Every International Shares ETF on the ASX: The Complete Guide
There are now more than 245 international equity ETFs listed on the ASX and Cboe Australia — more than any other single ETF category on the exchange. Combined they hold roughly $127 billion of Australian investor money.
Since our last update in March 2026, 12 new international-equity ETFs have listed — including Global X's MOON (space tech), Franklin Templeton's FGSE (global systematic quant), Macquarie's MQXS (global small-caps active), Betashares' RCKT (space industry), Plato's PGI2 (global income), BlackRock's WYNC (options-overlay income), plus three Avantis launches (AVSV, AVNG, AVTE), and ETFS's pure-play miners CPPR and VOLT. See our full new-ETF tracker for the complete list.
A decade ago, Australian investors had a handful of options for global exposure. Today you face a wall of tickers spanning US index trackers, global active managers, thematic plays, country-specific funds, geared products, covered-call income strategies, and everything in between.
Fees range from 0.03% p.a. (VTS) to 1.89% p.a. (ISLM) — a 63× cost gap.
This guide organises every listed international ETF into 28 categories, with real FY26 return data. Most investors will only need one or two funds from the first few sections — the rest is context.
The FY26 story in one paragraph
Global equities crushed Australian equities again. VGS returned +15.0% for the year to 30 June 2026, BGBL +15.3%, IVV +15.5%, and NDQ +25.4%. Meanwhile VAS returned +6.0% and A200 +6.2%. But the real story is at the extremes — IKO (Korea) returned +168.7%, SEMI (semiconductors) +160.6%, and HGEN (hydrogen) +135.2%, while the Bitcoin and Ethereum crypto ETFs all lost around 40-48%. FY26 was the year the AI-Asia-critical minerals theme paid off enormously and the crypto trade unwound.
1. US Shares — S&P 500 & broad market
The most crowded category on the ASX. IVV at 0.04% MER remains the default and still the cheapest way to own the S&P 500. VTS offers even broader US exposure (total US market, 3,000+ stocks) at 0.03%.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares S&P 500 | 0.04% | $14.35B | +15.5% | +67.2% | +97.2% | |
Vanguard US Total Market | 0.03% | $7.00B | +16.3% | +66.9% | +87.9% | |
iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged | 0.10% | $4.09B | +19.8% | +66.3% | +54.4% | |
Betashares S&P 500 Equal Weight | 0.29% | $1.13B | +13.2% | +41.3% | +58.3% | |
iShares S&P Small-Cap | 0.07% | $918m | +28.7% | +47.5% | +50.5% | |
iShares S&P Mid-Cap | 0.07% | $521m | +18.2% | +46.1% | +62.8% | |
State Street S&P 500 | 0.09% | $405m | +15.5% | +67.2% | +96.9% | |
Betashares S&P 500 Equal Weight Hedged | 0.32% | $281m | +16.9% | — | — | |
Vanguard S&P 500 (new Mar 2026) | 0.07% | $141m | — | — | — | |
Vanguard S&P 500 Hedged (new Mar 2026) | 0.09% | $20m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: IHVV (hedged) beat unhedged IVV by +4.3 pp over 1Y as the AUD strengthened. Over 5Y, unhedged wins by +42.8 pp — a stark reminder that hedging is a short-term timing choice, not a long-term structural improvement. IJR (US small-caps) delivered +28.7% — small-caps finally caught the AI trade in H1 2026.
2. US Shares — Nasdaq & tech
NDQ remains the standout — +25.4% for FY26 and +113.1% over 5 years. That's what a decade of AI-heavy US tech looks like when it works.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Nasdaq 100 | 0.48% | $9.41B | +25.4% | +89.3% | +113.1% | |
Global X FANG+ | 0.35% | $1.73B | +6.8% | +108.7% | +134.1% | |
Betashares Nasdaq 100 Hedged | 0.51% | $996m | +29.8% | +89.4% | +81.7% | |
Global X US 100 | 0.18% | $105m | +19.1% | — | — | |
Betashares Nasdaq 100 Equal Weight | 0.48% | $22m | +18.4% | — | — | |
Betashares Nasdaq Next Gen 100 | 0.48% | $15m | +34.0% | — | — |
What jumps out: FANG+ had a soft year (+6.8% 1Y) after two blockbuster years — Meta and Tesla dragged. HNDQ at 0.51% is now within 3bp of NDQ and delivered +29.8% hedged — a rare case where paying to hedge earned +4.4 pp of alpha.
