<p>Are you looking for a simple &#34;set it and forget it&#34; portfolio? It's fine if you are. A simpler and more passive investing approach often ends up performing better than a more aggressive and actively traded portfolio anyway. And exchange-traded funds (or ETFs) are arguably the smartest, easiest way to establish positions you can comfortably hold for a lifetime.</p>
<p>With that as the backdrop, here's a well-diversified five-holding ETF portfolio you can build for $1,000 -- or any other amount of money -- and feel good about leaving alone forever.</p>
<div><img alt="A young adult is sitting at a desk while using a laptop. " width="880" height="566" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NjA5OTIveW91bmctaW52ZXN0b3Itc2l0dGluZy1hdC1kZXNrLmpwZyZ3PTM4NDA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NjA5OTIveW91bmctaW52ZXN0b3Itc2l0dGluZy1hdC1kZXNrLmpwZyZ3PTM4NDA"/>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<h2>1. Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF</h2>
<p>Always start with a well-proven foundational holding that gives you into the majority of the United States economy by plugging you into the companies that collectively make up more than 80% of the nation's total market capitalization. That's the <strong>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(VOO <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+2.86%</span>)</span>, which is cost-effective with its annual expense ratio of only 0.03%. As an alternative, the <strong>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(SPY <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+2.91%</span>)</span> would do just as well.</p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1ZPTy5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1ZPTy5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSEMKT: VOO</h2><div>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(2.86%) $16.62</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$597.55</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$586.50 - $598.85</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$442.80 - $641.81</div><div>Volume</div><div>99K</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>Both of these funds are meant to mirror the performance of the <strong>S&amp;P 500</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(^GSPC <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+2.91%</span>)</span>, which boasts an average annual return of 10% over the course of the past few decades.</p><div><div id="foolcom_sidebar_top_container"></div></div>
<h2>2. iShares Russell 2000 ETF</h2>
<p>Although the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index has underperformed large caps of late with its average annual gain of less than 10% over the past 10 years (versus the S&amp;P 500's comparison of more than 15%), this is a bit unusual.</p><div></div>
<p>Usually small caps at least keep up with their large cap counterparts, if not outperform them, leveraging their greater nimbleness. They also often perform well at different times than large caps, providing your portfolio with forward progress you may not be getting from holdings like SPY or VOO.</p><div><div id="in_line_article_pitch_container"></div></div>
<p>The <strong>iShares Russell 2000 ETF</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(IWM <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+3.50%</span>)</span> is a smart way to garner exposure to small caps. Holding it will only cost you about 0.2% of your position's value per year.</p>
<h2>3. iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF</h2>
<p>While most U.S. investors are comfortable sticking with stocks of American companies, this can be a mistake -- particularly right now.</p>
<p>See, although the United States' economy and stock market have been stronger performers than foreign counterparts for a while, this leadership is cyclical. Indeed,<strong> Bank of America</strong>'s Chief Global Strategist Michael Hartnett says foreign stocks are apt to outperform U.S. stocks for the next several years because the advent of artificial intelligence favors manufacturing-focused economies while actually undermining service-focused ones like the United States.</p>
<p>The<strong> iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(IXUS <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+3.46%</span>)</span> is a great option to fill this role in your portfolio.</p>
<h2>4. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF</h2>
<p>At first blush, a position in IXUS would seemingly be enough exposure to foreign stocks. There's something else to consider, though. Emerging market's stocks also perform separately from names from more developed parts of the world, often because their economies operate so independently.</p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1ZXTy5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL1ZXTy5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSEMKT: VWO</h2><div>Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(3.11%) $1.63</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$54.05</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$52.67 - $54.10</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$39.53 - $59.09</div><div>Volume</div><div>7.9K</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>With an annual expense ratio of only 0.06%, the<strong> Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(VWO <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+3.11%</span>)</span> is an unusually affordable way to add this dimension to your portfolio.</p>
<h2>5. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF</h2>
<p>Finally, add the<strong> iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(AGG <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.23%</span>)</span> to your list of funds to consider buying to round out your lifetime ETF portfolio.</p>
<p>The purpose here is clear; this position provides income and stability. If nothing else, owning bonds allows you to remain patient with your other assets, giving them the time they need to recover rather than bailing out of them at the wrong time. Owing this fund will only cost you 0.03% of your position's size every year.</p><div id="article_pitch_container"></div><div id="promobox_container"></div>

VTWO

IEMG

<p>This article discusses five ETFs suitable for a long-term investment strategy with a starting amount of $1,000. The recommended ETFs include: 1) Vanguard S&P 500 ETF for broad U.S. market exposure; 2) iShares Russell 2000 ETF for small-cap stocks; 3) iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF for international diversification; 4) Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF for exposure to emerging markets; and 5) iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF for income and stability. Each ETF is noted for its low expense ratios and potential for long-term growth.</p>

- This article presents a diversified ETF portfolio suitable for passive, long-term investing, starting with a minimum investment of $1,000.  
- It recommends five specific ETFs: the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, iShares Russell 2000 ETF, iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF, and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF, each offering unique advantages for diversification and potential performance.  
- The overall strategy emphasizes a low-cost, long-term approach to investing, balancing large-cap, small-cap, international, and bond exposure.

Motley Fool

iShares MSCI Em

Vanguard Russell 2000

iShares Core MSCI EM

Pro Rsl 2000 Dvd Grw

Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF

SPDR Em Mkt

SPDR S&P Em Mkt Dvd

iShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF

Avantis Emerging Markets Value ETF

Schw Em Mkt

Vanguard Russell 2000 Value

iShares Core Intl Stock

SPDR S&P 500

iShares MSCI Emerging Mkts Val Fac ETF

iShares MSCI EM Ex-China

VG S&P 500

Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF

ISHRS Russ 2000 Growth

iShares Russell 2000

iShares Core S&P 500

iShares Core US Aggregate Bd

Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth

VG Em Mkts

Wisdomtree EM High Dividend Fund

5 Simple ETFs to Buy With $1,000 and Hold for a Lifetime