The best and worst-performing ETFs of 2026

Which ETFs delivered the strongest returns over the year to 30 June 2026, and which were the weakest? Explore the results from InvestSMART's 2026 ETF Scorecard.

By InvestSMART · 6 Aug 2026

By InvestSMART ·
6 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

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Just five years ago, investors could choose from 223 ETFs on the ASX. That number has more than doubled, with 458 ETFs listed on the ASX as at 30 June 2026, covering everything from broad sharemarkets and bonds to artificial intelligence, gold, video games and space technology.

Now in its third year, the InvestSMART ETF Scorecard is designed to make that growing market easier to compare.

We ranked ETFs by their 12-month performance to 30 June 2026 and included each ETF's InvestSMART star rating alongside its return, helping you consider fund quality as well as recent performance.

The Scorecard also ranks ETFs with at least a five-year track record by both their rating and five-year performance, offering another way to look beyond the latest results.

Here's a look at the 10 best and worst performers of 2026. Keep in mind that the returns shown are to 30 June 2026, so the performance picture may look different today.

10 best-performing ETFs

2026 rank	2025 rank	ASX code	ETF name	Category	1-yr return	MER	Star rating
1	174	IKO	iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	Asian shares	170.8%	0.45%	3
2	246	SEMI	Global X Semiconductor ETF	Global shares	160.8%	0.45%	4
3	326	HGEN	Global X Hydrogen ETF	Global shares	135.2%	0.69%	2
4	27	ASIA	Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF	Asian shares	95.6%	0.67%	4
5	172	XMET	Betashares Energy Transition Metals ETF	Global shares	83.0%	0.69%	3
6	340	CURE	Global X S&P Biotech ETF	Global shares	81.4%	0.45%	2
7	272	GMTL	Global X Green Metal Miners ETF	Global shares	78.8%	0.69%	2
8	197	ACDC	Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF	Global shares	78.3%	0.69%	3
9	31	IAA	iShares Asia 50 ETF	Asian shares	74.7%	0.29%	3
10	163	HVLU	VanEck MSCI International Value ETF*	Global shares	67.3%	0.43%	3

Based on one-year returns to 30 June 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Currency Hedged.*

Two words capture the clearest theme among many of the top performers: artificial intelligence (AI). Much of that strength came through semiconductor exposure. Chips form the foundation of AI, and South Korea and Taiwan are among Asia's leaders in the industry.

South Korea is a global leader in AI memory chips, led by Samsung and SK Hynix, while Taiwan is home to TSMC, whose second-quarter revenue rose 33.7% year on year to US$40.2 billion.

This goes a long way to explaining why the top two performers - iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO) and Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) - notched up extraordinary annual returns of 170.8% and 160.8%, respectively.

Returning an impressive 135.2%, the Global X Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN), which targets the global hydrogen industry, came third. Its link to AI is less direct. Hydrogen is being explored as a potential low-carbon power source for energy-hungry data centres.

Elsewhere, the top 10 featured Asian technology, green metals and batteries, biotechnology and international value shares. The common thread across the top 10 was how quickly the leaderboard changed. None ranked in the top 25 last year, while eight finished outside the top 150.

It's a reminder that one powerful market trend can rapidly turn overlooked parts of the market into its strongest performers, but momentum can fade just as quickly.

10 worst-performing ETFs

2026 rank	2025 rank	ASX code	ETF name	Category	1-yr return	MER	Star rating
1	1	BTXX	DigitalX Bitcoin ETF	Crypto assets	-48.4%	0.49%	2
2	N/R	QBTC	Betashares Bitcoin ETF	Crypto assets	-48.2%	0.45%	2
3	343	SNAS	Global X Ultra Short Nasdaq 100 Complex ETF	Global shares	-48.1%	1.00%	2
4	3	VBTC	VanEck Bitcoin ETF	Crypto assets	-48.0%	0.45%	3
5	N/R	QETH	Betashares Ethereum ETF	Crypto assets	-40.0%	0.45%	2
6	N/R	LHGG	Lakehouse Global Growth Fund Active ETF	Global shares	-36.7%	1.30%	2
7	344	BBUS	Betashares US Equities Strong Bear Complex ETF*	Global shares	-32.2%	1.32%	2
8	2	GAME	Betashares Video Games and Esports ETF	Global shares	-25.3%	0.57%	2
9	25	ATEC	Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF	Australian shares	-24.7%	0.48%	4
10	66	GPEQ	VanEck Global Listed Private Equity ETF	Global shares	-24.5%	0.65%	2

Based on one-year returns to 30 June 2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. N/R not ranked in 2025 ETF Scorecard. Currency Hedged*

An estimated one in three Australians owns cryptocurrency, according to a 2026 survey. Those investors may not be surprised that four of the 10 worst-performing ETFs this year were exposed to digital assets.

