Why these 2 top ETFs could be buys

There are some quality ETFs to consider for the long-term.

| More on:

Should you invest $1,000 in Pilbara Minerals Limited right now?

Before you buy Pilbara Minerals Limited shares, consider this:

Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Pilbara Minerals Limited wasn't one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

green etf represented by letters E,T and F sitting on green grass

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Quality exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be good considerations to think about for the long-term.

ETFs allow investors to get exposure to a number of investments in a single trade. Some are focused on a particular industry, such as Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK) whereas others give exposure to a wider array of businesses such as an index of shares like iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV).

These two ETFs could be ones to think about:

Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

This is a broad ETF which has over 1,500 holdings spread across the world. That represents a lot of diversification. It's a globally-focused ETF that looks to track the MSCI World ex-Australia Index. In other words, it's giving investors exposure to many of the world's largest companies listed in major developed countries.

Whilst the US gets almost 70% of the portfolio's allocation, there are a number of places that get an allocation of at least 1%: Japan, the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Hong Kong.

The top holdings represent around 18% of the portfolio, so it's not quite as concentrated as some other ETF portfolios that give exposure to the growth-focused FAANG names (Facebook, Apple, Amazon and so on).

Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF's biggest 10 holdings are: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon.com, Facebook, Tesla, Nvidia, JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson and Visa.

It has a pretty low annual management fee of just 0.18%, which is a lot cheaper than most active fund managers.

The long-term returns of this ETF have been in the double digits, though past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Over the last five years it has produced an average return per annum of 14.7%.

VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

This ETF operates fairly differently to the Vanguard one.

VanEck says the ETF: "Gives investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of attractively priced US companies with sustainable competitive advantages according to Morningstar's equity research team."

The businesses are only sourced from US stock exchanges, but the underlying businesses can (and do) generate earnings from overseas.

Companies only make it into the portfolio if they are trading at good value prices compared to the estimate of fair value by Morningstar.

As of 10 August 2021, the biggest 10 weightings in the portfolio (with each allocation between 2.5% and 3% of the portfolio) were: Pfizer, Alphabet, Servicenow, Microsoft, Facebook, Wells Fargo, Tyler Technologies, Cheniere Energy, Salesforce.com and General Dynamics.

At the end of July 2021, just over 20% of the portfolio was invested in healthcare, with 16.6% invested in IT and 15.4% invested in industrials. Financials (13.3%) and consumer staples (11.1%) were the other two sectors with double digit weightings.

VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF comes with an annual cost of 0.49%.

Past performance is not a reliable indictor of future performance. Over the last five years, the ETF has produced an average return per annum of 19.4%.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A man and woman sit at a desk staring intently at a laptop screen with papers next to them.
Opinions

Where I'd invest $5,000 in ASX 300 shares right now

These stocks look like excellent investments today.

Read more »

A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles while at laptop.
Broker Notes

Goldman Sachs says these ASX 200 stocks are strong buys

The broker is feeling very bullish about these stocks. But why?

Read more »

Business woman watching stocks and trends while thinking
Share Market News

5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday

Here's what to expect on the local market today.

Read more »

A woman's hand draws a stylised 'Top Ten' on a projected surface.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was another tough day for investors this Tuesday.

Read more »

A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.
Share Fallers

Why HMC Capital, Platinum, Sigma, and Skycity shares are dropping today

These shares are having a tough session on Tuesday. But why?

Read more »

A close-up photo of a ballot box with an Australian flag in front of it and a gentleman's hands placing his vote in the 2022 election inside the box
Share Market News

How these ASX 200 stocks are primed to gain from Labor's resounding Federal election win

With the Federal election in the rear-view, which ASX 200 stocks should I buy now?

Read more »

A man clenches his fists in excitement as gold coins fall from the sky.
Share Gainers

Why Dimerix, Evolution Mining, Inghams, and NextDC shares are charging higher today

These shares are rising when many are falling today. But why?

Read more »

Smiling young woman eating chocolate outdoors.
Share Market News

The See's Candies playbook for ASX investors

Two ASX businesses that remind me of Buffett’s sweetest investment.

Read more »