The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500) are two Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) I would happily own for the long term.

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.

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• How much do I need to retire on $110,000 a year at 65?
• VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000?
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• Own VAS, VHY, VGS, or other Vanguard ETFs? Here’s your next dividend

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, 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 Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have climbed higher into the green in Tuesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX biotech stock is up around 1% and is trading for $178.34 a piece.

Today’s increase means CSL shares have now jumped 93% from a 10-year low, recorded in June. The shares have also recouped losses shed this year, and are now up around 4% for the year to date. CSL shares are currently trading 13% lower than this time last year.

What drove the CSL share price rebound?

It looks like a combination of factors drove a renewal of investor confidence.

The company has faced several strong headwinds over the past 18 months, including a general investor rotation away from ASX healthcare shares, a full-year guidance downgrade earlier in the year, and news that the company expects an additional non-cash pre-tax impairment of around $5 million in FY26 and FY27.

But it looks like investors realised that the sell-off was way overdone, and by June the shares were trading significantly below fair value.

CSL’s final FY26 result in mid-August helped drive confidence higher again. The company reported total revenue of US$15.8 billion and NPAT of US$2.6 billion, which came in way ahead of guidance. 

Management described FY26 as a ‘reset year’, and said that in FY27 it expects a return to growth.

And all this has happened while the Australian healthcare sector stages a significant recovery, with investors becoming interested in the sector once again.

And why are the shares climbing higher again today?

Just yesterday, the company announced it has entered into an exclusive deal with Alentis Therapeutics for lixudebart, a treatment targeting rare kidney and liver conditions.

The company plans to expand clinical trials to cover other rare diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), supporting the growth of CSL’s nephrology portfolio.

CSL is expected to make an initial upfront payment of US$355 million to Alentis Therapeutics. It will also make additional commercial milestone payments of up to US$1.2 billion depending on commercial success.

The agreement is valued at up to US$1.6 billion in total.

Is the ASX biotech stock a buy, sell, or hold for October?

It looks like the company is well positioned for future growth. And the experts are bullish that CSL shares can keep climbing higher, too.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy rating on CSL shares. But after the strong rebound over the past couple of months, the average $159.86 target price now implies a downside of around 10% from the current trading level.

Analysts on TradingView are also bullish. Again the majority (11 out of 19) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The average $185.96 target price implies a potential 4% upside, at the time of writing. Some think the shares have the potential to jump another 22% to $218.30 within the next 12 months.

If analyst forecasts are correct, now could be a great time to buy the shares, ahead of the next rally.

The post CSL shares jump 93%: Is the ASX biotech stock a buy, sell or hold for October? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are CSL shares a buy after its big news?
• CSL unveils exclusive Alentis deal to advance rare disease treatments
• Top ASX shares to buy in October 2026
• CSL vs Pro Medicus: Which ASX healthcare share is better?
• Expert names Woodside and CSL shares as top buys today

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are up 0.4% to 8,719.6 points on Tuesday.

Let’s check out some new ratings on these three ASX 200 shares (courtesy The Bull).  

NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)

NextDC shares are $10.62 apiece, down 0.2% today.

Arthur Garipoli from Dolphin Partners has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

Garipoli said: 

This data centre operator delivered total revenue of $496.5 million in fiscal year 2026, up 16 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Underlying EBITDA of $248.8 million was up 15 per cent.

Underlying EBITDA is expected to range between $385 million and $410 million in fiscal year 2027.

NXT has invested heavily in infrastructure during the past three years.

The recent share price decline enables longer term investors to gain entry into a growth stock with structural tailwinds.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

Cleanaway Waste Management shares are $2.65, down 0.6% on Tuesday.

Steven Springford from Catapult Wealth has a hold rating on this ASX 200 industrials share. 

He said: 

This waste management company received a conditional, non-binding indicative proposal from EQT Infrastructure at $3.13 cash a share less the cash amount of any dividends. The proposal values Cleanaway at about $9.4 billion.

There’s no certainty the proposal will proceed… In our view, investors should continue holding and potentially receive the proceeds, which may also include a special fully franked dividend.

Cleanaway released an update yesterday saying that EQT had confirmed nothing had arisen during its due diligence that would prevent it from going ahead with the purchase, and it does not intend to vary any terms of its proposal.

Cleanaway received EQT’s conditional, non-binding indicative offer to buy 100% of its shares on 13 August.

Yesterday, Cleanaway said: “EQT is continuing to progress its confirmatory due diligence and the parties are working towards the negotiation and execution of an implementation deed.”

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope Corporation share price is $5.78, down 0.7% today.

Garipoli gives this ASX 200 coal share a sell recommendation.

He explained: 

New Hope is a thermal coal producer.

Underlying EBITDA of $514.3 million in full year 2026 was down 32.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Net profit after tax of $161 million fell 63.4 per cent. The profit result was below broker estimates.

Heightened costs contributed to the fall in profit.

The shares have performed well in calendar year 2026, so investors may want to consider pocketing some gains.

The post Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, Cleanaway Waste Management, NextDC shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Tech shares shine while ASX 200 plunges to 4-month low
• Top ASX shares to buy in October 2026
• 5 leading ASX shares I’d buy and hold until 2040
• Buy, hold, sell: Premier Investments, New Hope, Xero shares

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.