What does Warren Buffett think of index funds?
In lieu of individual stocks, Buffett sees an S&P 500 index fund as the best option for the average person because it provides exposure to a "cross-section of businesses that in aggregate are bound to do well." Indeed, the S&P 500 has been a consistent moneymaker for patient investors.
Warren Buffet's 2013 letter explains the 90/10 rule—put 90% of assets in S&P 500 index funds and the other 10% in short-term government bonds.
Buffett thinks that a low-cost S&P 500 Index (SP: . INX) exchange-traded fund (ETF) is the way to go for lots of investors. On the ASX, investors can choose the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) to get exposure.
Index funds often perform better than actively managed funds over the long-term. Index funds are less expensive than actively managed funds. Index funds typically carry less risk than individual stocks.
- Rule 1: Never lose money. This is considered by many to be Buffett's most important rule and is the foundation of his investment philosophy. ...
- Rule 2: Focus on the long term. ...
- Rule 3: Know what you're investing in.
A 70/30 portfolio is an investment portfolio where 70% of investment capital is allocated to stocks and 30% to fixed-income securities, primarily bonds.
The two investments held in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio that Buffett recommends more than anything else are two S&P 500 index funds. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO).
It's easy to see why S&P 500 index funds are so popular with the billionaire investor class. The S&P 500 has a long history of delivering strong returns, averaging 9% annually over 150 years. In other words, it's hard to find an investment with a better track record than the U.S. stock market.
In 2007, Buffett bet a million dollars that over the course of a decade, a simple S&P 500 index fund would outperform a basket of hand-picked hedge funds. He picked the Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). Hedge fund manager Ted Seides from Protégé Partners accepted the bet and picked five funds-of-funds.
While indexes may be low cost and diversified, they prevent seizing opportunities elsewhere. Moreover, indexes do not provide protection from market corrections and crashes when an investor has a lot of exposure to stock index funds.
Are index funds good for retirement?
The best index funds for retirement offer growth potential and solid risk management that aligns with your time to retirement and risk tolerance. For long-term growth, consider broad-market equity index funds like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX) or the Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX).
The important thing to remember about index funds is that they should be long-term holds. This means that a short-term recession should not affect your investments.
Warren Buffett is perhaps the best example of the power of long-term compounding. Buffett uses compound interest, dividend reinvestment, and the power of constantly reinvesting the operating cash flow generated by Berkshire's businesses to his advantage.
His penchant for long-term investments is reflected in another of his aphorisms: “You should invest in a business that even a fool can run, because someday a fool will.” He doesn't believe in businesses that rely for their success on every employee being excellent.
Index funds are best for most people: Despite making his fortune as an active investor, Buffett acknowledges that most people will get better results by investing in a broadly diversified low-cost index fund.
Buffett has a simple investment rule on retained earnings to assess management's capital allocation. He discussed this concept in a 1983 letter to shareholders. “We test the wisdom of retaining earnings by assessing whether retention, over time, delivers shareholders at least $1 of market value for each $1 retained.”
Buffett's Two Lists is a productivity, prioritisation and focusing approach where you write down your top 25 goals; circle your 5 highest priorities; then focus on those 5 while 'avoiding at all costs' doing anything on the remaining 20.
Warren Buffett 1930–
Rule No 1: never lose money. Rule No 2: never forget rule No 1. Investment must be rational; if you can't understand it, don't do it. It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked.
According to Buffett, you should invest 90% of your retirement funds in stock-based index funds. According to Buffett, the remaining 10% should be invested in short-term government bonds. The government uses these to finance its projects.
The percentage may shock you.
Part of the cash would go directly to his wife and part to a trustee. He told the trustee to put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund.
What are Buffett's four rules of investing?
- Podcast Discussion: Warren Buffett's 4 Rules to Investing.
- Rule 1: Vigilant Leadership.
- Rule 2: Long-Term Prospects.
- Rule 3: Company Stability and Understanding.
- Rule 4: Understanding Intrinsic Value.
Two famous fund managers have large share positions in Snowflake (SNOW) stock. On the other hand, investors may be concerned about Snowflake's decelerating revenue growth.
First, VOO has a clear advantage in terms of expense ratio. VOO's expense ratio is 0.03% compared to 0.20% of QQQ, which is more than three times cheaper. Next is diversification. While both ETFs are well diversified, VOO is less concentrated in both industry and top 10 holdings.
- American Express: 20.6% stake. ...
- Ally Financial: 9.6% Stake. ...
- Bank of America: 13% Stake. ...
- Capital One: 3.3% Stake. ...
- Citigroup: 2.9% Stake. ...
- Nu Holdings: 2.3% Stake.
- Fidelity Series Large Cap Growth Index Fund (FHOFX) ...
- Fidelity Large Cap Growth Index Fund (FSPGX) ...
- Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index Fund (SWLGX) ...
- Fidelity U.S. Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX) ...
- Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) ...
- Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
