Buy These 3 Vanguard ETFs, and You Could Beat the S&P 500 Over the Next Decade

Source Motley_fool

Key Points

  • For some years now, U.S. stocks have been led higher by large-cap, growth, and tech stocks.

  • Over the next decade, conditions are likely to change, bringing a new wave of leaders to the forefront.

  • Tech is still a good bet, but underappreciated small-caps and dividend stocks could also do well.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Information Technology ETF ›

Beating the S&P 500 can be very difficult over long periods of time. Fees eat into returns; sectors go in and out of favor. But it's not impossible. Identify the right trends or the right value opportunities and you have a clear path to market-beating returns.

Here are three Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are set up nicely for the next decade.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »

Bar chart graphic with an uptrending arrow.

Image source: Getty Images.

Vanguard Information Technology ETF

The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: VGT) has been an elite performer since 2023. The 20%-plus annual returns won't last forever, but the artificial intelligence (AI) boom is creating a growth opportunity the sector hasn't seen since the internet revolution 25 years ago.

Tech is expected to drive S&P 500 earnings for at least the next two years, and valuations have shrunk to a more reasonable range. The combination of these two factors puts the sector on target for continued outperformance.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEMKT: VIG) invests in long-term dividend growers. It's not the most exciting option, but its market-cap weighting gives it a higher-than-average tech allocation compared to other dividend ETFs. The fund strikes a balance between growth and income, setting it up for more strong performance in multiple market conditions.

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

The Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VBK) targets a high-potential market that's been largely ignored for several years. As we saw earlier this year, small caps perform well when the market believes that economic growth has the potential to accelerate.

That environment tends to broaden the number of market outperformers. Considering the years of underperformance relative to large caps, small caps could be due for an extended stretch leading the market higher in the next decade.

Should you buy stock in Vanguard Information Technology ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in Vanguard Information Technology ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Information Technology ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $472,744!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,353,500!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 991% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 207% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of May 13, 2026.

David Dierking has positions in Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF and Vanguard Index Funds-Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
What to Expect From NVIDIA Stock Price in April 2026?NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock price trades at $177.64 on the 2-day chart, up 5.31% over the past days but still down 6% year-to-date. April sits at a unique inflection for the stock. The Iran conflict c
Author  Beincrypto
Apr 08, Wed
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock price trades at $177.64 on the 2-day chart, up 5.31% over the past days but still down 6% year-to-date. April sits at a unique inflection for the stock. The Iran conflict c
placeholder
Gold Price Flashes Warning at $4,700: A Major Crash Coming?Gold price is testing support near $4,650 after failing to break above the $4,772 target on the 4-hour chart. The price remains stuck in a tight range, with traders waiting for a breakout.The asset is
Author  Beincrypto
13 hours ago
Gold price is testing support near $4,650 after failing to break above the $4,772 target on the 4-hour chart. The price remains stuck in a tight range, with traders waiting for a breakout.The asset is
placeholder
Experts Predict a 10% S&P 500 Rally, Trump’s “Buy Now” Call ResurfacesA year-old Donald Trump quote urging Americans to “buy stock now” is back at the top of crypto Twitter. The clip is paired with a Wellington-Altus forecast that sees the S&P 500 climbing to 8,000 by y
Author  Beincrypto
13 hours ago
A year-old Donald Trump quote urging Americans to “buy stock now” is back at the top of crypto Twitter. The clip is paired with a Wellington-Altus forecast that sees the S&P 500 climbing to 8,000 by y
placeholder
Wintermute says Bitcoin’s push past $80,000 is a short squeeze, not a healthy rally amid stagnant US Iran negotiationsBitcoin has crossed $80,000. For the first time since January. However, Wintermute, the algorithmic trading firm, believes this to be only a “short squeeze” and has warned that the move is driven by liquidations in the derivatives market, not genuine spot buying by traders. This market report would mean the current price levels are very...
Author  Cryptopolitan
13 hours ago
Bitcoin has crossed $80,000. For the first time since January. However, Wintermute, the algorithmic trading firm, believes this to be only a “short squeeze” and has warned that the move is driven by liquidations in the derivatives market, not genuine spot buying by traders. This market report would mean the current price levels are very...
placeholder
Here’s Why The Bitcoin Price Has Risen 37% Since April And What Could Threaten The RallyThe massive surge in the Bitcoin price since April 2026 is still viewed as part of a broader bear market phase, according to on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant. While some market experts believe
Author  NewsBTC
13 hours ago
The massive surge in the Bitcoin price since April 2026 is still viewed as part of a broader bear market phase, according to on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant. While some market experts believe
goTop
quote