The share market has been volatile this month as renewed tensions between the US and China have rattled investor confidence.
But with signs that cooler heads will prevail and a full-blown trade war likely to be avoided, attention is turning back to what could come next.
And if history is any guide, periods of uncertainty often set the stage for the next major market rally.
For long-term investors, that means now could be the ideal time to focus on high-quality, growth-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) positioned to lead the next upswing.
Here are three ASX ETFs that could be standouts when the next market boom arrives.
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Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is one of the simplest and most effective ways to gain exposure to the world's leading growth companies. It gives investors access to the 100 largest (non-financial) stocks on the Nasdaq index.
While technology dominates the fund, it is more than just the usual household names. The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF's portfolio includes global leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Costco (NASDAQ: COST).
These businesses are highly profitable, globally diversified, and many sit at the centre of megatrends like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation. If optimism returns and investors re-embrace growth, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could once again be a front-runner in the next bull market.
Betashares Australian Momentum ETF (ASX: MTUM)
The Betashares Australian Momentum ETF offers investors a unique way to capture strong-performing Australian shares. Unlike traditional index funds, this ASX ETF doesn't hold the same shares all the time. It dynamically adjusts its holdings based on momentum, focusing on shares that are already trending higher.
This strategy can work particularly well in rising markets, as it systematically identifies and holds the shares leading the charge. At present, the Betashares Australian Momentum ETF's portfolio includes Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN). These are a blend of cyclical and defensive names that reflects the current market's mixed sentiment.
If market confidence improves and Australian equities regain upward momentum, this ASX ETF's strategy is designed to capitalise automatically, keeping investors exposed to the strongest trends without the need to trade in and out of individual shares.
Analysts at Betashares recently recommended this fund.
Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)
The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF is another ASX ETF to consider. It gives investors access to one of the most powerful long-term growth stories in technology. That is the global shift to the cloud.
Businesses across every industry are moving their operations, data, and services online, and this transformation is still only in its middle stages.
The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF holds a portfolio of companies driving this revolution, including Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM). These provide the digital tools, infrastructure, and platforms that modern enterprises rely on to operate efficiently and scale globally.
This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
