceuticals Stocks.
Apr 1, 2023

What is the 4 rule for index funds? ›

How the 4% Rule Works. The 4% rule is easy to follow. In the first year of retirement, you can withdraw up to 4% of your portfolio's value. If you have $1 million saved for retirement, for example, you could spend $40,000 in the first year of retirement following the 4% rule.

What is the 3 year return on the S&P 500? ›

S&P 500 3 Year Return (I:SP5003YR)

S&P 500 3 Year Return is at 37.30%, compared to 43.16% last month and 50.15% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 22.95%. The S&P 500 3 Year Return is the investment return received for a 3 year period, excluding dividends, when holding the S&P 500 index.

How much will the S&P 500 be worth in 2025? ›

S&P 500 10 Years Forecast (Until 2032)
YearPrice
20244 900
20255 500
20265 750
20276 000
6 more rows
5 days ago

What is the lifetime average return of the S&P 500? ›

The index acts as a benchmark of the performance of the U.S. stock market overall, dating back to the 1920s. The index has returned a historic annualized average return of around 11.88% since its 1957 inception through the end of 2021.

Where will the S&P 500 be at the end of 2023? ›

10% Return for S&P 500 a Real Possibility by End of 2023

Short of a recession — a very real possibility — consensus estimates are for about 5% earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in 2023. That's certainly less than what it was in years past, but still respectable.

What will the S&P 500 price target be in 2023? ›

Synopsis. Goldman's chief U.S. equity strategist David Kostin said in a note to clients the firm's 2023 earnings per share forecast for the S&P 500 of $224 remains unchanged and assumes a soft landing for the U.S. economy, as the economics team projects only a 25% probability of a recession over the next 12 months.

Will the S&P 500 recover in 2023? ›

"In the first half of 2023, the S&P 500 is expected to re-test the lows of 2022, but a pivot from the Federal Reserve could drive an asset recovery later in the year, pushing the S&P 500 to 4,200 by year-end," the investment bank said in a research note.

Where to invest in 2023 recession? ›

9 Best Recession Stocks Of 2023
  • The Best Recession Stocks of June 2023.
  • Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. ( TMO)
  • Merck & Company, Inc. ( MRK)
  • PepsiCo, Inc. ( PEP)
  • CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)
  • Ameren Corporation (AEE)
  • Xcel Energy Inc. ( XEL)

What is the safest investment with the highest return? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

How to grow wealth in 2023? ›

10 Ways for Millennials To Get Rich in 2023
  1. Become a Realtor. ...
  2. Get Into Aggressive Investing. ...
  3. Start a Digital Company. ...
  4. Take on Freelance Work. ...
  5. Become a Consultant. ...
  6. Offer Coaching Services. ...
  7. Start a Small Business. ...
  8. Jump on the Short-Term Rental Trend.
Mar 3, 2023

What 4 sectors to buy in 2023? ›

2023 US sector outlook
  • Real estate.
  • Materials.
  • Industrials.
  • Communication. services.

What stocks will double in 2023? ›

7 Growth Stocks That Could Double Your Money in 2023
RAMPLiveRamp$24.68
KYMRKymera Therapeutics$28.35
SDGRSchrodinger$26.10
HSAIHesai Group$8.10
ABCLAbCellera Biologics$5.74
2 more rows
May 14, 2023

What markets will boom in 2023? ›

Three Key Sectors in Which to Invest in 2023
  • Consumer staples. ...
  • Precious metals. ...
  • Healthcare.
Jan 12, 2023

How do I choose a S&P 500 index fund? ›

How to Choose an S&P 500 Index Fund
  1. Expense ratio. As index funds are passively managed, expense ratios, which represent the fees you pay for the upkeep of your fund, should be nominal. ...
  2. Minimum investment. ...
  3. Dividend yield. ...
  4. Inception date.
Jun 1, 2023

What are the top 3 holdings of the S&P 500? ›

What Are the Top 10 Holdings in the S&P 500?
  • Apple (AAPL): 7.49%
  • Microsoft (MSFT): 6.95%
  • Amazon (AMZN): 3.08%
  • NVIDIA (NVDA): 2.69%
  • Alphabet Class A (GOOGL): 2.07%
  • Alphabet Class C (GOOG): 1.81%
  • Meta (META), formerly Facebook, Class A: 1.69%
  • Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B): 1.65%

What indexes have outperformed the S&P 500? ›

US funds that have consistently beaten the S&P 500 index
FundSeven-year returnOne-year return
JPM US Select Equity Plus205%34.1%
BlackRock US Dynamic203%40.7%
Janus Henderson US Growth200%33.7%
S&P 500 Index return (sterling return)195%32.5%
21 more rows
Apr 28, 2021

What are the big three index funds? ›

Within the world of corporate governance, there has hardly been a more important recent development than the rise of the 'Big Three' asset managers—Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors, and BlackRock.

