Yesterday, markets reacted positively to the news that Iran and the US have agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire.

During this period, shipping traffic will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

What did Iran and the US agree to?

According to The BBC, Trump said he had agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks" if Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. 

As a refresher, The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Any threat or disruption there raises fears of reduced supply and higher energy prices. 

In the past month, those concerns have rippled through global markets. Equities have largely fallen as investors worry about inflation, economic slowdown, and geopolitical instability.

However, following the ceasefire announcement, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) jumped 2.5%. Investors clearly perceived the news as the beginning of a potential resolution. 

Elsewhere, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) also climbed higher, shooting above its 200-day moving average for the first time since mid-March. 

While it's important to note that there are still plenty of hurdles still to come, it's worth revisiting the ASX ETFs that Betashares have listed as potential beneficiaries of a de-escalation in the Middle East. 

Betashares Msci Emerging Markets Complex Etf (ASX: BEMG)

According to Betashares Senior Investment Strategist Cameron Gleeson, history shows that emerging markets often perform strongly when global risk appetite improves and trade flows normalise.

A resolution of the crisis could see the US dollar weaken, which may provide a tailwind for emerging markets.

This ASX ETF provides exposure to large and mid-cap stocks across 24 emerging market countries.

Betashares Global Shares Ex Us Etf (ASX: EXUS)

This is the only ASX ETF which provides Ex-US, Ex-Australia developed global market equities exposure.

According to Betashares, Ex-US equities provide greater exposure to cyclical sectors like financials and industrials than the US equity market and, as such, greater exposure to a strong global growth environment.

This fund provides exposure to 900+ large and mid-cap companies from 22 developed markets excluding the US and Australia.

BetaShares Geared Australian Equity Fund (Hedge Fund) (ASX: GEAR)

This ASX ETF provides between 200-286% exposure to the daily returns of the S&P/ASX 200. This can magnify both gains and losses, and is only suited to investors with a very high risk tolerance.

According to Betashares, using leverage can amplify returns if equities rally following improving sentiment.

We've seen geared equity ETFs being used by investors during past periods of market volatility. For example, at the market lows after the Liberation Day sell off last year we saw increased buying of geared equity ETFs.

In that instance, as equity markets recovered those ETF products amplified gains for their investors. However, it's important to recognise that investing in a geared investment, rather than an ungeared investment, involves significantly higher risk, particularly during a period of elevated volatility.

The post 3 ASX ETFs that could be set to jump – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Cameron Gleeson, Betashares, said geopolitical events like this can create sudden swings in markets. 

This has certainly been felt throughout March.

In a report released yesterday, he outlined two potential paths for markets: a prolonged conflict and disruption to global oil supply, or a de-escalation within a matter of weeks. 

He also highlighted several ASX ETFs that may help investors position their portfolios accordingly.

How does the current conflict impact ASX portfolios?

There are several reasons the current conflict in the Middle East is influencing markets.

The most immediate influence to markets is typically energy prices, which have had significant movement this past week on mixed messages from the Trump administration and Tehran's defiance. 

According to the report from Betashares, impact to global oil supply can quickly influence other areas of the economy like inflation expectations, central bank policy and the global growth outlook.

Here are two possible outcomes and how investors could adjust their portfolios.

Its important investors understand these scenarios are illustrative only and not predictions.

Potential path one: Prolonged conflict

Mr Gleeson said if tensions escalate and oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz face sustained disruption, energy prices may remain elevated for some time. 

According to the report, even if Trump succeeds in dismantling Iran's nuclear program and triggering regime change, the outcome could still create a power vacuum in which factions within Iran continue to threaten energy shipments.

If you are looking for the single most important indicator of risk in this crisis, it's the price of oil. Oil's reaction has been volatile, but some investors have tried to use it as a "geopolitical hedge" for when other asset valuations come under pressure.

The ASX ETF that offers the most direct exposure to changes in the price of oil is the BetaShares Crude Oil Index ETF – Currency Hedged (Synthetic) (ASX: OOO). 

The Motley Fool's Sebastian Bowen provided a thorough breakdown of the fund and its positioning relative to the current conflict earlier this month. 

Other ASX ETFs that may be worthy of consideration if you expect a prolonged conflict and ongoing oil crisis include: 

• BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL) – Provides exposure to some of the world's largest oil and gas producers, with significant production outside the Gulf region.
• BetaShares Global Agriculture Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FOOD)
• BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: QAU)

Potential path two: De-escalation

Mr Gleeson said alternatively, if tensions ease quickly and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes uninterrupted, oil prices could retrace and the geopolitical risk premium embedded in markets may fade. 

