If you’re a fan of Australian exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you’ve probably either heard of the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) or you already own it.

This ASX ETF is one of the most popular index funds on the ASX. In fact, it is currently the second-largest ETF by assets under management in Australia, holding more than $14 billion of investors’ money. That’s only surpassed by the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

But this ETF is an interesting one to dive into. Many investors might not be aware of exactly what their dollars are going into when they add the Vanguard International Shares ETF to their portfolio. So today, let’s comprehensively answer that question by digging into this popular ASX ETF and taking a look at exactly what is in the VGS portfolio at the start of 2026.

As you might gather from its name, the VGS ETF aims to give ASX investors exposure to a broad and diversified portfolio of international shares. On the surface, the fund looks like it is fulfilling this goal nicely, with the current VGS portfolio holding (as of 30 November) almost 1,300 individual stocks, hailing from over two dozen countries. These range from Japan, Canada and France to Hong Kong, Argentina and South Africa.

So diversification ticked?

Well, not by as much as you might think.

VGS: What’s in this ASX ETF?

Yes, the Vanguard International Shares ETF does hold more than a thousand stocks from more than two dozen countries. However, those stocks, as is the case with most index funds, are weighted by market capitalisation. That means the largest stocks on the index take up more room in the VGS portfolio than smaller ones.

This means that, although there are many different names in this fund, the largest shares take up a disproportionate slice of the portfolio. So much so that out of every $100 invested in VGS units, $73.60 will go into American shares. Yep, 73.6% of VGS’s weighted portfolio calls the United States of America home.

To illustrate, here are the largest ten stocks in VGS’ portfolio (again, as of 30 November), and their respective weighting:

1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) at 5.27% of the VGS portfolio
2. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) at 5.08%
3. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) at 4.26%
4. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL) at 4.2%
5. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) at 2.74%
6. Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO) at 2.22%
7. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) at 1.72%
8. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) at 1.49%
9. Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE: LLY) at 1.06%
10. JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) at 1.06%

So as you can see, VGS is very much a US-centric fund, with some international diversification sprinkled in. After the US’ 73.6%, the next-largest contributor to VGS is Japan at just 5.6%. Keep this in mind when considering this ASX ETF for your portfolio in 2026.

The post Investing in the Vangaurd International Shares ETF (VGS)? Here’s what you’re really buying appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• VGS ETF outperformed ASX IVV in 2025. Here’s why
• New to Investing? Here are 3 ASX ETFs to get you started
• 2 ASX ETFs I would buy in 2026 and hold forever

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, 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.

The Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) share price is seesawing on Thursday. This comes after the clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company released a fresh update to the market.

At the time of writing, Clarity shares are up 0.28% to $3.61. Earlier in morning trade, the stock was slightly in the red before recovering.

Despite the intraday fluctuations, the share price remains up around 15% over the past month, reflecting improving investor sentiment.

So, what did Clarity announce today?

Key safety hurdle cleared

According to the release, Clarity said its Phase II SECuRE clinical trial will continue as planned following a formal safety review by independent doctors.

The SECuRE trial is testing a targeted treatment for advanced prostate cancer using a copper-based approach. It focuses on patients who have few remaining treatment options.

The latest review examined patients in the expanded part of the trial, including those who had received multiple treatment cycles. The independent committee confirmed there were no safety concerns, and the study can continue without changes.

Encouraging early efficacy signals

Alongside the safety update, the company shared more information about how patients are responding to treatment.

Most participants saw their prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels fall after treatment. PSA is a key marker doctors use to track prostate cancer activity.

Several patients recorded PSA reductions of more than 50%, and some saw declines of over 80%. In one case, scans showed no visible cancer after multiple treatment cycles.

While the data is still early and based on a relatively small number of patients, early efficacy signals are being closely monitored. Positive trends at this stage can reduce risk and build confidence as studies expand to larger patient groups.

Why investors are paying attention

Radiopharmaceuticals are now one of the most closely watched areas in the global biotech sector. Investor interest has grown after major acquisitions and successful late-stage trials overseas.

This company’s approach combines diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy using the same molecular platform. If successful, that model could enable more precise treatment and better patient selection.

