Altruist Financial Advisors LLC

US Large-Cap Funds

The base of most investors' equity portfolios is (and probably should be—for psychological/behavioural reasons) domestic large-cap funds. There are several very similar investment options available. Which is best?

The funds are listed in rough order of our overall preference.

Preferences are listed separately for use in retirement accounts and for taxable accounts.

For a listing of our preferences in other asset classes, see here.

Retirement Accounts (i.e., tax-deferred or tax-exempt accounts)

• Invesco S&P 500 Momentum Portfolio ETF (SPMO). E/R: 0.13%. This fund tracks the S&P 500 Momentum Index of large-cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum over the past 12 months (excluding the most recent month).
• iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM). E/R: 0.15%. This fund tracks the MSCI USA Momentum Index of large- and mid- cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum over the past 6- and 12- month periods.
• Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF (VFMO). E/R: 0.13%. This ETF Targets U.S. stocks with strong recent performance. Stocks are weighed by their momentum score, resulting in a strong exposure to the momentum factor. The ETF is "actively managed", but it is managed quantitatively, not speculatively.
• AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund (AMOMX). E/R: 0.40%. This fund invests in large/mid cap US momentum stocks (i.e., stocks that have done well over the past 12 months, excluding the most recent month). This fund manages to lesson short-term capital gain and dividend distributions.
• JPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF (JMOM). E/R: 0.12%. This fund tracks the JPMorgan US Momentum Factor Index of large-cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum recently.
• Fidelity Momentum Factor ETF (FDMO). E/R: 0.29%. This ETF attempts to track the Fidelity U.S. Momentum Factor Index of US Large- and Mid- Cap stocks with high momentum over the previous 12 months (excluding the most recent month).
• Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM). E/R: 0.29%. The Alpha Architect US Quantitative Momentum ETF tracks an equal-weighted index of US stocks with strong and consistent momentum. QMOM targets the 10% of stocks with the highest total return over the last 12 months, excluding the most recent month. The fund also screens for consistency of momentum by excluding stocks with too many negative-return days during the 12-month period. This methodology produces a few dozen holdings which get weighted equally. We don't like that the fund has relatively few holdings.
• SPDR Russell 1000 Momentum Focus ETF (ONEO). E/R: 0.20%. This ETF attempts to track the Russell 1000 Momentum Focus Index of US Large Cap stocks with high momentum over the previous 12 months (excluding the most recent month). The Index also somewhat tilts towards stocks with relatively high value, smallness, and quality exposure.
• Invesco DWA Momentum ETF (PDP). E/R: 0.62%. This fund tracks the Dorsey Wright Technical Leaders Index of US stocks that demonstrate powerful relative strength characteristics.
• Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). E/R: 0.13%. This ETF Targets U.S. stocks with strong operational, earnings, and balance sheet quality. Stocks with strong fundamentals have tended to earn a higher return than those with weak fundamentals. The ETF is "actively managed", but it is managed quantitatively, not speculatively.
• Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX). E/R: 0.00%. Minimum initial investment: $10,000. Tracks the Fidelity U.S. Large Cap Index. Obviously, the main attraction here is the extraordinarily low expense ratio.
• DFA US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). E/R: 0.12%. This fund invests in US stocks while emphasizing those with lower market cap, lower relative price, and higher profitability. Even though it isn't really "style pure," we think that, as impure as it may be, it is one of the best (mostly) large cap US funds for a retirement account.
• Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX). E/R: 0.05%. This fund tracks the obscure CRSP US Large Cap Index.
• Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). E/R: 0.04%. This fund is one of the largest mutual funds in the world. This, combined with expert implementation, combines to allow this fund to actually beat its index occasionally, which is VERY rare for index funds. This is the safe choice. Its performance against the benchmark has been, and we expect will continue to be, outstanding. Great diversification—low fees—this is the standard against which all others are judged.
• DFA US Large Cap Equity Portfolio (DUSQX). E/R: 0.13%. This fund invests in large/mid cap US profitability stocks (i.e., large cap stocks of companies that are currently most profitable, compared to their book value). It also slightly tilts the portfolio towards small and value stocks. Stocks of profitable companies have been shown to have both a positive risk premium and a negative correlation with the value premium. Thus, profitability stocks are good diversifiers to value stocks. As such, this fund is most appropriate for those who are using it to both get large cap exposure and to diversify value exposure elsewhere in their portfolio.
• DFA US Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX). E/R: 0.08%. This is an S&P 500 index fund.
