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The Vanguard ETF may also appeal to investors concerned about inflation since real estate is traditionally seen as a hedge against rising prices elsewhere. Consumer staples and utility stocks each make up less than 1% of the fund’s value. As of April 30, 2024, the fund’s average annual return over five years (before taxes) was almost 16% compared to about 13% for the S&P 500. As tech stocks surge, the Vanguard Growth ETF has outperformed the S&P 500 in the first four months of 2024. Our picks for the nine best index funds for this year can help you accomplish a variety of investment goals. An index fund can be either a mutual fund or an exchange-traded fund (ETF), both of which are managed by investment advisers who have to register with the U.S.

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Where λn and γin are the eigenvalue of the nth IPCA and the eigenvector value for the ith genotype. A genotype is considered to be more stable when the value of this statistic is lower. List of parametric and non-parametric stability statistics to analyze GEI effect in METs experiments. The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only.

Parameter estimation

It tracks the FTSE Emerging Index, a collection of large- and mid-cap stocks in more than 20 developing countries. The returns generated by an index fund generally never exceed the performance of the index itself, if only because of index fund expense ratios, which are the annual management fees collected by index fund managers. Since index funds are passively managed, they are actually more likely to outperform funds with active managers over the long term.

• Thus, the genotypic response to environmental conditions is not equal for all genotypes.
• Thematic investors wanting to capitalize on a long-term secular trend should check out the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO -0.54%).
• In addition to bonds, a stable value fund also invests in insurance contracts that are issued by insurance companies or banks.
• Similar to the EV statistic, for SIPC1, N is one; for SIPCV, N is the number of IPCs that are retained in the AMMI model via validation procedures; for SIPCF, N is the number of IPCs that retain in the AMMI model via F-tests.
• Although the index includes a few real estate management and development companies, it consists mostly of equity REITs, which own and operate income-producing real estate.

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In the above equations, N and K are the number of environments and genotypes, respectively. Like the other S&P 500 funds on this list, this fund gives exposure to 500 of the largest U.S. companies, which make up about 75% of the U.S. stock market’s total value. NerdWallet, Inc. is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only.

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GENES is a software package used for data analysis and processing with different biometric models for genetic studies applied to plant and animal breeding. It allows parametric and non-parametric stability statistics to be computed and presents integration with MS Word, MS Excel and Paint. It is also compatible with the free software R and Matlab, through the supply of useful scripts available for complementary analyses in different areas [99].

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• Burbano-Erazo et al. [65] used a set of AMMI-based methods to test the stability of common bean genotypes for heat and drought environments.
• The propensity to model the GEI led to the development of a series of methods and approaches called “stability analyses”, the concepts of which precede even analysis of variance (ANOVA) [5].
• Meanwhile, the S&P 500 racked up total returns of about 447% during the same decade.
• Hence, in each experiment, attention to the causes of GEI is very important and should be dissected.
• Formally known as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the S&P 500 serves as a quick snapshot of the state of the stock markets.
• Perhaps turn to stable value funds, a potential goldilocks solution that may already be available in your workplace retirement plan.
• These tend to be good choices because they’re well diversified and allow you to lock in the historical growth of the domestic stock market.
• Its benchmark index is the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, which broadly tracks equity REITs in the U.S.
• Based on the AMMI’s output, several stability statistics have been proposed by different researchers for evaluating genotypes.

After then, Hussein et al. [106], Akbarpour et al. [107], and Dia et al. [108] developed other codes that enable breeders to calculate other stability statistics. Among these, the SAS macro code developed by Dia et al. [108]––which has been called SASG×E––is more complete compared to other codes. The capability of different software for computing the stability statistics.

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Koundinya et al. [74] used the WAASB parameter to select of stable cassava genotypes under drought environments. Experiments measuring the interaction between genotypes and environments measure the spatial (e.g., locations) and temporal (e.g., years) separation and/or combination of these factors. The genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) is very important in plant breeding programs. Over the past six decades, the propensity to model the GEI led to the development of several models and mathematical methods for deciphering GEI in multi-environmental trials (METs) called “stability analyses”. However, its size is hidden by the contribution of improved management in the yield increase, and for this reason comparisons of new with old varieties in a single experiment could reveal its real size.

