In April 2015, an investment in the S&P 500 would have resulted in a total return of 228%, which surpasses the historical long-term annual average of approximately 10%. However, a particular exchange-traded fund (ETF) has managed to outperform this benchmark significantly. Over the past decade, this ETF delivered a total return of 390%, even though it was trading 15% below its all-time high as of April 3.
This trend has encouraged investors to consider this investment vehicle for long-term hold potential. Recent trends reveal the increasing significance of technology in the global economy, evidenced by the rise of digital payments, digital advertising, cloud computing, streaming entertainment, and e-commerce. As these trends continue to shape the future, the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) represents an appealing opportunity. This ETF consists of the largest 100 non-financial companies on the Nasdaq exchange and focuses on innovative businesses. It is heavily weighted with well-known companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, with the top 10 positions comprising nearly 49% of the portfolio.
The strategy behind the QQQ eliminates the need for investors to select individual winners within technological trends. Instead, it offers broad exposure to potential market leaders. Over the past decade, a $10,000 investment in this ETF would have grown to a portfolio valued at $49,000, surpassing the performance of the S&P 500. Although past performance does not guarantee future results, the ETF is buoyed by strong market trends, creating optimism for the next decade despite current economic challenges.
Investors gain significant advantages by purchasing the QQQ, including the simplicity of not needing advanced financial or technical knowledge to analyze stocks. This allows individuals to allocate their time to other activities. Additionally, the QQQ has a low fee of 0.2%, which is considerably less than fees charged by many asset managers and hedge funds that often underperform.
Buying the QQQ now, especially when it is 15% below its peak, is considered a strategic move. Investors are also encouraged to apply a dollar-cost averaging approach by regularly investing small amounts, ensuring consistent investment habits that strengthen portfolios over time. Maintaining a long-term perspective and preparing for market volatility is crucial, as investments generally experience fluctuations.
Investing in the QQQ today and continuing to do so at regular intervals is regarded as a robust strategy to enhance wealth over the next decade.