3. Global Shares — broad passive
If you buy one international ETF, it's almost certainly from this list. VGS and BGBL both track MSCI World ex-Australia — same benchmark, dramatically different fees.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard MSCI Intl Shares | 0.18% | $17.25B | +15.0% | +61.7% | +81.3% | |
Vanguard MSCI Intl (Hedged) | 0.21% | $7.30B | +21.2% | +64.3% | +61.3% | |
iShares Global 100 | 0.40% | $5.72B | +20.6% | +76.9% | +114.9% | |
Betashares Global Shares | 0.08% | $4.60B | +15.3% | +65.2% | — | |
Betashares Global Shares Hedged | 0.11% | $2.66B | +21.9% | +67.0% | — | |
SPDR World ex-Aus Carbon Aware | 0.07% | $765m | +10.6% | +56.1% | +61.0% | |
SPDR World ex-Aus Carbon Aware Hedged | 0.10% | $385m | +18.1% | +57.8% | +41.5% | |
Macquarie Core Global Equity | 0.08% | $183m | +16.9% | — | — | |
Betashares Managed Risk Global | 0.54% | $47m | +14.1% | +56.0% | +66.2% |
The VGS vs BGBL fee question: BGBL is 10bp cheaper (0.08% vs 0.18%) and delivered marginally better 1Y return. Over 30 years on a $100K portfolio, that 10bp gap compounds to a meaningful sum. See our VGS vs BGBL deep dive. But VGS has 3× the AUM ($17.3B vs $4.6B), a longer history, and slightly tighter spreads — that matters at scale.
4. Global ex-US / EAFE
Small category. Useful for investors who already have separate US exposure (via IVV or VTS) and want the rest of the developed world.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard All-World ex-US | 0.04% | $6.18B | +20.8% | +58.5% | +57.1% | |
iShares MSCI EAFE | 0.32% | $621m | +12.7% | +48.1% | +56.9% | |
Betashares Global Shares ex-US | 0.14% | $93m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: VEU at 0.04% MER — Vanguard cut this fee from 0.07% in early 2025 and it's now one of the cheapest ways to buy the world excluding the US. +20.8% 1Y — a big year for global-ex-US as Korea, Japan, Europe and EM all outperformed the S&P 500.
5. Hedged vs unhedged — a dedicated analysis
FY26 delivered a rare year where currency hedging paid off big:
VGS (unhedged) +15.0% vs VGAD (hedged) +21.2% = +6.2 pp advantage for hedged
BGBL (unhedged) +15.3% vs HGBL (hedged) +21.9% = +6.6 pp advantage
IVV (unhedged) +15.5% vs IHVV (hedged) +19.8% = +4.3 pp advantage
The AUD held around $0.65-0.66 USD throughout FY26, which is roughly flat. So hedging didn't win on currency — it won on not paying the tracking-error drag that unhedged ETFs sometimes exhibit when the underlying moves against the AUD. In genuinely AUD-strengthening years the gap widens further.
Over 5 years the picture flips: VGS unhedged +81.3% vs VGAD hedged +61.3% = +20 pp advantage to unhedged. The AUD's long-term slide vs USD compounds heavily.
Bottom line: hedging is a shorter-horizon timing choice, not a long-term structural improvement. See our hedged vs unhedged deep dive for the full framework.
