Your 10 most-tipped ETFs for 2026

For the fourth year running, we asked Livewire and Market Index readers which ETFs they’re most confident owning over the year ahead - and the answers point to a decisive shift back towards home-grown exposure.

ETFs continue to reshape how Australians invest. With low costs, transparency, and easy access to global markets, investors can express views on everything from domestic income to commodities and technology - all in a single trade.

But this list isn’t about recommendations or short-term performance. It’s about what the collective “hive mind” of Livewire readers is prioritising, and what those choices tell us about risk appetite, diversification, and the themes that matter in 2026.

And while past performance is no guarantee of future returns, it’s worth noting that readers’ most-tipped ETFs delivered strong outcomes in recent years - averaging 20.74% in 2023, 25.08% in 2024, and 11.61% in 2025.

Nearly 5,000 Livewire and Market Index readers contributed to this year’s survey. Below, we explore the key takeaways from the results before revealing the most-tipped ETFs for 2026.

5 Key takeaways from Livewire’s audience (compared to 2025)

1) Australia and commodities dominate - Five of the top 10 ETFs now either track the Australian sharemarket or provide exposure to commodities - up from just two last year. The shift suggests readers are increasingly positioning for domestic equities to benefit from a renewed commodities cycle and Australia’s resource-heavy market structure.

2) Cash flow is King - By favouring VAS, VHY and A200, investors are implicitly backing portfolios with significant exposure to banks, resources and energy; around 55% across VAS and A200, rising to nearly 70% in VHY. These sectors also generate the bulk of franked income in portfolios, suggesting readers are positioning for cash flows to rise alongside a stronger commodities cycle and on the back of higher rates, which benefit bank margins.

3) Investors overweight on copper and gold - Where investors have made explicit commodity calls, they’ve been targeted. Copper stands out via WIRE, reflecting demand linked to electrification and infrastructure. Gold also features, but primarily through physical bullion rather than miners, suggesting it’s being used as a hedge or momentum play.

4) Growth, global stocks and AI trade still hot - US, global and artificial intelligence exposure persists through NDQ, IVV, VGS and HACK. The mix points to a more balanced approach, pairing global growth with domestic income, resources and diversification. 

5) Quality matters - Despite underperforming broad global equities year to date (7.65% versus 14% for the MSCI World ex-Australia), QUAL’s continued presence suggests investors remain committed to strategies that screen for robust fundamentals, rather than relying solely on market-weighted exposure.

Many of these themes were reinforced in the latest Buy Hold Sell, where Michael Wayne from Medallion Financial and Adam Dawes of Shaw and Partners outlined why VAS, A200, WIRE and GOLD remain core portfolio exposures.

Asset Allocation

Buy Hold Sell: How the pros are setting their portfolios for 2026

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The top 10 ETFs for 2026

Please note: We are sharing information from the Livewire and Market Index readerships by publishing this list. We hope it inspires ideas for your investment research. This information is not, nor is it intended to be, a set of recommendations. Please do your own research and seek advice from a professional. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future return.

1. Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)

VAS provides exposure to the S&P/ASX 300 Index, offering broad access to Australia’s largest listed companies. It’s a staple holding for investors seeking diversified exposure to the Australian sharemarket, along with the growth and franked income that comes with it.

ETF

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)

Australian Shares

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2. Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

For investors seeking a stronger tilt towards dividends, VHY targets Australian companies with market-beating dividend yields. It appeals to income-focused investors, with significant exposure to banks, resources and established blue-chip names.

ETF

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY)

Australian Shares

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3. Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

NDQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, offering concentrated exposure to large, non-financial US growth companies including Nvdia, Alphabet, Microsoft, Tesla and Costco. Technology and AI leaders make up a significant portion of the portfolio.

ETF

Betashares NASDAQ 100 ETF (NDQ)

Global Shares

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4. Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)

WIRE offers global exposure to copper miners, a critical link in the supply chain supporting electrification, infrastructure and technology growth. Despite copper’s importance to Australia, the ETF is predominantly offshore, with Canada and other international producers comprising much of the portfolio. Key holdings include BHP, Lundin Mining and Glencore.

ETF

Global X Copper Miners ETF (WIRE)

Global Shares

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5. iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

IVV tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing broad exposure to the largest US companies across multiple sectors. It remains a popular way to access the depth of the US equity market and appeals to growth-oriented investors.

ETF

iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

Global Shares

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6. Global X Physical Gold (ASX: GOLD)

GOLD provides exposure to physical gold, appealing to investors seeking diversification, inflation protection, or a defensive allocation during periods of macro and geopolitical uncertainty. With interest-rate paths diverging globally and policy uncertainty rising, gold remains a key asset to watch.

ETF

Global X Physical Gold (GOLD)

Alternative Assets

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7. Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

VGS tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index, providing exposure to over 1,500 companies across developed markets. It’s widely used for low-cost global diversification.

ETF

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS)

Global Shares

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8. Betashares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)

A200 tracks the S&P/ASX 200 Index, offering exposure to Australia’s largest listed companies at a competitive fee, making it a popular core Australian equity ETF.

ETF

Betashares Australia 200 ETF (A200)

Australian Shares

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9. Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

HACK provides access to companies operating in the global cybersecurity sector. As digital risks continue to grow, the theme remains relevant for long-term investors.

ETF

Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (HACK)

Global Shares

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10. VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

QUAL targets high-quality companies across developed markets, focusing on factors such as high return on equity, earnings stability and low leverage. It remains a staple for investors who want an additional layer of fundamental screening within their equity exposure.

ETF

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (QUAL)

Global Shares

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