With August drawing to a close, investors looking to put fresh money to work may be wondering where to focus next.
For those thinking long term, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a simple way to tap into powerful megatrends, spread risk globally, and build a portfolio positioned for growth.
Here are five ASX ETFs that could be smart buys with $50,000 heading into September.
Image source: Getty Images
BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)
Australia may not be Silicon Valley, but it is home to some genuine global tech leaders. The BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF gives you exposure to the ASX's top technology names, including WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) in logistics software, Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) in cloud accounting, and Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) in online jobs.
For investors who want a concentrated bet on homegrown innovation, the BetaShares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF offers a direct way to capture the growth of the local tech sector.
Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
The Nasdaq 100 is a powerhouse of global innovation. Through the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF, investors gain exposure not only to the big three — Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) — but also to other leaders that don't always make headlines.
That includes Costco (NASDAQ: COST) in retail, PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) in consumer staples, and Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) in hospitality. This breadth gives investors a stake in the broader digital economy, as well as big tech.
Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)
Artificial intelligence and automation are shaping industries across the globe. The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF invests in stocks that are building the technologies that power this shift.
Its holdings include Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), which develops robotic surgical systems, Keyence Corp in factory automation, and South Korea's Rainbow Robotics, a technological mechatronics company providing top robotic system engineering technology. With AI adoption expected to accelerate across healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF puts investors in the front row. It was named as one to buy by Betashares.
BetaShares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)
Cloud computing is the backbone of the digital economy, and the BetaShares Cloud Computing ETF offers access to the companies driving it. Familiar names like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) are in the mix, but so are other specialised players.
For example, ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) provides workflow automation for enterprises, while Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) has become a leader in data warehousing and analytics. With more businesses shifting to cloud-based platforms, these companies are well placed to benefit. It was also named as one to consider by Betashares.
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
To round out the portfolio, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides broad exposure to developed markets outside Australia. Its holdings include U.S. giants like Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), but also global leaders such as Nestle (SWX: NESN) in Switzerland, Toyota (TYO: 7203) in Japan, and Roche (SWX: ROG) in healthcare.
For investors wanting instant global diversification, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is hard to beat.