Is now a good time to invest in S&P 500? ›

We do not think now is a good time to invest heavily in the S&P 500 if you have a short- to medium-term horizon. We underweight equities in our broader Asset Allocation framework because inflation is still high, and we do not think the Federal Reserve has finished hiking despite market expectations of cuts in 2023.

How do I choose the best index fund? ›

If you are looking at index investing, it's better to go with a broader index than select a few stocks in any segment. Therefore, avoid indices like Small Cap 50 and Mid Cap 50. If you compare the small-cap index with the mid-cap index, you will realise why the small-cap should be tactical.

What is the Rule of 72 S&P 500? ›

To use the Rule of 72, divide the number 72 by an investment's expected annual return. The result is the number of years it will take, roughly, to double your money.

What are the best index funds according to Warren Buffett? ›

Buffett's only index funds

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, or SPY for short, is run by State Street. It was the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) listed in the U.S. SPY currently has roughly $360 billion in assets under management. Its annual expense ratio is 0.0945%.

Can you retire a millionaire with index funds? ›

Absolutely. In fact, they may be your best bet to retire rich.

How much would 100$ invested into S&P 500 30 years ago be worth today? ›

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1930, you would have about $566,135.36 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 566,035.36%, or 9.71% per year.

What is the 20 year average of the S&P 500? ›

Stock Market Average Yearly Return for the Last 20 Years

The historical average yearly return of the S&P 500 is 10.05% over the last 20 years, as of the end of April 2023. This assumes dividends are reinvested. Adjusted for inflation, the 20-year average stock market return (including dividends) is 7.335%.

Is S&P 500 index fund a good investment? ›

They're a good proxy for stocks overall: An S&P 500 Index fund tends to correlate "more closely to the broader market, so it's better than some other indexes, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average), which only tracks 30 stocks," says Ritter. However, there's no guarantee that it will be successful.

Does the S&P 500 double every 5 years? ›

How long has it historically taken a stock investment to double? NYU business professor Aswath Damodaran has done the math. According to his math, since 1949 S&P 500 investments have doubled ten times, or an average of about seven years each time.

What is the expected 10 year return on the S&P 500? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 10 Year Return is at 156.3%, compared to 161.0% last month and 215.4% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 112.6%.

What is the sp500 forecast for 2026? ›

THE FORECAST

The S&P 500 was at 4,238 as I wrote this on June 11, 2021. Over the next 5 years, relying on decades of portfolio management and technical analysis, my “best guess” is as follows: Between now and June of 2026, the S&P 500 could be as high as 5,000, and as low as 2,000.

How much would $8000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1980 be worth today? ›

Comparison to S&P 500 Index
Original AmountFinal Amount
Nominal$8,000$875,356.30
Real Inflation Adjusted$8,000$237,765.84

What is the S&P 500 2 year return? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 2 Year Return is at -0.58%, compared to -0.28% last month and 35.73% last year.

What is the 5 year return of the sp500? ›

S&P 500 5 Year Return is at 54.51%, compared to 57.45% last month and 71.33% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 44.37%. The S&P 500 5 Year Return is the investment return received for a 5 year period, excluding dividends, when holding the S&P 500 index.

At what age should you stop investing in the stock market? ›

You probably want to hang it up around the age of 70, if not before. That's not only because, by that age, you are aiming to conserve what you've got more than you are aiming to make more, so you're probably moving more money into bonds, or an immediate lifetime annuity.

What is the S&P prediction for 2024? ›

Longforecast's projections have the S&P rising by another 400 points in 2024, with a volatility reflecting changing economic fundamentals and news. Their findings bode well for the 5 year and 10 year stock market performance.

