Shares in Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) are surging higher on Wednesday following the release of a standout quarterly update.

At the time of writing, the gold and copper producer’s shares are up 7.14% to $11.55. The stock is comfortably outperforming the broader ASX as investors digest a robust operational and financial result.

So, let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind the update.

Solid quarterly output continues

According to the release, Greatland delivered its December 2025 quarterly production update.

The company reported gold production of 86,273 ounces for the quarter, alongside copper output of 3,528 tonnes. This marks a clear improvement on the September quarter, when Greatland produced 80,890 ounces of gold and 3,366 tonnes of copper.

For the first half of FY26, total production now stands at 167,163 ounces of gold and 6,894 tonnes of copper. This keeps the company on track operationally as it continues integrating the Telfer and Havieron assets in Western Australia’s Paterson Province.

Sales for the quarter totalled 72,212 ounces of gold and 3,301 tonnes of copper. While all-in sustaining costs (AISC) are still being finalised, management confirmed they will be released with the full December quarterly activities report later this month.

Cash balance surges to $948 million

One of the standout takeaways from today’s update was Greatland’s balance sheet strength.

The company closed the December quarter with $948 million in cash and no debt. That compares to $750 million at the end of September, representing a cash build of $198 million over the three-month period.

Management noted this figure includes a one-off stamp duty payment of $46 million related to the Telfer-Havieron acquisition. Excluding that payment, the underlying cash build would have been $244 million for the quarter.

Importantly, Greatland remains unhedged, giving shareholders full exposure to higher gold prices. However, some downside protection is in place through gold put options.

What investors should watch next

While today’s production and cash figures were well received, investor focus now shifts to the full December quarterly activities report.

That report is due for release on 28 January 2026.

It should provide greater detail on costs, guidance, and progress at Havieron, which is viewed as a key long-term growth asset.

Greatland is also scheduled to host a webcast for shareholders and analysts on the same day. This should offer further insight into strategy, operations, and near-term priorities.

Taken together, today’s report helps explain why I believe Greatland should be on investors’ radars in 2026.

The post This ASX resources stock is soaring 7% on a big quarterly result appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Shares in Island Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: ILA) are marching higher after the company said it had secured patent protection in the US for the use of one of its compounds in tackling viruses.

Island shares traded as high as 49.5 cents in the morning session on the ASX before settling back to be 12.2% higher at 46 cents.

The biotechnology company said it had been granted a patent for the use of its compound Galidesivir in the treatment of filoviridae viruses.

The company went on to say:

The patent comprises a broad range of claims in connection with the treatment of a viral infections from the filoviridae family, via the administering of a therapeutically effective amount of Galidesivir. Patent protection for the use of Galidesivir to treat filoviridae viruses marks the latest successful conversion from application to approval for the diversified patent portfolio that Island gained full rights to as part of its acquisition of the Galidesivir program. The patent portfolio comprised both issued patents and pending patent applications, with each new approval strengthening the framework for Island to continue broadening its IP footprint alongside the clinical development pathway for Galidesivir.

Broad patent protection

The patent protection extends out to late 2031. The viruses the compound targets are single-stranded ribonucleic acid viruses, the best-known of which are the Ebola virus and the Marburg virus.

The company explained further:

Filoviridae viruses are generally recognised by the US government as biological select agents or toxins (BSAT), which have been classified by the US Department of Health and Human Services as having the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety.

The new patent win adds to the granting of a patent last month covering the use of Galidesivir in treatment options for COVID-19.

Island Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Dr David Foster said it was another important milestone for the company.

He added:

This latest patent grant highlights that our IP footprint continues to go from strength to strength, and further validates the vigour of the patent portfolio that we gained full ownership rights of as part of the Galidesivir acquisition.” “What is particularly pleasing about this patent is that it provides IP protection over a broad range of claims in the application of Galidesivir to treat filoviruses, in direct alignment with detailed clinical development pathway for the treatment of Marburg – a member of the filoviridae virus family.” “As we continue to advance the study design in close consultation with the FDA, this patent approval provides a strong framework to further expand our IP footprint alongside our clinical progress.

