What is the difference between a broad-market index fund and a sector-specific index fund?

A broadmarket index fund is a type of index fund that tracks a broadbased market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Wilshire 5000. These funds provide exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks across multiple sectors and industries. As a result, they are often considered to be a good choice for investors who want to gain exposure to the overall market and achieve longterm growth.

On the other hand, a sectorspecific index fund tracks an index that focuses on a particular sector or industry. For example, there are index funds that track the technology sector, healthcare sector, or energy sector. These funds provide targeted exposure to a specific area of the market, which can be useful for investors who want to take a more focused approach to their investments.

The main difference between these two types of index funds is their level of diversification. Broadmarket index funds offer exposure to a wider range of stocks and sectors, which can help to reduce risk and volatility. Sectorspecific index funds, on the other hand, can be more volatile and carry higher levels of risk due to their concentrated exposure to a single sector or industry.