The world of investing is full of opportunities, but when it comes to reliable, long-term investments, S&P 500 exchange traded funds (ETFs) stand out.
These funds track the performance of the 500 largest companies listed on US stock exchanges, offering investors a diversified and cost-effective way to gain exposure to some of the world’s biggest publicly traded companies.
Forbes Advisor has analysed and selected the best S&P 500 ETFs that we think are worth considering. We have concentrated on ETFs managed by reputable providers with low expense ratios and high liquidity, ensuring that investors can maximise their returns while minimising costs. These funds have the potential to deliver consistent returns and enhance the stability of your investment portfolio. You can read more about ETFs in our best ETFs for Australians guide.
However, it’s crucial to remember that no investment is without risk, and these ETFs may not suit everyone. As always, conducting your own thorough research and considering your individual financial goals is essential before making any investment decisions.
Related: How to invest in the S&P 500 from Australia
Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.
| ETF | Management Fee |
|---|
| iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (IVV) | 0.04% |
| SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (SPY) | 0.0945% |
| iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged ETF (IHVV) | 0.1% |
| BetaShares S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (QUS) | 0.29% |
| BetaShares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser Fund (UMAX) | 0.79% |
FAQs
iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (IVV)
The iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF, managed by BlackRock, one of the world's largest and most reputable asset managers, stands out as a top choice for Australian investors seeking exposure to the US stock market.
What is the best S&P 500 ETF in Australia? ›
iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (IVV)
The iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF, managed by BlackRock, one of the world's largest and most reputable asset managers, stands out as a top choice for Australian investors seeking exposure to the US stock market.
What is the most popular ETF in Australia? ›
Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (VAS) is one of the most popular ETFs among Australian investors, with some $15.32 billion of funds under management.
How can I invest in the S&P 500 from Australia? ›
ETFs: One of the easiest ways to invest in the S&P 500 from Australia is through an ETF that tracks the index. An ETF is traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) , just like an individual stock. Popular options include the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) .
What is the best S&P 500 ETF to buy? ›
What's the best S&P 500 ETF?
| ETF | Ticker | Annualized 5-year return |
|---|
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | IVV | 14.95% |
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | VOO | 14.89% |
| SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | SPY | 15.01% |
| Source: VettaFi. Data is current as of market close on July 1, 2024, and is for informational purposes only. |
5 days ago
What is the S&P 500 equivalent in Australia? The S&P/ASX 200 is usually considered the equivalent of the S&P 500 in Australia. The S&P/ASX 200 is a market-capitalisation-weighted index that represents the performance of the top 200 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
What are the best performing ETFs Australia last 5 years? ›
Highest three-year returns – International Sector ETFs
| International Sector ETFs | Performance |
|---|
| 1-year | 5-year |
|---|
| BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged | 14.74% | 5.78% |
| BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF | 23.9% | 16.17% |
| iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 10.14% | 10.82% |
2 more rowsVanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)
It provides low-cost, diversified exposure to the largest companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). With an extremely low expense ratio of 0.07%, VAS is one of the most cost-effective ways to invest in the Australian stock market.
Is IVV or VOO better? ›
Average Return
In the past year, IVV returned a total of 20.18%, which is slightly lower than VOO's 20.22% return. Over the past 10 years, IVV has had annualized average returns of 12.68% , compared to 12.69% for VOO. These numbers are adjusted for stock splits and include dividends.
What is the best index fund to invest in Australia? ›
The best Australia ETFs by 1 year return
| 1 | iShares MSCI Australia UCITS ETF | +13.03% |
|---|
| 2 | Xtrackers S&P/ASX 200 UCITS ETF 1D | +11.35% |
| 3 | Amundi Australia S&P/ASX 200 UCITS ETF Dist | +10.30% |
VOO is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.03%, versus 0.02% for SPLG. VOO is up 18.7% year-to-date (YTD) with +$48.81B in YTD flows. SPLG performs worse with 18.69% YTD performance, and +$10.47B in YTD flows.
What is VTI vs VOO? ›
The primary difference between VTI and VOO is that the VTI portfolio replicates the performance of the entire U.S. stock market, including small-caps and mid-caps, while VOO primarily holds large-caps.
What is the number 1 ETF to buy? ›
Top U.S. market-cap index ETFs
| Fund (ticker) | YTD performance | Expense ratio |
|---|
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) | 14.8 percent | 0.03 percent |
| SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) | 14.8 percent | 0.095 percent |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) | 14.8 percent | 0.03 percent |
| Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) | 12.1 percent | 0.20 percent |
In the past year, IVV returned a total of 20.18%, which is slightly lower than VOO's 20.22% return. Over the past 10 years, IVV has had annualized average returns of 12.68% , compared to 12.69% for VOO. These numbers are adjusted for stock splits and include dividends.
Is QQQ better than IVV? ›
QQQ - Volatility Comparison. The current volatility for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is 4.72%, while Invesco QQQ (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.51%. This indicates that IVV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure.
What ETF has outperformed the S&P 500? ›
One fund that has routinely outperformed the S&P 500 index is the Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF (VGT -2.45%). Here's why you should consider adding this ETF to your portfolio.
What ETF doubles the S&P 500? ›
The Direxion Daily S&P 500® Bull 2X Shares seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the performance of the S&P 500® Index.
