Research from the ASX ETF provider indicates that commodities could outperform other asset classes over the next 12-24 months.

One way to gain exposure to this future performance is through the Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF (ASX: BCOM). 

Here's three reasons why the BCOM ASX ETF could be an ideal fund for investors looking for global commodity exposure. 

Commodities undervalued 

According to Global X, commodities have long been an under-loved corner of the investment universe.

Investors often favouring cashflow-generating assets such as equities and fixed income, citing their higher "predictability" and "fundamentals-driven" nature. 

While this perspective is understandable, it is also important to recognise that real assets like commodities, not financial instruments, ultimately power the economy, enable productivity, and sit at the centre of even the most future-facing technologies. In that sense, demand for commodities is itself highly fundamental and persistently anchored in real economic activity.

Global X reported this gap is now beginning to narrow as investors reprice the value of real assets and technology buildouts increase demand for raw materials.

Set for outperformance

According to Global X, commodities remain roughly 20% below their pre-GFC peaks.

The report said they may now be in the process of repricing, triggered by the disruption of the 2020 pandemic, and further reinforced by renewed focus on structural megatrends such as electrification, the transition to clean energy.

Global X said it appears that the outperformance of equities over commodities may be due for a reversal. 

Over the past 35 years, an E2C reading of 3.0 or above has reliably signalled a changing of the guard, with commodities often going on to outperform equities sharply over the following 12 to 24 months.

Hedging against conflict 

The report also considered past periods of commodity outperformance in inflation regimes, with two themes standing out. 

The first is inflationary shocks driven by geopolitical disruption, such as the 2022 Russia Ukraine war. 

The second is structural demand booms, most notably in the early 2000s when China's industrialisation, alongside rapid housing and infrastructure construction, drove a powerful surge in global commodity demand.

Today's environment appears to combine elements of both. The war in Iran has the potential to push energy prices higher and, if sustained, could contribute to a hotter for longer inflation environment. At the same time, structural demand drivers are building through the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, electrification, and other large-scale industrial megatrends.

According to the report, these catalysts are emerging at a time when commodities have anomalously underperformed equities despite a high inflation backdrop, potentially laying the groundwork for a more pronounced catch-up rally and even the emergence of a new commodity "super-cycle."

Commodities ASX ETFs

For investors seeking pure, yet broad-based exposure to commodities, the Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF may be a compelling option. 

It provides direct exposure to a marquee commodity basket through futures contracts. 

The fund also aims to maintain exposure to contracts which expire ~3 months in the future, helping minimise negative roll yield by investing further up the curve.

What this means is it gives you diversified exposure to real commodity prices by investing in futures contracts rather than physical goods.

Other commodity focussed ASX ETFs that investors may consider include: 

• Global X Physical Precious Metals (ASX: ETPMPM)
• BetaShares Crude Oil Index ETF – Currency Hedged (Synthetic) (ASX: OOO). 

The post 3 reasons this commodities ASX ETF could be an ideal buy in the current environment appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But investing does not need to be complicated.

If I were starting with $10,000 in 2026, I would focus on building a simple portfolio that provides exposure to global growth, the Australian market, and assets that can help during uncertain times.

Here is a straightforward way to do it.

$5,000 – Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If there is one place in the world where innovation is moving fast, it is the United States tech sector.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX), which includes many of the world's most influential technology companies.

Its holdings include global giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, alongside major consumer and technology businesses that dominate the digital economy.

These companies sit at the centre of powerful long-term trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.

Over time, these growth drivers have helped technology stocks deliver some of the strongest returns in global markets.

For investors looking for long-term capital growth, the NDQ ETF can act as the growth engine of a portfolio.

By allocating $5,000, investors gain exposure to many of the world's most innovative companies through a single ASX-listed ETF.

$3,000 – ASX 200 Index

While global technology offers strong growth potential, investors should not ignore the strength of the Australian share market.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) represents the 200 largest companies listed on the ASX, covering around 77% of Australia's share market capitalisation.

The index includes major banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), resource giants like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and leading companies across sectors, including healthcare, retail, and telecommunications.

The ASX is also well known for producing reliable dividend income, particularly from banks and mining companies.

