If You Don't Want to Spend Time Researching Stocks, Just Buy Tech ETFs. Here's Why.

Not everyone wants to read annual reports. That's fine. There's a smarter path.

Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashI've written about investing with conviction. About doing deep research. About concentrating your bets when you truly understand what you own.

But let me be honest: that's not for everyone.

Some people don't want to spend hours reading 10-K filings. They don't want to analyze balance sheets. They don't want to track earnings calls and understand competitive moats.

They just want to invest, get solid returns, and live their life.

If that's you, I'm not going to judge you. I'm going to tell you what to do instead.

Buy tech ETFs and move on with your life.

Here's why this is the smartest move for people who won't do the research.

The Honest Truth About Stock Picking

Let's get real for a second.

Most people who pick individual stocks underperform the market. This isn't opinion - it's decades of data.

Why?

Buying based on headlines, not fundamentals

Panic selling during dips

Chasing trends after they've already run

Not understanding what they own

Checking prices daily and making emotional decisionsProfessional fund managers - people who do this full-time with teams of analysts - underperform index funds about 85% of the time over a 15-year period.

If the professionals can't beat the index, what makes you think you will by spending 30 minutes on Reddit?

I'm not saying stock picking is impossible. I'm saying it requires real work. If you're not going to do that work, you're gambling - not investing.

Why Tech ETFs Specifically

"Okay, I'll just buy index funds."

Sure. An S&P 500 index fund is a solid choice. You'll do fine.

But if you want to do better than "fine" without picking individual stocks, tech ETFs are the move.

Here's why:

1. Tech Has Dominated for Two Decades, And Will Likely Continue

Look at the top companies in the world by market cap:

Apple

Microsoft

Nvidia

Alphabet (Google)

Amazon

MetaSix of the top seven are tech companies.

These aren't flukes. Technology is eating every industry. Software is becoming the backbone of everything - finance, healthcare, retail, entertainment, transportation.

When you buy a tech ETF, you're buying the companies that are reshaping the entire economy.

2. The Returns Speak for Themselves

Let's compare 10-year returns (as of recent data):

S&P 500: ~12–13% annualized

Nasdaq 100: ~17–18% annualized

Tech sector ETFs: ~18–20% annualizedThat 5–6% annual difference compounds into massive gaps over time.

$10,000 invested for 20 years:

At 12%: $96,000

At 18%: $273,000Same starting amount. Same hands-off approach. Almost 3x more money - just from choosing tech over broad market.

3. Built-In Diversification Within the Sector

A tech ETF gives you exposure to 50–100+ companies across the technology sector:

Software giants (Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce)

Hardware leaders (Apple, Nvidia)

Semiconductors (AMD, Intel, Broadcom)

Internet/cloud (Google, Amazon, Meta)

Cybersecurity, fintech, and moreYou don't have to pick which tech company will win. You own all of them. When the sector grows, you grow.

4. Automatic Rebalancing

Here's something people miss:

ETFs automatically adjust their holdings based on market cap and index rules.

If a company starts failing, it shrinks in the index and eventually gets removed. If a new company is crushing it, it gets added and grows in weight.

You don't have to do anything. The ETF does the rebalancing for you.

It's like having a portfolio manager who works for almost free.

The Simple Strategy

If you don't want to research individual stocks, here's exactly what to do:

Step 1: Pick a tech-focused or tech-heavy ETF (do your own research on which fits your goals)

Step 2: Set up automatic monthly investments

Step 3: Don't look at it more than once per quarter

Step 4: Keep doing this for 20+ years

Step 5: Retire with significantly more money than most people

That's it. No stock picking. No earnings analysis. No daily price checking.

Just consistent investment into a diversified basket of the world's best companies.

"But What About Volatility?"

Yes, tech is more volatile than the broad market.

In 2022, tech ETFs dropped over 30%. In 2008, they dropped over 40%.

This scares people. It shouldn't - if you have a long time horizon.

Here's what actually matters:

Every major tech crash in history has been followed by recovery and new highs.

2000 dot-com crash → recovered and exploded higher

2008 financial crisis → recovered and exploded higher

2022 rate hike crash → recovered and hit new highsIf you're investing for 20+ years, short-term volatility is noise. The long-term trend is what matters - and the long-term trend for tech is up and to the right.

The people who lose money in tech ETFs are the ones who panic sell during dips.

If you can't stomach a 30% drop without selling, either adjust your allocation or stay out entirely. But if you can hold through volatility, you'll be rewarded.

When Tech ETFs Aren't Enough

Let me be clear about who this advice is for:

Tech ETFs are perfect if:

You don't want to spend time researching

You want better-than-average returns with minimal effort

You have a 10+ year time horizon

You can handle volatility without panic sellingTech ETFs aren't enough if:

You want to beat the market significantly

You're willing to do deep research

You have conviction in specific sectors or companies

You want asymmetric bets (quantum, nuclear, robotics, etc.)If you're in the second group, you need to put in the work - reading annual reports, understanding business models, developing genuine conviction.

But if you're in the first group? Stop pretending you're going to do that work. Just buy the ETF and let the market do its thing.

The Worst Thing You Can Do

The worst financial decision isn't picking the "wrong" ETF.

It's doing nothing because you're overwhelmed by choices.

People spend months "researching" which investment to make, comparing expense ratios that differ by 0.03%, reading conflicting opinions online - and never actually investing.

Meanwhile, the market goes up and they miss the gains.

Analysis paralysis is the real wealth killer.

Pick a tech ETF. Start investing today.

You can optimize later. You can add more funds later. You can adjust your strategy later.

But you need to start now, because time in the market beats everything.

Not Everyone Wants to Be An Active Investor

This is OKAY.

If you're not going to do the research to invest with conviction, don't pretend you will. Don't pick random stocks. Don't chase tips from Reddit.

Just buy a tech ETF, automate your contributions, and get on with your life.

You'll outperform most stock pickers. You'll spend zero time analyzing companies. You'll let the best businesses in the world compound your wealth while you sleep.

Is it the absolute optimal strategy? No.

Is it the best strategy for people who won't do the work? Absolutely.

Know yourself. Invest accordingly.

Investing is the EXIT.

This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial or legal advice. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.

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Airport • Full Body • 2 Min / Exercise

Calf Raises

Wall Sit

Standing Knee Drives

Overhead Arm Circles

Walking Lunges

10 minute workouts you can do anywhere.