Island Pharmaceuticals was valued at $110.1 million at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Which biotech’s shares are surging higher on US patent news? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• This biotech company’s shares are on a tear – again – after another contract win

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.

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL) shares are breaking records again on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the ASX silver stock is up 9% to a record high of 99 cents.

This means its shares are now up almost 400% over the past 12 months.

Why is this ASX silver stock hitting a new record high?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of the silver miner’s shares following the release of a drilling update from the 100%-owned Joaquin Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina.

According to the release, Unico Silver has released assay results for a further 31 drill holes totalling 4,478 metres of drilling. This brings total reported assays since drilling commenced in September to 91 holes covering 14,594 metres.

The ASX silver stock highlights that this forms part of a 30,000 metre drill program. It is focused on regional exploration and new discoveries, and the delineation of high-confidence, pit-constrained, free-milling silver ounces at Joaquin.

Drilling results

As you might have guessed from the investor reaction, the results from this latest drilling were positive.

The company notes that infill and extensional drilling at La Negra SE confirms that there is a broad, shallow zone of oxide silver-gold mineralisation over 850 metres strike and 175 metres vertical extent. It remains open to the south-east and at depth.

Positively, the true thickness ranges from 15 metres to 75 metres, which is supportive of bulk open pit mining potential.

What’s next?

It shouldn’t be long until there are more results to run the rule over. Drilling resumed on 5 January and includes three diamond rigs and one reverse circulation (RC) rig. At La Negra SE, infill drilling on a 50 metres by 25 metres grid is nearing completion with eight holes remaining to support a high confidence indicated resource.

Based on timing and new results, the ASX silver stock advised that it will proceed directly to a pre-feasibility study (PFS)-level mineral resource estimate (MRE), covering La Negra, La Negra SE, and La Morocha.

The company’s managing director, Todd Williams, was pleased with the news. He said:

Infill drilling at La Negra SE continues to deliver wide, shallow zones of oxide silver-gold mineralisation with excellent continuity across the full 850-metre strike length. These results confirm the scale and geometry required for conventional open-pit development and support our decision to move directly to a Pre-Feasibility Study Mineral Resource Estimate.

With infill drilling nearing completion, geotechnical and comminution programs already underway, and three key prospects – La Negra, La Negra SE and La Morocha – advancing to Indicated Resource status, Joaquin is rapidly transitioning from exploration to development while remaining open to further growth.

The post Up 400% in a year: Why is this ASX silver stock breaking records today? 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.

4D Medical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has secured a contract with UC San Diego Health – one of the US’s pre-eminent academic health systems – to use its CT:VQ technology for clinical use in lung imaging.

Shares in the biotechnology company jumped on the news, trading 9.3% higher at $4.58 – not far off their record high of $4.65 – in early trade on Wednesday.

Prestigious institution

4D Medical said in a statement to the ASX that UC San Diego Health (UCSD) was “one of the nation’s leading academic health systems and has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the US for pulmonary and lung surgery”.

The company added:

UCSD has commenced clinical use of CT:VQ under a structured launch framework whereby introductory pricing will apply through March 31, supporting early clinical adoption and workflow establishment, before transitioning to full commercial terms. UCSD joins Stanford University, University of Miami, and Cleveland Clinic as the fourth U.S. academic medical centre (AMC) to deploy CT:VQ for clinical use. This expanding network of leading AMCs powers 4DMedical’s strategic approach of establishing reference sites at the nation’s most prestigious institutions, creating a powerful foundation for broader market adoption.

4D Medical said it had been slightly more than four months since it received US Food and Drug Administration clearance to market its technology, and in that time, it had secured contracts with four of the most respected academic medical centres in the US.

The company added:

These deployments demonstrate the compelling clinical value proposition of CT:VQ: eliminating the need for radioisotope and contrast administration, providing superior image resolution compared to nuclear medicine, seamlessly integrating into existing CT imaging workflows, and enabling access to reimbursement pathways that support sustainable clinical adoption.

