Investing.com -- Vanguard Group's S&P 500-tracking ETF has become the first exchange-traded fund to surpass $1 trillion in assets. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: VOO) crossed the threshold after receiving $1.7 billion in inflows during the most recent session for which data is available, according to Bloomberg figures.

VOO, which was already the largest ETF globally, now stands as the only ETF to reach $1 trillion in assets. Only a small number of open-ended funds worldwide have achieved this level.

The fund has attracted more than $69 billion in 2026, making it the top recipient of inflows among all ETFs this year. The S&P 500 benchmark has gained 11% year to date and has reached multiple record highs.

In the past thirty years, ETFs have surged in popularity with both institutional and retail investors, thanks to their low fees, tax efficiency, and liquidity. The growth of a robust derivatives ecosystem has cemented ETFs as a core part of Wall Street’s financial system.

Despite initial volatility in U.S. equities following the start of the Iran war, the S&P 500’s steady rise has attracted significant buy-and-hold investments into ETFs like VOO.

The ETF industry launched its first funds in the early 1990s.