A decade gives an exchange-traded fund (ETF) plenty of time to ride through market cycles and benefit from long-term economic growth.

If I were choosing two Vanguard ETFs with that timeframe in mind, these would be high on my list.

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

The VAE ETF gives investors exposure to Asian markets excluding Japan.

I like it because some of the world’s most important economies sit within this region, including China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea. The fund provides exposure to businesses across technology, financial services, manufacturing, consumer spending, and other industries.

Over the next decade, I think several long-term trends could work in its favour.

Rising household incomes can increase spending on financial products, travel, technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. Asia is also central to global semiconductor manufacturing and electronics supply chains, while India continues developing into a much larger part of the global economy.

I would expect plenty of bumps along the way. Political and regulatory changes can move Asian markets quickly, while currency movements add another source of volatility because the VAE ETF is unhedged.

But I think a 10-year timeframe gives investors a better chance to look beyond those shorter-term swings and focus on the region’s long-term development.

Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500)

My second choice would be the V500 ETF.

This relatively new Vanguard ETF tracks the S&P 500 Index, giving ASX investors exposure to around 500 of America’s largest listed companies across all major sectors.

I think the attraction here goes beyond simply owning US shares. Many of the companies inside the index sell products and services around the world.

This means investors gain exposure to global spending on areas such as technology, healthcare, consumer products, financial services, and industrial development through one investment.

I also like that the S&P 500 can evolve. A decade is long enough for today’s corporate leaders to strengthen their positions, lose ground, or be overtaken by businesses that are much smaller today. An index fund adjusts as the market changes rather than asking investors to identify every future winner themselves.

For someone who wants a simple core holding with substantial long-term growth potential, I think the V500 ETF makes a lot of sense.

Foolish takeaway

I would be happy to buy both Vanguard ETFs and leave them invested for the next decade.

The VAE ETF gives me access to the long-term development of Asia, while the V500 ETF provides a simple way to own many of America’s leading businesses.

I think both offer compelling opportunities for investors prepared to stay patient through the inevitable market swings.

The post 2 Vanguard ETFs I’d buy and hold for a decade 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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have both underperformed the 2.3% 12-month gain posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) earlier this week.

In fact, both of the big four ASX 200 bank stocks are well into the red since this time last year.

With CBA shares recently trading for $157.08 apiece, Australia’s biggest bank stock is down 7.8% in 12 months.

Westpac shares have fared even worse, recently down 11.3% for the year at $33.95 each.

Now we shouldn’t leave out the fully franked dividends both banks have paid out over the full year. CBA shares trade on a fully franked dividend yield of 3.2%, while Westpac shares trade on a fully franked dividend yield of 4.5%.

Though even with these dividends in mind, the accumulated value of both ASX 200 bank stocks has gone backwards over the past year.

And looking ahead, Red Leaf Securities’ John Athanasiou expects they’ll both continue to struggle (courtesy of The Bull).

Here’s why.

Time to exit CBA shares?

“CBA shares deserve to trade at a premium given its dominant retail franchise, strong technology platform, solid deposit base and consistent execution,” Athanasiou said.

Summarising his sell recommendation on CBA shares, he concluded:

However, Australian banking remains a mature industry, with intense competition across mortgages and deposits limiting the potential for outsized earnings growth. At a premium valuation, investors are paying a higher price for quality, leaving little room for disappointment.

After a substantial re-rating, investors may be better served taking some profits and reallocating capital towards businesses offering stronger growth at more reasonable valuations.

Which brings us to…

Westpac shares could be facing competitive headwinds

Athanasiou also issued a sell recommendation on Westpac shares.

“The bank remains well capitalised and continues to generate solid earnings, but the operating environment is becoming increasingly competitive,” he said. “Mortgage pricing is aggressive, deposit competition remains intense, and the scope for sustained margin expansion appears limited.”

And Westpac’s 4.5% dividend yield isn’t enough to tip the scales for Athanasiou.

He noted:

Westpac’s dividend remains attractive, but investors should also consider opportunity cost.

We believe there are more compelling opportunities on the ASX, which offer stronger structural growth or more attractive valuations.

Another expert is bearish on CBA shares

Athanasiou wasn’t the only analyst to advise selling CBA shares this week.

He was joined by Alto Capital’s Tony Locantro.

“The CBA remains Australia’s leading banking franchise and delivered another strong result in full year 2026,” Locantro said.

Commenting on those strong results, he said:

Cash net profit after tax of $10.982 billion was up 7% on the prior corresponding period. The full-year dividend of $5.05 a share, fully franked, was up 4%. Strong lending, deposit growth and a robust capital position continue to demonstrate the quality of the business.

As for his sell recommendation, Locantro concluded:

However, operating expenses and loan impairment expenses increased.

The CBA continues to trade at a substantial valuation premium to domestic banking peers. Although the underlying business remains strong, the premium valuation leaves little room for disappointment and may potentially constrain prospective returns.

The post Sell alert! Why this expert is calling time on Westpac and CBA shares 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.

ASX blue-chip shares can be among the most appealing picks for passive income due to their reliably high dividend yields.

The strongest businesses usually have the best balance sheets, highest margins and the best grip on their market share.

I’m going to talk about two ideas for dividends that I’d call ASX blue-chip shares.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)

Medibank is the largest private health insurer in Australia with its Medibank and ahm brands. The company also has a growing healthcare division following multiple acquisitions.

Healthcare is a defensive industry with largely consistent demand, helping Medibank generate defensive profits that then fund consistent dividends.

However, the Medibank dividend isn’t being maintained at the same level. Aside from 2020, its annual payout has increased every year during the past decade.

In the recent FY26 result, Medibank increased its annual payout by 6.7% to 19.2 cents per share. That came after a 6.7% rise in group operating profit and a 27.5% rise in net profit.

In FY27, the business is aiming to grow its market share in a disciplined way, including improved volume momentum for the Medibank brand. It also expects its non-resident private health insurance segment to deliver solid gross profit growth. The Medibank Health segment expects to deliver around 25% profit growth in FY27 thanks to Better Medical.

At the time of writing, its FY26 payout translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.7%, including franking credits.

WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE)

WAM Leaders is a listed investment company (LIC) that focuses its investments on ASX blue-chip shares. The LIC structure allows WAM Leaders to turn the pleasing investment returns it makes into a growing annual dividend.

Impressively, its portfolio has returned an average of 12.1% per year since inception in May 2026, before fees, expenses and taxes. That level of return has allowed the business to increase its annual dividend every year since FY17. The FY26 annual dividend was increased by 2.1% to 9.6 cents per share.

That payment translates into a FY26 grossed-up dividend yield of 10.2%, including franking credits, at the time of writing. That’s an incredibly high (and attractive) payout, in my opinion.

Some of the businesses in the portfolio that it had a large active position in at the end of July 2026 included Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Amcor (ASX: AMC) and GPT Group (ASX: GPT).

However, there were also typical names in the holdings such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

I think its ASX blue-chip share strategy will help it continue to deliver pleasing returns over the long term.

The post 2 ASX blue-chip shares offering big dividend yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.