Strong momentum

4D Medical founder and Managing Director Andreas Fouras said the new contract win was a “powerful validation” of the company’s technology.

He added:

In just over four months since FDA clearance, we’ve established CT:VQ at four of America’s leading academic medical centres: Stanford, University of Miami, Cleveland Clinic, and now UCSD. This rapid adoption by elite institutions demonstrates both the transformative potential of CT:VQ and the strength of our go-to-market execution. These prestigious AMCs serve as powerful anchors for our commercialisation strategy. Combined with our Philips partnership and growing commercial pipeline, we are building unstoppable momentum as we establish CT:VQ as the new standard of care in pulmonary imaging.  

4D Medical was valued at $2.2 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday. The company has increased in value almost 20-fold over the past 12 months, from lows of just 22.5 cents.

The post This biotech company’s shares are on a tear – again – after another contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Share markets have entered 2026 with a familiar mix of confidence and concern.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continued to climb in 2025, brushing against new highs, while global headlines felt increasingly uneasy. Geopolitical tensions are flaring across multiple regions, inflation remains sticky in Australia, and interest rate expectations are once again creeping higher.

At the same time, valuation metrics like the Buffett Indicator and the US CAPE ratio are flashing warning signs. By historical standards, markets look expensive.

It’s no wonder some investors are feeling uneasy.

But amid all this noise, there is one move that long-term investors should still avoid at all costs in 2026.

Panic selling

Panic selling comes in two distinct forms, and both can quietly sabotage long-term wealth.

Panic selling on the way up

When markets keep rising, it can feel unnatural.

Investors start to tell themselves that prices “can’t possibly go any higher” or that a correction is surely just around the corner. The temptation is to get clever — trim positions, move to cash, and wait for the inevitable pullback.

The problem is that markets do not operate on neat schedules.

History shows that expensive markets can remain expensive for far longer than most expect. The US market spent much of the late 1990s trading above long-term valuation averages. Australian shares experienced something similar in the years leading up to the global financial crisis.

Trying to perfectly time the top has proven to be a fool’s errand for decades. Miss just a handful of strong market days, and long-term returns can fall dramatically.

Real Foolish investing — capital-F Foolish — is about owning quality businesses through cycles, not hopping in and out based on discomfort.

Selling simply because markets feel “too high” risks leaving investors stranded on the sidelines while compounding does the heavy lifting elsewhere.

Panic selling on the way down

The second, and more damaging, version of panic selling happens when markets fall.

Market pullbacks are not an anomaly. They are a feature.

Corrections of around 10% occur almost as regularly as summers. Deeper drawdowns of 20% or more are less frequent, but still inevitable over long investing lifetimes. What we never know is when they will arrive, how deep they will be, or what will trigger them.

That uncertainty makes emotional decision-making incredibly dangerous.

Selling during periods of fear often locks in losses just as long-term opportunities are emerging. Many of the strongest market recoveries in history have occurred when sentiment was at its darkest.

It’s also worth remembering that some high-quality businesses can continue growing earnings through economic slowdowns, inflationary environments, and geopolitical stress. Investors who sell everything in a panic risk missing those quiet compounding stories.

Warren Buffett has long emphasised that volatility is not risk — permanent capital loss is. That philosophy remains just as relevant today.

Valuations are high — and that’s not the whole story

There’s no denying that valuation indicators look stretched in parts of the market. 

But valuation signals are blunt instruments.

Markets can stay elevated for years while earnings catch up, particularly when innovation, productivity gains, or global capital flows remain supportive.

For Australian investors, this matters. The ASX has its own mix of resources, banks, healthcare, infrastructure, and global earners. Local inflation and interest rate dynamics may differ from the US, but emotional responses tend to be universal.

Foolish Takeaway

The biggest risk in 2026 is not a market crash itself. It’s how investors respond to one.

