The rise in popularity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has seen remarkable growth in recent years. This article is part of Money’s comprehensive series that identifies an ETF tailored for every age group, specifically highlighting effective strategies and a fund ideal for investors aged 36 to 49.
While you may not feel over the hill just yet, the peak of your financial journey is approaching, and if you’re anything like my peers, preparing for it can be a challenge. Just like the wear and tear on our knees, our financial strategies must adapt to changing circumstances.
Many of my friends in their middle ages still resist the label of being middle-aged. However, data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that life expectancy in the U.S. stands at 74.8 years for men and 80.2 years for women, which suggests that acknowledging this phase is essential for effective planning.
For investors within this age bracket, I often recommend embracing a mindset that reflects their current stage in life. This is especially pertinent for those who have faced physical setbacks, like my friend who injured his ACL while skateboarding, or another whose expenditure on sports cards surpasses his retirement savings. In terms of investment strategy, this means pursuing a balanced portfolio that emphasizes growth while still managing risk.
Revamping Your Investment Strategy for Optimal Results
Although you may feel young at heart, it’s highly probable that by this stage in life, you’ve evolved from a reckless financial approach. The days of indulging in late-night escapades and recovering from hefty bar tabs are likely behind you.
Your investment portfolio has likely seen its fair share of fluctuations as well. Transitioning into this new phase allows you to align your investments with your changing lifestyle. Focus on achieving less volatility and securing peace of mind by steering clear of overly risky ventures.
According to insights from wealth management firm Edward Jones, as your investment timeline shortens, it’s wise to rethink your approach and aim for a balanced mix of high-growth and lower-growth assets. This strategic adjustment is crucial because there’s progressively less time to make up for any potential losses.
In the realm of ETFs, this could mean shifting away from high-tech-focused funds like the Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) and exploring funds that maintain exposure to similar companies while diversifying across multiple market sectors. This diversification can provide essential downside protection against market fluctuations.
Just as hangovers become more unbearable with age, substantial portfolio losses can have a lasting impact as you grow older. While you still have time to recover, opting for an ETF with wider market exposure can help mitigate losses if certain sectors, like technology or industries such as AI, underperform.
Balancing Growth Potential with Risk Management
Over the past year, the Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) has achieved an impressive return of nearly 29.21%, surpassing the performance of the S&P 500 by 6.88%. This fund tracks the comprehensive returns of the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index.
SCHG boasts an incredibly low expense ratio of just 0.04%. Its top three holdings — Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft — mirror those of QQQM, although with different weight distributions. Additionally, SCHG allocates 48.99% of its portfolio to technology, providing substantial upside potential for investors.
While both SCHG and QQQM are designed for growth, SCHG features lower implied volatility than QQQM due to its broader and more diversified portfolio. With 229 holdings, this ETF extends its reach beyond technology, incorporating sectors such as health care (with UnitedHealth Group), financials (like Visa and Mastercard), communication services (including T-Mobile and Netflix), industrials (like GE Aerospace), materials (featuring Sherwin Williams), consumer discretionary (such as Chipotle and Booking Holdings), and energy (including Baker Hughes and Cheniere Energy).
With total net assets of $39.238 billion, SCHG has recorded a staggering 134% growth over the past five years and an incredible 781.39% since its inception in December 2009. Just like my middle-aged friends who, despite being advised to watch their diets, still indulge in too many Buffalo wings, SCHG strikes a commendable balance between safety and risk.
Explore Additional Insights from Money:
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