6. Global Shares — active / managed
The largest and most crowded active category. Dimensional's DGCE and DFGH now sit near the top by AUM. V1AC is the new Vinva-managed successor to Magellan's MGOC — completely different strategy under the same ticker family.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dimensional Global Equity Trust | 0.36% | $5.53B | +16.7% | — | — | |
Vinva Global Alpha (ex-MGOC) | 0.89% | $4.34B | −4.9% | +30.8% | +33.5% | |
Dimensional Global Core Eq Hedged | 0.36% | $4.20B | +24.7% | — | — | |
Hyperion Global Growth | 0.70% | $3.63B | −2.7% | +72.5% | +56.3% | |
Plato Global Alpha | 0.88% | $1.54B | +27.3% | — | — | |
GCQ Global Equities | 1.25% | $246m | −22.9% | — | — | |
Lakehouse Global Growth | 1.30% | $210m | −33.2% | — | — | |
Lanyon Investment Fund | 1.00% | $148m | +25.3% | — | — | |
Montaka Global Fund | 1.32% | $129m | −13.3% | +38.8% | +27.6% | |
Montaka Global Extension L/S | 1.25% | $66m | −18.3% | +42.2% | +7.6% | |
Hejaz Equities (Shariah) | 1.89% | $55m | +11.2% | +42.7% | — | |
Claremont Global | 1.25% | $50m | −16.9% | — | — | |
T8 Energy Vision | 1.25% | $31m | +40.0% | — | — | |
AB Global Strategic Core (new Apr 2026) | 0.70% | $112m | — | — | — | |
Avantis Global Equity (new Apr 2026) | 0.45% | $8m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: HYGG had its worst year ever (−2.7%) after being one of the best-performing active funds in Australia. Concentrated growth strategies had a torrid FY26 — LHGG (−33.2%), GCQF (−22.9%), MOGL (−13.3%). Meanwhile PGA1 (Plato Global Alpha) and DFGH (Dimensional Core Hedged) delivered +27% and +24%. Active is not a single trade. See our active vs passive analysis.
7. Global factor & smart beta
Factor ETFs had a strong year for value and momentum, moderate year for quality and small-caps.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VanEck International Quality | 0.40% | $8.97B | +12.7% | +55.4% | +78.2% | |
VanEck Intl Quality Hedged | 0.43% | $2.56B | +18.5% | +55.8% | +56.5% | |
VanEck Intl Small Companies Quality | 0.59% | $1.68B | +10.3% | +45.8% | +57.8% | |
Vanguard Global Value | 0.28% | $1.29B | +21.3% | +58.4% | +80.4% | |
Betashares Global Quality Leaders | 0.35% | $1.03B | +7.8% | +50.4% | +57.7% | |
Vanguard Intl Small Cos | 0.32% | $965m | +22.2% | +53.8% | +46.9% | |
VanEck Morningstar Wide MOAT | 0.49% | $952m | +5.7% | +26.1% | +55.5% | |
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix | 0.18% | $418m | +12.4% | +51.9% | +71.3% | |
VanEck Intl Value Hedged | 0.43% | $124m | +64.9% | — | — | |
iShares MSCI World Value | 0.25% | $42m | +52.4% | — | — | |
iShares MSCI World Value Hedged | 0.28% | $8m | +66.3% | — | — | |
iShares MSCI World Momentum | 0.25% | $19m | +28.1% | — | — | |
Global X World ex-Aus GARP | 0.30% | $146m | +7.5% | — | — |
What jumps out: Value factor had an enormous year. HVLU, IVLU and IVHG all returned 52-66% as the market rotated out of expensive growth. MOAT — long the darling of the wide-moat crowd — had its worst 1Y (+5.7%) in years.
8. Global ESG & ethical
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders | 0.59% | $3.89B | +10.9% | +46.6% | +53.5% | |
iShares Core World ex-Aus ESG | 0.09% | $1.78B | +15.0% | +62.6% | +76.5% | |
Vanguard Ethically Conscious Intl | 0.18% | $1.53B | +17.4% | +67.0% | +80.1% | |
iShares Core World ESG Hedged | 0.13% | $1.06B | +21.8% | +64.5% | +60.9% | |
Ausbil Active Sustainable Equity (new May 2026) | 0.59% | $430m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: IWLD at 0.09% is the cheapest ESG global ETF on the ASX — dramatically cheaper than ETHI at 0.59%. ETHI's more concentrated screen historically outperformed, but the last 3 years IWLD actually beat it (+62.6% vs +46.6%). ESG is a mature category now.
