The share market has had a wild ride recently. Global volatility, geopolitical tensions, and a fresh round of trade tariffs have spooked investors and sent many ASX and international stocks tumbling.
But if history has taught us anything, it's that times of fear often create the best opportunities for long-term investors. With quality companies now trading at more attractive prices, this could be a smart moment to start building a portfolio designed to grow — and grow steadily — over the next decade.
And if you don't want to pick individual stocks, there's good news: exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make long-term investing easier than ever.
Here are three buy-and-hold ASX ETFs I would be more than happy to tuck away for the next 10 years.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
This ETF does exactly what it says on the tin — it tracks the S&P 500 index, giving investors instant exposure to 500 of America's largest and most influential companies. That includes tech giants like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), as well as consumer powerhouses like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO).
The beauty of this ASX ETF is in its simplicity. Over the long run, the US market has delivered solid and consistent returns, powered by world-class innovation and global reach. If you're looking for a low-maintenance way to ride the growth of the world's most dynamic economy, this ETF ticks the box.
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
This ASX ETF is inspired by the investing philosophy of Warren Buffett, who famously looks for companies with economic moats. These are durable competitive advantages that protect profits and market share over time.
The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF selects US companies that are not only high quality, but also trading at attractive valuations. The result? A concentrated portfolio of moat-worthy businesses, from sectors like healthcare, industrials, and technology.
Investing like Buffett has never gone out of style, and this ASX ETF lets you do it with one simple trade on the ASX.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)
If you're looking for consistent performers across the globe, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be the one. This ASX ETF focuses on companies with high return on equity, stable earnings, low financial leverage, and a track record of strong performance.
It has been built to prioritise businesses that can weather tough markets — exactly what long-term investors should be looking for in uncertain times. Its holdings currently include household names like Visa (NYSE: V) and Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), among others.
For those who want broad international exposure with a quality tilt, this fund is hard to beat. It was recently named as one to buy by the team at Betashares.
