Overview
- The piece identifies Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) as the growth fund the author intends to keep indefinitely in a retirement account.
- VUG holds 160 large-cap stocks, with Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft making up just under one-third of the portfolio.
- The article cites an average annual return of about 12% since the fund’s 2004 launch, compared with a roughly 10% historic market average.
- Using investor.gov calculations, the author shows that $200 in monthly contributions could grow to about $1,036,000 after 35 years at a 12% average return, with lower outcomes at 10%.
- The coverage notes that growth ETFs can outperform in strong periods yet fall harder in downturns, underscoring the need for a long horizon despite diversification benefits.