Superannuation is a great tool to save towards retirement. But what if someone wants to retire earlier than that? I think it'd be a good idea to invest outside of superannuation too.

Taxation can be an important factor, but every household has a different income and different tax situation, so I won't talk about that side of things. I'm just going to look at how Australian investors can unlock gross passive income of $90,000 a year and retire by 57.

Regularly save and invest

Having cash to invest doesn't just appear out of nowhere. Australians need to set some money aside, assuming their budget has the room to do so after paying for the essentials.

Essentially, we need to spend less than we earn and invest the difference. Of course, it's a good idea to make sure we enjoy life during that period of wealth accumulation – life is not just about the money.

Every household has different finances, so it's up to each Australian adult to figure out what they can save.

Investing those savings makes a big difference to how much the wealth grows to. For example, putting $1,000 per month under the mattress will turn into $120,000 after ten years.

If someone else invested $1,000 per month in the share market and it returned an average of 10% per year, it'd be worth $191,249 after a decade. After two decades of doing that, the balance would become $687,300. After three decades, it becomes an incredible $1.97 million.

Therefore, someone who's 27 could start today and potentially have $1.97 million by 57 and retire.

Figure out what sort of investments to make

There are a number of ways for Australians and invest to build their wealth.

One of the simplest ways to build wealth is to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that give investors exposure to quality businesses from around the world, which I believe have a higher chance of delivering solid compounding earnings growth.

Some of my top choices for that investment exposure include Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL), Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY) and Global X S&P World EX Australia Garp ETF (ASX: GARP).

There are certain Australian companies that I also think could be excellent contenders to grow wealth over the long-term including Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and L1 Global Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: GLS).

The yield influences the portfolio size needed

The portfolio balance required to generate $90,000 per year depends on the dividend yield of the portfolio.

For example, if someone had a $2 million portfolio, it'd require a dividend yield of 4.5% to make $90,000 of annual passive income.

If the dividend yield was 3%, the portfolio would need to be $3 million in size.

With a dividend yield of 6%, the Aussie investor would need $1.5 million.

By choosing the right investments and regularly saving, an average Aussie can build a good amount of wealth and retire.

The post How much do I need to retire on $90,000 a year at 57? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But would it be enough to stop working and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle?

I think it could be, particularly with the right investment strategy.

Let's look at what the numbers suggest.

How much would you need?

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), a single person who owns their home outright needs approximately $56,166 a year for a comfortable retirement.

That includes everyday expenses alongside holidays, private health insurance, leisure activities, and other things that make retirement enjoyable.

ASFA also estimates that a single homeowner needs around $630,000 in superannuation at age 67 to fund this lifestyle, assuming some assistance from the Age Pension.

So, with $750,000 available, our hypothetical retiree is starting from a promising position.

But the next question is how to turn that money into an income that can last for decades.

How I'd approach an ETF portfolio

One of the things I like about ETFs is that they make it relatively straightforward to spread investments across different markets.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides exposure to hundreds of Australian shares, many of which pay regular dividends.

Meanwhile, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) offers access to major businesses around the world.

I think combining Australian and international shares could provide a reasonable balance between income and long-term capital growth.

I would also consider including some defensive investments. The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF), for example, provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of bonds.

Having some money in these less volatile investments could help reduce the need to sell shares during a market downturn.

For me, that would be important in retirement, when regular withdrawals become part of everyday life.

Could the income cover expenses?

Let's imagine our $750,000 portfolio generates an average annual dividend yield of 4%. That would provide approximately $30,000 a year in investment income.

It is important to remember that this is an illustrative assumption. Actual dividends would depend on the ETFs selected and could vary considerably.

Nevertheless, it gives us a starting point.

Against ASFA's comfortable retirement estimate of $56,166, there would be an annual shortfall of approximately $26,166. That means our retiree would need additional income or to sell some investments to cover their spending.

But I don't see this as a problem. After all, our ETF portfolio would ideally be generating capital growth alongside its distributions.

Let's imagine the portfolio achieves an average annual total return of 7.5%, comprising 4% in dividends and 3.5% in capital growth.

On a $750,000 portfolio, that additional 3.5% would represent approximately $26,250 in capital appreciation.

That is almost exactly what our retiree needs to make up the shortfall.

In a year when those returns are achieved, selling some ETF units could cover the remaining living expenses while leaving the overall portfolio value broadly unchanged.

Of course, returns won't arrive so neatly every year. Markets can fall, dividends can be reduced, and some years will require larger withdrawals from capital.

Inflation will also increase living costs over time, so maintaining the portfolio's value in dollar terms would not fully protect its purchasing power.

But I think a diversified portfolio targeting a reasonable mix of income and growth could be a workable retirement strategy, particularly if Age Pension payments eventually provide additional support.

Foolish takeaway

For a single person who owns their home outright, I think $750,000 in ASX ETFs could be enough to fund a comfortable retirement.

An average annual return of 7.5% would theoretically cover today's estimated living expenses without steadily depleting the original investment.

That return is not guaranteed, and I would want some flexibility to handle weaker years. But I think the numbers show that a comfortable retirement with $750,000 is certainly achievable.

The post Could $750,000 in ASX ETFs fund a comfortable retirement? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Vanguard runs the biggest ETF on the market, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

VAS ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO).

VAS ETF will pay 129.07 cents per unit this time around. This equates to a 1.2% dividend yield.

Dividends for Vanguard ASX ETF investors

Here is a summary of the final distributions that Vanguard will pay investors today.

