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Investors have spent 2025 with concerns surrounding GDP growth, tariffs, inflation, and labor market worries. There’s heavy spending in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, several geopolitical concerns, and uncertain trade policies. While we enter the new year with the old worries, it is an opportunity to build a portfolio that can sustain the uncertainties. Major Wall Street firms are bullish about the year ahead, and it could mean bigger gains on your investment. This means it is time to load your portfolio with the top exchange-traded funds of 2026. Let’s take a look at them.
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
One of the top Vanguard ETFs and an excellent choice for long-term investors, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: VOO) invests in the largest companies in the U.S. It has $1.5 trillion in assets under management and a yield of 1.10%. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.03% and holds about 500 stocks.
VOO has been operating for over 15 years and has a portfolio currently weighted toward the technology sector (35%), financial services (13%), and communication services (10.70%). VOO might see ups and downs due to the broader market movement, but it is one ETF that has managed to stay afloat even in uncertain times.
The ETF has the largest position in Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. VOO has generated a cumulative 3-year return of 85.94% and a 5-year return of 95.80%. Nine of its top 10 holdings are tech companies, but it also holds the best blue-chip stocks from every sector in the economy.
VOO gained 15.5% in a year and is exchanging hands for $632.46. This ETF is a great way to invest in the broader U.S. economy without taking the risk of holding individual stocks. With VOO, you enjoy ultimate diversification, low cost, and steady returns, making it an ideal investment choice for 2026.
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF
I believe 2026 will be the year of technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Timely investment in the sector can reap benefits. The Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF (NYSE: VGT) tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index and tracks the fastest-growing large-cap U.S. companies.
Since the fund is focused on information technology, it isn’t as diverse as the others, but it offers pure exposure to the tech sector. It invests in large-cap tech companies and aims for capital appreciation. It targets companies that have the potential for high future growth. The funds holds a little over 300 companies and includes mega-cap names. These are tech companies that have the potential to grow in the coming years.
It invests in companies such as Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft Corporation, Broadcom, Oracle, Cisco and ServiceNow. VGT is tied to the performance of the tech sector and has rallied over the past year. Since it is tech-focused, the fund carries higher risk, but as long as the tech sector continues to thrive, VGT will keep growing.
Fidelity High Dividend ETF
The Fidelity High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:FDVV) offers exposure to large- and mid-cap stocks that have high dividends and steady payout growth. It evaluates companies based on their dividend yield, dividend growth rate, and payout ratio. The ETF has a yield of 2.87% and an expense ratio of 0.15%. FDVV has $7.7 billion in assets under management and the largest position in growth-oriented stocks.
It is one of the best ETFs for investors looking for steady passive income. FDVV invests in about 100 stocks and has the highest allocation in the technology sector at 26%, followed by financial services at 19% and consumer defensive at 11.78%.
The fund’s top 10 holdings include top tech stocks in addition to well-renowned dividend payers such as Exxon Mobil and Coca-Cola. Its highest holdings are in Nvidia (6.41%) and Apple (6.11%). While both these stocks offer a low yield, they have a high capital appreciation potential. The ETF has grown dividends 48% cumulatively between 2020 and 2023.
FDVV has generated 12.67% returns in the past year, and if you reinvest the dividends, you can enjoy an even higher return. It is an ETF that offers the perfect risk-reward balance, and you’ll benefit from the diversification while getting and growing dividends.