Associated Data

As a result, many people are curious about the political stability of certain countries. When we are talking about political stability, we are referring to whether a country is prone to civil unrest and whether the government is prone to being overthrown. We are also talking about countries that have a peaceful transition of power whenever an election takes place.

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There are numerous reports related to the use of non-parametric methods in analyzing the GEI effect and selection of stable genotypes in different crops. For instance, Ahmadi et al. [46] used a set of non-parametric methods to investigate stability of grain and forage yields in 14 advanced lines of grass pea in semi-warm regions of Iran for three consecutive years. According to their results, among non-parametric parameters, the TOP parameter showed a dynamic concept of stability and showed a strong correlation with grain and forage yields. In a study conducted by Karimizadeh et al. [47], non-parametric statistic S(6) showed a dynamic concept of stability and well-recognized high-yielding and stable lentil genotypes in a MET experiment. Khalili and Pour-Aboughadareh [48] evaluated yield stability and adaptability of 40 barley doubled haploid lines in eight environments, reporting a dynamic concept of stability for TOP parameter. However, Sabaghnia et al. [49] reported a positive correlation between grain yield and NP(2), NP(3), and NP(4) stability parameters in durum wheat genotypes, and also showed a dynamic concept of stability for these measurements.

Stable distribution

• A high value of TOP (genotype that occurred mostly in the top third) was revealed to be a widely adopted genotype.
• Thematic investors wanting to capitalize on a long-term secular trend should check out the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO -0.54%).
• Based on the obtained results, they stated that several statistics, such as ASV, ASTAB, AVAMGE, DA, Dz, EV, and FA, proved that all have equal potential in the identification of stable genotypes.
• Since the rank of genotypes in the specific environments cannot be done according to the phenotypic values, the stability of test genotypes has to be estimated independently of the genotypic effect.
• This statistic was introduced by Kang [29] to select high-yielding and stable corn genotypes across various environments.
• Similar to the EV statistic, for SIPC1, N is one; for SIPCV, N is the number of IPCs that are retained in the AMMI model via validation procedures; for SIPCF, N is the number of IPCs that retain in the AMMI model via F-tests.
• If a country is considered politically unstable, the people who run the country are going to be more concerned about keeping themselves in power and less concerned about providing the necessary support for its people.

We ideally want the distribution of Y on the scoring dataset to be similar to it’s distribution on the training dataset. Abnormal changes in the distribution is marked by a large value of PSI. We are dealing with the largest land war in Europe since WWII, there is a global pandemic that continues to wreak havoc on most of the world, and there are autocrats who are seeking to throw us into a new Cold War.

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In general, non-parametric stability parameters are easy to use and interpret. Furthermore, any deletions or additions of one or a few genotypes have no significant effects on the results. In this regard, if breeders are only interested in the existence of rank order differences across environments, these methods provide the best alternative to parametric models currently used. Hence, the relative comparisons of the tested genotypes are more important than absolute comparisons. As non-parametric methods are based on rank values, a target genotype is considered stable if it reveals a constant ranking pattern across different environments.

• In this section we address how this methodology could help the breeder to interpret the GEI effect, and to select the ideal genotypes across different environments with high yield and the most stability.
• Is the grand mean; SSGE is GEI sum square; and p and q are the numbers of genotypes and environments, respectively.
• For instance, Ahmadi et al. [46] used a set of non-parametric methods to investigate stability of grain and forage yields in 14 advanced lines of grass pea in semi-warm regions of Iran for three consecutive years.
• For example, Switzerland is generally called the most politically stable country on Earth.
• Because of its methodology, very large stocks become more influential components of the index and tend to drown out or diminish the influence of this broad diversification.
• As another non-parametric stability statistic, Fox et al. [30] suggested an ideal and simple parameter to superiority measure of general adaptability.
• Founded in 1990, the fund’s expense ratio is competitive with other providers.

What Is the Most Political Stable Country?

