5 ASX ETFs to buy with $2,500 in January

Let's see why these funds could be excellent options for Aussie investors at the start of 2026.

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Key points

  • The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF offers exposure to cash-generative giants like Alphabet and Visa, focusing on resilience and long-term growth, appealing for its quality tilt.
  • Diversifying beyond US markets, the Betashares Global Shares ex-US ETF and the Betashares India Quality ETF offer access to developed and emerging markets, respectively, providing a hedge against US-centric portfolios.
  • The VanEck MSCI International Value ETF and the Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF enhance portfolio breadth through attractive international valuations and emerging market growth drivers like digital transformation.

Starting a new year with a fresh investment plan doesn't need to be complicated.

For investors with $2,500 to put to work, ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a smart and simple choice.

But which funds could be top picks for investors in January? Let's take a look at five ASX ETFs to consider buying:

Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (ASX: CFLO)

The Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF focuses on stocks that generate strong and sustainable free cash flow. Its holdings include global heavyweights such as Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Visa (NYSE: V), Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST). By targeting cash-generative leaders across multiple sectors, CFLO offers a quality tilt that can appeal to investors looking for resilience and long-term compounding.

Betashares Global Shares ex-US ETF (ASX: EXUS)

The Betashares Global Shares ex-US ETF is another ASX ETF for investors to consider. It provides access to developed markets outside the US and Australia. This includes Europe, Japan, and Canada.

Top holdings include ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML), Nestlé (SWX: NESN), Roche (SWX: ROG), SAP (ETR: SAP), and AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN).

This means that the Betashares Global Shares ex-US ETF can play an important role in diversifying a portfolio across regions and sectors that behave differently to US tech-heavy markets. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, supported by favourable demographics, rising incomes, and accelerating digital adoption. The Betashares India Quality ETF gives investors exposure to this long-term growth story in a single trade.

Holdings include high-quality companies such as Reliance Industries (NSEI: RELIANCE), Infosys (NYSE: INFY), ICICI Bank, and Tata Consultancy Services (NSEI: TCS). For investors with a long time horizon, this fund offers access to an emerging market with significant structural tailwinds. It was also recently recommended by Betashares.

Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF (ASX: BEMG)

The Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF could be worth a closer look. It provides broad exposure to emerging markets across Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. These regions are driven by trends such as urbanisation, digital transformation, and a growing middle class.

Key holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), and Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA). This ASX ETF was also recommended by Betashares recently.

VanEck MSCI International Value ETF (ASX: VLUE)

Finally, the VanEck MSCI International Value ETF targets international stocks that are trading at attractive valuations relative to their fundamentals. The fund uses a rules-based approach to identify stocks with strong value characteristics.

Its portfolio currently includes names such as Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), and Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC). It was recently recommended to investors by VanEck.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML, Alphabet, AstraZeneca Plc, Cisco Systems, Costco Wholesale, Intuit, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group, Nestlé, Roche Holding AG, and SAP. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML, Alphabet, Nvidia, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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