Topic: How To Invest

Dear Pat: Would you recommend the Vanguard Financials ETF for U.S. exposure? Your opinion would be appreciated.

Article Excerpt

Vanguard Financials ETF, $46.65, symbol VFH on New York (Units outstanding: 45.3 million; Market cap: $2.1 billion; www.vanguard.com), holds a number of stocks among its top holdings that we recommend in Wall Street Stock Forecaster, including Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase and American Express. It also holds some we don’t recommend, including its third-largest holding, Berkshire Hathaway. Unlike many holding companies, Berkshire Hathaway trades at a premium to its net asset value, and we think it is fully valued at today’s share price. What’s more, its chairman and CEO, famous investor Warren Buffett, celebrated his 83rd birthday last August. When he dies or if he becomes incapacitated, the stock is vulnerable to a sudden and severe downturn. Many bank stocks have moved up over the last year, as problem loans, litigation and lawsuits remaining from the financial crisis continue to recede and earnings rise in an improving U.S. economy. Vanguard Financials ETF is okay to hold if you want to invest in a wide…