• DFA Enhanced US Large Company Portfolio (DFELX). E/R: 0.15%. This fund basically invests in S&P 500 index futures. Implicit in the price of a futures contract is an assumed interest rate covering the period from purchase of the contract to the contract expiration date. The futures themselves are a relatively small portion of the portfolio (enough futures are bought to simulate full investment in the index). An even smaller portion of the portfolio is set aside in very short-term treasuries as collateral. The remaining cash is invested passively in Short-Term bonds using DFA's "variable maturity" strategy. If the Short-Term bonds can earn a better risk-adjusted return than the interest rate implicit in the futures price, it is possible to have better risk-adjusted returns than the index (before fees). It is important not to use this fund inside a taxable account—it is VERY tax-inefficient.
• BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC). E/R: 0.00%. This ETF attempts to track the Morningstar US Large Cap Index of large US companies.
• iShares S&P 500 Index Fund Institutional Shares (BSPIX). E/R: 0.10%. Minimum initial investment = $2M, unless you invest through a fee-only RIA or a 401(k). This fund tracks the S&P 500 Index.
• Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). E/R: 0.03%. This is the ETF share class of the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX).
• SPDR Portfolio Large Cap ETF (SPLG). E/R: 0.02%. This ETF attempts to track the SSGA Large Cap Index of large US companies.
• Schwab U.S. Large Cap ETF (SCHX). E/R: 0.03%. This ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index.
• Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV). E/R: 0.04%. This is the ETF share class of the Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund (VLACX).
• Vanguard Mega Cap 300 ETF (MGC). E/R: 0.07%. This ETF is a share class of the Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMCTX). It attempts to track the CRSP US Mega Cap Index of very large US companies.
• Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF (VONE). E/R: 0.08%. This ETF is a share class of the Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRNIX). It attempts to track the Russell 1000 Index of large US companies.
• iShares S&P 500 Fund (IVV). E/R: 0.03%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 500 index.
• SSgA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). E/R: 0.16%. This fund tracks the S&P 500 Index.
• Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund (VLACX). E/R: 0.17%. This fund tracks the obscure CRSP US Large Cap Index.
• EA Bridgeway Blue Chip ETF (BBLU). E/R: 0.15%. This ETF passively invests in the stocks of ~35 of the largest US companies. As such, the ETF is dramatically less diversified than the other choices here. However, since the companies it invests in are among the most liquid on the planet, internal transaction expenses are very low. The ETF equal-weights the ~35 stocks, using new money to rebalance. The equal-weighting should lessen the ETF's volatility.
• Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). E/R: 0.20%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. While its E/R is higher than many others here, we like that it is very style-pure (i.e., only large cap stocks—no mid or small cap) and the fact that its stocks are among the most liquid on the planet should give it extremely low internal transaction costs.
• iShares Russell Top 200 Fund (IWL). E/R: 0.15%. This is an ETF which tracks the Russell Top 200 index—the largest 200 US stocks. While its E/R is higher than many others here, we like that it is very style-pure (i.e., only large cap stocks—no mid or small cap) and the fact that its stocks are among the most liquid on the planet should give it extremely low internal transaction costs.
• iShares Russell 1000 Fund (IWB). E/R: 0.15%. This is an ETF which tracks the Russell 1000 index.
• S&P 500 SPDR (SPY). E/R: 0.095%. This is the oldest, largest ETF in the world. On the plus side, its bid-ask spreads tend to be smaller than those of other ETFs (because of high demand for shares). On the other hand, unlike the other ETFs listed here, it is organized as a Unit Investment Trust. The main problem with this is that, as a UIT, it is required to hold dividends it receives in a non-interest account until paid out to investors. This causes a "cash-drag" on the fund's earnings, as compared with alternatives.
• iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). E/R: 0.03%. This is an ETF which tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index.
• iShares S&P 100 Fund (OEF). E/R: 0.20%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 100 index—a subset of stocks in the S&P 500 index. We see little reason to use this fund. It is less diversified and more costly than most alternatives here.
• WisdomTree US Earnings 500 ETF (EPS). E/R: 0.08%. This is an ETF which tracks the WisdomTree Earnings 500 Index. This index consists of the 500 largest (by market cap) companies in the WisdomTree Earnings Index of US companies with positive earnings. The index weights the 500 companies by the cash value of their earnings.
• WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). E/R: 0.28%. This is an ETF which tracks the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index. This index consists of the 300 largest (by market cap) companies in the WisdomTree Dividend Index of regular dividend paying companies. The index weights the 300 companies by the cash value of their dividend payouts.
• Invesco FTSE RAFI 1000 Portfolio (PRF). E/R: 0.39%. This is an ETF which tracks the FTSE RAFI 1000, a non-cap weighted index of US large cap stocks.

