

Bear markets are inevitable, but you can set your portfolio up for the eventual market rebound by diversifying your investments. The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF gives you exposure to about 3,500 publicly traded companies across all U.S. market sectors.

Low-cost ETFs can help investors keep more of their returns over time. Here are five ultra-low-cost options spanning U.S. stocks, international markets and bonds.

Jack Bogle built a fortune-growing philosophy on one ruthless statistical truth about stock markets, and most investors are unknowingly working against it every time they pick a stock. The cost of getting this wrong compounds just as quietly as the reward for getting it right.

First Heartland Consultants Inc. lifted its position in shares of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEARCA:VTI) by 33.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,805 shares of the ETF's stock after acquiring an additional 11,331

Gradient Investments LLC grew its holdings in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEARCA:VTI) by 13.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,005 shares of the ETF's stock after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the quarter. Gradient

The classic retirement debate pits living on dividends against selling shares, but both camps have flaws that could leave you short. Three ETFs expose where each approach breaks down and how combining them fixes the problem.

The biggest number in the Trump Accounts rollout isn't the $1,000 government contribution. It is the nearly 70 million children now sitting inside a new investment system — one that initially directs contributions into a single State Street ETF.

The average savings market is only paying 0.37% interest, while the S&P 500 has a long-term track record of 10% annualized returns. The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF holds 3,507 stocks and has delivered 12.56% average annual returns for the past five years.