The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

Ten years is long enough for the share market to embarrass short-term opinions.

Themes come and go, but some parts of the global economy look likely to become more important over time.

With that in mind, here are three ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth buying and holding for the next decade.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be one of the best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years.

This fund is often described as a technology ETF, but that undersells it.

This ASX ETF is really a bet on the companies building the operating system of modern life. Search, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital advertising, streaming, online shopping, software, chips, smartphones, and payments all sit inside the broader ecosystem that the Nasdaq 100 captures.

The power of this ETF is that investors do not need to know exactly which part of the digital economy wins next.

Maybe artificial intelligence keeps driving spending. Or maybe cloud platforms become even more important, or software, chips, or digital media take the next turn.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives investors exposure to a collection of businesses with the scale, cash flow, and ambition to keep shaping those changes.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF could be a strong option for investors who think the digital world is becoming more vulnerable as it becomes more valuable.

Every new app, cloud platform, connected device, payment system, workplace tool, and artificial intelligence service creates another door that needs a lock.

That is the simple idea behind this ASX ETF. Cybersecurity used to sound like a specialist IT department issue. Today, it is closer to insurance, compliance, infrastructure, and reputation protection all rolled into one.

Companies can cut back on some technology spending when conditions get tougher, but leaving systems exposed is becoming harder to justify.

The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF gives investors exposure to businesses trying to solve that problem across networks, identity, cloud security, endpoint protection, and threat detection.

The fund can move sharply because cybersecurity shares often trade on high expectations. But the long-term demand outlook is hard to dismiss.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Finally, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF brings something different to the table.

While the other two funds lean into big growth themes, this ASX ETF is built around business durability.

The fund looks for US companies believed to have sustainable competitive advantages and attractive valuations.

That can mean brands customers keep choosing, networks that are hard to copy, cost advantages, intellectual property, scale, or high switching costs.

The idea is simple enough. Great businesses can stay great for longer than expected when competitors struggle to attack their economics.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF also adds a valuation filter, which can help stop investors from simply chasing quality at any price.

A decade is a long time in markets, and plenty will change along the way. But a portfolio of companies with strong competitive positions and valuation discipline could be well placed to keep doing its job.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.