Getting started in the share market can be scary. Many new investors worry about picking the wrong stock, buying at the wrong time, or not knowing enough to compete with professionals.
Unfortunately, that fear alone is enough to stop some people from ever investing at all.
But don't let that stop you. Not when there are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) out there to make life easier for beginner investors.
They offer instant diversification, low costs, and exposure to dozens or even thousands of stocks in a single trade. For beginners, that simplicity can make all the difference.
With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be ideal starting points for new investors.
Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)
The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is often one of the first ETFs new investors come across, and for good reason. It provides exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial stocks listed on the famous Nasdaq exchange in the United States.
The fund includes well-known global leaders such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). These are businesses with strong competitive positions, global customer bases, and long histories of innovation.
For beginners, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers a simple way to gain exposure to world-class growth stocks without having to choose individual winners.
Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)
Another top option for beginners could be the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.
This ASX ETF invests in global stocks with strong balance sheets, consistent profitability, and high returns on capital.
Its portfolio includes high-quality businesses such as Visa (NYSE: V), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Accenture (NYSE: ACN), and L'Oreal (FRA: OR). These are market leaders with pricing power and resilient earnings.
For beginners, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF could be attractive because it emphasises quality over hype. It aims to smooth out some of the bumps that come with growth investing, making it a solid core holding for those who want steadier long-term returns.
It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (ASX: VLUE)
A third option for beginners is the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF.
It is focused on value investing. Rather than chasing fast-growing or highly priced stocks, this fund targets developed-market stocks that are trading at attractive valuations relative to their fundamentals.
The ETF holds around 250 large- and mid-cap international companies selected using a rules-based approach that looks at metrics such as price-to-book value, forward earnings, and cash flow. This provides diversified exposure across multiple countries and sectors. Its holdings include Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC), and Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO).
It was recently recommended by analysts at Van Eck.