The post Vanguard ETFs will pay dividends today. Here's how much appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There are thousands of shares to choose from, and knowing which companies to buy is not always easy.

That is why I think exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a great place for beginners to start.

Here are three Vanguard ETFs I would consider for someone looking to build their wealth over the long term.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

I think one of the easiest ways to start investing is by owning a selection of Australia's leading businesses.

That is what the VAS ETF offers. The fund tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), giving investors exposure to 300 companies listed on the Australian share market.

This includes businesses across banking, mining, healthcare, retail, and other industries.

For a beginner, I like the simplicity of that approach. Rather than trying to work out which Australian bank or mining share will perform best, investors can own a broad collection of businesses through one investment.

The fund also offers the potential for regular dividend income, including franking credits, which could be valuable as an investment portfolio grows.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Once investors have exposure to Australia, I think the next step worth considering is looking overseas. After all, Australia represents only a small part of the global share market.

The VGS ETF makes international investing straightforward by providing exposure to around 1,300 stocks across developed markets.

That includes businesses operating in the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

I particularly like the access this provides to industries that are less prominent on the ASX.

For example, many of the world's leading software, semiconductor, and technology businesses are listed overseas. Through the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF, beginners can participate in long-term growth without having to identify individual winners.

There is also the benefit of spreading investments across multiple economies, although the fund still has significant exposure to the United States.

Overall, I think this Vanguard ETF could be an excellent long-term holding, particularly alongside an Australian shares ETF.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

My final pick is for beginners who want to keep things simple. The VDHG ETF effectively provides a ready-made investment portfolio.

It combines Australian shares, international shares, emerging markets, smaller companies, and bonds in a single fund.

That means investors can get broad diversification without needing to choose several ETFs and work out how much money to put into each.

Vanguard also handles the rebalancing, helping maintain the fund's intended investment mix over time. I think that convenience could be valuable for someone who is just starting out.

The VDHG ETF targets approximately 90% in growth assets and 10% in defensive assets. It is therefore designed for investors with a long investment horizon who can tolerate substantial share market movements.

For a beginner who wants to invest regularly and spend less time managing their portfolio, I think this Vanguard ETF is well worth considering.

Foolish takeaway

I think getting started is often the hardest part of investing.

These Vanguard ETFs offer relatively straightforward ways to build a diversified portfolio without needing to become an expert at picking individual shares.

For beginners who are prepared to invest regularly and think long term, I believe any of these could be a great place to start.

The post Why these Vanguard ETFs could be buys for beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It has taken a number of years of making good choices and putting money to work that has led to the financial position that I'm in today, as well as a dose of luck.

I'm very lucky to live in one of the best countries in the world, where there are various tools that help regular people grow their net worth.

There are plenty of countries that don't have well-paid work, tax-efficient retirement savings, a reliable banking system, franking credits, reliable utilities, or huge quantities of valuable resources. Without many of those, I wouldn't be sitting here with the portfolio I do have. Of course, those advantages Australians have are on a society-level. What we personally do is very important too.

In a moment, I'm going to outline three factors that my household has worked on in the last several years.

Before getting to what I've done, I just want to note that everyone is on their own financial journey with different starting points, income levels, family support, and so on. We're not 'racing' other people, we're just trying to get ahead of ourselves.

Think about your current financial picture – it's the culmination of all the actions and decisions made up to this point. Almost any Australian can make a big difference to their wealth over the next decade.

Of course, having a 10% larger portfolio doesn't mean I'll be 10% happier or have fewer life responsibilities. But, building towards a goal is motivating, and having financial freedom would be a great position to be in.

Over the last ten years, I've diligently followed a step-by-step plan to help reach a six-figure ASX share portfolio. In the next decade, I hope to reach my financial goals by following the same plan. Let's run through what I'm doing.

Save and earn

The core foundation of most households' finances is the income they generate from their work, whether that's as an employee, business owner, or in another form of work. My household's finances are also driven by work earnings.

Our current financial position is the embodiment of the choices we make. What we do with money then decides how our financial picture evolves over the months and years.

How much we earn, how much we pay for the roof over our heads, the cost of the car (or public transport), the cost of the food we eat, and so on. It all counts.

If someone wants to improve their finances, then increasing earnings is one of the best things you can do. But try to ensure that lifestyle inflation doesn't eat into the income gain. Some people may have an income problem, while some households may have a spending problem. Earning more could just mean having more to spend rather than putting it into building wealth.

The close-to-minimum-wage full-time job that I had when I first started renting was enough to pay for the essentials, save $200 per month into a savings account, and focus on free entertainment and activities. I just about made it work (with my partner), but we started with a savings mindset and always wanted to avoid debt in life (aside from a future mortgage).

Thankfully, with a growth mindset, investing in useful qualifications, and joining The Motley Fool writing team, my household income increased so that we could start saving a solid amount each month. Household income can come from any industry. Some of those savings went into investing in ASX shares.

Remember, it's what we save rather than what we earn that ultimately decides how much we can invest each year.

Personal finances are the foundation of building wealth. Good foundations will help build wealth, while overspending or debt can be very problematic.

Invest in ASX shares and ETFs

Having money in a savings account is a good step. It generates interest income and can serve as an emergency fund when we need accessible money.

But, I don't think interest alone is powerful enough to help grow wealth when inflation eats away at the value of a dollar.

I think shares are the best way to grow wealth because they can deliver capital growth, dividends, and dividend growth.

The compounding effects of the share market are much more powerful than savings accounts.

