Building a portfolio for the next five years does not need to be complex.
For investors who want diversification, growth potential, and simplicity, ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can offer a simple and effective way to gain exposure to different parts of the market.
With that in mind, here are five ASX ETFs that could be worth considering for a buy and hold strategy.
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Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)
The first ASX ETF to look at is Betashares Australian Quality ETF.
This fund focuses on high-quality Australian companies with strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and high returns on equity.
Its holdings include names such as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). These tend to be dominant businesses with strong competitive advantages and the ability to compound earnings over time.
By targeting quality, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF aims to build a portfolio that can perform well across different market environments. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
Another ASX ETF that could be a top pick is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.
This popular fund provides investors with exposure to a broad basket of global companies across developed markets.
Among its largest holdings are Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN).
Overall, this ETF offers a straightforward way to invest in global leaders across a wide range of industries without needing to select individual stocks.
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
A third ASX ETF that investors could consider is the equally popular iShares S&P 500 ETF.
This fund tracks the famous S&P 500 index and provides exposure to some of the most influential companies in the global economy.
Key holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Google parent Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL).
These businesses sit at the centre of major long-term trends such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and digital advertising.
Betashares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)
The fourth ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares Global Defence ETF.
This ETF focuses on companies generating revenue from the development and manufacturing of military and defence equipment, as well as defence technology,
Its holdings include Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), and BAE Systems plc (LSE: BA).
With geopolitical tensions remaining elevated, this sector could continue to see strong demand over the next five years.
This fund was recently recommended to investors by the team at Betashares.
VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)
A fifth and final ASX ETF that could be worth considering is the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF.
This fund provides investors with exposure to the growing global gaming and esports industry.
Top holdings include Nintendo, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), and Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700).
Gaming continues to expand globally, supported by digital distribution, mobile platforms, and evolving business models such as in-game purchases. This bodes well for the holdings in this fund.
It was recently recommended by analysts at VanEck.
