The Independent Vanguard Adviser

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Seasoned insights on Vanguard funds that most investors don’t know—and Vanguard won’t tell you.

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Quick Take
LATEST INSIGHT -

IVA QUICK TAKE | Vanguard’s Junk Bond Index ETF—Better Late Than Never

The fund giant files for a high-yield bond index ETF—filling a gap in its lineup, but raising questions about the timing.

2 min read
More Insights
Quick Take

Total Bond Gets a “Plus”

Due out in December, Core-Plus Bond Index ETF promises more complete coverage, but don’t expect it to dethrone Total Bond Market ETF.

| 2 min read
Quick Take

From Closet Indexer to Active Aggressor?

After decades of musical chairs, Vanguard bets on a single manager—Tremblant Capital—to give MidCap Growth a new identity.

| 2 min read
Weekly Brief

Hot Markets, Cool Hiring—and Vanguard’s Split

Hot markets, cool hiring | Vanguard’s VCM–VPM split coming in Q1-2026 | Vanguard’s new Chief Legal Officer | Email glitch

| 5 min read
IVA Research

The Active Investor’s Guide to Vanguard’s International Funds

Funds Focus — ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUNDS | Your roadmap to finding the best international funds in Vanguard’s lineup.

| 19 min read
IVA Research

The Index Investor’s Guide to Vanguard’s International Funds

FUNDS FOCUS — INTERNATIONAL STOCK INDEX FUNDS | A closer look at Vanguard’s international index funds — and which ones deserve a spot in your portfolio.

| 13 min read
Featured

Investing Beyond the AI Hype

2026 OUTLOOK | The market’s baseline is growth—but in an AI-driven, fully-priced world, diversification matters more than ever.

| 15 min read

The AI Footprint in Your Vanguard Portfolio

MAILBAG | A comprehensive look at Vanguard funds tied to the AI narrative, as well as those that aren’t—and how the IVA Portfolios stack up.

| 22 min read

PRIMECAP Finds Its Edge … Again

A strong 2025 reminds investors why patience with PRIMECAP still pays.

| 14 min read
Disclaimer

Vanguard and The Vanguard Group are service marks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. We are not affiliated in any way with The Vanguard Group and receive no compensation from The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Jeff DeMaso

Hi, I’m Jeff DeMaso.

Welcome to the Independent Vanguard Adviser.

I’ve been a Vanguard investor for over a decade, co-editing the leading newsletter on Vanguard funds and ETFs. I’m a big Vanguard fan, but they are not perfect (nobody is). I’ll tell you the good and the bad when it comes to Vanguard.

Over two decades while working at a multi-billion-dollar investment firm, I held titles of intern to CIO (and everything in between). I’ve seen investors make avoidable mistakes time and time again. I aim to share the investment insights and advice I want my family and friends to have so that you can make meaningful investments for yours.

When investing, I believe in simplicity, diversification and spending time in the market. A simple promise: My family and I will invest in the same funds I recommend to you!

When I’m not poring over Vanguard’s most recent prospectus, you can find me chasing my toddler around the playground or trying to avoid an injury while reliving the glory days on the soccer pitch.