Will the stock market recover in 2024? ›

One of Wall Street's most vocal bears expects the stock market to fully recover its losses and trade to record highs in 2024. "This is not the end of the world.

What will the S&P 500 forward earnings be in 2023? ›

Historical Data
DateValue
September 30, 202350.93
June 30, 202347.81
March 31, 202348.41
December 31, 202239.61
8 more rows

Is market expected to fall more in 2023? ›

The growth profile will show divergence: the Euro area will likely face a mild recession into late 2022/early 2023, while the U.S. is expected to slide into recession in late 2023. In currency markets, further dollar strength is still expected in 2023, but of a lower magnitude and different composition than in 2022.

Is 2023 a good year to invest in S&P 500? ›

After a dismal year in 2022 in which the stock market fell about 20%, the broader benchmark S&P 500 has gotten off to a strong start to 2023 and is already up roughly 8.2%. But it's also now crossed over 4,100, which is already above where most Wall Street analysts projected the market to finish by the end of the year.

What will happen to S&P 500 during recession? ›

On average, S&P 500 earnings decline 16.4% in recession.

What is the real return of the S&P 500 after inflation? ›

S&P 500: $100 in 1945 → $384,324.55 in 2023

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 22,703.84% cumulatively, or 7.19% per year. If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $311,832.93.

Which stock will perform better in 2023? ›

Bank of America's Best Growth Stocks of 2023
CompanyForward Sales Growth Next Year
Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)+11.2%
Eli Lilly (LLY)+19.2%
Match (MTCH)+11.6%
Progressive (PGR)+13.0%
6 more rows
Jun 1, 2023

What is the best performing asset class 2023? ›

The best performing major asset class in 2023 is the NASDAQ, which is heavily exposed to technology firms. The NASDAQ was particularly hard hit in 2022 for two reasons. First, the index consists of fast-growing companies with long-dated cash flows, which are particularly sensitive to the rate rise of 2022.

Is 2023 a good time to invest? ›

2023 is a great time to start investing. But so was 2022. The key point is that over the long term, investments generally do grow in value, even if there is some early volatility. It is far better to invest now, whenever now happens to be, rather than waiting for some ideal future opportunity.

What stocks will explode in 2023? ›

3 Penny Stocks That Are Poised to Explode in 2023
ABEVAmbev$2.91
NOKNokia$4.03
EGYVaalco Energy's$3.69
May 15, 2023

What stock will double in 2023? ›

7 Growth Stocks That Could Double Your Money in 2023
RAMPLiveRamp$24.68
KYMRKymera Therapeutics$28.35
SDGRSchrodinger$26.10
HSAIHesai Group$8.10
ABCLAbCellera Biologics$5.74
2 more rows
May 14, 2023

What is the highest returning asset class? ›

The best performing Asset Class in the last 30 years is US Technology, that granded a +13.50% annualized return. The worst is US Cash, with a +2.20% annualized return in the last 30 years.

What are the top 5 investment classes? ›

The five most common asset classes are equities, fixed-income securities, cash, marketable commodities and real estate.

What is the safest asset class? ›

Common safe assets include cash, Treasuries, money market funds, and gold. The safest assets are known as risk-free assets, such as sovereign debt instruments issued by governments of developed countries.

Which S&P 500 fund is best? ›

Summary of the Best S&P 500 Index Funds of 2023
  • Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
  • Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX)
  • Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
May 12, 2023

Where will the S&P 500 be in 10 years? ›

S&P 500 10 Years Forecast (Until 2032)
YearPrice
20234 200
20244 900
20255 500
20265 750
6 more rows

Where to invest $10,000 2023? ›

5 ways to invest $10,000
  • Fund an IRA. One of the most popular ways to invest $10,000 is funding an individual retirement account. ...
  • Invest in mutual funds or ETFs. Investing in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds is another option for your $10,000. ...
  • Buy stocks. ...
  • Buy bonds. ...
  • Invest in REITs.
May 3, 2023

How can I make extra money in 2023? ›

The 24 best side hustles for 2023
  1. Participate in paid online surveys.
  2. Get paid to test apps and websites.
  3. Transcribe videos, phone calls, and other recordings.
  4. Become a rideshare driver.
  5. Deliver groceries.
  6. Rent out your home to vacationers.
  7. Deliver food.
  8. Become an affiliate marketer.
Feb 16, 2023

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