The 3 ASX ETFs I'd buy to build a bulletproof portfolio

These funds could be great options for investors that are building a strong portfolio.

| More on:
Business people discussing project on digital tablet.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Building a long-term portfolio that can weather market storms, generate wealth, and keep things simple doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, sometimes the best results come from doing less — but doing it smarter.

For me, the ideal bulletproof portfolio has a few key ingredients: broad diversification, exposure to global leaders, and a focus on quality businesses that can grow through good times and bad.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be top options to hold in a portfolio for the next 10, 20, or even 30 years. They are as follows:

Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (ASX: DHHF)

If you want a one-stop solution that does it all, the Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF is hard to beat. It's a fund of funds that gives you instant exposure to over 8,000 companies globally, including big names like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) — all in a single trade.

It holds a blend of ETFs. This means you're getting broad global diversification, access to both developed and developing economies, and a natural tilt toward growth.

It is designed for long-term investors who want a simple, low-cost, growth-focused portfolio. And best of all, it automatically rebalances — so your allocation stays consistent over time without you needing to lift a finger. Betashares recently named it as one to buy.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

If you want exposure to the world's most powerful companies, the iShares S&P 500 ETF is the way to do it. It tracks the S&P 500 — which includes giants like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) — but also features lesser-talked-about growth leaders like Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO), and Costco (NASDAQ: COST).

These are companies with serious scale, pricing power, and global reach — many of which dominate their industries and keep delivering quarter after quarter. They've helped the S&P 500 outperform most other markets over the long term, and this ASX ETF gives you a direct line into that performance.

It is also one of the lowest-cost ETFs on the ASX, which means more of your returns stay in your pocket. For long-term growth, it is an essential building block.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

For a smart local tilt, Betashares Australian Quality ETF brings something special to the table. Instead of just tracking the big end of town, it filters for Australian companies with high return on equity, stable earnings, and strong balance sheets — essentially, a quality overlay on the ASX.

Yes, it holds familiar names like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), but it also includes often-overlooked standouts like ARB Corporation (ASX: ARB), and Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI). These are companies with strong fundamentals, consistent performance, and long-term growth potential that might not get the spotlight in a standard index fund.

This fund helps you avoid the concentration risk of traditional ASX ETFs by tilting toward fundamentally sound businesses — making it a great complement to the global exposure from the others listed above. Betashares also recently named this one as a potential buy.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, CSL, Costco Wholesale, Macquarie Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Pinnacle Investment Management Group, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, CSL, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on ETFs

ETF in written in different colours with different colour arrows pointing to it.
ETFs

Is this the best ASX ETF to buy to build wealth?

This ETF has a lot to offer investors.

Read more »

A man in trendy clothing sits on a bench in a shopping mall looking at his phone with interest and a surprised look on his face.
ETFs

Where to invest $5,000 in ASX ETFs this month

These funds could be worth considering this month if you have money to invest. Let's see why.

Read more »

Five arrows hit the bullseye of five round targets lined up in a row, with a blue sky in the background.
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs to target following the RBA interest rate hike

Should you target these ASX ETFs right now?

Read more »

A woman wearing dark clothing and sporting a few tattoos and piercings holds a phone and a takeaway coffee cup as she strolls under the Sydney Harbour Bridge which looms in the background.
ETFs

The top Australian ETFs I would buy this week

I’m trying to stack the odds in my favour with ETFs built for long-term compounding.

Read more »

A young woman uses an application in her smart phone to check currency exchange rates in front of an illuminated information board.
ETFs

Should you consider currency-hedged ASX ETFs?

The Australian dollar touched a three-year high of 71 US cents last month.

Read more »

ETF written in yellow with a yellow underline and the full word spelt out in white underneath.
ETFs

3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in February with $3,000

Looking to invest $3,000? Here are three options to consider this month.

Read more »

investor holding a net and trying to catch money flying around in the wind.
ETFs

This ASX ETF might be the only one you'll ever need

This ETF is a perfect fit for the bottom drawer...

Read more »

Three generation of women cuddling and smiling together.
ETFs

3 excellent Vanguard ETFs for ASX investors to buy in February

These ETFs stand out to me as practical, long-term building blocks rather than short-term trades.

Read more »