As rates rose, "cash-like" ETFs finally started providing a modest yield without the drama of the stock market. Review Summary: Was 2018 a good year to buy? 2018 Context Long-term Verdict Broad Market (VOO/VTI) Rough end to the year (-4% approx).
Buying the 2018 dip led to massive gains in 2019-2021. Tech (QQQ) Volatile, but stayed flat/positive. Winner. The dominant theme of the last decade. Dividends (VYM) Struggled due to rising rates. Moderate. Better for income than raw growth. The "Best" Pick in Hindsight best etf to buy 2018
This remains a foundational tech ETF, though it now faces stiff competition from more specialized AI-focused funds. 2. Healthcare & Biotech (The Defensive Play) As rates rose, "cash-like" ETFs finally started providing
Because 2018 saw the S&P 500 end the year with a slight loss, some of the "best" ETFs were actually those that preserved capital. iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF (SHV) Buying the 2018 dip led to massive gains in 2019-2021
Technology was the standout sector. Funds focusing on cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) led the pack. First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY)
As of , we can evaluate these 2018 picks with the benefit of hindsight to see which ones stood the test of time. Top ETF Categories of 2018
While still a giant, many investors now prefer the XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech) for its equal-weight approach to smaller, high-growth companies. 3. Short-Term Treasury & Cash (The Safety Net)