In that environment, global equities and cyclical sectors could benefit from improving sentiment and a renewed focus on economic growth.

A rising tide lifts all boats and one might expect all equity markets to rally, but below we identify some of the higher beta opportunities for such a recovery.

Some ASX ETFs mentioned include: 

• Betashares Msci Emerging Markets Complex Etf (ASX: BEMG)
• Betashares Global Shares Ex Us Etf (ASX: EXUS)
• BetaShares Geared Australian Equity Fund (Hedge Fund) (ASX: GEAR)

He highlighted that historically, emerging markets have performed strongly when global risk appetite improves and trade flows normalise.

Additionally, Ex-US equities provide greater exposure to cyclical sectors like financials and industrials than the US equity market and, as such, greater exposure to a strong global growth environment.

The post Portfolio strategies for 2 potential Middle East scenarios – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX currently has more than 2,000 listed companies to choose from, not to mention access to international stocks as well. 

That's why a base portfolio of a few ASX ETFs can be a great starting point. 

ASX ETFs offer instant diversification in one simple trade. 

This can be especially attractive when the market is experiencing significant volatility, as has occurred over the past couple of weeks.

Current conflict in the Middle East is causing significant fluctuations day to day for many Australian and global blue-chip stocks.

With this uncertainty and volatility likely to continue in the short-term, it is important to have a portfolio spread across various sectors and countries. 

These three funds would make an ideal starting point for a new investor aiming for a broadly diversified portfolio. 

Global X Australia 300 Etf (ASX: A300)

As the name suggests, this fund offers exposure to the 300 largest Australian companies listed on the ASX.

Typically, investors track the performance of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). 

However, this fund offers exposure to a broader set of companies than the typical 200 Australian companies.

Its largest exposure is to Australia's two largest companies by market cap: 

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). 

These two holdings represent roughly 20% of the fund. 

BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

With Australia's market covered by the A300 fund, adding the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF provides a US focus. 

This ASX ETF comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq market, and includes many companies that are at the forefront of the new economy.

The NASDAQ 100 is often referred to as the "new economy." 

With its strong focus on technology, NDQ ETF provides diversified exposure to a high-growth potential sector that is under-represented in the Australian sharemarket.

It includes some of the biggest global companies like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN). 

It has a strong track record, rising 84% over the last 5 years. 

Betashares Global Shares Ex Us Etf (ASX: EXUS)

With bases covered in Australia and the US, this ASX ETF provides a more global outlook. 

It provides exposure to 900+ large and mid-cap companies from 22 developed markets excluding the US and Australia.

Its largest exposure by country is to: 

• Japan (23.8%)
• Britain (13.2%)
• Canada (12.6%). 

With the US historically representing the majority of developed markets, adding exposure outside the US provides both geographic and sector diversification. 

Compared to US focused exposures, EXUS WTF has a higher weighting to sectors such as financials and industrials, and a lower weighting to technology.

The post 3 ASX ETFs for new investors to consider in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

They can be particularly useful if you're looking to add global stocks to your portfolio. Rather than having to research and buy a dozen (or so) international stocks, you can get that diversity, and more, from an ETF with a single investment.

Below we look at two ASX ETFs and one listed investment company (LIC) that hold a number of promising and potentially undervalued global stocks (courtesy of The Bull).

If you're unfamiliar with LICS, they're similar to ETFs in many ways, but they are closed-end funds. Meaning they issue a fixed number of shares on the ASX that investors can buy. ETFs are open-end funds which buy and sell shares depending on market demand.

With that said…

Two buy-rated ASX ETFs for global stock investors

First up we have the Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF (ASX: EXUS).

As the name implies, the fund invests in global stocks outside the United States.

"The US accounts for more than 70% of global market size. Some investors are seeking further diversification and less concentration risk," said DP Wealth Advisory' Andrew Wielandt, who has a buy rating on the ASX ETF.

According to Wielandt:

At end of January 2026, main holdings in this ETF included ASML, Roche and HSBC. Geographically, exposure at the end of January 2026 included Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. While the ETF was only listed on the ASX in November 2025, the index it follows has shown returns of more 12 per cent per annum over the past five years.

Which brings us to the second ASX ETF focused on global stocks outside of Australia, the BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL).

FUEL holds some of largest global energy companies, excluding companies listed in Australia, hedged into Australian dollars.

"I have been bullish on commodities for the past two years. The uptrend in precious metals was followed by base metals," said Fairmont Equities' Michael Gable. "Now, I believe the energy sector is poised for a bull run in response to increasing demand."

