The Best Broadly Diversified ETFs for Investors

Q. What are the best ETFs for investors?

A. The Feb 2015 issue of Forbes magazine has a short list of the cheapest broadly diversified ETFs in their categories, the costs below represent the 10-year total cost if an $10,000 investment held in that ETF for 10 year:

Large Cap Stocks

• Schwab US Broad Market (SCHB) 10-yr cost: $48
• Vanguard Total Stock Market (VTI) 10-yr cost: $57
• Schwab US Large-cap (SCHX) 10-yr cost: $65

Small Cap Stocks

• iShares russell 2000 (IWM) 10-yr cost: -$82
• Schwab US Small Cap (SCHA) 10-yr cost: -$35
• iShares Core S&P Small Cap (IJR) 10-yr cost: -$19

International Stocks

• Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets (VEA) 10-yr cost: $82
• Vanguard Total International Stock (VXUS) 10-yr cost: $120
• Schwab International Equity (SCHF) 10-yr cost: $126

Taxable Bonds

• Schwab US Aggregate Bond (SCHZ) 10-yr cost: $94
• iShares Core US Aggregate Bond (AGG) 10-yr cost: $131
• Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND) 10-yr cost: $132