Betashares has built a large range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for ASX investors.

Some are designed for broad market exposure, while others target more specific themes, sectors, or investment styles.

I think the best ones are those that can earn a place in a long-term portfolio.

With that in mind, here are three Betashares ETFs I would consider buying in July.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ETF I would look at is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. In practice, that means a heavy weighting toward some of the world’s most important technology and growth companies.

I like the NDQ ETF because many of its holdings sit inside long-term changes in the global economy. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital advertising, software, semiconductors, streaming, online shopping, and cybersecurity are all areas where large US technology companies continue to play major roles.

That does not mean this fund is low risk. It can be volatile, particularly when investors become worried about interest rates or technology valuations.

But for long-term investors, I think it offers access to companies that have reshaped how people work, shop, communicate, and consume information. That makes it a top ETF to consider.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

The next ETF I would consider is the Betashares Australian Quality ETF.

This fund is designed to provide exposure to Australian companies with quality characteristics, such as strong profitability, balance sheet strength, and earnings stability.

I think that can be useful because not all ASX shares are created equal.

Some businesses can generate strong returns through different parts of the cycle, while others are much more dependent on commodity prices, credit conditions, or short bursts of market enthusiasm.

A quality-focused ETF can help investors tilt their Australian exposure toward companies with stronger financial foundations.

That does not guarantee better returns every year. There will be periods when lower-quality or more cyclical shares perform better. But over the long term, I like the idea of owning businesses that have already shown signs of durability.

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The third ETF I would consider is Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF.

Cybersecurity is one of those areas where demand is unlikely to disappear. Businesses, governments, schools, hospitals, banks, and households keep shifting more activity online. That creates more data, more digital systems, and more potential points of attack.

Cybersecurity spending can therefore become less of a nice-to-have and more of a basic operating requirement.

The HACK ETF gives investors exposure to a group of global companies involved in protecting networks, devices, cloud systems, identities, and digital infrastructure.

The theme can still be volatile, and specialised ETFs can move sharply when sentiment changes. But I think cybersecurity has a long runway because the problem it addresses keeps becoming more important.

Foolish takeaway

I think the NDQ, AQLT, and HACK ETF are three Betashares ETFs worth considering.

What I like about this group is that each fund approaches long-term investing from a different angle. One leans into global growth, one filters the Australian market for quality, and one targets a security problem that keeps becoming more important.

None of them will be right for every investor, and all can have weak periods. But for those looking beyond the next few months, I think these could be some of the best Betashares ETFs to buy and hold.

The post Are these some of the best Betashares ETFs to buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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 has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock closed Friday trading for $27.87. During the Monday lunch hour, shares are changing hands for $28.21 each, up 1.2%. 

For some context, the ASX 200 is just about flat at this same time.

Taking a step back, Woodside shares have smashed the benchmark performance so far in 2026.

Year to date, the ASX 200 has gained a modest 1.4%, while the shares in the Aussie oil and gas giant have surged 19.2% this calendar year. That’s despite the stock having retraced by 21.2% from its 7 April multi-year closing high of $35.80 per share.

Atop that market-beating capital gain, Woodside also paid out an 83.5-cent-a-share fully-franked dividend on 27 March. Adding in the interim dividend, the stock trades on a juicy 5.9% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.

As for the sizeable retrace since April, that has come amid fast falling oil prices as the United States and Iran negotiate an end to the war and work to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Brent crude oil is currently trading for US$71.80 per barrel, down from more than US$118 per barrel on 29 April. 

But with the stock still up more than 18% over 12 months, is it a good buy today? 

Should I buy Woodside shares today?

Catapult Wealth’s Blake Halligan recently analysed the outlook for the outperforming ASX 200 stock (courtesy of The Bull). 

“Woodside Energy is a major Australian LNG producer with a portfolio of global gas projects,” he said.

And Halligan sounded an optimistic note on Woodside shares amid its growth projects. He said:

The company is increasing its stake in the Browse joint venture to 41.27% via a US$225 million deal, reinforcing its strategy to extend the life of the North West Shelf.