Explaining his buy rating on FUEL, Gable concluded:

This exchange traded fund captures the biggest global oil and gas companies. Not only are many investors still underweight in the energy sector, but this ETF is now breaking out of a multi-year trading range. This means the ETF is most likely at the start of a major uptrend, which should last throughout 2026, in my view.

Don't forget this internationally focused ASX LIC

Moving from ASX ETFs to an ASX LIC, we find the L1 Global Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: GLS). As a long-short fund, GLS has the potential to gain from both rising and falling stocks.

"GLS targets high quality undervalued companies across developed markets," DP Wealth Advisory's Wielandt said. "The fund is managed by co-chief investment officers Raphael Lamm and Mark Landau."

Commenting on his buy rating on the ASX LIC, Wielandt explained:

Both chief investment officers have established a top track record in operating long and short strategies, taking advantage of market rises and falls, depending on how their portfolio is positioned.

With consistent exposure across Asia, North America and Europe, the L1 Capital team has driven risk-adjusted returns that aren't held hostage to following the MSCI global benchmark. We expect the fund's solid performance from June 2025 to continue.

The post Seeking exposure to promising global stocks? Here are 2 quality ASX ETFs (and 1 LIC) to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

With just one investment, you can gain exposure to hundreds or even thousands of stocks at once. This makes it easier than ever to build a diversified portfolio.

But which ASX ETFs could be buys right now? Let's take a look at two that analysts are tipping as buys, courtesy of The Bull. Here's what you need to know about these funds:

Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF (ASX: EXUS)

The team at DP Wealth Advisory thinks that investors should be buying the Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF.

This ASX ETF is invested in global shares outside the United States. The advisory firm notes that the fund provides diversification for a portfolio by focusing on the 30% of the global market that is found off Wall Street. It said:

This exchange traded fund focuses on global investments outside the United States. The US accounts for more than 70 per cent of global market size. Some investors are seeking further diversification and less concentration risk. At end of January 2026, main holdings in this ETF included ASML, Roche and HSBC. Geographically, exposure at the end of January 2026 included Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. While the ETF was only listed on the ASX in November 2025, the index it follows has shown returns of more [than] 12 per cent per annum over the past five years.

BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL)

Another ASX ETF that is being tipped as a buy by experts this week is the BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF.

Fairmont Equities is positive on this fund. After a strong run for precious metals and base metals, it believes that the energy sector could be next in line for a bull run. As this ETF gives investors exposure to the biggest players in the sector, Fairmont Equities sees it as a good option for 2026. It explains:

I have been bullish on commodities for the past two years. The uptrend in precious metals was followed by base metals. Now, I believe the energy sector is poised for a bull run in response to increasing demand. This exchange traded fund captures the biggest global oil and gas companies. Not only are many investors still underweight in the energy sector, but this ETF is now breaking out of a multi-year trading range. This means the ETF is most likely at the start of a major uptrend, which should last throughout 2026, in my view.

The post Experts name 2 ASX ETFs to buy this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) is off to a good start to the week as well. 

Both of these important benchmark indexes are tracking close to all-time highs. 

With these valuations looking full, it can be a good time for investors to look elsewhere for opportunities. 

One great way to do this is to invest in global ASX ETFs. 

Many Australian portfolios will already include large exposure to Australian and US shares. 

With that in mind, here are 3 proven ASX ETFs which provide exposure to companies not based in either country. 

Betashares Global Shares Ex Us ETF (ASX: EXUS)

This ASX ETF is one of the newest funds to be listed. 

It aims to track the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) that provides exposure to 900+ large and mid-cap companies from 22 developed markets excluding the US and Australia.

With the US historically representing the majority of developed markets, adding exposure outside the US provides both geographic and sector diversification. 

According to Betashares, compared to US focused exposures, EXUS ETF has a higher weighting to sectors such as financials and industrials, and a lower weighting to technology.

At the time of writing, no single holding makes up more than 2.2% of the fund. 

Its largest exposure geographically is to: 

• Japan (22.9%)
• Britain (13.2%)
• Canada (12.8%)

Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA)

This has been one of the top performing ASX ETFs over the last 12 months. 

It has risen 42% in that span thanks to outperformance from leading technology stocks across Asia. 

It provides exposure to the 50 largest Asian technology companies not in Japan. 

These are largely based in South Korea, Taiwan and China. 