Importantly, management confirmed patient enrolment is continuing, with planning for later-stage trials already underway, assuming the data remains supportive.

What the market is weighing up

Despite the recent rally, the stock remains well below its highs from late last year. Today’s share price movement looks more like normal consolidation than a shift in the underlying outlook.

As always with clinical-stage biotech stocks, the risk remains high. Trial results can disappoint investors, timelines can be extended, and funding needs can change rapidly.

For now, many investors may prefer to watch Clarity shares closely as further clinical data emerges.

The post Why investors are watching this ASX healthcare stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why Clarity, DroneShield, St Barbara, and Treasury Wine shares are charging higher today

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining stocks, including Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares, are notching some new high-water marks today.

The strong rally among the big Aussie miners comes amid ongoing strength in global commodity prices.

This sees the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) up 2% today, smashing the 0.5% gains delivered by the ASX 200 at this same time.

Here’s what’s happening.

ASX 200 mining stocks leading the charge

Kicking off with Australia’s biggest ASX 200 mining stock, BHP shares are up 3.1% as we head into the Thursday lunch hour, trading for $49.60 apiece. That’s the highest level since December 2023.

Among its own mining successes, BHP shares have enjoyed tailwinds from a resilient iron ore price and a surging copper price.

Iron ore, BHP’s top revenue earner, is currently trading for US$108 per tonne, up from US$94 per tonne in early July. And at US$13,189 per tonne, the copper price is up 44% over 12 months. Copper counts as BHP’s second-biggest revenue earner.

Lithium producer and diversified ASX 200 mining stock Mineral Resources is also vaulting to new one-year-plus highs, spurred by a strong rally in global lithium prices. Spodumene (a lithium bearing ore) hit two-year highs this week, trading for US$2,305 per tonne.

Mineral Resources shares are up 0.8% today, trading for $61.85 each, the highest level since June 2024.

Rival lithium producer, Pls Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) – formerly Pilbara Minerals – is also notching new 52-week-plus highs today.

PLS shares are up 0.8% at the time of writing, changing hands for $4.91 each. You have to go back to August 2023 to find PLS shares trading at a higher level.

Also notching new 52-week-plus highs today

BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) shares have also been steadily marching higher.

Shares in the painted and coated steel products manufacturer are up 3.6% today, swapping hands for $30.84 each. That’s the highest level BlueScope shares have traded at since way back in September 2008.

BlueScope shares have surged in 2026 after the company received, and rejected, a takeover offer from a consortium comprised of SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) and Steel Dynamics, Inc (NASDAQ: STLD).

Which brings us to the fifth ASX 200 mining stock leaping to new one-year-plus highs, South32 Ltd (ASX: S32).

South32 shares are up 4.3% today, trading for $4.13 each. The last time South32 shares traded at or above these levels was in May 2023.

The post 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Should you buy Mineral Resources shares for lithium exposure?
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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 recommended Steel Dynamics. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) share price is in the green on Thursday. At the time of writing, the shares are up 0.2% to $9.94 a piece.

So far in 2026, the shares have jumped 5.3%. And they’re currently trading an enormous 735.29% higher than this time last year.

EOS is an Australian company that develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies. The company’s products are used in space information and intelligence services, in optical, microwave, and on-the-move satellite products, optical sensor units, and remote weapons systems for land, sea, and air applications.

The group’s reportable segments are communication, defence, and space, but EOS generates the highest amount of revenue from its defence business. The company’s defence segment is involved in developing, manufacturing, and marketing advanced fire control, surveillance, and weapon systems to approved military customers. 

When compared to other booming ASX defence stocks, such as Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO), or even smaller players like Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) and Titomic (ASX: TTT), the EOS share price has significantly outperformed. 

Over the past year, Droneshield shares have jumped an impressive 476.47%. Meanwhile, Austal shares have surged 177.46% and Titomic shares have risen 16.28%. These are all excellent annual gains, but none are on par with EOS’ huge 721% increase over the same period.

What pushed the EOS share price so high?

Surging demand for defence sector stocks comes off the back of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Ongoing global volatility, such as the recent US-Venezuela fallout, US-China potential tensions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and instability in the Middle East region, has prompted countries around the world to boost their spending on defence systems to protect themselves.

