The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500, one of the largest, most important stock market indexes in the world. At any rate, the S&P 500 has generated steady returns over the decades, making it one of the best ways to invest.

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index is made up of 500 of the highest-quality companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges. To qualify for inclusion, companies must have a market capitalization of at least $20.

The market has been a wild roller coaster ride these past five years. As the longest-running bull market hit new highs in early 2020, the pandemic struck causing the Nasdaq 100 to lose more than a quarter of its value in a matter of weeks.