Market selloffs can feel uncomfortable, but history shows they are a normal part of long-term investing.
Sharp pullbacks often punish weaker businesses, while high-quality assets tend to recover and go on to make new highs.
For investors willing to look past short-term volatility, periods of market stress can actually strengthen long-term returns.
That's where broad, low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) come into their own. Rather than trying to predict which individual shares will hold up best, owning diversified ASX ETFs allows investors to stay invested through sell-offs and benefit from eventual recoveries.
With that in mind, here are three low-cost Vanguard ETFs that could prove unstoppable even if markets struggle in 2026.
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Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VAS)
The Vanguard Australian Shares ETF provides investors with exposure to the 300 largest stocks listed on the Australian share market. Its portfolio includes household names such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL). These are businesses that dominate their industries and generate reliable cash flow.
During market downturns, these types of companies often hold up better than smaller, more speculative stocks. Many even continue paying dividends, which can help cushion returns while investors wait for sentiment to improve. Over the long run, Australia's biggest stocks have demonstrated an ability to grow earnings through multiple economic cycles, making the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF a solid core holding in uncertain times.
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
For investors worried about putting all their eggs in one market, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF could be worth considering. It offers instant global diversification by holding a slice of thousands of stocks across developed markets. This includes global leaders like Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nestle (SWX: NESN), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).
This global spread means that weakness in one region can be offset by strength in another. Even during global selloffs, many of the world's largest multinationals continue to grow revenues and invest for the future. Over time, that resilience has helped global equity markets recover from wars, recessions, and financial crises, rewarding patient investors.
Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS)
Finally, the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF goes beyond just the largest American stocks. It provides exposure to the entire US share market, spanning large, mid, and smaller stocks across every major sector.
While technology giants like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOGL) feature prominently, this Vanguard ETF also includes industrials, healthcare firms, and consumer businesses that can perform well even when growth slows. This breadth gives investors access to innovation and economic growth without relying on any single theme to succeed.