In fact, Global military spending reached an unprecedented US$2.7 trillion in 2024. I’d bet the figure for 2025 is even higher.

The company has seen some big contract wins, too. In December, the company announced several large new contracts for its remote weapon systems (RWS) and space systems. 

EOS said it had received a new order for its R400 RWS from a North American prime contractor supplying Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) to an end-user in South America. Earlier in the month, the company also said it had signed a binding conditional contract to manufacture and supply a 100kW “high energy laser weapon” to a company in the Republic of Korea. The contract is worth around $120 million.

These latest contracts are just some of the many contracts that the company secured throughout the year. And it looks like there could be many more to come.

Are the shares a buy for 2026?

In my view, EOS shares are a buy for any investor interested in defence sector exposure. As ongoing geopolitical uncertainty continues to put pressure on countries worldwide, and governments step up their spending on defence systems, EOS is well-positioned to snap up some demand.

TradingView data shows that analysts have a consensus strong buy on EOS shares. The maximum 12-month target price is as high as $12.72 per share. This implies a potential upside of 28.1% for investors at the time of writing. 

The post Up 735% in a year! The red-hot EOS share price is smashing Droneshield and other defence stocks 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 DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. 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.

Shares in Vitrafy Life Sciences Ltd (ASX: VFY) have traded more than 25% higher after the company announced a major agreement with global animal reproduction company IMV Technologies.

Under the agreement, set out in a statement to the ASX on Thursday, it is anticipated that Vitrafy’s “next-generation” cryopreservation technology will be integrated with IMV’s globally recognised product offering.

Vitrafy goes on to explain:

This agreement establishes a 12-month strategic collaboration to co-develop a market-ready solution that brings together the strengths of both organisations – expertise, product portfolios and scientific innovation – to establish a new benchmark in reproductive cryopreservation across farm animals, and aquaculture. Upon the successful completion of the program of work under this Agreement, it is anticipated that a long-term commercial agreement between Vitrafy and IMV will be executed. A long-term commercial agreement would enable IMV to deliver Vitrafy’s state of the art reproductive cryopreservation service offering to the farm animal market, accelerating adoption within the highly concentrated, global animal market.

Big deal for the company

Vitrafy Managing Director Brent Owens said the deal was a significant step in the company’s commercialisation strategy.

By partnering with the global leader in animal reproduction, we accelerate the validation and adoption of our cryopreservation technology at scale. This Agreement creates immediate revenue opportunities but also positions Vitrafy for long term growth through global market access, while we continue to advance our human health strategy in North America.

IMV, the press release from Vitrafy said, is a global leader in animal reproductive technology, “specialising in advanced products and services that support artificial insemination, cryopreservation and reproductive management across farm animals, aquaculture and companion animals”.

Founded in 1963, IMV is recognised as the global leader in providing products and services that support the artificial insemination of animals. With an international footprint (that spans 128 countries) and a comprehensive product portfolio, IMV’s products and services support more than half a billion inseminations each year—equating to approximately 1 insemination every 7 seconds using an IMV product.

Vitrafy said IMV had decades of experience developing and commercialising products and a strong global footprint.

Revenue to flow

Under the 12-month agreement, Vitrafy will be paid a monthly fee of up to $480,000 plus potential milestone payments of $450,000.

Vitrafy shares traded as high as $1.66 on the news, up 26.7%, before settling back to be 21.4% higher at $1.59.

Vitrafy was valued at $83.6 million at the close of trade on Wednesday.

The post This biotech is up more than 20% on new deal news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why investors are watching this ASX healthcare stock
• 5 ASX 200 mining stocks including Mineral Resources and BHP shares smashing new 52-week highs today
• Up 735% in a year! The red-hot EOS share price is smashing Droneshield and other defence stocks
• Buy, hold, sell: Morgans gives its verdict on 3 ASX shares
• Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

The team at Morgans has been busy looking at a number of ASX shares in recent weeks.

Three that it has given its verdict on are revealed below. Is it bullish, bearish, or something in between? Let’s find out:

Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN)

Morgans has become more positive on this baby products retailer’s shares following recent weakness.

