When introduced to investing, many market participants learn about the benefits of owning individual equities. And market history is littered with examples of “story stocks” that minted fortunes for select investors who likely just got lucky.

But for most investors, the better course of action is to learn how to invest in index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track broad market indexes. Familiar examples include the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF.

While owning an asset such as the VOO ETF or a total market fund isn’t glamorous or as potentially rewarding as owning a single stock, it’s a sound idea for investors seeking broad-based exposure while eliminating the burden of picking winners.

US ETF ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT TO MORE THAN DOUBLE TO $25T BY 2030, CITIGROUP SAYS

Put simply, stock picking is difficult, and the data confirm as much. In 2025, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF gained 17.8%, while 79% of U.S. large-cap active managers underperformed the S&P 500. Not only was that worse than the 65% that lagged the index in 2024, but last year was also the fourth-worst for active managers lagging the S&P 500 since S&P Dow Jones Indices started keeping track in 2002.

GOLDMAN SACHS COMPLETES INNOVATOR CAPITAL ACQUISITION, LIFTING ETF ASSETS TO $90B

In plain English, even the pros, who have resources at their disposal that “home gamers” do not have access to, get it wrong, and that happens quite frequently. So perhaps there’s something to be said for “VOO and chill” as is so often said on Reddit.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
VOO	VANGUARD S&P 500 ETF – USD DIS	638.35	+7.63	+1.21%
VTI	VANGUARD TOTAL STOCK MARKET ETF – USD DIS	342.65	+3.98	+1.18%

For investors on the fence about owning a basic ETF, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF or the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, Warren Buffett’s views on the matter are worth noting. Perhaps the greatest money manager of all time, Buffett once said that ordinary investors can beat the pros by embracing index funds and periodically adding capital to their stakes.

THE ETF REPORT: NEWS & ANALYSIS

He also said cost-effective index funds are “the most sensible equity investment for the great majority of investors.” That’s convincing advice.

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Todd Shriber has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Shares of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) surged as much as 5% to hit their day’s high of Rs 845 on the BSE on Wednesday after the company announced its first-ever bonus issue. The insurer said its board has approved a 1:1 bonus issue, marking the first such corporate action for its nearly 22 lakh shareholders.

Under the proposal, the company will issue one fully paid-up equity share of Rs 10 each for every existing fully paid-up equity share of Rs 10 held by shareholders as on the record date. LIC plans to capitalise up to Rs 6,325 crore from its reserves and surplus, which stood at around Rs 1.5 lakh crore as of December 31, 2025. The issue is subject to necessary approvals.

The company said the bonus shares will be credited within 2 months of board approval, on or before June 12, 2026. The record date to determine eligible shareholders is yet to be announced.

A bonus issue involves issuing additional shares to existing shareholders free of cost from a company’s reserves. While it increases the number of shares outstanding, it does not alter the overall market capitalisation, though it can improve liquidity and make the stock more accessible to investors.

Also read: Anand Rathi shares soar over 9% as Q4 net profit rockets 126%. Check details

This marks LIC’s first bonus issue since its listing in May 2022. The company has declared five interim dividends so far.
In its latest available earnings, LIC reported a 17% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 12,930 crore for the December quarter, while net premium income grew 17% to Rs 1.26 lakh crore. The company has not yet announced the date for its March quarter results.
The stock has gained around 5% over the past month, though it remains down over 5% so far this calendar year. Over three years, LIC shares have risen nearly 47%.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

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VELDHOVEN, Netherlands — ASML Holding N.V. shares climbed more than 1 percent Tuesday to close at $1,518.30, extending a strong 2026 rally as investors cheered robust demand for the Dutch chip equipment maker’s extreme ultraviolet lithography machines driven by the artificial intelligence boom.

The stock gained $18.10, or 1.21 percent, on above-average volume, trading near its all-time highs after touching intraday levels above $1,531. In after-hours trading, shares hovered around $1,528. The move came as ASML prepared to release first-quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, with analysts expecting solid figures amid rising orders for advanced semiconductor production tools.

ASML, the world’s sole supplier of high-NA EUV lithography systems essential for producing the most advanced chips, has benefited from surging capital spending by major customers including TSMC, Intel and Samsung. These firms are racing to expand production capacity for AI accelerators and high-performance computing chips, fueling a rebound in the semiconductor equipment sector.

The company’s shares have risen more than 40 percent year-to-date in 2026, far outpacing broader market indexes, as optimism grows around sustained AI-related demand. The 52-week range spans from a low near $614 to a high above $1,547, reflecting both geopolitical risks and the explosive growth potential tied to next-generation chip technology.

In January, ASML raised its full-year 2026 sales guidance to between €34 billion and €39 billion, with gross margins expected between 51 percent and 53 percent. Executives cited strong bookings for EUV and High-NA EUV systems, which enable smaller, more powerful transistors critical for AI workloads. The upgraded forecast marked a vote of confidence after some earlier caution around customer spending and export restrictions to China.

China remains a key but volatile market for ASML. While the company has projected that Chinese sales would account for roughly 20 percent of 2026 revenue, actual figures in prior years exceeded expectations despite U.S. export controls on the most advanced tools. Any easing or tightening of those restrictions could significantly impact results.