9. Global sector (healthcare, tech, banks, biotech, consumer staples)
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares Global Healthcare | 0.41% | $1.46B | +11.3% | +17.6% | +36.6% | |
Betashares Global Banks Hedged | 0.57% | $175m | +42.5% | +139.8% | +120.6% | |
Global X Global Technology | 0.45% | $359m | +14.4% | +50.6% | +50.1% | |
Betashares Global Healthcare Hedged | 0.57% | $206m | +18.5% | +19.8% | +24.6% | |
Global X S&P Biotech | 0.45% | $51m | +81.4% | +83.1% | +26.9% |
What jumps out: BNKS delivered +42.5% — global banks caught the "higher for longer" tailwind. CURE delivered its best month ever (+22.5% in June) on the Medicare GLP-1 coverage decision, taking its full FY26 return to +81.4%.
10. Global infrastructure & property
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure | 0.98% | $3.20B | +15.6% | — | — | |
Resolution Cap Global Property | 0.80% | $2.29B | +20.0% | +33.0% | +12.7% | |
VanEck Global Infrastructure Hedged | 0.20% | $2.09B | +18.6% | +39.4% | +41.7% | |
iShares Global Infrastructure Hedged | 0.15% | $1.79B | +18.9% | +39.7% | — | |
VanEck FTSE International Property Hedged | 0.20% | $791m | +14.5% | +25.5% | +3.1% | |
iShares FTSE Global Property Hedged | 0.15% | $703m | +15.5% | +29.6% | — | |
SPDR DJ Global Real Estate ESG | 0.20% | $536m | +10.7% | +28.9% | +19.0% |
What jumps out: GLIN at 0.15% and GLPR at 0.15% are now the cheapest ways to own global infrastructure and property respectively. Real assets had a solid FY26 as rate-cut optimism returned.
11. Global dividend & income
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPDR S&P Global Dividend | 0.35% | $371m | +12.6% | +50.2% | +51.0% | |
Betashares Global High Dividend Aristocrats | 0.45% | $100m | +14.9% | +51.7% | +69.6% | |
Vanguard International Shares High Yield (new Mar 2026) | 0.30% | $47m | — | — | — |
12. Covered call / yield maximiser
The category to think hardest about. Covered calls generate income by capping upside. Over long periods they consistently lag the underlying index — see our covered call NAV-erosion analysis.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Aus Top 20 Yield Max | 0.76% | $667m | +2.8% | +22.6% | +28.6% | |
Coolabah Global FRN High Yield | 1.00% | $548m | +6.7% | — | — | |
Betashares S&P 500 Yield Maximiser | 0.79% | $297m | +11.4% | +43.6% | +62.0% | |
Plato Global Shares Income (new May 2026) | 0.85% | $256m | — | — | — | |
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income | 0.40% | $161m | +1.8% | +18.8% | — | |
Global X ASX 200 Covered Call | 0.60% | $102m | +9.8% | +30.9% | — | |
Betashares Nasdaq 100 Yield Max | 0.68% | $37m | +18.1% | +58.4% | — | |
iShares World Equity High Income (new Jun 2026) | 0.39% | $1m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: UMAX returned +11.4% vs the underlying S&P 500 at +15.5% — the covered call cost you ~4 pp of upside in FY26. YMAX returned +2.8% vs A200 at +6.2% — same story locally.
13. Thematic — defence
Defence had a weak FY26 — the "peace dividend" rerating that started when the Ukraine ceasefire was signed hurt every fund in this category.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VanEck Global Defence | 0.65% | $252m | −5.8% | — | — | |
Betashares Global Defence | 0.55% | $224m | −0.6% | — | — | |
Global X Defence Tech | 0.50% | $115m | −6.2% | — | — | |
Global X US Infrastructure | 0.47% | $32m | +27.4% | — | — |
What jumps out: All three pure defence ETFs delivered negative returns. Read our full defence & aerospace ETF guide for the deep dive.