And while it isn’t quite ready to recommend Baby bunting as a buy, it has lifted its rating to hold (from trim) with a $2.70 price target. Commenting on the ASX share, the broker said:

The recent share price pullback has provided an opportunity to move our recommendation to HOLD (from TRIM), now offering ~6% TSR to our unchanged target price. Refurbished stores to date have performed above our expectations and management’s target range (15-25%).

Up to October, the 3 refurbished stores have seen sales up 30% on the pcp. BBN has now completed 9 refurbishments, and we expect BBN to provide an update on performance at the 1H26 result. We see the risk/ reward now more balanced, and 14x FY27 PE as a fair valuation. We have made no changes to our forecasts or valuation. We have a $2.70 price target.

EBR Systems Inc (ASX: EBR)

An ASX share that Morgans is more positive on is EBR Systems. It is a medical device company focused on the treatment of cardiac rhythm disease through wireless cardiac pacing. It has a buy rating and $2.95 price target on its shares.

Morgans has been impressed with the company’s commercial performance and highlights its sizeable total addressable market (TAM). It said:

4Q25 delivered a clear step-up in commercial execution, with case volumes doubling q/q and revenue materially ahead of expectations, confirming accelerating physician uptake during the Limited Market Release (LMR). Preliminary 4Q revenue of US$0.87-0.94m exceeded our estimate by c60%, with FY25 revenue of US$1.55-1.62m validating early pricing and demand assumptions.

We view clinical momentum with the WiSE-UP post-approval study and the TLC-AU feasibility study as supporting longer-term adoption and label expansion. Updated TAM of US$5.8bn (+60%) highlights a materially larger opportunity, underpinned by growth in leadless pacing and de novo CRT applications. We adjusted CY25-27 forecasts, with our DCF-based valuation increasing to A$2.95. BUY.

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)

Finally, this wine giant’s shares have fallen heavily over the past 12 months. Unfortunately, Morgans doesn’t believe this necessarily means they are in the buy zone yet.

The broker has a hold rating and $5.25 price target on its shares. Commenting on the Penfolds owner, Morgans said:

As we feared, but even weaker than expected, TWE’s trading update meant that consensus estimates were far too high. Its US performance was particularly disappointing given of all the capital spent in recent years. Gearing is now well above TWE’s target range and will remain high for the next couple of years.

While we made large downgrades to our forecasts only two weeks ago following the goodwill write-down, TWE’s new trading update has seen us make another round of material revisions. We stress that earnings uncertainty remains high. It will take time for new management to deliver more acceptable returns and for TWE to rebuild credibility with the market. We maintain a HOLD rating.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Morgans gives its verdict on 3 ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) shares have been on fire since hitting multi-year lows on 1 August.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gold stock closed yesterday trading for $1.605. In late morning trade on Thursday, shares are changing hands for $1.625 apiece, up 1.3%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time.

With today’s lift factored in, Ora Banda shares are up 111.4% over 12 months and up a whopping 153.9% since the 1 August close.

The Aussie gold miner has been a clear beneficiary of a surging gold price. At the current US$4,627 per ounce, the gold price is up a blistering 72% since this time last year.

But Ora Banda has hardly been sitting idle.

Here’s what the ASX 200 gold stock just reported.

Ora Banda shares lift on gold results

Investors are bidding up Ora Banda shares again today after the miner reported on continued exploratory drilling success at its Waihi Project, located in Western Australia.

The targeted follow up exploration drilling was focused on the Golden Pole Lode within Waihi. Initial drilling by Ora Banda, reported on 4 September 2025, confirmed the presence of a new lode in the hanging wall of Golden Pole.

The ASX 200 gold stock said the latest drill program continued to expand the mineralisation area with thick, high-grade gold results.

Ora Banda reported top results, including:

• 0m at 27.4 g/t Inc. 2.0m at 87.5 g/t
• 2m at 56.3 g/t Inc. 1.8m at 67.7 g/t
• 2m at 36.9 g/t Inc. 1.9m at 41.9 g/t

Atop its promising intercepts at Golden Pole, Ora Banda said that its current 97-hole program across its broader Waihi Project continues to deliver “outstanding results”.