The investment that has added the most wealth to my net worth has been the investment conglomerate Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL), which has a great track record of delivering dividend growth and capital growth over the past three decades with its growing portfolio of assets.

There are plenty of quality exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can help investors gain exposure to great businesses for a low cost, such as Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL), or Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY).

Ultimately, I'm investing in things I think will perform well over five or ten years, not just the next six months or a year.

There's no one right way to invest and grow wealth. I've gone for a mixture of ASX dividend shares and ASX growth shares. A lot of this website (including subscription services) is about choosing the right investments. Just pick something you could see yourself owning for five, ten, or even more years into the future, even if there's uncertainty.

Think long-term

Compounding is a very powerful force that helps our investments grow in value over time. A $1,000 investment can double in value in eight years if it grows by 10% per year.

I'm not looking to trade in and out of ASX shares. I'm not thinking with a one-year investment time horizon.

Investing for the long term has allowed me to ignore short-term noise. It doesn't matter what happens in 2026 if I'm investing with 2036 or 2046 in mind.

Heavy market sell-offs are painful in the moment. But, I'd view them as the worst time to sell and the best time to buy. I'd rather buy assets at lower prices than at higher prices. I regularly invest every month, but market declines get me more excited to invest.

Thankfully, my household was able to invest materially during the COVID volatility in 2020 and the inflation troubles of 2022 and 2023. If something else happens, I'll invest heavily again and be greedy when others are fearful.

With a long-term goal of growing wealth and keeping the 'why we're doing it' in mind, we're steadily reaching our financial goals and I'd love to have a $1 million ASX share portfolio one day, though that's still a long way away.

The post The 3 factors that have helped me build a six-figure ASX share portfolio at 35 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Thankfully, you don't need to identify the next star stock to start building wealth.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering for beginners now and in 2027.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

One of the biggest challenges for new investors is working out which companies will be successful over the next decade.

And let's face it, even professional investors regularly get that wrong.

That's why the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF could be a great place to start.

Instead of trying to pick a handful of winning stocks, this fund gives investors a stake in more than 1,000 companies across developed markets outside Australia.

That includes some of the biggest names in technology, healthcare, financial services, and consumer goods.

It also means you're not relying on the Australian economy to deliver all your returns.

For beginners who want to start investing and gradually build their wealth over many years, that's a strong proposition.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

Another ASX ETF that could be worth considering is the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

Think about how much of your everyday life now takes place online. Banking, shopping, working, communicating, and even accessing healthcare increasingly involve digital services.

All that activity creates opportunities for cybercriminals, which is why businesses and governments are spending heavily on protecting their systems and data.

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF allows investors to gain exposure to companies providing that protection. These businesses help prevent cyberattacks, secure networks, protect cloud systems, and detect threats before they cause serious damage.

This is a more specialised investment than a broad market ETF, so its performance could be more volatile. Nevertheless, for beginners interested in technology and its future, it could be an exciting fund to consider.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

A final ASX ETF for beginners to look at is the Betashares Australian Quality ETF.

When people first start investing, it can be tempting to buy shares in companies they recognise. But being a household name doesn't necessarily mean a business is a great investment.

That's where this ETF takes an interesting approach. It looks beyond company size and focuses on Australian businesses with strong profitability, healthy balance sheets, and relatively stable earnings.

The idea is to favour financially stronger companies that may be better placed to handle difficult economic conditions and continue growing over time.

It also offers something different from a traditional Australian index fund, where the biggest banks and mining companies can dominate the portfolio.

For beginners who want exposure to local shares but prefer an investment strategy built around business quality, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF could be worth a closer look.

The post 3 excellent ASX ETFs for beginners in 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There is also plenty of overlap between them, which can make choosing between the two less straightforward than it first appears.

So, if I could buy only one, which would get my money?

Why buy the VGS ETF?

The VGS ETF is the broader option. It gives investors exposure to around 1,300 stocks across approximately 23 developed countries outside Australia, including the United States, Japan, the UK, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

That geographic spread is its biggest strength, in my view. The US still accounts for a large part of the portfolio, so investors retain significant exposure to companies such as NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft. But the VGS ETF also puts money to work across other developed economies.

That could prove valuable during periods when US shares are not leading global markets. Rather than needing to predict which country performs best next, investors have exposure across a much wider group.

For someone wanting a single international ETF to provide broad diversification, I think the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is difficult to fault.

What does the V500 ETF do differently?

The V500 ETF focuses entirely on the United States. It tracks the famous S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), giving investors exposure to around 500 large US companies representing roughly 80% of the value of the American share market.

Many of the largest companies are also owned by the VGS ETF. NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet currently sit at the top of the portfolio.

The difference is how much influence these US businesses have. The V500 ETF does not dilute that exposure with Japanese, European, Canadian, or other developed-market companies. Investors are making a clearer bet that the US can continue producing some of the world's strongest businesses.

I am comfortable with that. The US remains a major centre for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, software, healthcare innovation, consumer brands, and many other industries. The S&P 500 Index also extends well beyond technology, so buying this Vanguard ETF is not simply a bet on a handful of AI companies.

Which Vanguard ETF would I choose?

I would lean towards the V500 ETF. Both funds are buys in my view, and the VGS ETF would actually win if broader geographic diversification were my main priority.

But if I could choose only one, I would prefer to put more weight behind the US businesses inside the Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF.

Foolish takeaway

I can see a strong case for owning either ETF.

But for me, the V500 ETF narrowly comes out ahead. I am comfortable accepting less geographic diversification in exchange for greater exposure to the US market.

