Here’s a low-cost ETF for exposure to U.S. companies

Article Excerpt

VANGUARD TOTAL STOCK MARKET ETF $112.67 (Toronto symbol VUN; TSINetwork ETF Rating: Aggressive; Market cap: $9.65 billion) invests in U.S. publicly listed companies. That broader mandate gives this fund a wider reach than the typical U.S. large-cap ETF focused on the top 500 companies. This Vanguard ETF tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, which in turn includes large, medium, and smaller companies listed on the U.S. public markets. Stocks are weighted based on their market values. Technology companies form a large part of the portfolio (33%), while Consumer Discretionary (14%), Healthcare (12%), Financials (11%), Industrials (13%), and Consumer Staples (4%), are other key segments. The portfolio holds 3,654 stocks; the top 10 make up 30% of its assets. Top holdings include Apple (6.1%), Microsoft (5.7%), Nvidia (5.1%), Alphabet (3.2%), Amazon (3.1%), Meta Platforms (2.1%), Berkshire Hathaway (1.5%), Eli Lilly (1.5%), and Broadcom (1.4%) The ETF started up in August 2013 and charges a MER of just 0.17%. It offers good liquidity with an average of…