I think the best exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are those that can give investors access to powerful long-term trends.

They provide exposure to areas of the global economy that can keep evolving over many years.

With that in mind, here are two Vanguard ETFs that I think are worth considering.

Vanguard FTSE Asia Ex-Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The first ETF I would consider is one that gives investors exposure to a region undergoing enormous change.

It provides access to large and mid-sized companies across Asian markets outside Japan.

What interests me about Asia is the scale of its economic development. Millions (even billions) of people across the region are entering higher levels of consumption, adopting new technologies, and accessing services that have become common in developed markets.

That creates opportunities for businesses involved in areas such as financial services, consumer products, technology, and infrastructure.

I think the VAE ETF offers a different type of growth exposure compared with many other global ETFs. It gives investors access to companies benefiting from changing lifestyles and rising economic participation across some of the world’s most populous markets.

Of course, Asian markets can experience periods of uncertainty. Different countries have different economic conditions, currencies, and regulatory environments.

But for long-term investors, I think the VAE ETF provides exposure to a region with significant room to continue developing.

Vanguard Global Technology Index ETF (ASX: VTEK)

The second Vanguard ETF I would look at is focused on one of the biggest forces reshaping the global economy.

It provides exposure to companies involved in the technology sector, including businesses developing the software, hardware, and digital infrastructure used around the world.

I think the interesting part of technology investing is how many industries now depend on it. Technology is influencing healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, transport, and everyday communication. The companies that create these tools can become deeply embedded into how other businesses operate.

Artificial intelligence is accelerating demand for chips, cloud infrastructure, software platforms, and the digital tools businesses use to automate work. While it is still early and individual winners are difficult to predict, I think owning a basket of global technology companies provides a way to participate in that long-term opportunity.

The VTEK ETF can experience larger price movements than broader market ETFs, particularly when investors change their expectations around technology companies. But for investors with patience, I think exposure to businesses driving innovation can be a powerful addition.

Foolish takeaway

I think these Vanguard ETFs appeal for different reasons.

One provides exposure to Asia’s ongoing development and the other captures the companies shaping technological change.

The common thread is that both funds give investors a way to own businesses benefiting from long-term economic progress.

That is why I think these ETFs could be valuable long-term holdings for investors who want simplicity without sacrificing exposure to global opportunities.

The post Why I think these Vanguard ETFs are strong buys 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 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.

ASX dividend shares are a straightforward way for Australian investors to earn an easy passive income.

The trickiest part is working out what ASX shares pay what, and the best ones to buy.

Here are two of my top high-yield ASX dividend shares. And they all pay a yield of 9% or more.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

IPH is an intellectual property (IP) service provider that operates through a network of brands and across ten jurisdictions in 25 countries. Its services cover everything from patent filing and trademarks to prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement. Its huge scale makes it the largest IP services provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ASX dividend company consistently generates a strong cash flow from its operations. In fact, IPH reported cash conversion of 101% in its first-half FY26 results.

It is this strong cash flow that has enabled the company to pay a reliable and constantly growing dividend payment to its shareholders.

IPH’s most recent interim dividend payment was 10 cents per share in March, up 11.8% on the prior period. 

The ASX share is expected to pay a fully-franked dividend of 38 cents in FY26. This translates to a forward dividend yield of around 9.6% at IPH’s $3.95 share price, at the time of writing.

Metrics Income Opportunities Trust (ASX: MOT)

The MOT is a listed investment trust (LIT) with a portfolio of private credit and related opportunities, which can give investors direct exposure to private credit investments. This is an increasingly popular asset class for income-focused investors.

The Trust said its investment objective is to provide monthly cash income, preserve investor capital, and manage investment risks. It also seeks to provide upside potential through investments in private credit and other assets. These “other assets” include warrants, options, preference shares, and equity.

The Trust targets a cash yield of 7% per year. It has a total target return of 8% to 10% per year, net of fees and expenses. 

MOT pays its dividend distributions on a monthly basis. The Trust also has a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP), which allows its unitholders to reinvest monthly income distributions.

The ASX dividend share’s most recent payout to shareholders is a 2.65 cent dividend, with 3.02% franking, paid today (8th July). The Trust paid out 1.16 cents in June, 1.22 cents in May, and 1.09 cents in April. 

Over the past 12 months, Metrics Income Opportunities Trust has paid out 12 dividends totalling 15.39 cents per share either unfranked or with partial franking credits. This gives the LIT a dividend yield of around 9.5% using its $1.65 trading price, at the time of writing.

The post 2 ASX dividend shares that yield 9% (or even higher) 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 recommended IPH Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The team at Morgans have updated their outlook on three well known ASX listed companies this week. 

Two have received hold recommendations while one has drawn a clear positive outlook. 

Here is the latest from the broker. 

ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX)

Morgans said that ASX has recently released its monthly trading activity report for June 2026. 

It was a mixed trading month overall for ASX, in our view, with higher cash markets activity (+54% volume on pcp), a downturn in raisings and stronger average daily futures/options contracts in June. Our FY27-FY28 EPS forecasts increased by ~+2% factoring in the recent trading activity. Our price target is increased to A$53.90 (from A$51.50). HOLD maintained.

ASX shares closed trading at $53.49 yesterday. 

PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA)

PEXA Group has been drawing positive ratings from experts recently. 

However Morgans appears less optimistic. 

PEXA recently responded to a draft decision by the NSW pricing regulator (The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) that would cut the fees it can charge for its dominant electronic property settlement platform by about 20% from July 2027. 

This would potentially reduce annual revenue by around $70 million.

Commenting on the release, Morgans said: 

The headline read-through from IPART’s draft report on proposed pricing changes for PXA is an anticipated reduction in revenue of A$70m (~20%) in year 1. We think a 20% hit to exchange revenue was much more punitive than consensus market expectations. Applying the cut in one year, rather than phasing it in over multiple years, adds to the disappointment. Our price target is reduced to A$9.35 (from A$14.23).

We Move PXA to HOLD. Proposed outcomes here are worse than expected, and this creates significant uncertainty around PXA’s future profit profile and its overall operating environment.

PEXA shares closed trading yesterday at $8.44 per share. 

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

After struggling earlier this year due to global conflict and soaring oil prices, Morgans now sees a rebound in store for Qantas shares. 

The broker said Qantas’s post-COVID balance sheet strengthening and cost discipline have positioned it to absorb the current fuel cost shock and consumer softness with genuine resilience. 

We forecast 2H26 PBT to be down on pcp as fuel and economic conditions bite, with FY27 forecast to deliver a moderate uplift. We view FY27 as a transition year for Qantas with higher growth expected from FY28 onwards as oil prices, refining margins and demand normalise. Structural growth drivers (fleet renewal, Project Sunrise, Loyalty scaling toward FY30 target) remain intact.

Morgans has initiated coverage on Qantas shares with an accumulate rating and $11.50 price target. 

Qantas shares closed at $10.60 yesterday. 

The post Buy, hold or sell, PEXA, ASX and Qantas shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended PEXA Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.