According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Pennington Partners & Co., LLC has expanded its investment in the Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (NASDAQ: VTHR) by acquiring an additional 17,870 shares during the first quarter of 2026. This move reflects a strategic transaction valued at approximately $5.4 million, based on the average closing price for that quarter.
As of March 31, 2026, this increased position in VTHR accounts for 6.3% of Pennington’s assets under management (AUM), ranking it fourth among the firm’s principal holdings. The top holdings in Pennington Partners’ portfolio following this latest acquisition include:
1. NYSE: VTI: $59.2 million (20.3% of AUM)
2. NYSE: BOXX: $49.9 million (17.1% of AUM)
3. NYSE: IWV: $41.6 million (14.2% of AUM)
4. NASDAQ: VTHR: $18.3 million (6.3% of AUM)
5. NYSE: JAAA: $8.4 million (2.9% of AUM)
As of May 20, 2026, shares of VTHR were trading at $325.94, marking a 26% increase over the past year. However, this performance trails the S&P 500 by approximately 1.5 percentage points and underperforms its Large Blend category benchmark by about 1.7 percentage points. As for its metrics, VTHR has an AUM of $5.8 billion, an expense ratio of just 0.06%, and offers a dividend yield of 1.05%. The one-year return stands at 25.98% as of the specified date.
The Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF aims to mirror the performance of the Russell 3000 Index, which provides investors with broad exposure to nearly the entire U.S. equity market through a cost-effective, passively managed investment strategy. With around 3,000 holdings, VTHR encompasses roughly 98% of the investable U.S. equity universe, including a diverse mix of large-, mid-, and small-cap companies. Its ultra-low expense ratio makes it one of the most affordable funds in its category, targeting long-term investors seeking returns aligned with the overall U.S. equity market.
Pennington Partners’ decision to bolster their stake in VTHR by nearly 39% in a single quarter signals a calculated commitment to the broader U.S. market rather than a targeted investment in a specific company or sector. This aligns with the ETF’s goal of providing expansive market coverage, thereby granting access to both recognized megacap entities like Apple and Microsoft, alongside lesser-known small-cap firms.
In the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. equities market displayed ongoing, albeit varied, resilience. Institutional investors augmenting their positions in broad indices during this period appears to reflect a belief in the stability of the current bull market. VTHR’s 26% one-year growth demonstrates strong performance across the entire market capitalization spectrum.
For retail investors, Pennington’s acquisition serves as a reminder that prudent investment choices do not always have to be glamorous. Sometimes, opting for a low-cost, broadly diversified index fund, particularly with a long-term investment perspective, can be a suitable strategy. The VTHR’s low expense ratio allows investors to retain nearly all of their returns, showcasing its potential as a meaningful advantage through compounding over time.
Prospective investors may want to consider their options carefully. Notably, while the VTHR appears to be a solid investment, it wasn’t included in a recent list of the ten best stocks recommended by analysts from The Motley Fool Stock Advisor. These analysts have highlighted certain stocks with considerable potential for returns in the upcoming years, underscoring the importance of thorough research before making investment decisions.