Within the sector, it has a large exposure to high growth industries such as: 

• Semiconductors (32.5%)
• Tech. Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (21.6%)
• Interactive Media & Services (11.8%)

Vanguard Ftse Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ)

Looking elsewhere, this ASX ETF provides exposure to more than 1,200 companies listed in major European markets. 

Geographically, its largest exposure is to: 

• United Kingdom (23.1%)
• Switzerland (14.2%)
• France (14.1%). 

The underlying holdings focus on large and mid-cap companies across financials, industrials, and healthcare.

The European market overall has been a winner in the last 12 months, with this fund rising 16.47% in that span. 

The post 3 ASX ETFs to target with exposure outside the US and Australia appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Rather than trying to predict which individual company or country will perform best next, investors can position their portfolios around regions, themes, and long-term trends. Right now, a mix of global technology, emerging markets, and non-US exposure could make sense for investors looking to stay diversified.

With that in mind, here are five ASX ETFs that look worth considering today.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides exposure to some of the most influential companies in the global economy.

The ETF tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which includes large technology and innovation-driven businesses such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), and NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA). These companies tend to dominate their markets and reinvest heavily to maintain leadership.

For investors, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers access to global growth through established businesses rather than early-stage speculation, making it a popular long-term holding.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF focuses on technology leaders across Asia.

Its holdings include companies such as Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU). These businesses sit at the centre of ecommerce, digital payments, gaming, and communication across the region.

The appeal of the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF lies in its exposure to large populations, rising digital adoption, and technology ecosystems that operate differently from those in the United States.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

The Betashares India Quality ETF offers a more targeted way to invest in India's long-term growth story.

The ETF invests in high-quality Indian companies with strong balance sheets and consistent earnings. Examples of holdings include Reliance Industries, Infosys (NYSE: INFY) and HDFC Bank.

India's expanding middle class, increasing digital infrastructure, and ongoing economic reform provide a structural backdrop that could support growth over many years.

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

The Betashares Global Shares ex US ETF gives investors exposure to global share markets outside the United States.

The ETF includes companies across Europe, Japan, and other developed markets, with holdings such as Nestle, Toyota Motor Corp, and ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML).

There is currently some discussion around a so-called "sell America" trade, partly linked to geopolitical uncertainty and comments from Donald Trump, including threats related to Greenland. While no outcome is certain, this fund offers an option for investors who want to reduce reliance on Wall Street and increase exposure to other developed markets.

Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF (ASX: BEMG)

The Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF provides broad exposure to emerging markets.

The ETF invests across countries such as China, Taiwan, India, and Brazil, with major holdings including SK Hynix, Alibaba (NYSE: BABA), and Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn).

Emerging markets can be volatile, but they also offer access to faster-growing economies and expanding consumer bases. For long-term investors, the Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF can add a different growth engine to a diversified portfolio.

The post 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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.

The post 5 ASX ETFs to buy with $2,500 in January appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The good news is that beginner investors don't need to pick individual stocks or try to outsmart the market. A handful of high-quality exchange traded funds (ETFs) can provide instant diversification, global exposure, and strong long-term growth potential. All without the stress of stock picking.

With 2026 approaching, here are five ASX ETFs that could be excellent options for new investors.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF offers exposure to some of the biggest and fastest-growing technology companies across China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Its holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM), and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU).

These companies power global megatrends such as social media, semiconductors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.

Betashares Australian Momentum ETF (ASX: MTUM)

The Betashares Australian Momentum ETF follows a simple but powerful principle. That is that in markets, strength often follows strength.

This ASX ETF selects Australian shares with the strongest price momentum, meaning it continually rotates into shares that are outperforming.

Current holdings include names such as Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). The Betashares Australian Momentum ETF is designed to adapt quickly to shifting conditions, making it an appealing option for beginners who want an evidence-based strategy without manually stock-picking.

It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides exposure to the top 100 non-financial stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

This includes household names Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

These companies dominate cloud computing, AI infrastructure, software, ecommerce, and advanced hardware. Over the long term, the Nasdaq has delivered some of the strongest returns of any global index. And given the quality of its holdings, it wouldn't be surprising if this trend continues over the next decade.

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

The Betashares Global Shares Ex-US ETF is a new ETF. It provides exposure to more than 900 large and mid-cap stocks across developed markets, excluding the United States and Australia. That means instant diversification across Europe, Canada, and Asia-Pacific.

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

It was also recently named as one to consider by analysts at Betashares.

Vanguard U.S. Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS)

Finally, if you want broad exposure to the entire U.S. share market, the Vanguard U.S. Total Market Shares Index ETF could be a top pick. It tracks more than 3,000 American stocks, from mega-caps like Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) to mid-caps and smaller innovators. This could make it a powerful and diverse core holding for beginners.

