<div id="readability-page-1"><div> <h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>The S&amp;P 500 has plunged in recent weeks, with many investors worried about a recession.</li><li>However, history shows there's never necessarily a bad time to invest.</li><li>The right strategy is key to surviving a recession or bear market.</li><li>10 stocks we like better than Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF ›</li></ul>The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is a staple in many investors' portfolios, and for good reason. It tracks the S&amp;P 500 Index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), one of the main pillars of the overall stock market.The S&amp;P 500 is made up of 500 of the largest U.S. companies, many of which are industry-leading giants, and the Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF aims to replicate the index's long-term performance.Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an &#34;Indispensable Monopoly&#34; providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »However, with the S&amp;P 500 slipping in recent weeks, many investors are wondering whether this ETF is still a smart buy right now. Fortunately, history offers a clear answer.<h2>How to avoid losing money during a recession</h2>To be clear, the U.S. is not in a recession right now. But if the economy does take a turn for the worse, the S&amp;P 500 has survived volatility of all types over the past century. While nothing is guaranteed in the stock market, it's highly likely it will continue thriving over time.The key, though, is to stay invested for as long as you can. Ideally, that would mean at least five to 10 years, as history shows that the longer you keep your money in the market, the lower your odds of locking in losses.Throughout the S&amp;P 500's history, roughly one-third of its one-year periods ended in negative total returns, according to research from investment firm Capital Group. That means that if you buy an S&amp;P 500 ETF and hold it for just one year before selling, there's a roughly 33% chance you'll lose money.However, if you hold it for three years, the odds of earning negative total returns drop to 12%. After five years, 7%. And over the last 82 years, the S&amp;P 500 has never experienced a 10-year period in which it earned negative total returns. In other words, if you hold an S&amp;P 500 ETF for at least a decade, it's extremely unlikely, statistically, that you'll lose money.<h2>The hidden advantage of investing right now</h2>Staying invested for at least a few years can significantly reduce your chances of losing money during a bear market or recession. But by investing now, you can also save money in the short term.The Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF is currently priced at around $580 per share, as of this writing. That's down from around $640 per share in February. While that may not seem like a positive on the surface, it means investors can snag this ETF right now for around $60 off its highest share price. The further the ETF's price falls, the steeper the discount investors can earn.Stock market downturns are intimidating, but they're also fantastic opportunities to load up on quality investments while they're essentially on sale. Because the S&amp;P 500 is incredibly likely to recover from volatility with enough time, investing now can both save you money and set you up for lucrative long-term returns.<h2>Should you buy stock in Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF right now?</h2> Before you buy stock in Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $501,381!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,012,581!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 880% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&amp;P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 1, 2026. Katie Brockman has positions in Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. </div></div>

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The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is currently priced at around $580, down from $640 in February, raising questions about its attractiveness as an investment amid recent S&P 500 declines. Historical data suggests that holding the ETF for at least five to ten years significantly reduces the risk of losses, as the S&P 500 has never recorded negative returns over a decade. While some analysts recommend alternative stocks, the current price dip presents a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors.

- The S&P 500 has recently declined, raising investor concerns about a potential recession, but historical data suggests it remains a strong long-term investment.  
- Current pricing of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is approximately $580 per share, a decrease from $640 in February, presenting a buying opportunity.  
- Analysts recommend considering alternative stocks, as their Stock Advisor program has historically outperformed the S&P 500 significantly.

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Should You Really Invest in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Right Now? Here's What History Says.