A long holding period can make exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing much simpler.
Rather than trying to guess which market will perform best over the next few months, investors can focus on funds with broad exposure, durable themes, and the ability to compound over many years.
Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth buying and holding for a decade or more.
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iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
The first ASX ETF to look at is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.
This fund gives investors exposure to 500 of the largest listed companies in the United States. That makes it a simple way to access many of the world's most influential businesses through a single ASX trade.
The appeal is not just the size of the market. The S&P 500 includes companies across technology, healthcare, financials, consumer goods, and industrials. This gives the fund exposure to a wide range of earnings drivers.
Its holdings include names such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B).
For long-term investors, this fund offers a straightforward way to participate in the growth of corporate America without needing to pick individual winners.
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)
Another ASX ETF that could suit a long holding period is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.
Consumer staples companies sell products that people tend to buy regardless of economic conditions. This includes food, beverages, household goods, personal care products, and other everyday essentials.
That gives this fund a more defensive profile than many growth-focused ETFs.
Its underlying companies may not always be the fastest growers, but they can offer steady earnings and pricing power through different market environments.
Its holdings include companies such as Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT), and Nestle (SWX: NESN).
This type of exposure can be useful over a decade or more because it is tied to recurring consumer demand. People continue to buy groceries, cleaning products, and household essentials in strong and weak economies alike.
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
A third ASX ETF worth considering is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.
This fund provides broad exposure to developed share markets outside Australia. This includes companies listed in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other major economies.
The fund is designed to give investors access to global growth in a simple way. Rather than relying heavily on the Australian market, it spreads exposure across thousands of international companies.
Its holdings include Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM).
This breadth is the main attraction. The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF gives investors exposure to different industries, currencies, and economic regions, helping reduce reliance on any single market.
For those looking to build global exposure through the ASX, it arguably remains one of the most straightforward options to hold for the long term.
