

The Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund ETF Shares (VO) was launched on January 26, 2004, and is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to offer broad exposure to the Mid Cap Blend segment of the US equity market.

The ETF market saw a dramatic macroeconomic shift this past week as investors re-evaluated risk exposure. A sudden drop in energy prices early in the week initially gave investors confidence, moving away from concentrated defensive funds into broader market exposure.

Ultra-low-cost index ETFs offer broad market coverage and make great core long-term holdings. These five combine low fees, diversification and solid track records.

Even if you have only a modest amount of money to invest, any one of these funds provides the diversified, broad market coverage to serve as the core of your portfolio.

VO is a low-cost ETF offered by Vanguard, providing broad exposure to U.S. mid-cap stocks as defined by CRSP. However, CRSP Indexes allow overlap with the small/large-cap segments, impacting efficiency. As is common for Vanguard ETFs, VO will most likely deliver average category returns year to year, as it has done historically. However, it's not ideal from a fundamentals perspective. This article suggests combining XMHQ and XMMO to create a high-quality portfolio with strong momentum characteristics, potentially allowing for lesser drawdowns and faster recoveries.

On Thursday, June 11, Schwab Asset Management announced that it cut down the expense ratios on four of its existing indexed ETFs. Each of these funds is a longstanding strategy in Schwab's collection, with a significant asset base and compelling track record.

The S&P 500 and Russell 2000 are the primary indexes for large-cap and small-cap stocks, respectively. Mid-cap stocks are seen as the sweet spot between stability and growth opportunities.

Most retirees who own an S&P 500 index fund hold a portfolio dominated by mega-cap technology, with mid-sized businesses getting almost no weight despite making up a meaningful share of corporate America.