Cryptocurrencies performed dismally for much of 2025-26. Bitcoin peaked at around $187,000 in October 2025, but slumped to about $87,000 by 30 June 2026, more than halving its value.

The falls reflected crypto's extreme volatility during a year marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting risk appetite and continued regulatory uncertainty.

The downturn hit two of last year's top 10 performers particularly hard. The DigitalX Bitcoin ETF (ASX: BTXX) fell 48.4% to finish last after topping last year's rankings with a 95.5% return.

The VanEck Bitcoin ETF (ASX: VBTC) shared a similar fate. After ranking third in 2025 with a 76.5% return, it lost 48.0% and finished fourth-last this year.

Crypto was not the only weak spot. Two bear ETFs, designed to rise when US shares fall, also suffered as markets rallied.

The Global X Ultra Short Nasdaq 100 Complex ETF (ASX: SNAS) fell 48.1%, while the Betashares US Equities Strong Bear Currency Hedged Complex ETF (ASX: BBUS) lost 32.2%. Their losses were the flip side of a strong year for US shares and highlight the risks of geared and inverse ETFs when markets move against them.

This article is part of the InvestSMART ETF Scorecard 2026. Download the full report to discover:

The best and worst performers in the following categories: Australian shares, Australian share strategy, global shares, global share strategy, Australian fixed income, Australian high yield shares, commodities and Australian ethical shares
The most and least popular ETFs on the ASX
The five-star ETFs with the strongest five-year returns

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the InvestSMART ETF Scorecard and how does it rank ASX ETFs for 2026?

The InvestSMART ETF Scorecard is a yearly comparison of ASX-listed ETFs (now 458 ETFs as at 30 June 2026). For 2026 it ranked ETFs by their 12‑month performance to 30 June 2026 and published each fund's InvestSMART star rating alongside returns. The Scorecard also separately ranks ETFs with at least a five‑year track record by both their star rating and five‑year performance.

Which were the best performing ETFs on the ASX in 2026 and what were their returns?

The top performers to 30 June 2026 included iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO) +170.8%, Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) +160.8% and Global X Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN) +135.2%. The full top 10 also featured Asian tech, green metals, battery tech, biotech and international value ETFs, with returns ranging from about 67% to 171% over the 12 months.

Why did semiconductor and South Korea-focused ETFs surge in 2026?

A major theme behind the surge was artificial intelligence (AI), which drove strong demand for chips. South Korea (led by Samsung and SK Hynix) and Taiwan (anchored by TSMC) are AI chip leaders — TSMC’s second‑quarter revenue rose 33.7% year‑on‑year to US$40.2 billion — helping push related ETFs like IKO and SEMI to very high returns.

Which ETFs were the worst performing on the ASX in 2026 and how did crypto ETFs fare?

The weakest ETFs over the year to 30 June 2026 included DigitalX Bitcoin ETF (BTXX) -48.4%, Betashares Bitcoin ETF (QBTC) -48.2%, Global X Ultra Short Nasdaq 100 Complex ETF (SNAS) -48.1% and VanEck Bitcoin ETF (VBTC) -48.0%. Four of the 10 worst performers were crypto ETFs and were hit as Bitcoin fell from a peak around $187,000 in October 2025 to about $87,000 by 30 June 2026.

What are the main risks of investing in themed, sector or leveraged/inverse ETFs?

The article highlights that themed and sector ETFs can swing widely when a market trend reverses — many 2026 top performers were previously unremarkable — and that geared or inverse (bear) ETFs can suffer large losses when markets rally (for example SNAS and BBUS). In short, momentum can fade quickly and volatility is higher in these strategies; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

How should everyday investors use InvestSMART star ratings and MERs when comparing ETFs?

The Scorecard places each ETF’s InvestSMART star rating next to its 12‑month return and shows management expense ratios (MERs), so investors can weigh recent performance against fund quality and cost. Looking at both star ratings and MERs — not just headline returns — helps you assess whether a fund’s long‑term quality and fees fit your goals.

Are currency‑hedged ETFs identified in the Scorecard and what does that mean?

Yes — the Scorecard flags currency‑hedged ETFs (for example VanEck MSCI International Value ETF, HVLU, is marked as currency hedged). That designation indicates the fund aims to reduce the impact of currency fluctuations on returns, which the Scorecard makes clear where applicable.

Where can I get the full InvestSMART ETF Scorecard and what extra information does it include?

The article says you can download the full InvestSMART ETF Scorecard 2026. The full report lists the best and worst performers by multiple categories (Australian shares, global shares, bonds, commodities, ethical shares, etc.), shows the most and least popular ETFs on the ASX, and highlights five‑star ETFs with the strongest five‑year returns.