ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become one of the most popular ways for Australians to build long-term wealth.

Few providers have benefited more from that trend than Vanguard. Its low fees, broad diversification and simple buy-and-hold approach have made its ETFs favourites among everyone from first-time investors to retirees.

With FY26 now behind us, here’s a look at how three of Vanguard’s most widely held ASX-listed ETFs performed.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

The top Vanguard ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). This gives investors exposure to around 300 of Australia’s largest listed companies.

Its biggest holdings include Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), reflecting the dominant role financials and mining continue to play in the Australian sharemarket.

At the time of writing, VAS has returned approximately 3% over the past 12 months. Income remains one of its biggest attractions. Investors are set to receive a dividend payout of 48.99 cents per unit, to be paid on 16 July.

For investors seeking diversified exposure to Australian blue chips and a healthy stream of dividend income, VAS remains a popular core holding.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides exposure to more than 1,300 large and mid-sized companies across developed markets outside Australia.

Among its largest holdings are Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), two companies that have continued to benefit from strong demand for artificial intelligence technologies.

VGS has been the standout performer of the three flagship Vanguard ETFs, delivering a gain of around 14% over the past year. Investors will also receive an 80.11 cents per unit distribution on 16 July.

The ASX ETF remains a popular choice for Australians looking to diversify beyond the domestic market and gain exposure to many of the world’s highest-quality businesses.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

Income investors continue to favour the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. Rather than tracking the broader market, VHY focuses on Australian companies expected to deliver above-average dividend yields.

Its largest holdings include Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), highlighting the important role banks play in generating dividend income.

The ASX ETF has gained approximately 11% over the past 12 months. Investors are also set to receive a distribution of 40.82 cents per unit, payable on 16 July.

Foolish takeaway

All three ASX ETFs delivered positive returns in FY26, but each appealed to a different type of investor.

VAS continued to offer broad exposure to Australia’s largest companies and dependable income. VGS rewarded investors seeking global growth, producing the strongest capital return of the group. Meanwhile, VHY remained an attractive option for those prioritising dividend income without having to select individual high-yield shares.

Together, they demonstrate why Vanguard ETFs continue to play a central role in many long-term investment portfolios.

The post How Vanguard’s biggest ASX ETFs performed in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Microsoft and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield 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 Scott Phillips.

It has been a brutal year for these two ASX tech stocks who have lost more than half of their market value over the past year. 

Two of the ASX’s former market darlings — WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) — have endured savage share price declines.

At the time of writing, WiseTech shares are down 21% over the past month, 53% in 2026, and around 70% over the past year. Xero hasn’t fared much better. Its shares have fallen 20% over the past month, 38% year to date, and 61% over the past 12 months.

After such a dramatic sell-off, are brokers starting to see value?

WiseTech: Governance overshadows a quality business

The problems of this ASX tech stock haven’t stemmed from weakening demand. Its CargoWise software remains one of the world’s leading logistics platforms, used by freight forwarders, customs brokers, and global supply chain operators.

Instead, the market has become increasingly concerned about governance issues surrounding founder and executive chairman Richard White. The controversy first emerged late last year and has continued to weigh heavily on investor confidence.

Markets dislike uncertainty, particularly when it involves senior leadership. As governance concerns dominated headlines, investors steadily reduced the valuation they were willing to pay, regardless of the company’s operational performance.

Yet the underlying business continues to perform well. CargoWise keeps winning customers globally, recurring revenue remains strong, and the company still enjoys high switching costs that create a powerful competitive moat.

Stuart Bromley, investment adviser at Medallion Financial Group, believes those strengths remain intact.

Despite ongoing management and governance scrutiny, WiseTech remains one of Australia’s highest quality technology businesses with a dominant position in global logistics software, The company’s CargoWise platform continues to gain market share globally. In our view, WTC offers a substantial long-term growth opportunity. While near-term sentiment may remain volatile, we believe the quality of the underlying business warrants a hold rating amid management executing its long-term strategy.

