3 Defensive Sector ETFs a Retiree Can Buy and Hold for Decades

Groceries, prescriptions, and electricity keep getting paid even when retirement accounts are bleeding, but not every fund built around these necessities behaves the same way when markets crack.

24/7 Wall Street • Oct 28, 2026

Should You Invest in the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares (VHT)?

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares (VHT) is a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on January 26, 2004.

Zacks Investment Research • Oct 21, 2026

Vanguard Health Care ETF vs iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Vanguard Health Care ETF provides significantly broader exposure with 411 holdings compared to 100 for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF. The Vanguard fund maintains a lower expense ratio of 0.09%, while the iShares fund charges 0.37%.

The Motley Fool • Oct 21, 2026

Healthcare ETFs to Buy as UnitedHealth Beats on Q3 Earnings

UnitedHealth's Q3 earnings beat estimates, lifting shares 6.3%. Explore three healthcare ETFs offering UNH exposure while diversifying Medicaid risks.

Zacks Investment Research • Oct 19, 2026

Bet on These Healthcare ETFs to Benefit From the Aging US Population

With the US population aging rapidly, three healthcare ETFs offer exposure to companies developing treatments, drugs and medical devices for age-related conditions.

Zacks Investment Research • Oct 14, 2026

From Laggard to Leader: The Surprising Comeback of Healthcare

Healthcare stocks have finally stepped back into the spotlight. After spending much of the past several years in the shadow of technology and AI, the sector has quietly emerged as one of the year's more compelling comeback stories.

ETF Trends • Oct 13, 2026

Better Healthcare ETF: Vanguard's Broad VHT vs. the iShares Biotechnology-Focused IBB

The Vanguard Health Care ETF offers a broad healthcare focus with a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.09% compared to its peer. The iShares Biotechnology ETF saw a higher 1-year total return but has experienced a much deeper maximum drawdown over the last five years.

The Motley Fool • Oct 5, 2026

3 of the Best ETFs to Buy and Hold if a Recession Is Coming

VHT is a diversified play on the non-cyclical healthcare sector. BND will benefit from interest rate cuts in a recession.

The Motley Fool • Oct 2, 2026

VHT vs. XBI: Is Diversified Healthcare Exposure or Biotech Stocks the Smarter Choice for Investors?

VHT offers significantly lower ownership costs, with a 0.09% expense ratio compared to XBI's 0.35%. XBI provides targeted focus on biotechnology, while VHT offers exposure to the entire healthcare sector.

The Motley Fool • Sep 22, 2026

5 Undervalued Oncology Stocks Wall Street Is Overlooking

Oncology spending is projected to reach $441 billion by 2029, but market growth is expected to slow as established therapies face generic and biosimilar competition. Several oncology blockbusters are also approaching loss of exclusivity, including Pfizer's Ibrance in 2027–2028 and Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo in 2028–2030. Overall, the oncology rally has been broad, but I believe several underappreciated companies still offer meaningful upside.

Seeking Alpha • Sep 18, 2026