Panic selling — whether driven by fear of missing the top or fear of deeper losses — can quietly undo years of disciplined investing. Long-term wealth is rarely built by perfectly timed decisions. It’s built by patience, quality, and the ability to sit through uncomfortable periods.

Markets will rise. Markets will fall. That part is inevitable.

Making emotional decisions at the wrong moment doesn’t have to be.

The post 1 move to avoid at all costs if the stock market crashes in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant 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.

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI) shares are getting a lot of attention from investors on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the ASX rare earths stock is up 5.5% to 19.5 cents.

What’s going on with this ASX rare earths stock?

The catalyst for today’s strong gain has been the release of an update on its flagship Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil.

According to the release, the company has received a non-binding and conditional letter of support from Export Finance Australia (EFA) for indicative financing of up to US$50 million (~A$77 million).

The company notes that the proposed financing is intended to support the development of the Caldeira Project through the use of Australian engineering, procurement, construction, and management contractors.

It believes this strategy will reinforce the established partnership between Australia and Brazil through enhanced supply chain support within the project. In addition, it feels this underscores the Australian Government export credit agency’s determination to drive Australian expertise and exports into global rare earths markets.

Solid foundation

Management highlights that the EFA funding support, together with the United States Export Import Bank’s (EXIM) US$250 million letter of interest that was received in March 2024, provides a solid foundation for funding of the Caldeira Project.

But the company isn’t stopping there. It is continuing active discussions with the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and other Export Credit Agencies together with a number of potential strategic investors to optimise funding solutions for the Caldeira Project.

Commenting on the news, the ASX rare earths stock’s managing director, Stuart Gale, said:

We view the Letter of Support from Export Finance Australia as a strong vote of confidence in Meteoric’s strategy and capability to become the next major supplier of critical rare earth materials. This endorsement will assist with the broader project financing discussions underway for the Caldeira Project and adds flexibility to our funding strategy.

The recent approval of our Preliminary Environmental Licence without restriction, commissioning of our Pilot Plant and first production of a mixed rare earth carbonate, the Caldeira Project is now positioned as one of the world’s most advanced, highest confidence, high-grade rare earth developments. The Project’s scale, low operating costs, low capital intensity and rapid path to market stand as clear differentiators and underpin its capability to be an important new, long-term cornerstone of emerging rare earth supply chains.

The post This ASX rare earths stock is jumping on big news 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.

Shares in Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) were trading higher on Wednesday after the company said it was on track to achieve the upper end of its production guidance for the full year.

The company released a production report for the second quarter on Wednesday, which said that its Karlawinda Gold Project had delivered another strong quarter, producing 30,476 ounces of gold.

The company said this brought production for the year to date to 62,794 ounces of gold, and the company was “on track to achieve the upper end of FY26 guidance of 115,000-125,000 ounces at an all in sustaining cost of $1530-$1630 per ounce”.

This compares with the current gold price of $6683 per ounce.

Project to expand

Expansion works at Karlawinda in central Western Australia are ongoing, with the company aiming to spend $120 million overall. The expansion project is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

The company’s website said that based on current reserves, the expanded operation has a projected mine life approaching 10 years.

The company said further:

 With an extensive tenement package spanning over 4,000 square kilometres, the Company remains confident further reserve growth through ongoing exploration.

Capricorn said in its release on Wednesday that expansion works were progressing well.

Continued achievement of the post-expansion mining run rate allowed Capricorn to deliver both strong quarterly gold production and also the development requirements of the Karlawinda Expansion Project. The mining fleet achieved the planned poit face positions to achieve budget gold production while also delivering the required pre-stripping and infrastructure materials for the expansion project. Mining production rates have continued at the expanded project run rate for the Karlawinda Expansion Project for the last three quarters.

Capricorn said it had cash and bullion worth $444.2 million at the end of the quarter, up from $394.4 million at the end of the September quarter.

The company said it had also spent $2.9 million on development activities at its Mount Gibson gold project, also in WA, where it currently has a gold resource of 684,000 ounces of gold.

That spending was “mainly focused on finalising detailed design, early procurement activities and contract preparations”.

