Index investing is a passive strategy that involves buying and holding broad market index funds - like the S&P 500 - to achieve consistent, long-term returns with minimal effort and low fees.
Instead of picking individual stocks or timing the market, index investors buy into a fund that replicates the performance of a market index. These funds offer built-in diversification and exposure to hundreds or thousands of companies at once.
This strategy is based on the belief that markets grow over time, and that trying to “beat the market” often results in lower returns, higher risk, and increased stress. Index investing offers a simple, transparent, and cost-effective way to build wealth.
Index investing is ideal for new investors, long-term savers, and those who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach. It’s also widely used in retirement accounts and by those seeking low-cost, stress-free portfolio growth.
John Bogle, founder of Vanguard, pioneered index funds and transformed how millions of people invest. He believed in simplicity, low fees, and letting the market do the work for you.
Want to dive deeper into the theory behind index investing? Check out this:
Investopedia article on index investing