Building a long-term investment portfolio isn't about chasing fads or timing the market. It's about owning high-quality assets that can grow, compound, and adapt through changing economic cycles.
That's why exchange traded funds (ETFs) — with their built-in diversification and simplicity — make so much sense for investors who want to invest once and let time do the heavy lifting.
And when it comes to buy and hold forever ETFs on the ASX, three stand out for their unique focus on quality, global reach, and long-term megatrends. They are as follows:
Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
Asia is home to more than half the world's population, and it is where some of the most exciting technology innovation is happening.
The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF gives you direct exposure to the leading tech giants across China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and beyond. This includes names like Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
These aren't just regional success stories — they're global heavyweights driving trends like ecommerce, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and mobile payments. While investing in Asia's tech sector comes with volatility and geopolitical risk, the long-term growth story is impossible to ignore.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
If you want to own a slice of the world's most powerful companies, the iShares S&P 500 ETF makes it easy. Tracking the S&P 500 Index, this ASX ETF holds a who's who of global business — from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL).
But this ASX ETF isn't just about names you know. It is about owning the backbone of the global economy, from consumer brands and tech innovators to healthcare leaders and industrial powerhouses.
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
Finally, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF is for investors that want quality and durability.
This ASX ETF focuses on U.S. companies with sustainable competitive advantages. That means businesses with strong brands, unique products, pricing power, and the ability to fend off competitors.
Its portfolio is filled with names that might not always dominate headlines, but deliver steady, resilient growth over the long term. Current holdings include Boeing (NYSE: BA), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), and Nike (NYSE: NKE). These are companies that have proven their ability to innovate, adapt, and protect their market positions over decades.