If you invested $10,000 a decade ago, where would that money be today? While one tech giant would have made you a multi-millionaire, another household name would have left you with less than $1,000. We’re breaking down the winners, the losers, and the "boring" strategy that beat almost everyone else.

Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:

If you invested $10,000 on December 31, 2015, what would it be worth today? The answer depends almost entirely on where you put it.

Some of the most recognizable companies in America turned that $10,000 into life-changing money. Others handed it back at a loss. And one “boring” index fund quietly turned it into more than $39,000 with no stock-picking required.

What is $10,000 worth 10 years later? The answer depends entirely on where you put it. Check out this fascinating look at the 10-year returns of America’s most popular stocks. You might be surprised which famous brands actually lost money since 2015.

Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.

Last Week’s Poll Results

We asked: “Do you rebalance your portfolio?” Here’s how you answered:

In this recurring Q&A, we share questions that have been answered by Clark Howard or Wes Moss on the podcast. Submit your question today!

Wayne in Illinois: What you think about “covered call income ETFs” and do they ever make sense in a portfolio? Can they ever make sense to complement or even substitute the "bond" portion of our portfolio?

Wes Moss says: Think of a covered call ETF like a managed mutual fund where the manager is selling off the upside potential of a stock basket to hand you a steady paycheck. While seeing yields of 7%, 8%, or even 9% might make you want to swap out your fixed income, let’s be clear: these are not a replacement for bonds. They carry more risk than a traditional bond portfolio because, at the end of the day, you still own a basket of stocks. I do like these strategies as part of a diversified, multi-asset class income portfolio for retirement, especially when they are well-diversified across many different equity positions. They’re great for dampening volatility and bringing in extra cash, but there’s a trade-off you have to accept. By selling those calls, you’re capping your growth; if the broader market shoots up 90%, your covered call ETF might only see 50% or 60% of that gain. It’s a solid way to generate income, but you’re essentially trading away the "home run" potential for a more consistent stream of "singles."

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.