When you're investing for the long haul, the priority isn't chasing quick gains — it is building a portfolio of assets that can grow, adapt, and compound for decades.
That's where exchange-traded funds (ETFs) come in, giving investors simple exposure to powerful themes and resilient companies without having to pick individual winners.
Here are three ASX-listed ETFs that could be smart candidates to buy, hold, and let grow over the next 20 years:
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Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
If you want exposure to the companies shaping the future of technology and the global economy, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is hard to ignore.
This ASX ETF tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, home to giants like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). These are businesses that dominate everything from AI and cloud computing to e-commerce.
Over the past decade, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has delivered returns north of 20% per annum on average, though future returns are unlikely to be quite as high. Even so, with these market leaders continuing to grow, this fund offers a straightforward way to capture long-term growth from some of the world's most innovative companies.
Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)
While the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF targets high-growth innovators, the Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF focuses on something equally important: financial strength and consistent cash generation.
This ASX ETF holds 200 global companies chosen for their ability to generate steady free cash flow year after year.
Its portfolio leans into businesses with proven resilience — companies that can weather downturns, reward shareholders with dividends or buybacks, and still reinvest for growth. While you'll find some familiar names like Visa (NYSE: V) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), this fund also holds less well-known businesses across industries like healthcare, utilities, and consumer goods that can quietly compound wealth.
For a portfolio you plan to hold for 20 years, having exposure to these cash flow kings can balance out the more growth-heavy holdings, providing a smoother ride during turbulent periods.
Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)
Cloud computing isn't just a trend — it is the backbone of the modern digital economy. From streaming services and e-commerce to artificial intelligence, almost every innovation relies on scalable cloud infrastructure.
The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF invests in a global basket of companies at the forefront of this transformation, including names like Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), and Zscaler Inc (NASDAQ: ZS). These businesses are helping organisations shift online with scalable cloud solutions — a transition still in its early stages globally.
Given how integral the cloud will be to emerging technologies like AI, data analytics, and IoT, CLDD could tap into some of the most powerful growth drivers over the next two decades.
