Of course, you will have to deal with the occasional bear market, but if you have a long-term time horizon and can look past short-term speed bumps, then SPY is an intelligent way to go. S&P 500 ETF (SPY): It’s been trouncing inflation with growth and dividends for decades. Stocks to Buy: S&P 500 ETF (SPY) Source: The thinkorswim® platform from TD Ameritrade Dividend Yield: 1.39% Equities reward investors through both dividends and price appreciation.