If You Invest $1,000 in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Right Now, Here's What History Says It Could Be Worth in 20 Years

The article recommends the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF as a core holding for long-term investors. Based on the past decade's 15.6% average annual return, a $1,000 lump sum investment could grow to approximately $18,000 in 20 years. However, using a dollar-cost-averaging strategy with monthly contributions of $1,000 could result in $1.4 million, demonstrating the power of consistent investing and compound growth over time.