Spotlight: Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)
Each month in our ETF Spotlight series, we put the focus on one of the ETFs inside our ETF portfolios or available through InvestSMART Custom.
This time, we're looking at the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI), which is part of our Custom offering. Here's what you need to know.
About the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)
The Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) gives investors exposure to 30 of the world's largest semiconductor companies. It includes businesses that design and manufacture semiconductors as well as those that produce the equipment used to make them.
Semiconductors, often referred to as chips or microchips, are electronic components that process and store information. They are used in everything from smartphones and computers to cars, medical equipment and data centres.
SEMI may suit investors looking for long-term growth who are comfortable with higher risk. It's designed to make up a smaller part of a broader portfolio, with a suggested investment timeframe of at least five years.
Here are a few quick facts about SEMI:
- Investment manager: Global X
- Inception date: 27 August 2021
- Size: $1.1 billion
- Management fee: 0.45% p.a.
- Benchmark: Solactive Global Semiconductor 30 Index
- InvestSMART rating: 3 stars
- Distribution frequency: Semi-annually
Where is SEMI invested?
SEMI invests in 30 semiconductor companies from around the world. Its largest country allocation is to the US (66.49%), followed by Taiwan (10.82%), South Korea (8.67%), the Netherlands (8.48%) and Japan (4.50%). The top 10 holdings are listed below.
Top 10 holdings
|
Company |
Weight |
|
Micron Technology |
11.65% |
|
Advanced Micro Devices |
9.55% |
|
SK hynix |
8.67% |
|
TSMC |
8.10% |
|
NVIDIA |
7.63% |
|
Broadcom Inc |
7.50% |
|
ASML Holding NV |
7.20% |
|
Intel Corp |
5.13% |
|
Applied Materials |
5.04% |
|
Lam Research |
4.62% |
Source: Global X. Holdings as of 13 July 2026.
What is SEMI's management fee?
At 0.45% p.a., SEMI's fee is broadly in line with other technology-focused ETFs. By comparison, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) charges 0.48% p.a.
How has SEMI performed?
SEMI has delivered exceptionally strong returns, gaining 162.7% over the year to the end of May 2026. Its recent performance has been supported by strong gains across the semiconductor sector as companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centres and advanced computing.
Since its launch in August 2021, SEMI has returned an average of 37.6% a year, with most of its returns coming from capital growth rather than income.
SEMI performance
|
1 year |
3 yrs p.a. |
SI p.a.¹ |
|
|
Total return |
162.7% |
57.8% |
37.6% |
|
Benchmark |
164.0% |
58.6% |
38.3% |
Source: Global X. Returns for the period ending 29 May 2026. 1Since inception on 27 August 2021.
Key takeouts
SEMI is a targeted way to invest in the global semiconductor industry. However, the flip side of that focused exposure is greater risk: SEMI is concentrated in one industry and can be more volatile than a broad-market ETF, particularly when chip demand or technology spending slows. That's why it's best viewed as a satellite holding rather than a core portfolio building block.
SEMI is not currency hedged, so movements in the Australian dollar can also affect returns. Its fee is broadly in line with other technology-focused ETFs and recent performance has been exceptionally strong. As always, though, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Want to compare ETFs? Check out our handy online ETF filter tool. It can help you narrow down your options based on filters such as investment category or InvestSMART's star rating.
If you'd like help selecting the right InvestSMART ETF portfolio for you, try our free statement of advice quiz. It will show you which one may best suit your goals and investment timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) is an exchange-traded fund managed by Global X that gives investors exposure to 30 of the world’s largest semiconductor companies. It holds businesses that design and manufacture semiconductors as well as firms that make the equipment used to produce chips — components used in smartphones, computers, cars, medical equipment and data centres. SEMI launched on 27 August 2021 and tracks the Solactive Global Semiconductor 30 Index.
As of 13 July 2026, SEMI’s top 10 holdings include Micron Technology (11.65%), Advanced Micro Devices (9.55%), SK hynix (8.67%), TSMC (8.10%), NVIDIA (7.63%), Broadcom (7.50%), ASML Holding NV (7.20%), Intel (5.13%), Applied Materials (5.04%) and Lam Research (4.62%). Country allocation is led by the US (66.49%), followed by Taiwan (10.82%), South Korea (8.67%), the Netherlands (8.48%) and Japan (4.50%).
SEMI delivered very strong returns to the end of May 2026, gaining 162.7% over the prior year. Since launch on 27 August 2021 it has returned an average of 37.6% per year (with the 3‑year p.a. figure at 57.8%). Most of SEMI’s returns have come from capital growth rather than income. Note the fund’s benchmark returned similar strong gains over the same periods.
SEMI charges a management fee of 0.45% per annum. The article notes this is broadly in line with other technology-focused ETFs — for example, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) charges 0.48% p.a.
SEMI is not currency hedged. That means movements in the Australian dollar can influence returns, because the fund holds largely overseas-listed semiconductor companies and their prices are affected by FX swings.
Key risks include concentration risk and sector volatility — SEMI is focused on a single industry (semiconductors) so it can be more volatile than broad-market ETFs, especially if chip demand or technology spending slows. Currency risk also applies because the fund is unhedged. For these reasons the article suggests SEMI is best viewed as a satellite holding rather than a core portfolio building block.
SEMI may suit investors looking for long-term growth who are comfortable with higher risk. The ETF is designed to be a smaller part of a broader portfolio, with a suggested investment timeframe of at least five years.
The article recommends using InvestSMART’s online ETF filter tool to compare ETFs by category or InvestSMART star rating. It also suggests trying InvestSMART’s free statement of advice quiz to see which InvestSMART ETF portfolio may best suit your goals and investment timeframe.
Call 1300 880 160
Start a chat
Schedule a call