14. Thematic — AI, robotics & semiconductors
The category of the year. SEMI returned +160.6% for FY26 and +315.6% over 3 years.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Global X Semiconductor | 0.45% | $1.29B | +160.6% | +315.6% | — | |
Global X ROBO Global Robotics | 0.69% | $344m | +34.3% | +41.9% | +36.6% | |
Betashares Global Robotics & AI | 0.57% | $323m | +10.0% | +26.9% | +16.2% | |
Global X Artificial Intelligence | 0.57% | $286m | +41.1% | — | — | |
Global X AI Infrastructure | 0.57% | $172m | +53.0% | — | — | |
Global X Humanoid Robotics (new Mar 2026) | 0.57% | $4m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: SEMI's +315% over 3 years is the largest 3-year gain of any ETF on the ASX. If you owned this fund at $10K in June 2023, you had $41K by June 2026. ROBO vs RBTZ: same theme, different indexes — ROBO +34.3% vs RBTZ +10.0%. Index construction matters. See our AI ETF guide.
15. Thematic — cybersecurity
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Global Cybersecurity | 0.67% | $1.58B | +11.3% | +88.0% | +92.3% | |
Global X Cybersecurity | 0.47% | $30m | −4.6% | — | — |
What jumps out: HACK had its strongest June ever (+14.8%) as cyber budgets accelerated post-AI. But full-year of +11.3% shows the category is now maturing.
16. Thematic — clean energy & climate
Mixed year — the bar-belled outcome: hydrogen and clean energy roared back, but climate innovation and EVs lagged.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Munro Climate Change Leaders | 0.90% | $274m | +31.2% | +153.5% | — | |
VanEck Global Clean Energy | 0.65% | $95m | +66.2% | +20.3% | −4.2% | |
Betashares Climate Change Innovation | 0.65% | $89m | +19.6% | +8.7% | −20.2% | |
Global X Hydrogen | 0.69% | $51m | +135.2% | +67.7% | — | |
Betashares EV & Future Mobility | 0.67% | $18m | +29.3% | +28.9% | — |
What jumps out: HGEN came back from the dead (+135%). Green hydrogen contracts and AI backup power demand rescued a battered thematic.
17. Thematic — other
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loftus Peak Global Disruption | 1.20% | $880m | +19.0% | +107.1% | +113.0% | |
VanEck Video Gaming & Esports | 0.55% | $76m | −19.3% | +63.8% | +45.9% | |
Betashares Global Agriculture Hedged | 0.57% | $75m | +18.7% | +21.9% | +22.9% | |
VanEck Global Listed Private Equity | 0.65% | $56m | −23.7% | +22.9% | — | |
Betashares Space Industry (new May 2026) | 0.57% | $50m | — | — | — | |
Betashares Cloud Computing | 0.67% | $39m | −7.6% | +10.2% | −14.5% | |
Betashares Video Games & Esports | 0.57% | $25m | −25.1% | +44.0% | — | |
Global X Space Tech (new Jun 2026) | 0.50% | $4m | — | — | — |
18. Commodity producers & resources
The best-performing category of FY26 after AI/Asia. Every metal-and-mining thematic delivered outsized returns.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VanEck Gold Miners | 0.53% | $1.29B | +41.9% | +150.9% | +156.5% | |
Global X Copper Miners | 0.65% | $827m | +62.3% | +99.7% | — | |
Global X Battery Tech & Lithium | 0.69% | $773m | +78.3% | +60.9% | +89.6% | |
Betashares Global Uranium | 0.69% | $329m | +18.9% | +81.0% | — | |
VanEck Gold Bullion | 0.25% | $221m | +15.0% | +99.0% | — | |
Betashares Global Gold Miners Hedged | 0.57% | $212m | +49.0% | +164.8% | +125.7% | |
Global X Uranium | 0.69% | $140m | +12.8% | +113.3% | — | |
Betashares Energy Transition Metals | 0.69% | $128m | +82.7% | +85.4% | — | |
Global X Silver Miners (new Jan 2026) | 0.65% | $53m | — | — | — | |
Global X Rare Earth & Critical Metals | 0.69% | $12m | +78.8% | +51.3% | — | |
ETFS Global Pure Play Copper Miners (new Apr 2026) | 0.39% | $11m | — | — | — | |
ETFS Global Lithium Miners (new Apr 2026) | 0.49% | $1m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: Copper deficit + AI data-centre demand + Grasberg force majeure = WIRE +62%. Battery tech (ACDC +78%) benefited from the AI power crunch. Rare earths (GMTL +79%) rode China export licensing tensions. See our copper ETFs deep dive.
