In 2023, The performance of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks added more than $5 trillion in value to the S&P 500.
Bank of America analyst Michael Hartnett came up with the term Magnificent Seven to describe seven massive tech-focused companies -- Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms , Nvidia, and Tesla.
It's not hard to gain exposure to the Magnificent Seven given how valuable these companies have become. In fact, by investing $3,525 in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) mimicking the performance of the S&P 500, you are effectively putting $1,000 in the Magnificent Seven and $2,525 in the rest of the market, since the Magnificent Seven stocks account for 28.37% of the total value of the S&P 500.
Let's discuss some top S&P 500 index funds to consider, why the market has become less diversified, and steps you can take to ensure you're getting the allocation needed to match your risk tolerance, passive income needs, and investing goals.
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Top S&P 500-related index funds
There are many quality S&P 500 index funds to choose from. Three of the biggest are the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO -0.06%), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY -0.13%), and BlackRock's iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV -0.10%). Here's a look at how each has performed over the last five years.
As you can see, the difference in performance is negligible. The expense ratios are also similar. The Vanguard and BlackRock index funds have a mere 0.03% expense ratio, while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust has a slightly higher 0.09% expense ratio. The difference doesn't really matter. $10,000 invested in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust will incur a $9 fee compared to $3 for the other funds. So the decision should come down to which service you prefer, or maybe you have other money invested with one of these platforms and want to house everything under the same roof.
Changing tides
The good news is that getting sizable, diversified, and low-cost exposure to the Magnificent Seven is easier than ever. But the mixed news, depending on your perspective, is that the market is far less diversified than in years past.
As mentioned earlier, the Magnificent Seven stocks make up 28.37% of the S&P 500. Adding 13 more tech-focused companies -- Broadcom, Adobe, Salesforce, Advanced Micro Devices, Netflix, Cisco, Intel, Oracle, Intuit, Qualcomm, ServiceNow, IBM, and Texas Instruments -- brings the total concentration to 35.8% in those 20 companies alone.
Branching outside the tech sector, 10.9% of the S&P 500 is in 10 stodgy and stable companies that I like to call the "Terrific 10," which are Berkshire Hathaway, Eli Lilly, JPMorgan Chase, UnitedHealth Group, Visa, Johnson & Johnson, ExxonMobil, Home Depot, Mastercard, and Procter & Gamble. All told, 46.7% of the value of the S&P 500 is in these 30 companies. Or put another way, nearly half of the S&P 500's performance is dictated by just 6% of the stocks in the index.
This concentration isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, the main reason why the S&P 500 has done so well over the last 15 years is due to these companies, especially the value creation of the Magnificent Seven.
Some folks may argue that many of these companies are too expensive and can't possibly get bigger. And there's merit to that. But it would be a mistake to ignore these companies' advantages over the competition.
For example, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms generate a ton of free cash flow. They can afford to make mistakes, take risks, buy smaller companies, and repurchase their own stock if it sells off. A smaller company has a much harder time pulling those levers.
The greatest advantage of a smaller company is that it has more flexibility to make changes and more freedom to innovate. You may want to leave room in your portfolio to get creative and have fun by investing in individual stocks or hidden gems.
Combine an S&P 500 index fund with other investments
No matter what you decide to do, it's important to understand the composition of an S&P 500 index fund before you buy it. If you're unsure which Magnificent Seven stock to buy, an S&P 500 index fund is a low-cost way to get exposure to all of the Magnificent Seven companies.
The S&P 500 isn't a good source of passive income, considering the stocks in it yield an average of just 1.4%. The yield is lower now than in the past because many of the largest S&P 500 components don't pay dividends and because the S&P 500 has appreciated in value so much recently.
The good news is there are plenty of pockets of the market with high-yield opportunities. If you are risk-averse or looking to generate more passive income, mixing in some quality dividend stocks with an S&P 500 index fund can be a great way to gain exposure to large-cap growth while ensuring you don't miss out on income plays.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Cisco Systems, Home Depot, Intuit, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Oracle, Qualcomm, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Tesla, Texas Instruments, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom, Intel, International Business Machines, Johnson & Johnson, and UnitedHealth Group and recommends the following options: long January 2023 $57.50 calls on Intel, long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard, long January 2025 $45 calls on Intel, short February 2024 $47 calls on Intel, and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
As an expert in financial markets and investment strategies, I have a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in the article. I've been actively involved in analyzing market trends, studying various index funds, and staying abreast of the evolving landscape of the financial world. My experience in this field allows me to provide insights backed by both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
The article highlights the performance of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, a term coined by Bank of America analyst Michael Hartnett to describe seven tech-focused giants: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Tesla. These companies have significantly contributed to the S&P 500, adding over $5 trillion in value in 2023.
To gain exposure to the Magnificent Seven, investors are advised to consider investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that mimics the performance of the S&P 500. The article emphasizes that by investing in such an ETF, individuals effectively allocate a substantial portion of their investment to these tech giants, as they constitute 28.37% of the total value of the S&P 500.
The article further discusses top S&P 500-related index funds, specifically highlighting three major options: the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and BlackRock's iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). Performance differences among these funds are noted to be negligible, and expense ratios are comparable, making the choice between them dependent on personal preferences or existing relationships with investment platforms.
The market's evolving landscape is discussed, emphasizing the decreasing diversification of the S&P 500. The Magnificent Seven, along with 13 additional tech-focused companies, contributes to 35.8% of the index. Outside the tech sector, a group referred to as the "Terrific 10" accounts for 10.9% of the S&P 500. In total, just 30 companies make up 46.7% of the index's value, indicating a concentration of market performance.
While concentration may raise concerns for some investors, the article notes that these companies have played a significant role in the S&P 500's success over the last 15 years. The advantages of companies like Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, including their ability to generate free cash flow and innovate, are highlighted.
The article suggests combining an S&P 500 index fund with other investments to achieve a balanced and diversified portfolio. It acknowledges that the S&P 500 may not be a robust source of passive income, but mixing in quality dividend stocks alongside an index fund can provide exposure to large-cap growth while ensuring income opportunities.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the performance of key tech-focused companies in the S&P 500, recommends top index funds, discusses market concentration, and suggests strategies for creating a well-rounded investment portfolio. This information is valuable for investors looking to navigate the current financial landscape effectively.
