KirkLindstrom.com - Articles - 2012 Blog - What are the Best S&P500 ETFs or Index Funds for tracking the Standard and Poor's 500? 
Kirk
                Windsurfing at Palo Alto in SF Bay in May 2009
Best S&P500 ETFs and Index Funds
FUSEX, FUSVX, SPY, SWPPX, VFINX, VFIAX, or VOO?
Kirk
                Windsurfing at Coyote Point November 2009
Lowest Cost Index Fund or ETF
 

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Last Updated June 28, 2012:   What are the best exchange traded funds (ETFs) for tracking the Standard and Poor's 500?   Here are the top choices I would consider.  Send me an email if you know of any others with the same characteristics including low expense ratios.

ALL these funds and ETFs:
  • Invest in stocks in the S&P 500 Index, representing 500 of the largest U.S. companies.
  • The composition of the index is managed by committee but changes are few and far between
  • The goal is to closely track the index’s return.
  • Offer high potential for growth; share value rises and falls more sharply than bond funds.
FUSEX = Spartan 500 Index Fund -  Fidelity Investor Class
Formerly known as the Spartan US Equity Fund.
FUSVX = Spartan 500 Index Fund - Fidelity Advantage Class

SPY   = SPDR S&P 500 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) Trust
One of the first ETFs
SWPPX = Schwab S&P 500 Index

VFINX = Vanguard S&P500 Stock Market Index Fund
The industry’s first index fund for individual investors that provides a low cost way to gain diversified exposure to the U.S. equity market.
VFIAX = Vanguard S&P500 Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
Same as VFINX but with a higher minimum investment and lower annual expenses.
VOO = Vanguard S&P500 ETF
Same as SPY and SWPPX but currently has a lower cost

S&P500 Index Fund and ETF Comparison Matrix (updated 6/28/12)
Ticker Sponsor Annual Exp. Ratio Minimum
Investment
Inception
Date

Intraday Trading?
Yes = ETF
Net Assets
FUSEX Fidelity 0.10% $10,000 Feb 16, 1988 no
$10.3B
FUSVX Fidelity
0.07% $100,000 Oct 13, 2005 no
$17.8B
SPY
State Street 0.09%
none
Jan 21, 1993 yes
$96.64B
SWPPX
Schwab
0.09% - 0.10%
none
May 19, 1997 yes
$11.70B
VFINX
Vanguard
0.17% $3,000
Aug 30, 1976 no
$113.9B
VFIAX
Vanguard 0.05% $10,000
Nov 12, 2000 no
$107.6B
VOO
Vanguard 0.05% none
Sept. 6, 2010 yes
$107.58B















Current quotes and charts for:  VOO - SPY - VFINXGoldGLD



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Article: What is the Best S&P500 ETF or Index Fund? http://kirklindstrom.com/Articles/Best_ETF_Index_Funds/Top_SandP500_ETFs_or_Index_Funds.html $SPY $VOO $FUSEX $FUSVX, $SWPPX $VFINX $VFIAX

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