The stock market is sizzling hot right now. Many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offered by Vanguard are performing exceptionally well. Nearly half of the Vanguard's 88 ETFs have delivered total returns of at least 20% in 2024.

ETFs bring instant diversification, and new investors don't need to worry about when is the best time to buy or sell individual stocks. As such, I think one of the best ETFs for investors to start with is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO).

Vanguard is known for its low-cost ETFs, especially its extremely popular Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. Small cap stocks have dramatically underperformed their large-cap counterparts for over a decade. As of Oct.

A couple of top Vanguard ETFs that can be highly attractive to growth investors are the Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF ( VUG -0.68%) and the Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund ETF ( VOT -1.46%). Here's a look at why these can be ideal investments to buy and forget about.