If I were choosing just one today, it is the Vanguard ETF that would get my money.

The post VGS vs V500: Which Vanguard ETF would I buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Whether it's $10,000 or $110,000, stocks can generate dividends to help cover certain expenses.

That cash flow doesn't just appear out of nowhere, of course. Aussies need to invest money in assets that pay dividends.

By investing regularly, investors can build a strong portfolio.

I'm going to run through some examples of what happens when you regularly invest. For plenty of people, just the regular superannuation contributions could help reach particular portfolio value goals.

How to create $110,000 of passive income at 65 and retire

I think it's essential for investors to think long-term. By investing regularly over many years, investors can build substantial wealth.

In retirement circles, many assume 4% is a sufficient withdrawal rate. Let's assume someone is targeting $110,000 per year at a 4% yield, which means targeting a portfolio of $2.75 million.

That's a big target, but I'll show you how many Aussies can reach that goal if given long enough. In all of the below examples, I'm going to assume that the share market returns an average of 10% per year.

Imagine someone is 25, starting with $0. If they invest just $450 per month over 40 years, they would reach $2.85 million.

If someone is starting at 35 with $0, and they invest $1,250 per month over 30 years, it would become worth $2.825 million.

Starting at 45 with $0, someone could invest $3,700 per month over 20 years, it would be worth $2.81 million.

Of course, there's a million different scenarios we could play out, but those three above situations show how investors can build towards approximately $2.75 million.

Numerous investment opportunities for dividends

There are a number of ways investors can get to $2.75 million and retire.

We could invest in the best options for long-term growth, then switch to passive income ideas. Quality ASX growth shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be strong options for wealth creation.

I think investment ideas like Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) are excellent long-term compounders.

After that I'd look at compelling ASX dividend share options.

Diversified listed investment companies (LICs) are compelling ideas such as Argo Investments Ltd (ASX: ARG), Australian United Investment Company Ltd (ASX: AUI), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF) and WCM Global Growth Ltd (ASX: WQG) are all compelling options for passive income.

I'd also be very willing to invest in cheap real estate investment trusts (REITs) offering large distribution yields, such as Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) and Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF).

I think diversification during retirement is an important factor to protect capital over the long-term.

The post How much do I need to retire on $110,000 a year at 65? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Both provide instant exposure to some of the world's biggest companies, but they go about it differently.

If I had $10,000 and could choose only one today, which would I buy?

What do you get with the VGS ETF?

The biggest reason to buy the VGS ETF is diversification.

It invests in around 1,300 stocks across approximately 23 developed countries outside Australia, rather than concentrating entirely on a single overseas market.

The United States still plays a major role, which is why NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft sit among its largest holdings. Fellow technology giants Amazon and Alphabet also feature prominently.

But the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF also spreads investors' money across markets, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

I like that approach because investors are not relying entirely on the US stock market continuing to lead global returns.

For someone who wants one broad international ETF, the VGS ETF would be an excellent choice in my view.

What about the IVV ETF?

The iShares S&P 500 ETF takes a narrower approach.

It tracks Wall Street's S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX), giving investors exposure to around 500 large US companies. Its biggest underlying holdings currently include NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Broadcom, and Meta Platforms.

There is clearly plenty of overlap with the VGS ETF.

The difference is that the IVV ETF puts more weight behind these US businesses rather than diluting their influence with companies from other developed markets.

I like that. The US remains home to many of the companies leading major areas of growth, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, semiconductors, digital advertising, and software.

Of course, that greater exposure to the US also means accepting more concentration. If American shares underperform other developed markets for an extended period, the VGS ETF could benefit from having more money invested elsewhere.

However, I am willing to take that risk because I think the strength of the US businesses inside the IVV ETF gives the fund a compelling long-term growth outlook.

Which ASX ETF would I buy?

The VGS ETF would be my choice for someone prioritising broader international diversification, and I like that it reduces reliance on one country.

But if I had $10,000 and could buy only one, I would choose the IVV ETF.

I am comfortable taking greater exposure to the US market because of the quality and growth potential of the stocks inside it.

The post VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

I would want a portfolio with exposure to different parts of the economy, some global diversification, and businesses I would be comfortable holding for many years.

Rather than spreading the money across dozens of investments, I would use one broad exchange-traded fund (ETF) as a foundation and build around it with a handful of ASX shares I particularly like.

Here is how I would allocate the full $50,000.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

I would start with $12,000 in the VGS ETF.

The fund gives investors exposure to a large portfolio of companies across developed markets outside Australia, including major businesses from the United States, Europe, and Asia.

For me, this provides an important diversification base. Instead of relying entirely on the Australian economy and a handful of individual companies, part of the portfolio would be spread across over a thousand global businesses and numerous industries.

That would make the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF my largest single allocation.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

I would put $8,000 into Commonwealth Bank.

CBA gives the portfolio exposure to Australia's banking sector through a business with leading positions across home lending, deposits, and digital banking.

I also like the combination of earnings resilience and dividends it can bring to a long-term portfolio.

The valuation can become stretched at times, so I would not want to make the position too large. But I would still want CBA as part of my starting portfolio.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Another $8,000 would go into BHP shares.

The mining giant adds exposure to commodities including iron ore and copper, providing a source of earnings quite different from CBA and the global companies held through the VGS ETF.

I am particularly positive on copper's long-term outlook as investment in power networks, renewable energy, data centres, and electrification drives demand.

