Afraid of a Stock Market Crash? 4 Great ETFs to Buy Regardless.
2026-10-12 19:41
•Geoffrey Seiler •The Motley Fool
••••••• ••••••••••••• Axe Cap view
Staying Invested Despite Crash Fears: ETFs Worth Watching
Four U.S.-focused ETFs offer resilient exposure even if markets wobble, but South African investors should consider the rand's role.
Talk of a stock market crash is hardly new, yet cracking the timing of the market remains elusive even to experts. The Motley Fool highlights four ETFs that suit a steady, long-term approach: Vanguard's S&P 500 ETF (VOO) as your core holding; Invesco QQQ (QQQ) for growth and tech; Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (AIQ) to ride the AI wave; and Schwab’s Dividend ETF (SCHD) for income and value. These vehicles diversify risk across well-known U.S. giants like Apple and Microsoft, which dominate innovation and cash flow. For South African investors, note that a stronger or weaker rand (USD/ZAR) will affect returns offshore, especially in tech-heavy ETFs. If the rand weakens, your dollar buys more exposure, and vice versa. We prefer a measured buy-and-hold stance here, trimming only if local pressures push the rand sharply weaker. The view may prove wrong if a sudden global shock hits SA's economy disproportionately or if the rand staggers far outside recent ranges. this is just our opinion and not financial advice
Buy VOO for core equity exposure, add QQQ and AIQ selectively to benefit from tech and AI themes, and hold SCHD for dividend stability. Watch USD/ZAR closely and trim if the rand drops below 18.5 on a sustained basis.
- VOO
- QQQ
- AIQ
- SCHD
- USD/ZAR
- Prolonged rand depreciation eroding returns
- Sudden domestic economic shock reducing investor appetite for offshore assets
6/10
Despite warnings from prominent investors about a potential stock market crash and concerning valuation metrics, the article argues investors should maintain their positions using Peter Lynch's philosophy that timing the market matters less than staying invested. Four ETFs are recommended for dollar-cost averaging: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF for core holdings, Invesco QQQ Trust for growth/tech exposure, Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF for AI sector exposure, and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF for value and dividend growth.
Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.