LifecycleFinance

Datasheets

Performance data for commonly traded exchange traded funds (ETFs) - lifetime, annual and daily rolling returns.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have become one of the most popular investment vehicles for both individual and institutional investors. ETFs combine the diversification of mutual funds with the trading flexibility of individual stocks, offering low costs, tax efficiency, and broad market exposure.

Overview

ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, holding a basket of securities (stocks, bonds, commodities, etc.) that track an underlying index or asset class. They provide investors with an efficient way to gain exposure to entire markets, sectors, or investment strategies through a single security.

Datasheets by Category

Browse detailed performance data including lifetime returns, annual returns, and rolling returns for market indices, ETFs, and funds organized by category.

Market Indices

Major U.S. stock market benchmarks:

  • ^DJI - Dow Jones Industrial Average
  • ^GSPC - S&P 500 Index
  • ^IXIC - NASDAQ Composite
  • ^NYA - NYSE Composite

Large Cap

ETFs tracking large-capitalization U.S. stocks across value, blend, and growth styles:

  • IWD - iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF
  • SPYV - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF
  • VTV - Vanguard Value ETF
  • IWB - iShares Russell 1000 ETF
  • DIA - SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF
  • SPY - SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
  • QQQ - Invesco QQQ Trust
  • VOO - Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
  • VV - Vanguard Large-Cap ETF
  • IWF - iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF
  • SPYG - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF
  • VUG - Vanguard Growth ETF

Mid Cap

ETFs tracking mid-capitalization U.S. stocks across value, blend, and growth styles:

  • IWS - iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF
  • IVOV - Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF
  • VOE - Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF
  • IWR - iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF
  • MDY - SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust
  • VO - Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF
  • IWP - iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF
  • IVOG - Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF
  • VOT - Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF

Small Cap

ETFs tracking small-capitalization U.S. stocks across value, blend, and growth styles:

  • IWN - iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF
  • IJS - iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF
  • VBR - Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF
  • IWM - iShares Russell 2000 ETF
  • IJR - iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF
  • IWO - iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF
  • IJT - iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF
  • VBK - Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

US Broad Market

ETFs providing exposure to the total U.S. stock market:

  • VTI - Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
  • ITOT - iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF
  • SCHB - Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF
  • IWV - iShares Russell 3000 ETF

International

ETFs providing exposure to developed and emerging international markets:

  • VEA - Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF
  • IEFA - iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
  • SPDW - SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF
  • VWO - Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
  • IEMG - iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
  • SPEM - SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF

Bonds, TIPS, T-Bills

Fixed income ETFs covering aggregate bonds, treasury inflation-protected securities, and short-term treasuries:

  • BND - Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
  • AGG - iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
  • SCHZ - Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
  • BNDX - Vanguard Total International Bond ETF
  • IAGG - iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF
  • TIP - iShares TIPS Bond ETF
  • SCHP - Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF
  • VTIP - Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
  • SGOV - iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF
  • BIL - SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
  • SHY - iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF
  • VGSH - Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF

S&P 500 Sectors

Sector-specific ETFs covering the 11 sectors of the S&P 500:

  • XLB - Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLC - Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLE - Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLF - Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLI - Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLK - Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLP - Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLRE - Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLU - Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLV - Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund
  • XLY - Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund

Understanding ETF Returns

Total Return Components

ETF returns consist of:

  1. Capital Appreciation: Changes in share price
  2. Dividend Income: Regular distributions from underlying holdings
  3. Capital Gains Distributions: Realized gains from portfolio turnover

Return Metrics

  • Total Return: Price change + dividends + distributions
  • Annualized Return: Average return per year over a period
  • Dividend Yield: Annual dividends as percentage of price
  • Expense Ratio Impact: Fees reduce returns over time

Advantages of ETFs

Cost Efficiency

  • Low Expense Ratios: Typically 0.03% to 0.50% annually
  • No Load Fees: No front-end or back-end sales charges
  • Low Trading Costs: Commission-free trading at most brokers
  • Tax Efficiency: Lower capital gains distributions than mutual funds

Flexibility

  • Intraday Trading: Buy and sell throughout the trading day
  • Options Available: Many ETFs have options for advanced strategies
  • Short Selling: Can short ETFs for hedging or speculation
  • Liquidity: High trading volume ensures easy entry/exit

Diversification

  • Broad Exposure: Single ETF can hold hundreds of securities
  • Sector Coverage: Access to entire sectors or industries
  • Geographic Diversification: International and emerging market ETFs
  • Asset Class Access: Stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate

Evaluating ETF Performance

Key Metrics

  1. Total Return: Most important metric
  2. Expense Ratio: Lower is generally better
  3. Tracking Error: How closely ETF follows its index
  4. Liquidity: Average daily trading volume
  5. Assets Under Management: Size indicates popularity and stability
  6. Dividend Yield: Income generation potential

Benchmark Comparison

  • Compare ETF returns to its underlying index
  • Consider tracking error (difference from index)
  • Evaluate consistency of performance
  • Review long-term vs. short-term returns

Best Practices

Selection Criteria

  1. Low Expense Ratios: Minimize costs
  2. High Liquidity: Ensure easy trading
  3. Large AUM: Indicates stability and acceptance
  4. Low Tracking Error: Close index tracking
  5. Appropriate Diversification: Match investment goals

ETF returns provide investors with efficient, low-cost access to diversified investment strategies, making them an essential tool for building well-constructed investment portfolios.