BHP would also add some dividend income to the portfolio, although payouts will naturally move with commodity conditions.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

I would allocate $6,000 to CSL shares.

The healthcare giant has global operations across plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialised medicines.

After a difficult period for the shares, I think there is an attractive opportunity if CSL can continue improving earnings and margins over the coming years.

It also gives the portfolio another source of growth that is less dependent on Australian economic conditions.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

I would put $6,000 into ResMed shares.

The company is a global leader in devices and masks used to treat sleep apnoea, giving it exposure to a substantial healthcare market.

For example, management estimates that there are over 1 billion sufferers of sleep apnoea globally, with the majority undiagnosed.

As a result, ResMed is the type of high-quality global business I would be comfortable owning for many years.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

I would allocate $5,000 to Wesfarmers shares.

Through businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks, Wesfarmers provides exposure to some of Australia's strongest retail operations.

I also like its history of disciplined capital allocation and willingness to invest across different industries when opportunities arise.

That makes it a strong long-term portfolio holding in my view.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Finally, I would invest $5,000 in Xero shares.

Its accounting software is deeply embedded in the operations of small businesses and accountants, while its international presence gives the company plenty of room to grow.

This would be one of the portfolio's more growth-focused positions and provide additional technology exposure alongside the global holdings inside the VGS ETF.

Foolish takeaway

If I were investing $50,000 from scratch, this is the sort of balance I would want.

The VGS ETF would give me broad global diversification from day one, while CBA, BHP, CSL, ResMed, Wesfarmers, and Xero would let me put additional money behind individual businesses I believe can perform well over the long term.

I think that gives the portfolio a strong foundation without overcomplicating it.

The post How I'd build a $50,000 ASX share portfolio today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ex-dividend date for these distributions is next Thursday, 1 October.

Vanguard will pay investors on 16 October.

Dividends for Vanguard ASX ETF investors

Here is a summary of the estimated distributions that Vanguard will pay investors next month.

The post Own VAS, VHY, VGS, or other Vanguard ETFs? Here's your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

SMSF investors have more flexibility than other superannuation investors about where to put their money. ASX shares have the biggest allocation, followed by owned property, cash and term deposits, managed funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unlisted trusts, 'other', international shares and finally debt securities.

Let's see which ASX shares are the most popular within SMSF portfolios.

The most popular ASX shares

SMSF cloud accounting software provider Class recently released its 2026 annual benchmark report, which gave a lot of insights into the SMSF landscape. Class is owned by Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB).

At 30 June 2026, there were 12 ASX shares that were held in at least 20% of SMSF portfolios:

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) – 46.6% of all SMSF portfolios
• Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) – 37.2%
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) – 34.4%
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) – 34.1%
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – 34.1%
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – 31.9%
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) – 31.4%
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – 31.4%
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) – 29.4%
• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) – 29.5%
• Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – 24.1%
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) – 21.8%

It makes sense that these ASX shares have been chosen by SMSF investors. Almost all of them have a solid dividend yield. Passive income may be exactly what investors in retirement are looking for.

I think it's interesting that BHP and Woodside appear in the most portfolios. But it's also intriguing that NAB, Westpac and ANZ all feature in more portfolios than CBA. Commonwealth Bank also has the lowest dividend yield of the big four banks.

However, while they are in more portfolios, things look different when looking at which ASX shares have the most overall SMSF dollars invested in them.

According to Class data, order of most dollars allocated to ASX shares (with a weighting of more than 2%):

• CBA – 5.9%
• BHP – 5.5%
• Westpac – 3.6%
• NAB – 3.4%
• ANZ – 3.2%
• Wesfarmers – 3.2%
• Macquarie – 3.1%
• Telstra – 2%

ASX bank shares still have a very large place in SMSF portfolios, though BHP has significant SMSF dollars invested in it too.

What about exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?

ETFs are becoming increasingly popular investors as a way to gain exposure to certain sectors or geographies for a low cost.

According to the Class SMSF benchmark report, 35.5% of SMSFs now own at least one ETF, though they only account for a 7.2% allocation of overall SMSF dollars.

The ASX ETFs that are the most widely held include:

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)
• Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)
• Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If SMSF investors use a mix of investments, they can build an ASX share portfolio that delivers strong returns and diversification.

The post Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For a huge number of Australian investors, this pair effectively is the foundation of their portfolio. If I were starting from scratch, these two ETFs are exactly where I'd begin.

Building an investment portfolio from nothing can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of shares to sort through, endless opinions, and constant market noise pulling investors in every direction.

For beginners, ASX ETFs cut through all of that. Buy one fund, and you instantly own a slice of dozens or hundreds of companies, without having to bet everything on picking the next big winner yourself.

VAS: Owning corporate Australia in one trade

This top Vanguard ETF gives investors exposure to the 300 largest companies listed on the ASX. It's a simple, one-click way to own a piece of corporate Australia.

Recent performance hasn't been flashy. The fund is down around 3% over the past month and roughly 0.5% over 12 months. But chasing short-term returns entirely misses the point of an ETF like this.

What VAS really offers is broad exposure across Australian industries, paired with a genuinely attractive income stream. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) sit among its largest holdings, each making up more than 10% of the fund.

The dividend yield currently sits around 3.8%. That is solid, but it's worth remembering that Australian equities lean heavily on financials and resources. Buy VAS, and you're making a concentrated bet on those two sectors, whether you realise it or not.

VGS: The antidote to a home-country-only portfolio

This is where the second-largest Vanguard ETF earns its place. It directly tackles the biggest weakness of an Australia-only portfolio: concentration.