What did management say?

Commenting on the strong gold results helping boost Ora Banda shares today, managing director Luke Creagh said:

These outstanding results continue to support the case for Waihi to be Ora Banda’s third underground mine, with drilling right across the Waihi package returning high-grades, excellent widths and the potential for further extensions of the mineralised system, all within three kilometres of the Davyhurst Processing plant.

Furthermore, the identification of a brand-new lode to the West of Golden Pole highlights the incredible opportunity within the package, opening up another exciting zone for exploration at Waihi.

Ora Banda shares will be one to watch, with the ASX gold miner reporting it has already designed an additional 20 holes for immediate infill and extensional drilling on the Golden Pole Lode.

The post Up 154% since August, Ora Banda shares jumping again today on ‘exciting’ gold results 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.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares have returned from their trading halt and tumbled into the red.

In morning trade, the ASX tech stock was down as much as 9% to $3.90.

The respiratory imaging technology company’s shares have recovered a touch since then but remain down 3.5% at the time of writing.

Why is this ASX tech stock sinking?

The catalyst for today’s weakness has been the company’s decision to take advantage of recent share price strength to raise funds from institutional investors.

According to the release, 4DMedical has received total firm commitments from wholesale, professional, and sophisticated investors for a $150 million single-tranche institutional placement.

These funds will be raised at an issue price of $3.80 per new share, which represents an 11.4% discount to its last close price.

Management notes that the capital raise follows rapid commercial traction, with its CT:VQ product deployed at four leading U.S. academic medical centres within four months of FDA clearance. This includes Stanford, Cleveland Clinic, University of Miami, and UC San Diego Health.

Why is it raising funds?

The ASX tech stock advised that there are a number of reasons why it is seeking a cash injection.

Proceeds from the capital raise are intended to be used for sales, marketing, and business development to drive adoption across U.S. academic medical centres and health systems.

In addition, they will be used for customer success and support to ensure seamless clinical integration and workflow optimisation, as well as research and development to expand the company’s product portfolio and maintain technological leadership.

The company also notes that the capital raise will provide balance sheet flexibility to capitalise on growth opportunities and accelerate CT:VQ commercialisation.

The company’s founder and CEO, Andreas Fouras, was pleased with the outcome of the capital raise. He said:

We are pleased to welcome several high-quality global institutional investors to our share register and sincerely appreciate the strong ongoing support from existing shareholders. This placement provides 4DMedical with the balance sheet strength to accelerate U.S. commercialisation of CT:VQ at a time when unprecedented interest from clinicians is driving rapid adoption across leading academic medical centres.

Since FDA clearance, adoption by elite institutions such as Stanford, Cleveland Clinic, University of Miami and UC San Diego has validated both our technology and our go-to-market strategy. With a strong commercial pipeline ahead of us, strategic partnerships including Philips, and now a cash position exceeding $200m, we have the resources to drive CT:VQ to become the new standard in pulmonary imaging while taking the Company through profitability and to the next set of opportunities. Importantly, we have delivered this $150m placement with less than 4% dilution, and I am excited to have taken this opportunity to increase my shareholding in the Company. We are only getting started.

Despite today’s weakness, the 4DMedical share price remains up 700% over the past 12 months.

The post Up 700% in 12 months! Why this ASX tech stock just raised $150m appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.

If I were narrowing my long-term investing watchlist down to a single exchange-traded fund (ETF) in 2026, this could be it.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is an ETF I am seriously considering buying and then holding for decades. Not because it is exciting in the short term, but because it does almost everything I want a genuine long-term investment to do.

Why this Vanguard ETF keeps coming up on my radar

The core appeal of this Vanguard ETF is straightforward. It provides exposure to the global share market outside Australia.

The ETF invests in around 1,300 companies across roughly 23 developed countries, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Switzerland. That breadth matters. Australia is a strong market, but it represents only a small part of the global investment universe.

Investing internationally also gives access to sectors that are not well represented on the ASX. Technology and healthcare are the clearest examples. These industries have driven a significant share of global earnings growth over extended periods, yet they comprise a relatively small portion of the Australian market.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF offers a simple way to gain that exposure without trying to pick winners.

