3 ETFs to Buy and Hold Forever
For long-term investors, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are among the best ways to build wealth. They offer instant diversification, typically charge far lower fees than actively managed funds, and remove the guesswork of having to pick individual stocks.
But some ETFs go a step further. They not only provide broad exposure to stable, income-producing sectors but also pay attractive dividends along the way. That means investors can enjoy both steady growth and reliable income—all in a single investment.
Here are three ETFs that stand out as “buy and hold forever” opportunities.
ETF: Vanguard Real Estate ETF (SYM: VNQ) If you’re looking for stable, long-term exposure to the real estate market, the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (SYM: VNQ) is tough to beat.
VNQ focuses heavily on real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are required to return most of their income to shareholders in the form of dividends. That structure makes them an excellent source of passive income. Some of VNQ’s largest positions include Welltower, Prologis, American Tower, Equinix, Digital Realty Trust, and Simon Property Group. These companies own and operate everything from healthcare facilities to warehouses, cell towers, data centers, and shopping malls—critical infrastructure that generates steady cash flow regardless of economic cycles. Even better, the outlook for commercial real estate (CRE) is improving. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Commercial Real Estate Outlook, the sector is showing signs of recovery, with some analysts predicting a once-in-a-generation opportunity as valuations stabilize and demand for space increases. Recent payouts highlight VNQ’s appeal to income investors. On June 30, it paid a dividend of just over 86 cents per share, following a March distribution of just over 93 cents. That kind of steady income, combined with real estate’s long-term appreciation potential, makes VNQ a strong “buy and hold forever” candidate. |
Stansberry
Could this strange machine trigger a paradigm-shift that changes society forever?
Some of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds, banks, hedge funds, and pensions seem to think so!
On August 28, the startup behind this device announced that they raised $863 million from Stanley Druckenmiller, Nvidia, Google, and others.
Vinod Khosla - an early investor in Amazon, Google, and OpenAI - calls it one of the most impactful and ambitious projects I've seen in my career.
It's a technology I call Helios - and I believe it's about to spark a global investment megatrend... with one tiny Massachusetts firm at the center of it all.
Click here to get all the details...
ETF: ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (SYM: NOBL) Dividend aristocrats are among the most reliable companies in the stock market. By definition, these are firms that have not only paid dividends for at least 25 consecutive years but have also increased their payouts every year during that time. That kind of consistency is rare—and incredibly valuable for long-term investors. Instead of hand-picking individual aristocrats, investors can buy them all at once through the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (SYM: NOBL).
Some of NOBL’s top holdings include AbbVie, Lowe’s, Archer Daniels Midland, and Pentair. These companies represent industries as diverse as healthcare, retail, agriculture, and industrials—but they all share one trait: an ironclad commitment to rewarding shareholders with rising dividends. NOBL has also been delivering dependable payouts. On July 1, it distributed just over 55 cents per share, following a 46-cent dividend on April 1. For investors seeking steady income backed by some of the most resilient businesses in the world, NOBL is an excellent choice. What makes dividend aristocrats particularly attractive is their performance in tough times. Even during recessions, these companies tend to hold up better than the broader market because their stability, cash flow, and shareholder-friendly policies keep investors confident. Owning NOBL means having a portfolio anchored in financial strength and consistency. |
Mode Mobile
iPhone 17 Is Coming. Here’s What Elon Thinks
“Apple used to really bring out products that would blow people’s minds.” Those are Elon Musk’s words.
Today, Apple’s strategy looks less like innovation, and more like repetition. But a new smartphone company is stepping up to deliver the mind-blowing moments we've been missing.
Turning smartphones from an expense into an income stream, Mode Mobile has already helped users earn and save $325M+ and achieved a staggering 32,481% revenue growth rate over three years. Uber did it to taxis, Airbnb did it to hotels…And now, Mode Mobile is doing it to the $500 billion smartphone industry.
Now, with their Nasdaq ticker $MODE secured, investors still have a chance to get in before a potential IPO.
Last round sold out at $0.30/share – don’t miss this one.
ETF: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SYM: SCHD) Finally, there’s the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SYM: SCHD)—a favorite among dividend investors for its combination of low cost, high yield, and diversified holdings.
SCHD tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which screens companies based on both yield and financial strength. That means investors aren’t just getting dividends—they’re getting dividends from companies with durable balance sheets and proven business models. Some of SCHD’s top holdings include Amgen, AbbVie, Home Depot, Cisco Systems, Broadcom, Chevron, UPS, and Coca-Cola. Together, these companies represent a blend of growth, stability, and income across sectors like technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and energy. The ETF has also been paying attractive dividends. With a yield approaching 4%, SCHD offers one of the best risk-reward profiles among dividend-focused ETFs. For investors who want broad exposure to blue-chip dividend payers at minimal cost, SCHD is hard to beat. |
Found this helpful? Share it with others.
Written by Ian Cooper