• Hence, in each experiment, attention to the causes of GEI is very important and should be dissected.
• The propensity to model the GEI led to the development of a series of methods and approaches called “stability analyses”, the concepts of which precede even analysis of variance (ANOVA) [5].
• As of April 30, 2024, the fund’s average annual return over five years (before taxes) was almost 16% compared to about 13% for the S&P 500.
• Perhaps turn to stable value funds, a potential goldilocks solution that may already be available in your workplace retirement plan.
• These tend to be good choices because they’re well diversified and allow you to lock in the historical growth of the domestic stock market.
• The heritability of a quantitative trait such as grain yield plays a key role in determining genetic advances in the selection cycle.
• Its benchmark index is the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, which broadly tracks equity REITs in the U.S.
• Formally known as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the S&P 500 serves as a quick snapshot of the state of the stock markets.

It is clear that the selection of genotypes for target environment(s) is affected by the GEI effect. For this reason, over the three past decades, numerous statistical models and approaches have been proposed to analyze GEI as well as identify the high-yielding and most stable genotypes. This fact is not unexpected in that each stability parameter or statistic result shows a specialist ranking pattern for genotypes. Some of these models are based on the genotypic contribution to GE variance, and some are based on G + GE (e.g., univariate or multivariate). Models and/or methods based on G + GE are more repeatable if they are calculated within mega-environments because mean yield is more repeatable.

1. GGE Biplot Software

R is identified as a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. This software is compatible with a wide variety of Windows, MacOS, and UNIX platforms. Due to this advantage, many researchers and plant breeders have been encouraged to create scripts for computing stability statistics. Until now, there have many R scripts that each enable calculation of some stability parameters. However, Olivoto and Lucio [109] developed an R package “metan” for analyzing the GEI effect in plant breeding experiments. This package enables breeders to compute the AMMI model and GGE biplot, as well as estimating several parametric and non-parametric stability statistics.

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The terms “performance stability” and “phenotypic stability” are usually used to refer to fluctuations in the phenotypic expression of crop performance while the genotypic composition of the genotypes remains stable [6]. Investigation of stability is important in any breeding program, where the GEI effect should be dissected. Leon [7] defined two concepts of stability based on the goal and on the characteristics under consideration, which are termed “static” and “dynamic” concepts of stability.

In this section we address how this methodology could help the breeder to interpret the GEI effect, and to select the ideal genotypes across different environments with high yield and the most stability. In the above formulas, GVij, μj, and E are the genotypic values (BLUP) for the ith genotype in the jth environment, the grand mean for each environment j, and the number of environments, respectively. As has been mentioned by Resende et al. [40], the highest values of these parameters are suitable. Where bi is slope regression, Xij is the grain yield of genotype ith in environment jth; X¯i. Is the mean grain yield of genotype ith; X¯.j is the mean grain yield of the environment jth; and X¯..

Population Stability Index (PSI)

It has more than $1.3 billion in total net assets and a 0.95% expense ratio, higher than any fund on this list. If you want to invest across the real estate market, the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ -0.22%) is a solid, low-cost option. With an expense ratio of 0.12%, it’s also the largest real estate index fund by far, with total net assets of more than $59 billion. Several real estate investment trusts (REITs) are represented in the fund. REITs typically pay high dividends because they’re required to disburse at least 90% of their taxable income.

What can prompt a change in variable distribution (a high PSI)

So you’ll need to know which market index you want your index fund to track before you start investing. If you don’t want to spend hours researching individual stocks, another option is to buy index funds — baskets of stocks that track broad-market indexes like the S&P 500. That means the index is continuously recalculated based on the number of shares available for trading.

That’s important to be aware of because if you roll over a 401(k) to an individual retirement account (IRA) you won’t find a stable value fund offered by the brokerage where you have your IRA. The yield of the bonds held in a fund’s Stable Index portfolio and the price of those bonds. All investments carry some risk, but S&P 500 index funds have been historically safe investments for the long term since the S&P 500 has always delivered positive returns over long periods.

Four NP(1–4) statistics are a set of alternative non-parametric stability statistics defined by Thennarasu [33]. Indeed, these parameters are based on the ranks of adjusted means of the genotypes in each environment. This statistic was introduced by Kang [29] to select high-yielding and stable corn genotypes across various environments.