19. Asia (broad & tech)
The single biggest theme of FY26.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares Asia 50 | 0.29% | $1.85B | +72.4% | +146.2% | +83.5% | |
Betashares Asia Tech Tigers | 0.67% | $1.59B | +95.1% | +220.9% | +97.6% | |
Vanguard FTSE Asia ex-Japan | 0.40% | $898m | +36.0% | +78.2% | +48.1% | |
Platinum Asia Fund | 1.10% | $316m | +31.6% | +61.2% | +38.1% |
What jumps out: ASIA's +221% over 3 years is one of the great ASX-listed thematic runs of the decade. See our Asia ETFs deep dive.
20. China
The bifurcated picture: China Tech surged, broad China struggled.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares EM ex-China | 0.25% | $452m | +52.6% | — | — | |
iShares China Large-Cap | 0.60% | $411m | −16.4% | +19.6% | −18.1% | |
VanEck China New Economy | 0.95% | $104m | +18.4% | +19.2% | −7.6% | |
Global X China Tech | 0.45% | $98m | +44.0% | — | — | |
VanEck FTSE China A50 | 0.60% | $39m | +18.6% | +35.4% | +1.5% |
21. India
The worst-performing country ETF category in FY26 as capital rotated from India to Korea/Taiwan/Japan.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Global X India Nifty 50 | 0.69% | $185m | −18.7% | +1.2% | +22.9% | |
Betashares India Quality | 0.80% | $178m | −17.1% | +1.4% | +14.2% | |
VanEck India Growth Leaders | 0.75% | $16m | −9.2% | — | — | |
India Avenue Equity Fund | 1.10% | $12m | −15.3% | — | — | |
Fidelity India | 1.20% | $6m | −17.2% | — | — |
22. Japan
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares MSCI Japan | 0.50% | $1.58B | +22.2% | +55.7% | +61.9% | |
Betashares Japan Currency Hedged | 0.56% | $328m | +57.7% | +101.7% | +124.5% | |
Global X Japan TOPIX 100 | 0.40% | $15m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: HJPN's +57.7% (hedged) versus IJP's +22.2% (unhedged) = +35 pp gap. Nikkei's rally + weak yen = hedging paid huge.
23. Korea
The single best-performing country ETF of FY26.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares MSCI South Korea | 0.45% | $213m | +168.7% | +216.6% | +145.2% |
What jumps out: KOSPI hit 6,000 in early 2026. Samsung and SK Hynix (the HBM memory duopoly for AI) hit all-time highs. AUM is small ($213m) — it's a satellite play, not a core position.
24. Europe
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares Europe | 0.58% | $1.20B | +11.1% | +47.6% | +60.6% | |
Vanguard FTSE Europe | 0.35% | $635m | +10.5% | +47.9% | +56.0% | |
Global X Euro Stoxx 50 | 0.35% | $477m | +10.4% | +51.9% | +68.8% | |
Betashares Europe Hedged | 0.56% | $87m | +20.5% | +50.6% | +50.6% |
25. UK
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares FTSE 100 | 0.45% | $431m | +12.2% | +52.2% | +72.6% | |
Betashares FTSE 100 Currency Hedged | 0.48% | $19m | +20.3% | — | — |
26. Emerging markets
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard FTSE EM | 0.48% | $2.00B | +15.7% | +49.0% | +29.0% | |
iShares MSCI EM | 0.69% | $1.83B | +35.6% | +76.8% | +43.5% | |
VanEck MSCI Multifactor EM | 0.69% | $829m | +45.1% | +99.6% | +98.0% | |
Fidelity Global EM | 0.99% | $193m | +27.6% | +40.0% | +24.4% | |
Avantis Emerging Markets (new Apr 2026) | 0.45% | $0m | — | — | — |
What jumps out: EMKT — VanEck's multi-factor EM — has now delivered +99.6% over 3 years vs VGE's +49.0%. Factor tilts in EM appear to add meaningful alpha.
