Key Points
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The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF has delivered 9.38% annualized returns since May 2001.
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An investment of $400 per month in VTI could grow to $1 million in as little as 25 years (although future returns are not guaranteed).
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The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT: VTI) is one of my favorite ways to invest. I own it, I believe in it, I’m buying more of it. This remarkably well-diversified exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds 3,519 stocks representing the “total” U.S. stock market.
When you invest in VTI, you don’t just get the S&P 500 index. You also get a mix of thousands of other companies, including small-cap stocks, mid-cap stocks, value stocks, and more. I want to own them all, in case some of these smaller companies or undervalued sectors of the market perform better in the future.
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But can investing in VTI really make you a millionaire? Actually, yes. It can. Let’s look at historical returns for this total stock market ETF and see how much you could earn.
Example 1: $400 a month in VTI earning 9.38% annualized returns
VTI has a long track record. This fund was established in May 2001. Over the past 25 years, it’s delivered average annual returns of 9.38%. Future returns are not guaranteed, but let’s assume that you could earn that same return for the next 25 years or more.
If you invested $400 a month in the VTI, earning 9.38% annualized returns, in five years, your investment would grow to $28,945. After 10 years, you’d have $74,262. After 20 years, you’d have $256,293. After 30 years, you’d have $702,488. And in year 34, you’d pass the million-dollar mark — your investment would now be worth about $1.028 million.
Example 2: $400 a month in VTI earning 10.95% annualized returns
What if VTI can deliver stronger returns and get you to millionaire status faster? Over the past five years, this fund has delivered 10.95% annualized returns.
Let’s assume you invested $400 per month in VTI and the fund maintained its 10.95% average annual return. After 10 years, you’d have $80,073. After 20 years, you’d have $306,410. After 30 years, you’d have $946,190. And in year 31 you’d become a millionaire, with more than $1.05 million.
Example 3: $400 a month in VTI earning 14.87% annualized returns
Over the past 10 years, VTI delivered even stronger annualized returns: 14.87%. There’s no guarantee that such a strong return will keep coming forever. But let’s assume you can earn that higher return on your VTI investments — this rate of return could make you a millionaire even faster.
If you invested $400 a month in VTI, earning an average annual return of 14.87%, after 10 years you’d have $96,841. After 20 years, you’d have $484,211. And after 25 years of investing in VTI, you’d be a millionaire: $1,000,709.
Should you buy stock in Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF, consider this:
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Ben Gran has positions in Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
