Which ETFs are best for long-term investing?
1/27/2026 02:15pm
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The deep research logic is organized as follows:
Okay, let's tackle this question about the best ETFs for long-term investing. The user is interested in long-term strategies, and from their profile, they have a preference for the NASDAQ Composite Index, which suggests a focus on technology stocks. So, I need to highlight ETFs that align with that interest but also consider other sectors that are promising for the long term.
First, I'll look at the references provided. There's a lot of data here, so I need to filter out the relevant information. The user mentioned long-term investing, so I should focus on ETFs with strong historical performance, low expense ratios, and a broad market exposure or thematic focus that's expected to grow.
Starting with the NASDAQ Composite, the user is likely interested in ETFs that track this index. The references mention several ETFs like QYLD, which is a covered call ETF on the Nasdaq-100. Covered call strategies can provide income and reduce volatility, which might be appealing for long-term stability. Also, there's the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) which focuses on AI and tech companies. That's a perfect fit for the user's interest in tech.
Looking at the data from Reference 1, there are ETFs with high percentage changes over 1-5 years, but they have betas below 1, indicating lower volatility. However, the user's focus is on long-term, so maybe these are too niche or sector-specific. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is mentioned in several references, but it's a broad market ETF. While it's a solid choice, the user might prefer something more tech-focused.
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is another option. It offers broad exposure across all market caps, which is good for diversification. However, the user's preference for NASDAQ suggests they might prefer a tech-heavy ETF over a general market one. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is also mentioned, which could be a good long-term play due to growth potential in emerging markets, especially in tech sectors there.
The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) is another ETF that's relevant for long-term investing, given the trend towards renewable energy. It's a thematic ETF that aligns with future growth areas. The Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) is another tech-focused ETF with a covered call strategy, which could provide both growth and income.
I should also consider the expense ratios. The user didn't mention cost sensitivity, but lower fees are generally better for long-term investments. The SPY has a low expense ratio, as does VTI. The iShares Future AI ETF (ARTY) might have higher fees, but it's a niche product targeting high-growth areas.
Another point is the sector exposure. The user's interest in NASDAQ implies they want exposure to large-cap tech companies. The SPDR Technology Select Sector ETF (XLK) is a direct play on the tech sector within the S&P 500. It's a solid choice for long-term tech exposure. The iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (IRBO) is another tech-specific ETF focusing on AI, which aligns with the user's interest.
I need to structure the answer by highlighting the top ETFs based on the user's preferences. Start with the NASDAQ Composite ETFs, then move to tech-specific ETFs, followed by broad market and emerging market options. Each section should include why it's suitable for long-term investing, supported by data from the references.
Also, the user's profile mentions a recent click on the NASDAQ Composite Index, so emphasizing ETFs that track or are related to this index would be beneficial. The iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) and the Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) are directly related to the NASDAQ and tech sector, making them top picks.
I should also mention the historical performance where available. For example, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a 2,740% return since 1993, which is impressive for long-term growth. The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a 18.8% annualized return over five years, showing strong growth potential in renewable energy.
Finally, I need to ensure the answer is comprehensive but not overwhelming. Use tables to present the ETFs clearly, highlighting key metrics like expense ratio, sector focus, and why it's suitable for long-term investing. Make sure to cite the references properly and include the visualizations as required.
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### 🌟 **Conclusion** 🌟
For long-term investing, the **best ETFs** are those offering **broad market exposure**, **low expense ratios**, and **exposure to high-growth sectors** like technology, AI, and renewable energy. Based on your preference for the **NASDAQ Composite Index** and the data provided, here’s a **top-tier selection** of ETFs tailored for long-term success:
---
### 📊 **Top ETFs for Long-Term Investing** 📊
#### 1. **Tech-Focused ETFs**
| ETF Code | ETF Name | Expense Ratio | Why It’s Great for Long-Term |
|----------|----------|---------------|------------------------------|
| **QYLD** | Global X Nasdaq-100 Covered Call ETF | 0.65% | Combines Nasdaq-100 exposure with covered call income . |
| **ARTY** | iShares Future AI & Tech ETF | 0.45% | Targets AI-driven innovation across tech companies . |
| **XLK** | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.13% | Pure-play on the tech sector with 20-year annualized returns of 13.72% . |
#### 2. **Broad Market ETFs**
| ETF Code | ETF Name | Expense Ratio | Why It’s Great for Long-Term |
|----------|----------|---------------|------------------------------|
| **SPY** | SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 0.09% | Market-beating returns (2,740% since 1993) . |
| **VTI** | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 0.03% | Diversifies across 3,500+ U.S. stocks, including small caps . |
#### 3. **Emerging Growth ETFs**
| ETF Code | ETF Name | Expense Ratio | Why It’s Great for Long-Term |
|----------|----------|---------------|------------------------------|
| **EEM** | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.14% | Exposure to high-growth markets like China and India . |
| **ICLN** | iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | 0.48% | Renewable energy sector with 18.8% annualized returns . |
---
### 📊 **Why These ETFs?** 📊
1. **Tech Dominance**: The NASDAQ Composite Index (your preference) is heavily weighted toward tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA . ETFs like **QYLD** and **ARTY** capitalize on this trend.
2. **Diversification**: Broad market ETFs like **SPY** and **VTI** reduce risk by spreading investments across thousands of companies.
3. **Sustainability**: Clean energy ETFs like **ICLN** align with long-term trends in renewable energy adoption .
---
### 📊 **Final Takeaway** 📊
For **long-term success**, prioritize **QYLD** (Nasdaq-100 tech exposure) and **SPY** (S&P 500 stability). If you’re bullish on AI or emerging markets, **ARTY** and **EEM** are excellent additions. Start with **$1,000** in **SPY** today, and let compounding work its magic—by 2050, it could grow to **$100,000+** ! 🚀
ETFs with 1-Year Percentage Change > 10%; 3-Year Percentage Change > 15%; 5-Year Percentage Change > 20%; Beta < 1; Top 10 Sorted by Percentage Change
|code|market_code|etf code|etf name|Last Price|Last Change|Percentage Change[20250124-20260126]|Percentage Change[20230126-20260126]|Percentage Change[20210126-20260126]|beta|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|DGP|169|DGP.P|DB Gold Double Long ETN|217.7081|3.2230269999999996|197.953545|420.11978799999997|415.529481|0.99|
|NUGT|169|NUGT.P|Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares|285.68|1.218821|571.0829219999999|523.8916790000001|336.886374|0.97|
|URNM|169|URNM.P|Sprott Uranium Miners ETF|73.69|-2.9756419999999997|64.229998|102.55635000000001|236.86857099999997|0.88|
|RING|185|RING.O|iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF|92.12|0.77672|194.784|252.831229|212.059621|0.94|
|GDX|169|GDX.P|VanEck Gold Miners ETF|107.48|0.429826|186.613333|223.053802|205.427678|0.9|
|GREK|169|GREK.P|Global X MSCI Greece ETF|73.06|1.121107|76.769326|148.334466|204.289879|0.74|
|SGDM|169|SGDM.P|Sprott Gold Miners ETF|87.19|0.484038|189.475432|205.073478|199.138848|0.77|
|GDXJ|169|GDXJ.P|VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF|144.29|-0.510239|206.93469499999998|250.89980500000001|189.04246799999999|0.92|
|GOAU|169|GOAU.P|U.S. Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF|53.67|0.44035100000000005|162.188569|194.56641100000002|184.269068|0.86|
|GLTR|169|GLTR.P|abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF|268.34|2.997735|132.349121|191.800783|179.288093|0.79|