Bell Potter continues to rate the stock as a buy, although it has lowered its 12-month price target from $78.75 to $71.75. Based on the current share price of $32.01, this still implies potential upside of around 124%.

Xero: Higher rates hit valuations

Xero’s challenges have been very different. Rather than governance concerns, investors have been worried about rising interest rates and their impact on high-growth software valuations. Higher rates reduce the present value of future earnings, putting pressure on technology companies that trade on premium multiples.

Artificial intelligence has added another layer of uncertainty, with some investors questioning how rapidly AI could reshape accounting software.

However, the business itself continues to impress. In its latest result, Xero delivered strong customer growth, rising recurring revenue, and increasing average revenue per user. The company now serves almost five million subscribers worldwide, while annualised recurring revenue continues to grow at an impressive pace.

That operational momentum has encouraged brokers. Morgans recently reaffirmed its buy recommendation with a price target of $111 per share, suggesting a 57% upside over the next 12 months.

The post These ASX tech stocks have lost billions. Buy the dip or stay away? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Age Pension is a fortnightly sum paid to Australians aged 67 years or over. It’s one of Australia’s most important safety nets which ensures Australians have a minimum income in retirement if their superannuation isn’t enough.

The catch is that it isn’t available to everyone. Your eligibility depends on your age, income and your assets and the amount you get can vary significantly.

But the question many Australians approaching retirement ask is: What about my superannuation balance? Does that affect my Age Pension eligibility?

Lets break it down, with everything you need to know about your super and the Age Pension.

Age limit and maximum payment

The Age Pension is available only to Australians aged 67 years and older.

It is paid on a fortnightly basis up to a maximum total payment of $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $1,810.40 for couples combined. 

These sums include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

As I mentioned above, the final amount you’ll receive (if anything) is heavily dependent on Centerlink’s income and asset test. 

And these also include your superannuation.

Yes your superannuation affects your Age Pension eligibility: Here’s how

The income test assesses all of your income, pooled from all sources. That includes anything from superannuation income, investment income, part-time wages, bonuses, or commission payments. It’s applicable regardless of your age. 

According to Services Australia, assessable income includes but is not limited to reportable super contributions and from any funds invested in superannuation if you’ve reached Age Pension age, or any funds that are invested in a super pension fund or income stream, regardless of age. 

The asset test includes everything you own in full, in part, or have an interest in, but excludes the home you live in. Again, this includes your superannuation balance (as an asset). 

To ensure the system is fair, Centrelink assesses you under both tests and applies what it calls the ‘lower rule of two’. This means your potential fortnightly Age Pension is calculated under both tests, and the one that results in the lower payment is the amount you will actually receive.

What are the rules for the Age Pension income test?

In order to receive the full Age Pension, single Australians (as of the 1st of July) can earn a total of $226 per fortnight, while couples can earn up to $396 per fortnight from all pooled sources, including and superannuation income.

But it’s still possible to receive a part pension if you earn over those thresholds. 

From the 1st of July, singles can earn up to $2,627.80 per fortnight. Couples (living together) can earn up to $4,016.80 per fortnight and still qualify for at least a part-Age Pension. 

But, it’s important to note that your income is assessed on a sliding scale.

For a single person, your Age Pension will reduce by 50 cents for each dollar over $226. For couples it will reduce by 25 cents for each dollar over $396.

It means that the more you earn, the lower your Age Pension payment will be, until it reaches zero.

What are the rules for the Age Pension asset test?

In order to receive the full Age Pension, from the 1st of July, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $333,000. For non-homeowners, this will be up to $600,000.

But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. From the 1st of July, a couple combined can own up to $499,000 in total if they own a property, or $766,000 if they don’t.

But like the income test, it’s also possible to get a part-payment if you’re over those thresholds.

From the 1st of July, if your assets are less than $733,500 if you’re a single homeowner, and $1,000,500 if you’re a non-homeowner, you are still entitled to some level of payment.

Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,102,500 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,369,500.

The post Does my superannuation affect my Age Pension eligibility? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.