1 Vanguard ETF I'm Buying in 2026 and Holding Forever
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By David Dierking – Dec 16, 2025 at 1:30PM ESTKey PointsThis Vanguard fund invests in more than 3,500 stocks and covers nearly 100% of the U.S. equity market.Its inclusion of small- and mid-cap stocks differs from the more concentrated S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 indices.The ETF's broad diversification and ultra-low fees make it appropriate for almost any portfolio.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NYSEMKT: VTIVanguard Total Stock Market ETFMarket Cap$0.0KToday's Changeangle-down(-0.37%) $1.25Current Price$334.08Price as of December 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM ETIf you're considering just one Vanguard ETF to buy and hold forever, this total market fund might be the best choice.While it probably won't ever be considered exciting, long-term buy-and-hold investing is one of the best paths to wealth creation. The ability to buy an investment, give it the time to ride out the highs and lows, and avoid short-term emotional decisions can improve your returns over time. A Morningstar study found that investors earned about 1.7% less than a fund's total return. The primary reason for this was ill-timed buying and selling. If you're able to simply "set it and forget it," you can easily become an above-average investor! Choosing which fund to buy and hold forever doesn't need to be complicated. Those that are broadly diversified, have a low expense ratio, and a long-term growth objective usually fit the bill. One ETF in particular, in my opinion, is an especially good candidate. Image source: Getty Images. What is the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF?
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI 0.37%) invests in more than 3,500 U.S. stocks. It tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, which is designed to invest in nearly 100% of the entire U.S. equity universe, including large-, mid-, small-, and micro-cap stocks. When building the cornerstone of your portfolio, total market ETFs make a lot of sense. Their broad coverage easily solves any diversification concerns. VTI's 0.03% expense ratio means it costs almost nothing to own it. Because the fund's index is market cap-weighted, it still maintains exposure to some of the largest companies in the world, including Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet.Advertisement ExpandNYSEMKT: VTIVanguard Total Stock Market ETFToday's Change(-0.37%) $-1.25Current Price$334.08Key Data PointsDay's Range$332.44 - $335.5052wk Range$236.42 - $339.94Volume81K Why the total U.S. stock market instead of the S&P 500? For broad U.S. stock exposure, many investors prefer the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.48%) or the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ +0.05%). Why should investors look at VTI instead of those two ultra-popular ETFs? The answer lies in VTI's diversification. QQQ has been an elite performer for nearly the past two decades. But it's also more than 70% concentrated in tech and communication services combined. Plus, it has nearly half of the fund invested in just the "Magnificent Seven" stocks. That's a little too much concentration for my liking, especially at a time when the tech and growth rally is probably overdue for a breather. VOO would certainly be an easily defensible choice, but it's also entirely invested in large-cap stocks. I prefer VTI because it includes mid- and small-cap stocks without overexposure. The fund is currently a mix of about 75% large-cap and 25% small-cap. That makes it only a minor tilt away from the S&P 500 and still gives the largest weightings to the biggest companies. Yet, the potential of small-caps makes a lot of sense right now, given how much value is built into them and the fact that they're long overdue for a stretch of leadership. Who should consider VTI as a forever holding?
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF makes sense in almost any portfolio that needs an allocation to equities. Its broad diversification across U.S. stocks, while still favoring large caps, makes it an ideal portfolio tentpole. It's those same characteristics that make it a strong long-term "buy and hold forever" ETF. While it may be tempting to chase the recent returns of tech and growth stocks, simply buying the entire U.S. stock market and giving it decades to grow makes more sense. Whether you're experienced or just starting out, passive or active, young or in retirement, VTI is a fund that can be a fit for almost anyone.Read NextDec 14, 2025 •By Justin PopeThis ETF Could Very Well Make You a Multimillionaire With Almost Zero EffortDec 11, 2025 •By Katie BrockmanWorried About a Recession or Bear Market in 2026? This ETF Is One of the Best You Can Own Right Now.Dec 8, 2025 •By David Dierking3 Vanguard ETFs to Buy With $1,000 and Hold ForeverDec 8, 2025 •By Katie Brockman1 Move to Avoid at All Costs if the Stock Market Crashes in 2026Dec 7, 2025 •By David Jagielski, CPA2 Top Vanguard ETFs That Can Turn $300 Each Month Into Over $1 MillionDec 4, 2025 •By Stefon WaltersHere's Why This ETF Is a Multimillionaire Maker