Taxable Accounts

• Invesco S&P 500 Momentum Portfolio ETF (SPMO). E/R: 0.13%. This fund tracks the S&P 500 Momentum Index of large-cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum over the past 12 months (excluding the most recent month).
• iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM). E/R: 0.15%. This fund tracks the MSCI USA Momentum Index of large- and mid- cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum over the past 6- and 12- month periods.
• Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF (VFMO). E/R: 0.13%. This ETF Targets U.S. stocks with strong recent performance. Stocks are weighed by their momentum score, resulting in a strong exposure to the momentum factor. The ETF is "actively managed", but it is managed quantitatively, not speculatively.
• JPMorgan U.S. Momentum Factor ETF (JMOM). E/R: 0.12%. This fund tracks the JPMorgan US Momentum Factor Index of large-cap stocks which have been exhibiting strong risk-adjusted price momentum recently.
• Fidelity Momentum Factor ETF (FDMO). E/R: 0.29%. This ETF attempts to track the Fidelity U.S. Momentum Factor Index of US Large- and Mid- Cap stocks with high momentum over the previous 12 months (excluding the most recent month).
• Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM). E/R: 0.29%. The Alpha Architect US Quantitative Momentum ETF tracks an equal-weighted index of US stocks with strong and consistent momentum. QMOM targets the 10% of stocks with the highest total return over the last 12 months, excluding the most recent month. The fund also screens for consistency of momentum by excluding stocks with too many negative-return days during the 12-month period. This methodology produces a few dozen holdings which get weighted equally. We don't like that the fund has relatively few holdings.
• AQR Large Cap Momentum Style Fund (AMOMX). E/R: 0.40%. This fund invests in large/mid cap US momentum stocks (i.e., stocks that have done well over the past 12 months, excluding the most recent month). This fund manages to lesson short-term capital gain and dividend distributions.
• SPDR Russell 1000 Momentum Focus ETF (ONEO). E/R: 0.20%. This ETF attempts to track the Russell 1000 Momentum Focus Index of US Large Cap stocks with high momentum over the previous 12 months (excluding the most recent month). The Index also somewhat tilts towards stocks with relatively high value, smallness, and quality exposure.
• Invesco DWA Momentum ETF (PDP). E/R: 0.62%. This fund tracks the Dorsey Wright Technical Leaders Index of US stocks that demonstrate powerful relative strength characteristics.
• Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF (VFQY). E/R: 0.13%. This ETF Targets U.S. stocks with strong operational, earnings, and balance sheet quality. Stocks with strong fundamentals have tended to earn a higher return than those with weak fundamentals. The ETF is "actively managed", but it is managed quantitatively, not speculatively.
• Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). E/R: 0.11%. This fund tracks the Russell 1000 index of large-cap stocks while minimizing both dividend and capital gains distributions.
• DFA US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). E/R: 0.12%. This fund invests in US stocks while emphasizing those with lower market cap, lower relative price, and higher profitability. Even though it isn't really "style pure," we think that, as impure as it may be, it is one of the best (mostly) large cap US funds.
• Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VLCAX). E/R: 0.05%. This fund tracks the obscure CRSP US Large Cap Index. The fact that there is an ETF associated with this fund should make it more tax-efficient than it otherwise would be (low basis stocks will tend to be disposed of via periodic in-kind redemptions of the ETF shares). In fact, because ETF shares make up a large portion of the money in this fund, it is likely to be almost as (capital gains) tax efficient as a standard ETF.
• SPDR Portfolio Large Cap ETF (SPLG). E/R: 0.02%. This ETF attempts to track the SSGA Large Cap Index of large US companies.
• Schwab U.S. Large Cap ETF (SCHX). E/R: 0.03%. This ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Total Stock Market Index.
• Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV). E/R: 0.04%. This is the ETF share class of the Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund (VLCAX).
• Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). E/R: 0.04%. This fund is one of the largest mutual funds in the world. This, combined with expert implementation, combines to allow this fund to actually beat its index occasionally, which is VERY rare for index funds. This is the safe choice. Its performance against the benchmark has been outstanding. Great diversification—low fees—this is the standard against which all others are judged.
• BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC). E/R: 0.00%. This ETF attempts to track the Morningstar US Large Cap Index of large US companies.
