Bond funds allow investors to get bond exposure without having to buy individual bonds. Here we'll look at the best bond funds to diversify your portfolio. Introduction Bonds are usually used as a diversifier, held alongside stocks to reduce portfolio volatility and risk. They can also provide steady, predictable income for retirees. I delved into bonds more … [Read more...] about The Best Bond Funds Out There – 13 ETFs
ETFs
The 3 Best Inverse ETFs to Short the S&P 500 Index
Inverse ETFs allow investors to bet against, or "short" the market. Here we'll look at the best inverse ETFs to profit from stock market downturns. Prefer video? Watch it here. Introduction - Why Inverse ETFs? Inverse ETFs can be a market timer's best friend. They allow bears to short, or bet against, the market. That is, when stocks drop, the value of these … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Inverse ETFs to Short the S&P 500 Index
The 6 Best Artificial Intelligence ETFs to Get in on AI
Artificial intelligence is poised to be a major driver of innovation and growth for a wide range of industries. Here we'll look at the best artificial intelligence ETFs. Introduction - Why Artificial Intelligence? Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, as the name suggests, refers to systems designed to mimic the human brain. The term broadly applies to … [Read more...] about The 6 Best Artificial Intelligence ETFs to Get in on AI
The Best Solar ETF (the Only One) for a Narrow Energy Play
Solar power is currently emerging as a popular alternative energy source. Here we'll look at the best - and only - solar ETF on the market. Introduction - Why Solar? As fossil fuels diminish and the concern over climate change grows, solar energy has emerged as a viable, sustainable alternative energy source. Solar stocks have outperformed the broad market … [Read more...] about The Best Solar ETF (the Only One) for a Narrow Energy Play
The 3 Best Semiconductor ETFs (iShares, VanEck, & SPDR)
Semiconductors are electrical components that are widely used across many different industries. Here we'll look at the best semiconductor ETFs. Introduction - Why Semiconductors? Semiconductors are conductive electrical components used widely in things like computers, smartphones, appliances, and more. Investing in semiconductors is usually seen as a technology … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Semiconductor ETFs (iShares, VanEck, & SPDR)
The 3 Best Preferred Stock ETFs (iShares, Invesco, & SPDR)
Preferred stock shares typically trade some capital appreciation for higher dividend yields. Here we'll look at the best preferred stock ETFs. Introduction - Why Preferred Stock? Preferred stock shares - as opposed to common stock - have preferential claim to dividend distributions. Dividends are typically higher for preferred shares than for common shares, so … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Preferred Stock ETFs (iShares, Invesco, & SPDR)
The 3 Best TIPS ETFs To Protect Against Inflation
TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) are treasury bonds linked to inflation. Here we'll look at the best TIPS ETFs. Introduction - Why TIPS? TIPS stands for Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. These are treasury bonds issued by the U.S. government that are indexed to inflation, protecting investors from a decline in purchasing power of the U.S. … [Read more...] about The 3 Best TIPS ETFs To Protect Against Inflation
The 5 Best Long Term Bond ETFs (3 From Vanguard)
Long term bonds offer greater risk and the potential for greater reward. Here we'll look at the best long term bond ETFs. Introduction - Why Long Term Bonds? Long term bonds are more risky than shorter-term bonds due to their higher exposure to inflation, credit, and interest rate risk. This increased risk is compensated, though, through higher returns and a … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Long Term Bond ETFs (3 From Vanguard)
The 5 Best Short Term Bond ETFs (3 From Vanguard)
Short term bonds are great for retirees and risk-averse investors. Here we'll look at the best short-term bond ETFs. Introduction - Why Short Term Bonds? Short term bonds are less risky than longer-term bonds due to their lower exposure to inflation, credit, and interest rate risk. Short term bonds are popular among retirees and investors with a low risk … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Short Term Bond ETFs (3 From Vanguard)
The 3 Best Municipal Bond ETFs (1 From Vanguard) for 2021
Municipal bonds offer tax-free interest and are beneficial for very high income earners. Here we'll look at the best municipal bond ETFs for . Introduction - Why Municipal Bonds? Municipal bonds, or munis, are bonds issued to investors by states and municipalities to pay for infrastructure and operating expenses. Muni bonds are popular among high income … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Municipal Bond ETFs (1 From Vanguard) for 2021