The company added:

This early spend of part of the MGGP capital budget is a strategic decision to compress the ultimate construction timeline.

Capricorn shares were 2.5% higher in early trade at $14.93.

The company was valued at $6.64 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post This ASX 100 gold stock says it is on track to hit the upper end of production guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) shares are having a strong session on Wednesday.

In morning trade, the ASX 200 gold stock is 5.5% to a record high of $3.38.

Why is this ASX 200 gold stock racing higher?

Investors have been buying this gold miner’s shares for a couple of reasons.

One is another rise in the gold price overnight. The other is the release of another strong quarterly update before the market open.

According to the release, fourth quarter gold production came in at 112,019 ounces, which underpinned gold sales of 105,995 ounces at an average price of US$4,058 per ounce.

This means that full year gold production was 300,383 ounces, which was in line with its guidance for 2025.

In addition, full year gold sales were strong at 280,065 ounces with an average price of US$3,525 per ounce.

This was despite a soft finish to the year from the Sanbrado operation in Burkina Faso. Its gold production decreased 17% quarter on quarter, mainly due to 14% lower mill throughput and a planned shutdown.

Sanbrado produced 49,732 ounces of gold during the quarter from 745,000 tonnes of ore milled at a head grade of 2.2g/t and recovery of 93.2%. This brought full year 2025 gold production to 205,228 ounces for Sanbrado.

Over at the Kiaka operation, it reported a 208% increase in gold production quarter on quarter. This was driven primarily by a 25% increase in mill throughput and a 44% higher head grade.

During the quarter, Kiaka produced 62,287 ounces of gold from 2,174,000 tonnes of ore processed at an average head grade of 1.0 g/t and metallurgical recovery of 92.9%. This performance brought total 2025 production to 95,155 ounces.

Record year

Commenting on the ASX 200 gold stock’s performance during the quarter, its executive chair and CEO, Richard Hyde, commented:

I would like to commend both our Sanbrado and Kiaka operational teams for achieving WAF’s gold production guidance for a fifth consecutive year. Combined group gold production of 300,383 ounces from our Sanbrado and Kiaka gold mining centres for the full year 2025 was well within WAF’s annual guidance of 290,000 to 360,000 ounces, and was a record year of production for WAF. We look forward to providing our full quarterly activities report in the coming weeks.

Following today’s move, the West African Resources share price is now up approximately 125% since this time last year.

The post Guess which ASX 200 gold stock is charging to a record high on stellar update 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.

One of the simplest ways to think about dividend investing is to work backwards from income. How much capital do you need to invest today to generate a meaningful cash return over the next year?

In the case of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), the answer may come as a surprise to some investors.

How the numbers stack up

At the current BHP share price of approximately $47.22, purchasing 100 shares would entail an investment of around $4,722.

According to current market forecasts, BHP is expected to pay the equivalent of $1.51 per share in fully franked dividends in FY26.

For an investor holding 100 shares, that translates to cash dividends of approximately $150 over the year, plus the benefit of franking credits, which can materially increase the after-tax return for Australian investors, depending on individual circumstances.

That kind of income potential helps explain why BHP remains one of the most popular dividend shares on the ASX.

Why BHP remains a premier dividend stock

BHP is not a traditional high-yield utility or bank. Its dividends can fluctuate from year to year, reflecting movements in commodity prices and earnings.

However, what sets BHP apart is its scale, diversification, and balance sheet strength. The company operates some of the world’s highest-quality assets across iron ore, copper, and other commodities, allowing it to generate substantial cash flow through the cycle.

Importantly, BHP has demonstrated a willingness to return excess capital to shareholders when conditions permit, rather than overextending itself through aggressive expansion. That discipline has helped underpin its dividend-paying ability over time. It has also supported numerous share buybacks, which is another way to return capital to shareholders.

Fully franked income matters

For Australian investors, the fully franked nature of BHP’s dividends is a key part of the appeal.

