In the ever-changing world of investing, market volatility can be as constant as change itself. The swings can unnerve even the most seasoned investors, tempting them to make hasty decisions that may harm their long-term financial goals.
Many may be scared of the ongoing stock market volatility caused by high inflation, a less-dovish Fed, chances of higher-for-longer rates, Trump tariffs, trade tensions and geopolitics, but economic and corporate fundamentals do not seem to be a cause of concern.
An article published on MarketWatch points out that for more than 100 years, stocks have almost doubled every eight years irrespective of geopolitical crisis, bubbles, credit defaults, pandemics, currency devaluations and inflation
If you go by Warren Buffett, “the stock market is a device which transfers money from the impatient to the patient.” Hence, we highlight a few exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can be invested and held in the current volatile market as these products are ageless and great long-term holdings.
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) – Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy)
The fund IVV tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, which comprises 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. It offers exposure to blue-chip stocks across multiple sectors and has historically delivered competitive returns compared to other large-cap benchmarks.
There is no five-year period in history where the S&P failed to give gains, per the MarketWatch article. The index is up 3.2% this year, gained 22% in the past one year and added 78.8% in the last five years.
iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) – Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)
Having an exposure to the overall stock market, irrespective of capitalization and style is an intriguing bet over the long term as it offers true diversification. Diversification is a way to win in an unstable market.
The underlying S&P Total Market Index tracks the broad equity market, including large, mid, small, and micro-cap stocks. ITOT charges 3 bps in fees and yields 1.19% annually. The ETF added 73.9% over the past five-year period (read: A Quick Guide to the 25 Cheapest ETFs).
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) – Zacks Rank #3 (Hold)
Gold has traditionally been seen as a safe haven in times of financial uncertainty. The SPDR Gold Shares ETF offers investors an effective way to incorporate gold into their portfolio without the need to physically own the metal.
GLD tracks the price of gold bullion, providing a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. For investors looking to diversify their holdings and protect against systemic risks, GLD can be a golden choice. The GLD ETF is hot this year as it is up 9% in 2025. The ETF gained 79.6% over the past five years.
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