The 11 Best Treasury Bond ETFs (4 From Vanguard)
Treasury bonds are the best tool for downside protection and volatility reduction in a diversified investment portfolio. Here we'll look at the best treasury bond ETFs. Introduction - Why Treasury Bonds? The federal government issue bonds to investors to pay for operating costs in running the country. Because they're guaranteed by the full faith and credit of … [Read more...] about The 11 Best Treasury Bond ETFs (4 From Vanguard)
The 3 Best Silver ETFs – Funds for the Secondary Metal
Silver is another popular metal next to gold, with different market behavior. Here we'll look at the best silver ETFs to get in on the secondary metal. Introduction - Why Silver? When it comes to precious metals, gold gets all the press. But silver, while less popular, may also deserve a dedicated place in diversified portfolios. Silver behaves slightly … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Silver ETFs – Funds for the Secondary Metal
The 7 Best Gold ETFs To Diversify With the Shiny Metal
Gold is a popular diversifier in investment portfolios to reduce volatility and risk and to hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Here we explore the best gold ETFs to get exposure to the shiny metal. Introduction - Why Gold? I wrote a more comprehensive overview of gold recently here so you may want to check that out if you want to dive into the … [Read more...] about The 7 Best Gold ETFs To Diversify With the Shiny Metal
The 3 Best Low Volatility ETFs To Mitigate Stock Risk
Low volatility ETFs provide a way for investors to stay in stocks while still limiting portfolio volatility and risk. Here we'll look at the best low volatility ETFs to access stocks with less movement. Prefer video? Watch it here. Introduction - Why Low Volatility Stocks? Low volatility stocks refer to stocks with lower-than-average price movement. … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Low Volatility ETFs To Mitigate Stock Risk
The 7 Best International ETFs (4 From Vanguard)
International assets are a crucial part of any well-diversified investment portfolio. Here we'll look at the best international ETFs for both stocks and bonds across developed and emerging markets. Introduction - Why International Stocks and Bonds? International stocks inarguably offer a diversification benefit to a diversified investment portfolio by not … [Read more...] about The 7 Best International ETFs (4 From Vanguard)
The 5 Best High Yield Bond Funds for Income
High yield bonds offer one of the best opportunities for regular income from interest payments for fixed income investors. Here we'll look at the best high yield bond funds. Introduction - Why High Yield Bonds? High yield bonds are lower credit quality corporate bonds. Because of this higher credit risk, these bonds pay the highest yields compared to higher-credit … [Read more...] about The 5 Best High Yield Bond Funds for Income
The 3 Best Corporate Bond ETFs (2 From Vanguard)
Corporate bonds tend to pay higher yields than treasury bonds and are more popular for income investors. Here we'll look at the best corporate bond ETFs. Introduction - Why Corporate Bonds? Companies issue bonds to investors to pay for future projects and R&D because it's typically a cheaper stream of funding than bank loans. This corporate debt provides … [Read more...] about The 3 Best Corporate Bond ETFs (2 From Vanguard)
The 11 Best ETFs for Bear Markets & Recessions (Defensive)
Bear markets, recessions, and market downturns are largely unpredictable by their very nature. Here we'll look at the best defensive ETFs to weather the storms and survive or even thrive during periods of market turmoil. Introduction - Being Defensive During Bear Markets Attempting to time the market - predicting bear markets and recessions - is usually more … [Read more...] about The 11 Best ETFs for Bear Markets & Recessions (Defensive)
The 11 Best Dividend ETFs for Value and Income Portfolios
Dividend stocks are popular among income investors and those seeking more stability and lower volatility. Here we'll look at the best dividend ETFs. Most of the dividend ETFs below are part of the dividend portfolio I designed. Introduction - Why Dividend Stocks? Dividends are simply a return of value to shareholders, in the form of periodic cash payments, by … [Read more...] about The 11 Best Dividend ETFs for Value and Income Portfolios
The 5 Best Emerging Markets ETFs (1 From Vanguard)
Emerging Markets refer to nations that are growing and becoming more engaged in the global economy. They are a crucial piece in any globally diversified portfolio. Here we'll look at the best Emerging Markets ETFs to get in on this corner of the market. Prefer video? Watch it here. Introduction - Why Emerging Markets? Emerging Markets are growing countries that … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Emerging Markets ETFs (1 From Vanguard)