That makes the ASX 200 an ideal foundation for stability and income within a portfolio.

Allocating $3,000 to an ASX 200 ETF gives investors exposure to Australia's largest companies while also benefiting from long-term growth and dividends.

$2,000 – Precious metals

No portfolio is complete without some diversification.

Precious metals can play an important role as a hedge against inflation, currency debasement, and global economic uncertainty.

The Global X Physical Silver ETF (ASX: ETPMAG) gives investors direct exposure to the price of physical silver held in vaults.

Silver is particularly interesting because it acts both as a precious metal and an industrial metal, with growing demand from sectors such as solar panels, electronics, and electric vehicles.

Another option is the Global X Physical Precious Metal Basket ETF (ASX: ETPMPM), which provides exposure to a mix of metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Allocating $2,000 to precious metals can help balance a portfolio during periods of market volatility.

Foolish Takeaway

With $10,000, a mix of global tech growth, Australian market exposure, and precious metals diversification can provide a simple starting portfolio.

This approach spreads risk across different markets, industries, and asset classes while keeping the strategy easy to understand.

The post Don't overthink it: The best $10,000 approach to start investing in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However, in 2025, the silver price has been stealing the show. Silver's gains have surged to multi-year highs, even outpacing gold's rise and shining brighter than most major asset classes.

Why silver is stepping out of gold's shadow

Gold has long been the poster child for wealth preservation: A traditional safe-haven asset and store of value used by investors to hedge against inflation, currency weakness, and financial turmoil. Silver, on the other hand, has historically played second fiddle, with much of its demand tied to jewellery, coins, and decorative uses.

But that narrative is changing rapidly.

Like gold, silver retains its reputation as a safe-haven asset, offering investors portfolio diversification and protection during times of market stress. Its affordability also makes it more accessible to retail investors compared to gold bullion.

What sets silver apart, however, is its growing industrial relevance. The metal boasts superior electrical and thermal conductivity, making it indispensable in the technologies shaping the global economy:

• Solar power: Silver is a critical component in photovoltaic cells. Consumption for solar panels has more than doubled since 2016, and the International Energy Agency expects global solar electricity generation could triple by 2030.
  
• Electronics and EVs: Silver's use in electronics has risen by about 50% over the past decade, driven by smartphones, electric vehicles, and other high-tech devices.
  
• Green transition: As the world accelerates towards decarbonisation, silver is increasingly viewed as both a precious metal and an industrial commodity.
  

This dual identity gives silver a unique investment case: It combines gold-like qualities as a store of value with the growth trajectory of a strategic industrial metal.

Silver vs gold: The performance gap

Both metals have enjoyed strong runs over the past year, but silver has stood out. At the time of writing, prices have surged more than 60% to above US$46 an ounce, the highest in more than a decade. That outpaces gold's 47% year-to-date gains and dwarfs the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which has risen around 7.8% in the same period.

The comparison highlights why some analysts view silver as a more leveraged play on precious metals. Gold may remain the cornerstone, but silver's evolving role in the green economy is reshaping its supply and demand fundamentals and fuelling speculation of further upside.

How ASX investors can get exposure

Unlike gold, the ASX has very few pure-play silver miners. Most silver is produced as a by-product of other metals such as copper, zinc, or gold. That makes ETFs a practical way to gain exposure.

Here are two options available on the local market:

1. Global X Physical Silver ETF (ASX: ETPMAG)
This ETF is backed by physical silver held in vaults, giving investors direct exposure to the metal's spot price. It's one of the simplest ways to participate in silver's performance without buying and storing bullion.

2. Global X Physical Precious Metal Basket ETF (ASX: ETPMPM)
The basket ETF offers a low-cost and secure way to access physical silver, as well as gold, platinum, and palladium via the ASX. 

Foolish Takeaway

Silver may be second to gold in reputation, but its unique mix of industrial demand and safe-haven appeal means it deserves more attention. With ASX's precious metals ETFs offering simple, low-cost exposure, investors have an easy path to add some shine to their portfolios.

The post Silver price outpaces gold in 2025 with two ETFs in focus appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.