The first US-listed ETF targeting the S&P 500 Index began trading in 1993. Today the US ETF market is over $3 trillion, and over 185 ETFs representing almost $800 billion in assets are dedicated to US large caps, most in variations of S&P 500 strategies.
These large-cap ETFs are by now quite varied in approach, targeting core, style boxes, factors, sectors, ESG, as well as leveraged, tactical and active approaches. Many newer ETFs are also designed to provide enhanced or ‘smart beta’ intended for buy-and-hold exposure to US large caps — an irony considering that the original S&P 500 ETF was designed with short-term traders and hedgers in mind.
