2 Low-Cost ETFs With More Than 2,400 Holdings That You Can Buy and Hold for Decades
Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 9:42 am ET

As an investor, you're always looking for ways to grow your wealth while minimizing risk. One way to achieve this is by investing in low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a large number of holdings. These ETFs offer broad diversification, lower fees, and the potential for long-term growth. In this article, we'll explore two low-cost ETFs with more than 2,400 holdings that you can buy and hold for decades.
1. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is one of the most popular and well-known ETFs on the market. With over $393 billion in assets under management, it's clear that investors trust this ETF to provide broad exposure to the U.S. stock market. The VTI holds about 4,000 U.S. stocks of all sizes, providing diversification across various sectors and market capitalizations. This ETF has an expense ratio of just 0.03%, making it an affordable option for long-term investors.
One of the key benefits of the VTI is its broad diversification. By holding a large number of stocks, the ETF reduces the impact of any single stock's performance on the overall portfolio. This helps to mitigate risk and smooth out returns over time. Additionally, the VTI's low expense ratio means that more of your investment dollars go towards generating returns, rather than being eaten up by fees.

2. iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS)
For investors looking to gain exposure to international markets, the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is an excellent choice. This ETF holds about 4,300 international stocks, providing diversification across various countries, sectors, and market capitalizations. With an expense ratio of just 0.07%, the IXUS is another low-cost option for long-term investors.
One of the primary benefits of the IXUS is its broad international exposure. By investing in a wide range of global markets, the ETF helps to reduce the impact of any single country's economic performance on the overall portfolio. This diversification can help to smooth out returns and provide a hedge against currency fluctuations. Additionally, the IXUS's low expense ratio ensures that more of your investment dollars go towards generating returns, rather than being lost to fees.

In conclusion, low-cost ETFs with a large number of holdings, such as the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS), offer investors a compelling combination of diversification, lower fees, and the potential for long-term growth. By investing in these ETFs, you can build a strong, diversified portfolio that can weather market fluctuations and generate returns for decades to come.