If you're looking to build long-term wealth without the stress of picking individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) might be one of the smartest ways to go.
With a single trade, ETFs give you instant diversification across sectors, countries, and companies. And because many of them are low-cost and passively managed, they're perfect for investors who want to take a "set and forget" approach.
Here are five quality ASX ETFs I'd feel confident buying today and holding for the next decade — and possibly beyond.
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Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF is a very popular option for Aussie investors. It tracks the performance of the top 300 companies listed on the Australian share market, giving you broad exposure to the Australian market in one hit. That includes household names like BHP, Commonwealth Bank, CSL, and Woolworths.
It's low-cost, pays regular dividends, and is a strong choice for core portfolio exposure to Australia's largest and most established companies.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
Want exposure to the biggest and best companies in the United States? The iShares S&P 500 ETF has you covered. It tracks the S&P 500 index, which includes giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and Walmart.
The US has been a global growth engine for decades, and owning this ASX ETF gives you a slice of that story — one that's likely to keep playing out over the next 10 years.
Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
If you're a believer in technology and innovation, then this ASX ETF could be one to hold tightly. It tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, featuring some of the world's most transformative companies like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms.
The recent tech pullback has made this fund even more attractive for long-term investors. If the next decade belongs to AI, cloud computing, and digital disruption, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF will be a great way to get exposure.
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
Inspired by Warren Buffett's investment philosophy, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF focuses on US companies with durable competitive advantages. These are businesses with strong brands, pricing power, and sticky customer bases.
Think of it as a curated portfolio of high-quality companies trading at attractive valuations. For investors seeking quality and discipline, this ASX ETF offers a compelling way to invest like the pros.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)
Finally, the highly rated Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF screens for companies with strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and consistent earnings growth — in short, the kind of businesses you want to own in any market.
It gives you global exposure with a quality tilt, including names like Visa and Netflix. For a long-term investor looking to smooth out volatility while still chasing growth, this fund is a strong contender. It's no wonder then that it has been named as a buy by the team at Betashares.
