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The December 2025 list named five ETFs—VOO, IEMG, BND, SCHA and VNQ—that target different parts of the market. It is a dated editorial selection, not a current buy recommendation: the list’s reported update was Dec. 8, 2025, and its ranking methodology and detailed figures could not be verified. Here is what each fund is intended to cover, what is confirmed about its objective and fees, and how to assess whether any belongs in your portfolio.
What the December 2025 list included
A Forbes Investor Hub search result reported an article titled “5 Top Index Funds To Buy For 2025,” published Dec. 29, 2024, and updated Dec. 8, 2025. It named the following ETFs. The result appeared on a nonproduction Forbes subdomain, and a direct article fetch failed, so the list and its stated selection criteria should be treated as reported editorial context—not a validated ranking or current recommendation.
| Ticker and fund | Exposure described in the list | What issuer information confirms here |
|---|---|---|
| VOO — Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | U.S. large-cap stocks | Current index details and fee information were not readable in the Vanguard issuer material available for this article. Vanguard fund profile. |
| IEMG — iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | Emerging-market stocks | BlackRock says it seeks to track an index of large-, mid- and small-cap emerging-market equities; its page lists a 0.09% expense ratio. BlackRock fund page. |
| BND — Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | Broad U.S. bond exposure | Current index details and fee information were not readable in the Vanguard issuer material available for this article. Vanguard fund profile. |
| SCHA — Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | U.S. small-cap stocks | Schwab says its goal is to track, before fees and expenses, the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index. It reports a 0.030% total expense ratio, effective June 11, 2026. Schwab fund page. |
| VNQ — Vanguard Real Estate ETF | Real-estate exposure | Current index details and fee information were not readable in the Vanguard issuer material available for this article. Vanguard fund profile. |
The two fee figures are issuer-reported, not independently normalized, and do not establish that either ETF is the least expensive or best choice in its category. The December list’s full calculations and comparative data—including performance, trading volume, spreads and tracking—could not be inspected, so those figures are not reproduced as verified facts.
How the five funds differ
VOO: U.S. large-cap stocks
The list described VOO as large-cap U.S. equity exposure. That is a different allocation from a dedicated small-cap or emerging-markets fund. Review Vanguard’s current fund materials to confirm its benchmark, holdings, costs and risk characteristics before comparing it with alternatives.
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IEMG: emerging-market stocks
IEMG’s stated benchmark exposure spans large-, mid- and small-cap companies in emerging markets. That geographic and market-segment focus can make it a complement to other stock holdings, but it also means its behavior and risks are not interchangeable with a U.S.-focused equity ETF.
BND: U.S. bonds
The list described BND as broad U.S. bond exposure. For a bond fund, the benchmark and holdings matter alongside the expense ratio: examine interest-rate sensitivity, credit quality and the types of bonds held in the current issuer materials. Those characteristics were not confirmed here.
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SCHA: U.S. small-cap stocks
SCHA’s stated goal is to track the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index before fees and expenses. Small-cap exposure differs from large-cap exposure and may bring different risks and return patterns; the fund’s label alone does not establish how it will perform.
VNQ: real estate
The list identified VNQ as a real-estate ETF. Check Vanguard’s current prospectus and fund information for its precise index, holdings, sector and property exposure, and costs. Those details were not readable in the issuer material available here.
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The December article said it considered expense ratios, tracking accuracy, assets, liquidity, performance, trading volume and bid–ask spreads, holdings breadth, diversification and provider reputation. Its underlying comparisons were not available to verify. Use those as a starting checklist, not proof that the five funds ranked objectively above alternatives.
- Identify the benchmark and exposure. Confirm which index the fund tracks and whether it covers the market segment you want. A large-cap U.S. fund, an emerging-markets fund, a bond fund, a small-cap fund and a real-estate fund serve different roles.
- Look beyond the ticker. Read the issuer’s current prospectus and fact sheet for holdings, concentration, geography, sectors and, for bonds, credit and interest-rate exposure. Broad labels do not show every risk inside a fund.
- Compare costs on the same basis. Check the current expense ratio and understand what the issuer’s figure includes. Also consider trading costs, including the bid–ask spread; a low stated expense ratio alone does not capture every cost of owning an ETF.
- Assess tracking and trading. Compare how closely a fund has followed its stated index over time and review trading liquidity and spreads. Use current, comparable issuer and market data rather than relying on an unverified ranking’s historical figures.
- Fit the fund to your own situation. Consider your time horizon, risk tolerance, tax circumstances and existing holdings. The list does not assess any individual investor’s suitability, and a fund’s inclusion does not make it appropriate for you.
What “for 2025” means now
As of Oct. 4, 2026, “for 2025” is a historical framing, not a current forecast. Fund fees and characteristics can change, and past performance is not a prediction. Schwab Asset Management’s SCHA page states: “Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results.” Check each issuer’s current fund materials before acting; this article does not establish a five-fund ranking or provide personalized investment advice.
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