This adds long term upside along with the Scarborough project, which is 94% completed.

Woodside announced its increased stake in Browse on 12 June, after exercising its pre-emption right to acquire a 10.67% interest from PetroChina. 

“Woodside’s decision to pre-empt reflects our commitment to continue progressing the proposed Browse to North West Shelf development,” Woodside CEO Liz Westcott said on the day. “We see this as a pathway to maximise long-term shareholder value. “

Wescott added:

This acquisition is a disciplined and capital efficient way to align integrated value in these assets for a development with long-term cash flow potential. We will continue working with the Browse Joint Venture to fully evaluate development opportunities.

Despite the long-term upside potential from the company’s growth project, Halligan issued a hold recommendation on Woodside shares for now.

He concluded:

Regulatory uncertainty, rising costs and policy risks in Australia temper the outlook. While growth options are significant, execution and approvals risk support a balanced hold stance at current valuation levels.

The post Up 19%, should I still buy Woodside shares today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) are both major ASX bank shares with large customer bases, strong brands, and attractive dividend profiles. 

They are also both trading well below their 52-week highs. 

Both shares definitely have appeal, but I think one stands out as the better buy.

The numbers

NAB shares are currently trading around $38.57. 

According to CommSec, consensus estimates suggest NAB could generate earnings per share of $2.43 in FY26 and $2.53 in FY27. 

That puts NAB on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 15.9 times FY26 earnings and 15.2 times FY27 earnings.

On the dividend side, CommSec estimates dividends per share of $1.70 in FY26 and $1.72 in FY27. That implies forward dividend yields of around 4.4% and 4.5%. 

Westpac shares are trading around $35.69.

CommSec shows the consensus forecasting earnings per share of $2.12 in FY26 and $2.14 in FY27. That puts Westpac on a P/E ratio of around 16.8 times FY26 earnings and 16.7 times FY27 earnings.

Forecast dividends of $1.54 in FY26 and $1.55 in FY27 imply forward yields of around 4.3% in both years.

On these numbers, NAB actually looks slightly more attractive to me. It has the lower forward earnings multiple and a slightly higher forecast dividend yield. 

Why I prefer NAB shares

The numbers are useful, but they are not the only reason I would pick NAB.

The bigger reason is the shape of the business. Australian retail banking is a challenging market. Mortgage competition remains intense, deposit pricing matters, and households are still dealing with cost-of-living pressure and higher interest rates than they enjoyed a few years ago. 

Westpac has a large retail banking franchise, and that gives it scale. But in this environment, I prefer NAB’s stronger exposure to business banking. 

Businesses need credit, transaction accounts, deposits, payments, working capital support, and advice through different parts of the economic cycle. That does not remove risk, especially if the economy slows, but it gives NAB a valuable point of difference. 

I also think business banking relationships can be sticky. A company may rely on its bank for multiple services, which can make the relationship deeper than a simple home loan. That is why NAB looks better positioned to me.

What about Westpac shares?

Westpac is not a bad bank share.

It offers a solid dividend yield, a large customer base, and potential upside if sentiment toward the banking sector improves. Investors who already own Westpac may be happy to keep holding it for income.

But if I were choosing between the two today, I would rather buy NAB.

Its share price has weakened from its 52-week high of $49.45, and I think that pullback has created a more attractive entry point. The valuation is reasonable, the forecast income is attractive, and the business banking skew gives it a stronger case in the current environment.

Foolish Takeaway

I think NAB shares are the better buy.

Westpac still has appeal as a major bank with a solid dividend profile, but NAB gives me a more attractive mix of valuation, income, and business banking exposure.

In a tough retail banking market, that difference is important to me. For investors looking at the big banks today, I would buy NAB shares ahead of Westpac.

The post Better buy? NAB vs Westpac shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A leading analyst is forecasting growing headwinds for NAB shares. Should investors be worried?
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• How much passive income can I earn off a $100,000 portfolio?

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 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.