How many ETFs should I have in my Roth IRA?
Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification.
Generally speaking, fewer than 10 ETFs are likely enough to diversify your portfolio, but this will vary depending on your financial goals, ranging from retirement savings to income generation.
For example, if you're in your 20s and have a very high-risk tolerance, you may want to limit your portfolio to 10 or 15 stocks. That's because your long time horizon can enable you to overcome any short-term dips. Conversely, if you're in your 50s and nearing retirement, you may want to hold closer to 30 stocks.
"A newer investor with a modest portfolio may like the ease at which to acquire ETFs (trades like an equity) and the low-cost aspect of the investment. ETFs can provide an easy way to be diversified and as such, the investor may want to have 75% or more of the portfolio in ETFs."
This investment strategy seeks total return through exposure to a diversified portfolio of primarily equity, and to a lesser extent, fixed income asset classes with a target allocation of 70% equities and 30% fixed income. Target allocations can vary +/-5%.
Diversification should be considered because it can reduce the risk of losses from any security or market sector. For instance, holding several ETFs that provide exposure to multiple market segments that aren't usually associated with one another can be beneficial when a particular industry is in trouble.
The disadvantages are complexity and trading costs. With so many ETFs in the portfolio, it's important to be able to keep track of what you own at all times. You could easily lose sight of your total allocation to stocks if you hold 13 different stock ETFs instead of one or even five.
Fund | Expense ratio |
---|---|
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (ticker: VT) | 0.07% |
Avantis All Equity Markets Value ETF (AVGV) | 0.26% |
Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund (FBGRX) | 0.69% |
Invesco Zacks Multi-Asset Income ETF (CVY) | 1.06% |
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- Know your limits.
While you should consider holding more conservative assets like cash and CDs in your overall portfolio, they should not live in your Roth IRA. In addition to high growth investments, you should keep accounts that pay high dividends in your Roth IRA. Dividends are taxed as ordinary income, not capital gains.
What is the 4% rule for ETF?
The 4% rule is the basis of retirement plans across the world, heralded as a 'safe' withdrawal rate from your portfolio. A few simple calculations and the 4% withdrawal rate leads to the magic number that is the lump sum you need in retirement. Voila.
Diversification: A well-diversified portfolio should include ETFs that cover different asset classes (stocks, bonds, commodities, etc.), sectors, industries, and geographical regions. This spreads risk and reduces the impact of any single investment on the overall performance.
- Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
- Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA)
- Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
- Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VYM)
- Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS)
- Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT)
- iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG)
How to build an optimally diversified portfolio? Experts agree that for most personal investors, a portfolio comprising 5 to 10 ETFs is perfect in terms of diversification.
Specifically, a fund is prohibited from: acquiring more than 3% of a registered investment company's shares (the “3% Limit”); investing more than 5% of its assets in a single registered investment company (the “5% Limit”); or. investing more than 10% of its assets in registered investment companies (the “10% Limit”).
A great example of an ETF that meets Grossman's suggestions for broad diversification across global stocks and bonds is AOA. This ETF uses a split of 80% in stocks and 20% in bonds. Currently, around 62% of the portfolio is U.S.-based, with the remaining from international markets.
Investing in an ETF that tracks a financial services index gives you ownership in a basket of financial stocks versus a single financial company. As the old cliché goes, you do not want to put all your eggs into one basket. An ETF can guard against volatility (up to a point) if some stocks within the ETF fall.
The one time it's okay to choose a single investment
You wouldn't ever want to load up your portfolio with a single stock. But if you're buying S&P 500 ETFs, this is the one scenario where you might get away with only owning a single investment. That's because your investment gives you access to the broad stock market.
One way to think about it is every three months taking whatever excess income you can afford to invest – money that you will never need to touch again – and buy ETFs! Buy ETFs when the market is up. Buy ETFs when the market is down.
Investors face substantial risks with all leveraged investment vehicles. However, 3x exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are especially risky because they utilize more leverage in an attempt to achieve higher returns.
What are 3 disadvantages to owning an ETF over a mutual fund?
“And they are incredibly cheap.” However, there are disadvantages of ETFs. They come with fees, can stray from the value of their underlying asset, and (like any investment) come with risks. So it's important for any investor to understand the downside of ETFs.
Here's a summary of which one to choose:
If you want to own only the biggest and safest stocks, choose VOO. If you want more diversification and exposure to mid-caps and small-caps, choose VTI. If you can't decide, consider simply buying both of them (assuming that commissions are low or free).
ETFs within a Roth IRA can be a great way to invest for the long-term to reach your financial goals in retirement. ETFs can help you build a solid retirement portfolio because of the diversification offered by a single, convenient, and easy purchase.
Both might have a place in your portfolio but because of the ease of buying and selling, and possibly more favorable tax treatment, many IRA investors likely find that ETFs better fit their goals and objectives than mutual funds.
U.S. stock index funds are some of the best investments for a Roth IRA. S&P 500 index funds are popular choices. “By doing the S&P, you're getting a piece of all 500 companies (in the index),” said Myles Clements, a certified financial planner and financial advisor with Fort Pitt Capital Group.
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