Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

VOO is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, a passively managed fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index. It holds approximately 500 of the largest U.S. companies and has an expense ratio of just 0.03%. Read the complete VOO guide.

VOO is an ETF designed to closely track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, but it is not the index itself. When you buy shares of VOO, you own a fund that holds essentially the same stocks as the S&P 500 in the same proportions. See how VOO compares to SPY.

VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03%, which means you pay $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. There is no minimum investment. Most brokers offer fractional shares, so you can start with as little as $1.

Yes. VOO distributes dividends quarterly, reflecting the dividends paid by the underlying S&P 500 companies. The current dividend yield is approximately 1.20%, which translates to about $7.13 per share annually. See the full VOO dividend history.

VOO and Chill is a passive investing strategy where you buy shares of VOO on a regular schedule, reinvest dividends, and hold indefinitely regardless of market conditions. The strategy relies on VOO's low cost (0.03%), broad diversification, and the historical tendency of the S&P 500 to recover from every downturn over time. Read the full VOO and Chill guide.

VOO carries market risk like any stock investment. It fell 18.2% in 2022 and 34% briefly during the March 2020 crash, but it is considered a low-risk way to own U.S. equities. The fund is diversified across ~500 companies and has recovered from every historical drawdown. Over any 15-year rolling window in its history the fund has never lost money. See the concentration-risk analysis.

It depends on your country. Many European investors cannot buy VOO directly because of MiFID II / PRIIPs regulations. Investors in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and most of Latin America and Asia can typically buy VOO through international brokers like Interactive Brokers. UCITS-wrapped alternatives (for example VUAA or VUSA) track the same S&P 500 index and are available inside the EU. See how to buy VOO for broker options by region.

Both work. VOO holds the 500 largest U.S. companies; VTI holds the entire U.S. stock market. Historical returns have been nearly identical because large-caps dominate the total-market index. Beginners often prefer VOO because the S&P 500 brand is more recognizable. Those who want maximum diversification in one ticker pick VTI. Fees are identical at 0.03%. See the full VOO vs VTI comparison.