The S 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) represents 500 companies (with 503 stocks) and it includes stocks from all 11 sectors of the U.S. economy, giving it some relative diversity. Stocks from the technology sector make up about 30% of its weighting, giving investors plenty of exposure to some fast-growing stocks, including those with ties to artificial intelligence (AI).

The S 500 hit a new record high in January 2024, confirming a bull market that began when the index bottomed in late 2022 was underway. Since then it has continued to march higher, with a gain of almost 18% so far in 2024.

Even with all those gains, it's not too late to buy as the odds favor some level of growth in any given year for the S 500. Since 1919, the index has been positive on an annual basis roughly three out of every four years of its existence. That suggests those who can invest in the market overall have a good chance of making money. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a simple way to capture those gains, and even outperform them in some cases.

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Source Fool.com