Australian investors continue to pour into ASX ETFs at record pace. 

Providers are likely to soon be managing over $400 billion in funds. 

While there continues to be more and more thematic and managed funds hitting the market, three funds in particular continue to dominate in terms of popularity. 

When I say “popularity”, I don’t mean public perception; rather, these three ASX ETFs are the largest funds by market cap. 

In simple terms, it means the ETFs with the most money invested in them, making them the biggest ETFs on the ASX.

These three funds are: 

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) is the largest with a market cap of $26.17 billion
• Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) – $17.17 billion 
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) – $14.23 billion. 

The market cap is accurate as at July 2026 (via Betashares). 

These ASX ETFs make up fundamental parts of many investors’ portfolios. 

But which has brought the best returns?

Here is how they have performed in 2026 so far. 

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

By far the largest ASX ETF is this Australian focussed fund from Vanguard. 

It has provided a stable foundation to many portfolios since its inception in 2009. 

The fund seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 Index. 

In simple terms, the 300 largest companies on the ASX by market cap. 

However, with the slow performance of the ASX through April, it has subsequently risen just over 4% in 2026. 

This is below its historical average, as the fund has brought returns of more than 8% over the last 10 years. 

It has a management fee of 0.07% p.a. 

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

This fund is often paired with the previous fund to provide international diversification.

It invests in around 1,300 companies from developed countries, excluding Australia.

This includes some of the world’s largest companies from around 23 different countries including the U.S, Japan, U.K, Canada, France, and Switzerland.

Investing internationally offers greater access to sectors such as technology and health care that aren’t as well represented in the Australian share market.

It has also had a historically soft year, rising just over 4% since the start of 2026. 

On a per annum basis, it has risen almost 15% in the last 10 years. 

It has a management fee of 0.18% p.a. 

iShares S&P 500 ETF

This ASX ETF from iShares tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of large capitalisation US equities.

In simple terms, it targets the 500 largest companies in the United States. 

It has risen slightly more than the previous two funds, but not by much – up 4.3% in 2026. 

Historically, it has risen over 15% per year over the last 10 years. 

It has a management fee of 0.04% per annum. 

The post These are the most popular ASX ETFs – Which has performed best in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) slid lower in August, and the share price declines continued through to early September. At the time of writing, the index is down around 1% over the past month, but is still roughly 3% higher for the year to date. 

But when the markets look weary, it’s worth looking for shares which are tipped to outperform. Here are three ASX shares that brokers are tipping to outperform the index, and they’re forecast to grow by up to 174% or more over the next 12 months.

Resmed Inc (ASX: RMD)

At the time of writing, Resmed shares have rebounded around 25% from a multi-year low in early June. But they’re still down around 11% year-to-date, and trading at $32.28 each.

The ASX healthcare sector came under fire through early 2026 as macroeconomic pressures, rising inflation, higher cost of living, and regulatory uncertainty created a sector-wide downturn. 

And ResMed was one of many ASX 200 healthcare shares caught up in the sell-off.

And the sleep disorder treatment company’s soft third-quarter earnings update in May didn’t help either. ResMed delivered an 11% (8% in constant currency) increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion. This was driven by increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories.

But ResMed shares have bounced higher recently off the back of improved confidence around healthcare shares and a stronger fourth-quarter result last month. 

ResMed’s revenue has continued to grow at a healthy pace, and its margins have continued expanding. The company has also generated strong free cash flow. 

It looks like the ASX 200 shares are now significantly oversold and trading below fair value.

TradingView data shows the majority of brokers have a buy/strong buy rating on ResMed shares. The maximum $46.13 target price implies the shares could increase up to 43% over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie shares have stormed higher in 2026, rallying strongly in April and reaching an all-time high in early August.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 22% for the year-to-date following a series of good-news announcements.

In late July, the investment bank posted its first-quarter FY27 update, held an AGM, and announced that Greg Ward will take over Shemara Wikramanayake as Macquarie Group CEO.

As part of its results update, Macquarie described trading conditions during the first quarter as “satisfactory”. It reported that its Banking and Financial Services segment increased its profit contribution compared with the same period last year. Deposits rose by 4% during the quarter, while home loans grew by 6% and business banking loans increased by 3%.

The results followed the company’s positive earnings results back in May. At the time, Macquarie reported a full-year FY26 net profit of $4.85 billion, up 30% from FY25. It also confirmed growth across all four of its operating divisions.

Investors are thrilled with Macquarie this year, and many are still rushing to snap up the ASX 200 shares.

And brokers see lots of potential going forward, too.

Market Index data shows that the majority of brokers have a buy/strong buy rating. The maximum $290.40 target price implies the shares could jump by up to 17% over the next 12 months.

The post 2 ASX 200 shares tipped by brokers to return 17% to 43% 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

New analysis from the team at Bell Potter have identified upside for ASX energy shares Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) and Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE). 

ASX energy shares have enjoyed strong returns in 2026, as robust commodity prices, strong demand and improving investor sentiment have boosted the sector.

However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the aforementioned stocks. 

Boss Energy has actually dipped 8% year to date. 

Meanwhile, Paladin Energy has risen 11% year-to-date.

For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy (ASX: XEJ) is up almost 30% year-to-date. 

Here is what’s behind the optimism for these two ASX energy shares from Bell Potter. 

Investor day reaffirms confidence for Paladin 

In yesterday’s report, Bell Potter said it remains positive on this ASX energy stock, with no changes to its modelling or earnings outlook following the company’s investor day.

The company is focused on optimising production at Langer Heinrich, while progressing Paterson Lake South (PLS) toward potential production in 2031.

The broker highlighted that Paladin has strong exposure to rising uranium prices. 

Additionally, planned 30,000m of drilling in FY27 could expand resources and mine life, providing further upside. 

Overall, Bell Potter sees the investor day as confirmation of the existing investment case rather than a reason to change its forecasts.

Based on this guidance, the broker has a buy recommendation and $14.80 price target, indicating 31% upside from current levels. 

Bell Potter isn’t the only broker with a positive outlook. 

Recently, Canaccord Genuity renewed its buy rating on Paladin Energy shares.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $15.40 to $15.80.

Boss Energy also a buy

The team at Bell Potter has also retained its buy recommendation on Boss Energy shares. 

The broker commented on the new feasibility study (NFS) from the ASX energy company for its Honeymoon operation. 

According to the report, the new well design uses fewer wells and longer uranium recovery times, which management expects will improve recovery to 90% from 80%.

Overall, the new study improves operational efficiency and recovery, but comes with higher costs and capex.

We maintain our Buy recommendation. The Honeymoon NFS provides clarity on the cost outlook and a clear pathway to steady-state production. BOE has leverage to rising uranium prices, on which we hold a positive long-term view.

The broker has an updated price target of $1.70 on this ASX energy stock, indicating 18% upside from current levels. 

The post These 2 ASX energy shares have 18-31% upside according to Bell Potter 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 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.