Exposure to global leaders

Looking through the portfolio, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF holds many of the world’s most influential companies.

Its largest positions include Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Hermes, Meta Platforms, L’Oreal, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and Eli Lilly. These are businesses with global reach, strong competitive positions, and ongoing investment in innovation. As markets change over time, the index adjusts automatically, allowing new leaders to emerge while others fall away.

That hands-off structure is exactly what I want from an ETF I plan to hold for the long term.

Designed for buy-and-hold investors

This Vanguard ETF seeks to track the MSCI World ex-Australia Index, with net dividends reinvested. The fund is unhedged, meaning returns are exposed to movements in foreign currencies. That can add volatility in the short term, but over very long periods, I am comfortable accepting that trade-off.

Costs are another reason it appeals to me. With an investment management fee of 0.18% per annum and no additional indirect or transaction costs, this fund keeps expenses low. When compounding over decades, that matters to me.

While past performance should never be the sole basis for an investment decision, it is reassuring that the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF has historically tracked its benchmark closely, which is exactly what I would expect from a low-cost index ETF.

How I would likely use it

On its own, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF provides broad global diversification outside Australia. For investors seeking balance, I believe it pairs naturally with the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) to create a straightforward mix of domestic and international equities.

That kind of structure is easy to understand, easy to maintain, and well-suited to long-term investing.

Foolish Takeaway

I am not considering this Vanguard ETF because I expect it to outperform all others next year. I am considering it because I believe global equities will continue to grow over time, and I want broad, low-cost exposure to that growth.

For investors with a long investment horizon and a tolerance for market volatility, I think the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is worth buying and holding for the long haul.

The post 1 Vanguard ETF I’m buying in 2026 and holding forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, 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.

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) shares are charging higher on Thursday morning.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 gold share is up 5% to $8.05

Why is this ASX 200 gold share rising?

Investors have been buying the gold miner’s shares on Thursday after it delivered a standout December quarterly update, headlined by record production at its flagship Plutonic Gold Belt and a strengthened outlook for growth.

Before the market open, the ASX 200 gold share reported record quarterly gold production of 28,176 ounces from Plutonic under its ownership. This was achieved with three mines operating across the belt: Plutonic Main, Plutonic East and the Trident open pit.

Management notes that production during the quarter represented the highest quarterly output at Plutonic since 2014, which is a meaningful milestone for an asset that was close to insolvency just a few years ago.

For the quarter, gold was produced at an average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of A$2,565 per ounce and A$2,776 per ounce sold. Management notes that it benefited from higher throughput and improved dilution of fixed costs.

Looking ahead, the company has retained its FY 2026 guidance of 100,000 ounces to 110,000 ounces of gold production at an AISC of A$2,200 to A$2,650 per ounce.

Growth pipeline

Beyond production, investors appear encouraged by progress across the ASX 200 gold share’s growth pipeline.

It advised that development at the K2 underground mine continued during the quarter, with first ore expected before 30 June 2026. Importantly, the company also settled a long-running inherited legal dispute over the K2 deposit. This clears the way for accelerated mining and exploration activity at what will become Plutonic’s fourth ore source.

Meanwhile, mining at the Trident open pit is tracking to plan and is expected to conclude in the first half of calendar year 2026, after which underground development will commence. The Old Highway project is also progressing through approvals and is expected to become Catalyst’s fifth producing mine in time.

Collectively, these projects underpin Catalyst’s strategy to lift annual production from around 100,000 ounces to approximately 200,000 ounces and extend Plutonic’s mine life to around ten years.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Catalyst’s CEO, James Champion de Crespigny, said:

Record gold production for the quarter is pleasing. The operating risk for the business continues to fall as new mines come online. Before 30 June we will be producing from four mines on the belt – a terrific outcome from the team considering less than two and a half years ago Plutonic was near bankrupt, producing from only one mine! Exploration results at Cinnamon are encouraging as are further results expected this quarter from Trident, Old Highway and K2.

The post This ASX 200 gold share is racing 5% higher on record quarter appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.