VGS provides exposure to developed international markets and has returned around 8% over the past year. It spreads investors' money across hundreds of companies well beyond the ASX. The US dominates the portfolio, with tech giants like Apple and Nvidia each representing more than 5% of the fund at the time of writing.

That global reach matters. It reduces reliance on Australia's relatively small, concentrated share market and opens the door to industries and business models that barely exist on the ASX. Think large-scale semiconductor manufacturers, global software platforms, and consumer tech giants.

None of that makes VGS risk-free, though. International markets can correct sharply, and geopolitical shocks can hit hard. Currency swings in the Australian dollar can also chip away at returns for local investors.

The post The Vanguard ETFs I'd buy first if I were starting again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The Australian ETF industry set new records in August, attracting $7 billion in net inflows and taking total assets to $382 billion. 

International equities led the way, while fixed income remained in focus as yields rose and CGT changes reshaped the investment landscape.

August overview

According to the Betashares Australian ETF Review: August 2026, The Australian ETF industry received an unprecedented $7 billion in net inflows. 

This was amid an ongoing decline in property values and conversation about reforms to CGT arrangements. 

This was above July's then record of $6.83 billion, marking back-to-back months above $6.5 billion for the first time in the industry's history. 

The number of ASX ETFs also passed 500 for the first time.

International Equities broke another monthly record in August at $3.8 billion, surpassing July's previous high of $3.56 billion. 

As a result of recent weakness in Australian equities, investors are rethinking their long-term investment plans with international equity ETFs emerging as a clear beneficiary. 

The category has now set a new all-time monthly record in consecutive months, while Emerging Market ETFs also saw record inflows this month.

Earnings season takeaways

August saw the majority of US and Australian listed companies report in the Q2 and H2 seasons, respectively. 

In the US 86% of companies exceeded EPS estimates, the highest % since Q2 2021, with the broader market achieving an astonishing 50% year-over-year earnings growth rate. 

This outsized growth was attributable in part to unrealised investment gains reported in earnings from big tech's unlisted AI investments, such as in Anthropic and OpenAI. 

Even excluding these windfalls operating EPS grew at 26%. 

The brightest sign of AI driven profitability gains came through reported 17% profit margins, the highest in more than 15 years. 

These developments continue to support the growth of large cap US technology companies. 

Within Australia there was also reason to rejoice with the ASX 200 achieving its first year of earnings growth since FY22. 

According to Tom Wickenden, Investment Strategist at Betashares, a majority of this was driven by outsized materials sector earnings which reported 36% growth. 

Alarmingly the weight of recent budget changes, rate hikes, and related poor consumer confidence saw next years earnings expectations being cut even as companies met expectations this season.

August winners 

In the month of August, the best performing ASX ETFs were: 

• BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS) – rose 31%
• Betashares Ethereum ETF (ASX: QETH) – rose 30%
• Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX: SLVM) – rose 30%. 

In terms of top inflows: 

• Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• Betashares Funds – Betashares Global Shares ETF (ASX: BGBL). 

Another interesting note from the report was that copper has now overtaken iron ore in Australian mining earnings.

Copper is one of the most important materials in building global AI infrastructure and for the green energy transition. 

Data centres, power distribution, wiring. All of it uses copper at an extraordinary scale. So, while Australian investors cannot buy AI companies directly through a local index, Australia's mining sector is now one way to benefit from these buildouts.

The post ASX ETF market just surpassed $7 billion in net inflows – Here's where the money is going appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The survey showed ASX shares investors are still buying despite today's economic uncertainty and trading volatility.

The most common way people are adding to their portfolios is via ETFs, the survey found.

About 48% of respondents have raised their investment in ETFs compared to 38% for ASX shares and 21% for US stocks.

Investors felt the most confidence in ETFs when considering which asset classes would perform best over the next six months.

About 29% said they expected ETFs to do best, followed by US shares at 21%, global shares at 16%, ASX shares at 16%, and commodities at 14%.

Fraser Allan, Head of Premium Client Management at CMC, said index investing "has become the default".

When investors and traders are uncertain, they're not going to cash and they're not stock-picking their way out of it.

They're buying the market and getting diversified exposure to local and international markets through a handful of very large, very liquid ETFs.

CMC Invest's 2026 H1 Inside Invest Report found four ASX ETFs account for about 75% of the top 10 orders placed by CMC clients.

Big 4 ASX exchange-traded funds

According to CMC, the most popular ETFs among its clients are as follows.

1. iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

IVV ETF tracks the American benchmark index, the S&P 500 Index (SP: INX).

The S&P 500 has substantially outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the past three years.

In fact, in FY26, US stocks delivered 3 times the total return of ASX 200 shares at 22% versus 7%.

Experts say the performance gap is attributable to the artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom led by the US.

IVV provides exposure to the AI 'hyperscalers', Meta Platforms, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft shares.

The buy:sell split among CMC client orders in 1H FY26 was 94% to 6%.

IVV ETF has risen 5% in the calendar year to date (YTD).

2. Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

VGS ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars Index.

This ASX ETF provides exposure to 1,300 international shares with an almost 80% leaning to the US market.

The buy:sell split among CMC client orders in 1H FY26 was 96% to 4%.

VGS ETF has increased 4% in the YTD.

3. Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

VAS ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), providing exposure to Australia's 300 largest listed companies.

They include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

The buy:sell split among CMC client orders in 1H FY26 was 93% to 7%.

VAS ETF has risen 1% in the YTD.

4. BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

NDQ ETF tracks the tech-heavy NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX).

The buy:sell split among CMC client orders in 1H FY26 was 92% to 8%.

NDQ ETF has lifted 7% in the YTD.

The post 4 most popular ASX ETFs revealed: survey appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Once you have built a large enough portfolio, money can arrive in your account without having to work another hour for it.

That could eventually mean extra holidays, fewer days at work, help with household bills, or simply more freedom.

Yet I think many people underestimate what they could build by starting with relatively modest amounts.

Let's look at what could happen with $500 a month.

Getting started

Investing $500 does not feel life-changing in itself.

Even after a year, you would have contributed just $6,000.

But the real value of those early investments is the amount of time they have to compound.

If $500 were invested every month and the portfolio generated an average return of 10% per annum, the balance could grow to approximately $100,000 after 10 years.

After 15 years, it could be worth around $200,000.

And after 20 years, the portfolio could reach approximately $360,000.

These figures assume returns are reinvested and are only illustrations. A 10% annual return is possible to achieve, but certainly not guaranteed.

Overall, I think this demonstrates how seemingly small decisions made today can have major consequences decades later.

I wouldn't chase dividends straight away

If I were starting this portfolio from scratch, income would not be my main priority.

I would want to grow the capital first. That could mean investing in high-quality ASX growth shares such as Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD).

Blue chips such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) could also have a role.

And ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) such as the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) or Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) could provide exposure to hundreds of global companies.

The aim during these years would be simple. It would be to keep investing, reinvest anything the portfolio pays out, and give compounding as much time as possible.

Turning growth into income

To generate $26,000 of passive income, I would target a portfolio valued at approximately $520,000 and a 5% dividend yield across it.

At our assumed 10% return, investing $500 every month could take the portfolio to this level in roughly 23 years.

Once there, this is when I would start thinking much more seriously about income.

Some of the growth investments could remain, while more money could gradually move toward dividend shares such as APA Group (ASX: APA), Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN), and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).

A $520,000 portfolio yielding 5% would then produce $26,000 a year.

And all of it could have started with the decision to put aside $500 each month.

The post How to make $26,000 of passive income from ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It provides broad exposure to international share markets in a single investment, which can make it a simple way to add global growth to a portfolio.

Here are three reasons I think it is a buy.

Broad global diversification

One of the biggest attractions of the VGS ETF is just how much exposure investors get through one fund.

It invests across developed markets outside Australia, giving investors access to companies in the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Europe, and other major economies.

That means an investor is not relying on the performance of one country or a small collection of businesses.

I think this can be particularly valuable for Australians whose other investments are already concentrated locally.

The Australian share market has plenty of strong companies, but many of the world's largest healthcare, industrial, technology, consumer, and financial businesses are based elsewhere.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF makes it easy to participate in those opportunities without having to open an overseas brokerage account or research dozens of individual companies.

Exposure to global leaders

The VGS ETF owns some of the world's most successful businesses.

Its portfolio includes companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon, alongside over a thousand other businesses operating across many industries.

I like that because investors can benefit if today's leading companies continue expanding, without having to decide which individual stock will ultimately perform best.

The portfolio also changes naturally over time. Companies that become more valuable can grow into larger positions in the underlying index, while businesses that lose ground become less influential.

Over a long holding period, I think that is attractive. The fund can continue evolving alongside global markets without investors having to constantly rebuild their portfolio themselves.

It is easy to keep adding

The third reason I like the VGS ETF is its simplicity.

There is no need to wait for the perfect stock idea every time new money becomes available.

An investor can buy more units and immediately spread that money across a large collection of international businesses. That can make regular investing much easier.

I would still expect volatility. Global share markets will go through recessions, bear markets, changing interest rates, and periods when valuations become stretched.

Currency movements can also influence returns for Australian investors.

But for someone investing over 10 years or longer, I think those short-term fluctuations are a reasonable price to pay for access to global economic and corporate growth.

Foolish takeaway

I think the VGS ETF gets a lot right without making investing unnecessarily complicated.

It gives investors exposure to a wide range of countries and industries, includes many of the world's strongest companies, and can be easily added to over time.

For me, those qualities make the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF one of the ASX ETFs I would be happy to buy and hold for the long term.

The post 3 reasons to buy the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (VGS) ETF appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For investors building a portfolio for the long haul, these funds can provide a simple way to gain exposure to hundreds of companies. Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200) target the local market, while Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) give investors access to overseas markets.

But which funds have delivered the goods?

VAS: the Australian market workhorse

The top Vanguard ETF offers exposure to the 300 largest companies listed on the ASX, providing investors with a straightforward way to own a slice of corporate Australia.

Its recent performance has been underwhelming, falling around 3% over the past month and 1% over 12 months. But short-term performance isn't necessarily the main attraction.

VAS provides broad exposure across Australian industries and a relatively attractive income stream. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) are among its largest holdings, each representing more than 10% of the portfolio.

The fund's dividend yield is around 3.7%, although investors should remember that Australian equities are heavily concentrated in financials and resources.

A200: low-cost Australian exposure

BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200) offers a similar proposition to the Vanguard ETF VAS, tracking the 200 largest Australian companies.

It has also struggled recently, down around 3% over the past month and 1% over 12 months.

Where A200 really stands out is cost. Its management fee is just 0.04%, while funds under management have climbed to around $11 billion.

Like VAS, its largest holdings include CBA and BHP, so investors face a similar concentration risk.

For a low-cost Australian core holding, however, A200 remains difficult to overlook.

