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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The only independent newsletter written for Vanguard investors, by Vanguard investors.

The Independent Vanguard Adviser is the go-to resource for the serious Vanguard investor who doesn't want to make moves every minute, but wants every move to count.

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IVA Research
LATEST INSIGHT -

Not All Growth Is Created Equal

FUNDS FOCUS — LARGE-CAP GROWTH FUNDS | In a market where growth has dominated for two decades, picking the right growth fund today is more important than ever. My take on every option in Vanguard's lineup.

16 min read
More Insights
Weekly Brief

Vanguard’s Filing Fumble & Cash Yield Cut

Government shutdown ends with stocks higher | An active ETFs filing fiasco | Cash Plus Account’s yield slips

| 5 min read
IVA Research

Cheap, Clean, and Unproven: A Closer Look at Vanguard’s First Active Stock ETFs

The new Wellington-run ETFs offer competitive (but not standout) pricing and tax-friendly wrappers—but the strategies still need to earn their keep.

| 11 min read
Quick Take

Too Good to Be True

Vanguard’s first active ETFs won’t carry the rock-bottom fees first advertised. A filing error, not a strategy shift—and a reminder that Vanguard’s tech still needs work.

| 1 min read
Quick Take

Vanguard’s First Human-Run ETFs Are (Nearly) Here

The fund giant’s new ETFs come with standout pricing—but cost alone doesn’t make them must-own investments.

| 4 min read
Weekly Brief

Don’t Mistake Noise for Trouble

Minor pullbacks, noisy labor data | Vanguard’s latest marketing pushes—Cash Plus Account and Fully Paid Lending

| 7 min read
Featured

Why I've Become More Open to Index Funds

MAILBAG | Have I abandoned active management in favor of index funds? The short answer is no, but my thinking has evolved. Here's where I stand.

| 8 min read

PRIMECAP’s Next Generation

Joel Fried’s retirement brings the firm’s generational handoff into focus—but PRIMECAP’s unusual structure may give it an edge.

| 3 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
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.