27. Geared / inverse / complex
The extreme end of the leaderboard. Both winners and losers.
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Geared US (Hedged) | 0.80% | $422m | +38.2% | +125.8% | +84.6% | |
Betashares Wealthbuilder All Growth Geared | 0.35% | $344m | +18.7% | — | — | |
Betashares Aus Strong Bear | 1.38% | $164m | −8.2% | −38.5% | −50.5% | |
Betashares US Strong Bear Hedged | 1.38% | $115m | −32.2% | −70.5% | −67.8% | |
Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 | 1.00% | $95m | +63.8% | +168.2% | +89.2% | |
Global X Ultra Short Nasdaq 100 | 1.00% | $57m | −48.1% | −80.0% | −87.7% |
What jumps out: SNAS has now lost 88% over 5 years. This is what "inverse Nasdaq" means during a decade-long bull market. Meanwhile LNAS (2× leveraged long) has returned +168% over 3 years. Geared ETFs amplify direction — get the direction right and you eat well. Get it wrong and you lose almost everything.
28. Crypto (blockchain & digital asset-adjacent equities)
Note: excludes physical Bitcoin/Ethereum ETFs (see our crypto ETFs guide).
Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betashares Crypto Innovators | 0.67% | $188m | +11.5% | +153.0% | — |
The FY26 winners and losers — international ETFs
Top 10 by 1Y return (int'l equity ETFs, AUM ≥ $20m):
IKO South Korea — +168.7%
SEMI Semiconductors — +160.6%
HGEN Hydrogen — +135.2%
ASIA Asia Tech Tigers — +95.1%
XMET Energy Transition Metals — +82.7%
CURE Biotech — +81.4%
GMTL Rare Earths — +78.8%
ACDC Battery Tech — +78.3%
IAA Asia 50 — +72.4%
IVHG World Value Hedged — +66.3%
Bottom 10 (int'l equity ETFs, excluding brand-new):
SNAS Ultra Short Nasdaq — −48.1%
LHGG Lakehouse Global Growth — −33.2%
BBUS US Strong Bear — −32.2%
GAME Video Games — −25.1%
GPEQ Global Private Equity — −23.7%
GCQF GCQ Global Equities — −22.9%
ESPO Video Gaming & Esports — −19.3%
NDIA India Nifty 50 — −18.7%
MKAX Montaka Extension L/S — −18.3%
FIIN Fidelity India — −17.2%
Bottom line
For 99% of investors, one broad passive fund is enough. BGBL at 0.08%, VGS at 0.18%, or IVV at 0.04% will do 90% of the work for a global equity allocation.
Adding one satellite (Asia, semis, gold miners, etc.) can meaningfully change the return profile — but the failure rate is high, and even the winners are volatile.
Avoid the two traps this data reveals:
Chasing last year's winner. Semis and Korea were among the worst-performing categories 5 years ago. India (this year's worst) was among the best 3 years ago.
Paying 1%+ MER for active global equity. HYGG, LHGG, GCQF, MOGL all lost money this year while charging 0.70-1.32% MER. See active vs passive — the data that settles the debate.
For the deep-dive comparisons, see our IVV vs VGS vs VTS guide, VGS vs BGBL guide, and hedged vs unhedged framework.
Related reading
Last updated 20 July 2026. This is general information only — not personal financial advice. ReviewETF is independent: no issuer pays for placement. Data source: CBOE Australia Monthly Funds Report to 30 June 2026.