The post 5 ASX ETFs for beginner investors in 2026 and beyond appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But the reality is far simpler. Thanks to a wide range of international exchange traded funds (ETFs) listed right here at home, you can build a global portfolio without ever leaving the ASX.

You don't need a US trading account, nor will need to convert currency. And you don't need to learn the ins and outs of every overseas market.

Let's see exactly how to invest globally using nothing more than your standard Australian brokerage account.

Access the US market

If you want exposure to the world's biggest and most influential stocks, the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is the simplest place to start.

It gives you instant ownership of 500 of America's largest listed businesses, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

The United States has historically been one of the strongest-performing share markets over long periods.

By owning this ASX ETF, you are effectively tying your wealth to the innovation engine of the world, without having to pick individual stocks or deal with offshore administration.

Capture Asia's tech boom

Beyond the US, some of the fastest growth globally is happening in Asia. The region is experiencing massive digital adoption, rising incomes, and an expanding middle class.

For exposure to the companies riding these tailwinds, the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA) comes immediately to mind.

This ASX ETF includes leading tech giants such as Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD) and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU). These dominate online commerce, social media, gaming, and artificial intelligence across the region.

While Asian tech stocks can be more volatile than those in the US, their long-term growth potential is enormous. This fund offers broad, diversified exposure to this opportunity through a single ASX trade.

Round out with global exposure

To complete your international portfolio, you can add exposure to major developed markets outside the US using the new BetaShares Global Shares ex-US ETF (ASX: EXUS).

This ASX ETF holds more than 900 large and mid-cap stocks across Europe, Japan, Canada, the UK and other developed economies.

Its top holdings include ASML (NASDAQ: ASML), AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN), Roche (SWX: ROG), Nestlé (SWX: NESN) and SAP (ETR: SAP). These are high-quality companies that provide stability and sector diversification beyond tech-heavy US markets.

Foolish takeaway

You don't need foreign trading accounts or complex tax setups to build a truly global portfolio.

With these ASX ETFs, you can invest across the world's most dynamic markets in just a few clicks.

International diversification has never been easier for long-term wealth building.

The post How to invest and build wealth globally without leaving the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

A 20-year investing horizon gives compounding the freedom to work its magic, smoothing out the bumps and capturing the long-run performance of global markets.

The good news for Australian investors is that the ASX offers world-class ETFs that provide instant diversification across many of the most innovative stocks and strongest economies on the planet.

If you're looking to set up a portfolio you won't need to tinker with for a very long time, the following three ASX ETFs are hard to beat.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

When it comes to long-term wealth creation, it is hard to look beyond the US market.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, giving investors a slice of America's 500 largest stocks. These are the businesses driving innovation in technology, healthcare, consumer spending, and industrials.

This includes giants such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), and Walmart (NYSE: WMT). These companies have shaped global consumer behaviour, created new industries, and consistently reinvested into product development and growth. For a 20-year investment horizon, it is arguably a must-have building block.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

India is increasingly being viewed as one of the world's most exciting long-term economic growth stories. With a young population, a rapidly expanding middle class, modernising infrastructure, and booming digital adoption, the country is expected to be one of the fastest-growing major economies for decades.

The Betashares India Quality ETF focuses specifically on high-quality Indian companies with strong fundamentals. Its portfolio includes leading names such as Infosys (NYSE: INFY), Tata Consultancy Services (NSEI: TCS), and HDFC Bank (NSEI: HDFCBANK). These are businesses benefitting from both domestic expansion and the global outsourcing boom.

India is still early in its economic development cycle compared to Western markets, meaning its long-term runway could be significantly larger. For Australian investors wanting emerging-market growth without taking on excessive risk, this fund offers a blend of quality, diversification, and future upside. It was recently named as one to consider buying by analysts at Betashares.

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

If you have your US exposure sorted, then it could be worth looking at the new Betashares Global Shares Ex-US ETF.

This ASX ETF gives investors exposure to more than 900 large and mid-cap stocks across 22 developed markets outside the US and Australia.

Its top holdings include ASML (NASDAQ: ASML), Roche (SWX: ROG), AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), Nestlé (SWX: NESN), and SAP (ETR: SAP). These are global leaders in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and enterprise software.

This fund balances a long-term portfolio by reducing concentration in American technology stocks and increasing exposure to financials, industrials, healthcare, and consumer defensives. It was also recently named as one to consider buying by the fund manager.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.