A Vanguard Index Fund Built for Long-Term Wealth Could Be Your Smartest Buy

Among exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuers, Vanguard stands above the rest in my view. The firm had the second-highest assets under management (AUM) at the end of 2025, sitting at $2.64 trillion, trailing only BlackRock. Meanwhile, Vanguard has always been the low-cost leader, focusing on index-based funds.

While I'm a stock picker at heart, I think one of the best investments that most people can make is in an index-based ETF. And with their low expenses and strong liquidity, Vanguard index ETFs are some of the best around.

Image source: Getty Images.Continue reading