Market Uncertain? 3 ETFs Investors Are Turning to Now

Markets are becoming more uncertain as investors react to changing policy signals and tariff comments from President Donald Trump. Because of this, many investors are focusing less on predicting the S&P 500 (SPX) Index and more on how they position their portfolios. Instead of relying on one stock, they are using exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that serve different roles — growth exposure, stability, and protection during volatility.

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Using the TipRanks ETF Comparison Tool, we looked at three widely followed BlackRock ETFs and how each one may fit investors in the current environment.

1. iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW)

The iShares U.S. Technology ETF provides concentrated exposure to large U.S. technology companies. The fund manages about $19.66 billion in assets and charges a 0.38% expense ratio.

IYW is designed for investors seeking growth rather than income. Its dividend yield is only about 0.14%, reflecting its focus on companies that reinvest earnings into expansion instead of paying large dividends. Over the past year, the ETF gained roughly 21.23%, showing how strongly the technology sector has performed.

Because it tracks major technology firms, the ETF tends to move with trends in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services. Investors often use IYW when they want exposure to the sector without selecting individual tech stocks.

2. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL)

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF follows a different strategy. Rather than chasing fast growth, it selects profitable companies with stable earnings, strong balance sheets, and consistent returns.

QUAL holds about $49.64 billion in assets and charges a 0.15% expense ratio. The ETF offers a modest 0.91% dividend yield and gained approximately 12.29% over the past year.

This type of “quality factor” fund appeals to investors seeking equity exposure with steadier performance than high-growth stocks.

3. iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT)

The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF serves a very different role. Instead of stocks, the fund invests in long-term U.S. government bonds, making it a defensive allocation within a portfolio.

TLT manages about $45.13 billion and has a 0.15% expense ratio. It offers a significantly higher 4.34% yield, reflecting bond interest payments. However, its price performance differs from stocks, and it was down about 0.51% over the past year.

Investors typically use TLT as a hedge. Bond prices often move differently from equities, so the ETF can help reduce portfolio swings during stock market volatility.

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