VGS: taking the portfolio global

VGS tackles one of the biggest drawbacks of an Australia-only portfolio: concentration.

The Vanguard ETF provides exposure to developed international markets and has returned around 8% over the past year.

The US accounts for a significant portion of the portfolio, with technology heavyweights including Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) among its largest holdings, each representing more than 5% at the time of writing.

That international diversification opens the door to industries and companies that have a much smaller presence on the ASX.

NDQ: the growth bet

If A200 is the steady option, ASX: NDQ is the higher-octane alternative.

NDQ has gained around 11% over one year and an impressive 75% over five years, powered by its exposure to technology and other US growth companies.

Nvidia and Apple are among its biggest holdings, while the fund's 0.48% management fee is considerably higher than the 0.18% that Vanguard ETF VGS charges.

After such a powerful run, the question for investors is whether they're buying tomorrow's growth or yesterday's winners.

Foolish takeaway

There isn't one obvious winner. A200 has the cost advantage, VAS offers broad Australian exposure, VGS provides greater diversification, while NDQ has delivered the strongest growth.

For long-term investors, the better choice may depend less on picking a winner and more on combining complementary ETFs.

The post Vanguard ETFs vs. Betashares ETFs: Who's coming out on top? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But stock picking is not for everyone.

For an investor who wants a simpler way to build wealth over the long term, I think there is another option worth considering.

Building a portfolio takes work

Owning one or two ASX shares leaves a portfolio heavily dependent on what happens to a very small number of businesses.

To build reasonable diversification with individual stocks, I would be looking at roughly 20 companies spread across several industries.

That is certainly possible, but it also creates work.

I would want to understand why I owned every company, follow its results, keep an eye on management decisions, and decide whether anything had changed enough to reconsider the investment.

Some investors enjoy doing that. Others may have little interest in spending their spare time reading annual reports and company announcements.

For those investors, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) can make the process considerably easier.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The VGS ETF would be one of my preferred choices.

With a single investment, the fund provides exposure to more than 1,000 stocks across developed share markets around the world.

That immediately spreads an investment across many more businesses than I could realistically research and own individually.

It also takes me well beyond the opportunities available on the ASX.

Australia has plenty of excellent listed companies, but there are enormous global industries where the biggest businesses are based overseas.

Through this Vanguard ETF, investors can gain exposure to companies operating across technology, healthcare, industrials, consumer products, financial services, and many other parts of the global economy.

The portfolio also stretches across countries including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and major European markets.

I don't need to find every winner

This is probably the part I like most for someone who does not want to pick stocks.

Individual investing requires making choices. I could buy an ASX share that looks promising today only to discover several years later that a competitor executed better or an industry developed differently from what I expected.

With the VGS ETF, I do not need to work out which individual global companies will eventually become the biggest winners.

Successful businesses can grow into larger positions within the underlying index, while companies that lose ground become less important over time.

There will still be periods when the ETF falls. It owns shares, so investors should expect market volatility.

But company-specific disappointments have far less ability to derail the overall investment when the money is spread across such a large portfolio.

It could make investing easier to stick with

I think there is also something to be said for simplicity.

An investor could regularly add money to the VGS ETF without needing to find a new stock idea every time cash becomes available.

That could make it easier to remain consistent through both strong and weak markets.

Foolish takeaway

I still enjoy choosing individual ASX shares, and I think stock picking can produce excellent results for investors prepared to put in the work.

But it is not a requirement for building long-term wealth.

Rather than selecting and following around 20 individual ASX shares, I think the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides a simple way to own a large collection of businesses around the world with a single investment.

For someone who wants to spend less time researching stocks and more time simply staying invested, I think that is a compelling proposition.

The post Why I'd buy this ETF instead of picking 20 ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For beginners, ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) can make things much easier.

They allow investors to own a collection of stocks through one investment, which means you do not have to identify the next great pick yourself.

So, which ASX ETFs could be top picks for someone starting out?

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF could be a great place to start for beginners.

It tracks the S&P 500 Index, giving investors a slice of the 500 largest companies listed in the United States.

Many of these companies have become global businesses. They sell phones, software, medicines, financial services, advertising, consumer products, and industrial equipment around the world.

This means an Australian investor can buy this fund and immediately own a slice of many businesses they probably interact with every day.

The S&P 500 also changes over time. Companies that grow can enter the index, while those that lose relevance can eventually leave.

That makes the iShares S&P 500 ETF a simple way to back corporate America over the long term without having to predict which individual companies will still be leading the market in 10 or 20 years.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

For investors wanting to keep some money closer to home, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF could be worth considering.

This fund tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) and therefore owns a large collection of Australian companies.

That includes banks like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), miners like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), healthcare companies like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), retailers like Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

One benefit for beginners is familiarity. Many of the businesses inside the fund are companies Australians see, use, or hear about regularly.

The local market is also known for paying dividends, with many companies distributing a meaningful portion of their profits to shareholders.

As a result, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF offers a straightforward way to participate in the performance and income generated by the Australian share market.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

A final ASX ETF for beginners to look at is the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF.

This fund spreads investments across developed markets around the world.

I think this is valuable for Australians. Our share market represents only a small portion of the global investment universe. The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF opens the door to businesses and industries that are either underrepresented or largely absent from the ASX.

With more than 1,000 stocks inside the fund, beginners do not need to decide whether the next great opportunity will come from America, Europe, or somewhere else. They can own a piece of all of them.

The post Which ASX ETFs could be top picks for beginner investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.