First-quarter 2026 results, due Wednesday, are anticipated to show continued momentum. Consensus estimates point to revenue around €8.6 billion to €8.8 billion and earnings per share near €7. Analysts will scrutinize order backlog, regional sales mix and commentary on High-NA EUV adoption. The new systems, priced at hundreds of millions of dollars each, represent a major technological leap but require substantial customer investment.

ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet has emphasized the long-term growth trajectory. The company aims for €44 billion to €60 billion in annual sales by 2030, driven by continued innovation in lithography and increasing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing. Investments in research and development, expected around €1.2 billion in the first quarter alone, underscore ASML’s commitment to maintaining its technological edge.

Wall Street remains broadly bullish. Many analysts maintain “buy” or “strong buy” ratings, with average price targets implying further upside from current levels. Optimism centers on ASML’s near-monopoly position in EUV technology and the multi-year cycle of fab expansions worldwide. However, some caution that lofty valuations — trading at elevated multiples — leave limited room for disappointment if AI hype moderates or macroeconomic headwinds intensify.

Geopolitical tensions add another layer of risk. U.S.-China trade frictions and potential new export licensing requirements could constrain sales of advanced machines to Chinese customers. ASML has navigated these challenges by complying with regulations while highlighting growing demand from non-restricted markets.

The broader semiconductor supply chain has shown resilience. TSMC, a major ASML customer, continues to report strong demand for its most advanced nodes used in AI chips from Nvidia and others. Samsung’s expansion plans and Intel’s efforts to regain process leadership also support ASML’s outlook.

Dividend investors have taken note as well. ASML offers a healthy yield and has a track record of increasing payouts. A final dividend for 2025 is scheduled with an ex-date in late April, providing additional appeal for long-term holders.

Market reaction to recent trading sessions reflects confidence. Shares have climbed steadily through April despite occasional volatility tied to broader tech sector swings. Tuesday’s gain pushed the stock closer to its February peak, signaling renewed momentum as earnings season approaches.

Industry analysts point to several tailwinds for the remainder of 2026. Memory chip recovery, logic device demand and the rollout of High-NA EUV tools are expected to drive double-digit sales growth. Gross margin stability in the low- to mid-50s range would further support profitability.

Challenges persist, however. Supply chain constraints for critical components, competition in less advanced lithography segments and potential slowdowns in overall chip demand if AI investment cools could temper results. ASML’s heavy reliance on a handful of large customers also concentrates risk.

For investors, ASML represents a pure-play bet on the semiconductor industry’s technological frontier. The company’s machines are indispensable for producing chips at the 2-nanometer level and beyond, positioning it at the heart of the AI revolution and future computing advances.

As Wednesday’s earnings release nears, focus will shift to forward guidance and management’s tone on customer capex plans. Any upward revision or strong backlog update could propel shares higher, while cautious commentary might trigger profit-taking given the year-to-date run.

ASML’s performance in 2026 underscores the enduring importance of foundational technology providers in the semiconductor ecosystem. While flashy AI chip designers capture headlines, companies like ASML enable the entire industry’s progress.

With shares trading near record levels and AI demand showing few signs of abating, ASML remains one of the most watched names in European and global tech. Tuesday’s advance reflects growing conviction that the company’s monopoly in critical lithography tools will translate into sustained growth and shareholder value.

Whether the momentum carries through earnings and into the second half of the year will depend on execution, geopolitical stability and the continued appetite for advanced semiconductors. For now, investors appear optimistic that ASML is well-positioned to capitalize on the semiconductor supercycle.

Shares of RailTel Corporation of India rallied 11.13% to Rs 316.24 during Wednesday’s trading session after the company announced multiple order wins with a total value of about Rs 608 crore, boosting investor sentiment.

In an exchange filing, RailTel Corporation of India said it has received Letters of Acceptance (LoAs) from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) for two major infrastructure projects involving integrated tunnel communication systems.

The first contract, worth around Rs 309.27 crore, relates to Package 1. It involves the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning (SITC) of integrated communication systems for tunnels T-1 to T-7 and associated stations, covering a 42.7 km stretch.

The second order, valued at approximately Rs 255.27 crore, pertains to Package 2 and covers SITC work for tunnels T-8 to T-11 and four stations, spanning 36 km. The scope includes VHF simplex systems, CCTV, public address systems, and emergency call points.

Both projects are domestic in nature and are scheduled for completion by April 12, 2028.

Additionally, RailTel has secured a work order from the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board to provide security-related ancillary services during recruitment examinations. This contract is valued at approximately Rs 43.96 crore.
The company clarified that none of these contracts falls under related-party transactions and that there is no promoter group interest in the awarding entities. All three orders were received on April 13, 2026.The fresh inflow of orders is seen as a positive trigger for RailTel, reinforcing its position in telecom infrastructure and government project execution.

On the technical front, according to Trendlyne data, the Relative Strength Index (RSI-14) stands at 51.6. An RSI below 30 indicates oversold conditions, while a reading above 70 suggests the stock may be overbought.

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Shares of RailTel Corporation of India are currently trading above five out of eight simple moving averages (SMAs), but remain below the medium- to long-term 100-day, 150-day, and 200-day SMAs.

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)