Franking credits can significantly enhance the effective yield, particularly for retirees or investors on lower marginal tax rates. While dividends are never guaranteed, receiving income that comes with franking credits can make a meaningful difference to total returns over the long run.

Not just about income

While the $150 in forecast income is attractive, BHP is not purely an income play.

The company also offers exposure to long-term demand drivers such as electrification and infrastructure investment, particularly through its growing copper business. I believe that provides the potential for capital growth alongside income, rather than relying solely on dividends.

Foolish Takeaway

Buying 100 shares of BHP today could deliver around $150 a year in passive income, based on current forecasts, with the added benefit of franking credits.

Of course, commodity prices move, and dividends can change. But for investors looking for a combination of scale, income potential, and long-term relevance, I think BHP remains one of the ASX’s premier dividend shares and is worth considering as part of a balanced share portfolio.

The post Buy 100 shares of this premier dividend share for $150 in passive income 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I think that one of the easiest ways to position a portfolio for long-term growth is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Rather than trying to pick individual winners, ETFs provide direct (and easy) access to powerful themes that are likely to shape the global economy for years to come.

As 2026 gets underway, three growth themes continue to stand out to me: cybersecurity, global technology leadership, and digital entertainment.

For investors seeking exposure to these trends, these three ETFs provide a straightforward way to do so.

BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

It wasn’t that long ago that cybersecurity was an afterthought, with internet users relying on their spam folders to ward off viruses and scams. But times have changed, and cybersecurity is now a core requirement for governments, businesses, and individuals.

As more data moves online and digital systems become more interconnected, the risk of cyberattacks continues to rise. That creates a long-term tailwind for companies that specialise in protecting networks, data, and critical infrastructure.

The BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF provides exposure to a portfolio of global cybersecurity leaders, including businesses involved in cloud security, identity protection, and threat detection. Rather than betting on a single company, this growth ETF spreads risk across the sector.

For me, the appeal of this ETF lies in the durability of the theme. Cyber threats are not cyclical, and spending in this area tends to remain resilient even when economic conditions soften.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers access to some of the most influential growth stocks in the world.

This ETF tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which is home to countless global leaders. Many of these businesses are at the forefront of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital payments, and platform-based business models. We’re talking Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA).

What I like about the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF is that it combines innovation with scale. These are not early-stage startups. They are established companies with strong balance sheets, global reach, and significant investment in research and development. And if companies lose their way, they will be replaced in the 100 with the next crop of superstar stocks at future rebalances.

Owning a diversified basket of world-class growth companies has historically been a powerful way to participate in long-term technological progress. I expect this to continue being the case in the future.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

Video gaming and esports may still be underestimated by some investors.

Gaming has evolved from a niche hobby into a global entertainment industry with hundreds of millions of players worldwide. It spans console gaming, mobile gaming, online platforms, and competitive esports, all supported by ongoing digital engagement.

The VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF provides exposure to leading global stocks involved in video game development, publishing, hardware, and esports ecosystems. This means growth companies like Roblox (NYSE: RBLX), Nintendo (FRA: NTO), and Take-Two (NASDAQ: TTWO).

As technology advances and digital entertainment becomes increasingly immersive, I believe the long-term growth potential of this sector is substantial.

Why these ETFs work together

What makes these ETFs particularly attractive as a group is how they complement each other.

The BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF focuses on security, the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF captures broad-based innovation, and the VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF targets digital entertainment and engagement. Together, they provide diversified exposure to growth themes that are driven by technology adoption rather than short-term economic cycles.

Foolish Takeaway

Growth investing does not have to be complicated. By owning ETFs that track long-term structural trends, investors can position their portfolios for the future. This is without needing to constantly trade or monitor individual companies.

For those looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the HACK, NDQ, and ESPO ETFs offer three compelling ways to stock up on growth themes that show no signs of slowing down.

The post 3 unstoppable growth ETFs to stock up on in 2026 and beyond 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 Apple, BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Nvidia, Roblox, Shopify, Take-Two Interactive Software, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and Nintendo. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Nvidia, and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.