The fund was up about 12% as of mid-May 2024, almost identical to the S&P 500 index’s year-to-date gains. Usually when the PSI is large, the separation between distributions become more pronounced. ‘Actual %’ points to the current data (that belongs to a more recent model scoring). Scoring runs means, the trained model being used to make predictions on batches of data over time. More popular use of PSI now is to keep a tab on the distribution of the model’s predictions during subsequent scoring runs.

In comparison, if your 401(k) plan offers a total market bond fund—most do—its duration is likely around six years, leaving it more susceptible to interest rate changes. But you also won’t earn much, either—and you may even forfeit purchasing power over time. Since the end of the Great Recession, money market fund yields have been stuck well below the rate of inflation.

Afzl et al. [51] reported that among non-parametric stability statistics, S(1), S(3), S(6,) and NP(4) with a dynamic concept are superior to evaluate high-yielding and stable safflower genotypes. In another study in canola, Mortazavian and Azizinia [52] reported that for nonparametric methods, TOP, Si(1), and RK parameters were useful in detecting the stability of the genotypes. Non-parametric analysis of the phenotypic stability in chickpea genotypes showed that TOP and RK parameters are ideal measurements for identify the most stable genotypes [53]. Furthermore, Vaezi et al. [54] have highlighted the usefulness of RK, S(3), S(6), NP(2), NP(3), and NP(4) parameters in selecting high-yielding and stable barley genotypes across different diverse environments.

There are numerous reports in the literature on the applicability of this methodology in breeding programs. Hence, to show the importance of this graphical tool in various breeding programs, we have only highlighted some of the papers published during the last two years (2020–2022) for each crop (Table 2). The GGE biplot methodology is a graphical tool that superbly helps breeders to interpret the GEI in MET experiments. The first theory of this methodology was described by Yan [76], and then numerous studies used this method and reported its advantage compared with other numerical methods. The GGE biplot includes of a set of biplot interpretation models, whereby important questions regarding genotype and environment evaluation can be visually addressed [77]. The detailed description of this methodology and interpretation of each biplot can be found in the review of Yan and Tinker [77].

Bonds funds offer higher yields, yes, but then you get more risk, too. Two stability indices, the GGE Distance (GGED) and GGE Instability index (GGEIN), can be calculated by the GGE biplot model. The GGED measures the distance of each genotype from the ‘‘ideal’’ genotype, which is defined as the virtual genotype that has the highest mean performance and stability. The GGEIN parameter approximates the genotype’s contribution to the GEI [78]. The GGE biplot methodology is one of the analytical tools, which alone or in combination with other methods is commonly used for the analysis of the GEI in various crops.

A high value of TOP (genotype that occurred mostly in the top third) was revealed to be a widely adopted genotype. Matthew Schwartz, a certified financial planner (CFP) at Great Waters Financial in Richfield, Minn., suggests that stable value funds can be used as a “complement” to bond funds in your portfolio. While core bond funds can lose principal during periods of rising interest rates, those dips are typically small and infrequent. Moreover, if you switched your bond holdings exclusively to stable value funds, you’d miss out on gains when bonds rally.

Because it is constructed according to market capitalization, the larger a company is, the greater the weight it will have in the index. The S&P 500 measures the total current market value of the stocks of the 500 largest corporations listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Formally known as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the S&P 500 serves as a quick snapshot of the state of the stock markets. Stable value funds are only available to participants in 401(k) plans and other defined contribution retirement plans.

In addition, there was a riot at the US Capitol on January 6th after the most recent presidential election, indicating that there were a lot of people who were embracing conspiracy theories about elections in the United States. Even though the country is still relatively stable, this is something that has been tested recently. † AMMI model and related biplots; †† the biplot obtained by interpreting GEI effect. QQQM includes 100 of the biggest nonfinancial companies listed on the Nasdaq. It also includes at least 90% of the assets on the NASDAQ-100 index and is rebalanced quarterly.

When interest rates rise—and especially when bond yields are starting from very low levels—a bond fund’s total return can occasionally turn negative. That happens if the decline in bond prices is more than the yield the fund is earning. The stocks of companies in emerging markets have historically underperformed compared to U.S. stocks. Between 2014 and 2023, the Schwab emerging market funds had total returns of about 33% on a combined basis.