• Vanguard Mega Cap 300 ETF (MGC). E/R: 0.07%. This ETF is a share class of the Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMCTX). It attempts to track the CRSP US Mega Cap Index of very large US companies.
• Vanguard Russell 1000 ETF (VONE). E/R: 0.08%. This ETF is a share class of the Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRNIX). It attempts to track the Russell 1000 Index of large US companies. However, unlike other non-Vanguard ETFs, this fund will be only as tax efficient as its underlying fund—no more and no less.
• Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). E/R: 0.03%. This is the ETF share class of the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX).
• iShares S&P 500 Fund (IVV). E/R: 0.03%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 500 index.
• EA Bridgeway Blue Chip ETF (BBLU). E/R: 0.15%. This ETF passively invests in the stocks of ~35 of the largest US companies. As such, the ETF is dramatically less diversified than the other choices here. However, since the companies it invests in are among the most liquid on the planet, internal transaction expenses are very low. The ETF equal weights the ~35 stocks, using new money to rebalance. The equal weighting should lessen the ETF's volatility.
• Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). E/R: 0.20%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. While its E/R is higher than many others here, we like that it is very style-pure (i.e., only large cap stocks—no mid or small cap) and the fact that its stocks are among the most liquid on the planet should give it extremely low internal transaction costs.
• iShares Russell Top 200 Fund (IWL). E/R: 0.15%. This is an ETF which tracks the Russell Top 200 index—the largest 200 US stocks. While its E/R is higher than many others here, we like that it is very style-pure (i.e., only large cap stocks—no mid or small cap) and the fact that its stocks are among the most liquid on the planet should give it extremely low internal transaction costs.
• iShares Russell 1000 Fund (IWB). E/R: 0.15%. This is an ETF which tracks the Russell 1000 index.
• S&P 500 SPDR (SPY). E/R: 0.095%. This is the oldest, largest ETF in the world. On the plus side, its bid-ask spreads tend to be smaller than those of other ETFs (because of high demand for its shares). On the other hand, unlike the other ETFs listed here, it is organized as a Unit Investment Trust. The main problem with this is that, as a UIT, it is required to hold dividends it receives in a non-interest account until paid out to investors. This causes a "cash-drag" on the fund's earnings, as compared with alternatives.
• iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). E/R: 0.03%. This is an ETF which tracks the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Index.
• iShares S&P 100 Fund (OEF). E/R: 0.20%. This is an ETF which tracks the S&P 100 index—a subset of stocks in the S&P 500 index. We see little reason to use this fund. It is less diversified and more costly than most alternatives here.
• WisdomTree US Earnings 500 ETF (EPS). E/R: 0.08%. This is an ETF which tracks the WisdomTree Earnings 500 Index. This index consists of the 500 largest (by market cap) companies in the WisdomTree Earnings Index of US companies with positive earnings. The index weights the 500 companies by the cash value of their earnings.
• WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). E/R: 0.28%. This is an ETF which tracks the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index. This index consists of the 300 largest (by market cap) companies in the WisdomTree Dividend Index of regular dividend paying companies. The index weights the 300 companies by the cash value of their dividend payouts.
• Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF). E/R: 0.39%. This is an ETF which tracks the FTSE RAFI 1000, a non-cap weighted index of US large cap stocks.

This web page contains the current opinions of Eric E. Haas at the time it is written—and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This web page is intended to serve two purposes:

• To educate the public; and
• To provide disclosure of Mr. Haas' opinions to prospective clients. We believe that prospective clients are well-served by being made aware of what they are buying—and what they are buying is advice that is based on these opinions.

We believe the information provided here to be useful and accurate at the time it is written. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

No investor should invest solely on the basis of information listed here. Before investing, it is important to consult each prospective investment's prospectus and consider both its risk/return characteristics and its effect on your overall portfolio.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Altruist recommends consultation with a qualified tax adviser, CPA, financial planner, or investment adviser. If you would like to discuss the rationale or support for any particular idea expressed on this web page, feel free to contact us.