Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (HACK) Review & Analysis

MER · #379 of 514AUM · Top 10%1Y Return · Top 10%3Y Return · Top 10%5Y Return · Top 10%
What's new this monthData to 30 September 2026
  • +6.6% in September (total return), ahead of the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
  • Investors withdrew a net $2.8m (-0.2% of the fund).
  • The unit price closed the month at $18.60, at or near its 12-month high (range $11.29 to $18.94).

About HACK

HACK is the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF. It tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, which holds several dozen companies around the world that earn much of their revenue from protecting computer networks, data and online systems. It is passive and unhedged.

The fund is a focused theme bet. Specialist security firms such as CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet and Zscaler sit at the top, alongside larger technology companies like Cisco and Broadcom. Almost all of it is in the technology sector and most is in the US. Demand for cyber security has grown strongly, but many of these companies are valued for future growth, so prices can swing a lot. Income is minimal and unfranked, and returns move with the US dollar.

HACK is often used as a small satellite to add a technology theme to a diversified portfolio. Alternatives include BUGG and broader funds such as NDQ. See HACK vs BUGG, VGS vs HACK and IVV vs HACK.

HACK distributions and dividend dates

HACK pays distributions yearly, usually going ex-distribution in July, with payment about 15 days after the ex-date.

The latest distribution was $0.6157 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 July 2026 and paid on 16 July 2026. To receive it you need to own HACK before the ex-date.

Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 3.4%. Distributions vary and past payments are not a guide to future ones.

From ASX announcements, updated nightly. See every ETF in the dividend calendar.

Compare HACKCheck overlapBetashares website ↗

Compare HACK with

HACKvsBUGG
Global X Cybersecurity ETF
Fee0.67%0.47%
1 year+25.8%+20.4%
5 yrs p.a.+15.2%–
Size$1.7bn$25m
Same holdings39%Some overlap
Full comparison →
HACKvsVGS
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Fee0.67%0.18%
1 year+25.8%+10.1%
5 yrs p.a.+15.2%+11.8%
Size$1.7bn$18.7bn
Same holdings9%Very different
Full comparison →
HACKvsIVV
iShares S&P 500 ETF
Fee0.67%0.04%
1 year+25.8%+10.1%
5 yrs p.a.+15.2%+13.4%
Size$1.7bn$14.9bn
Same holdings9%Very different
Full comparison →
HACKvsNDQ
Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF
Fee0.67%0.48%
1 year+25.8%+16.6%
5 yrs p.a.+15.2%+15.3%
Size$1.7bn$9.5bn
Same holdings11%Very different
Full comparison →

HACK price by TradingView

Stock CodeHACK
Fund ManagerBetashares
Asset ClassInternational shares
AUM$1.7bn
MER (%)0.67%
Net flows (Sep)−$2.8m
Last Price$18.60
52-Week Range$11.29 – $18.94
Bid/Ask Spread0.09%
Listing Date01/09/2016
ExchangeASX
Index trackedNasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index
Issuer websiteBetashares ↗

Performance (% return)

0%35%70%105%1M6.6%1Y25.8%3Y105.1%5Y102.5%
1 month+6.6%
1 year+25.8%
3 years p.a.+27.0%
5 years p.a.+15.2%

$10,000 invested…

1 year ago$12,5763 years ago$20,5085 years ago$20,248

Value at 30 September 2026 with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage.

Total returns including distributions, to 30 September 2026. 1M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y bars are cumulative.

HACK at a glance: strengths and things to watch

👍 Strengths

  • Large and established. $1.7bn under management, number 48 of 508 ETFs in Australia by size.
  • Ahead of its peers. +15.2% a year over 5 years, against +8.8% for the median international shares ETF.
  • Long track record. Listed since 2016, through several market cycles.

⚠️ Things to watch

  • Concentrated. The top 10 holdings make up 55% of the fund, so a few companies drive the result.

Worked out from HACK's fees, size, flows, returns and trend against the 257 international shares ETFs in Australia, to 30 September 2026. General information, not a recommendation.

Joshua StegaetfadviserTrend check
Base since 6 Nov 2026

HACK is in a base. Here's why that matters.

HACK's moving averages are tangled and the price is moving sideways. The trend hasn't picked a direction yet.

Why it matters: Bases are where the next big move starts. A breakout can begin a new uptrend, while a breakdown can start a long fall. Buying a satellite before the breakout often means waiting months for nothing to happen.

At ETF Adviser the core of a portfolio stays invested through every stage, and satellite ETFs are only bought in an uptrend. Members get a weekly update on which ETFs are breaking out of a base and which trends have broken.

Get the weekly trend updates: try it free for 30 daysHow base and trend works →See every ETF's stage →Visit etfadviser.com.au →
Oct 25Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26Oct 26
UptrendBaseDowntrend

HACK weekly price, past 12 months, shaded by trend stage. Stage as at 7 November 2026, updated weekly. A technical label, not a recommendation.

HACK vs its benchmark

How HACK has done against the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, after fees. For an index fund, a small shortfall roughly the size of the fee is normal.

HACKBenchmarkDifference
1 year+21.72%+22.47%-0.75%
3 years p.a.+26.93%+27.74%-0.81%
5 years p.a.+15.03%+15.75%-0.72%

Issuer figures to 30 October 2026, fund returns after fees. Source: Betashares. Compare more ETFs vs their benchmark →

Investment Focus

Exposure Regions

Global

Themes & Sectors

TechnologyCybersecurity

Portfolio Breakdown

Top 10 holdings (55.3% of the fund)

SymbolCompany% assets
CRWD8.59%
PANW7.59%
CSCO7.50%
AVGO6.98%
FTNT6.31%
OKTA4.49%
ZS4.38%
NET3.65%
RBRK2.97%
FFIV2.80%

Sector breakdown

  • Information Technology91.8%
  • Industrials6.3%
  • Communication Services1.9%

Country breakdown

  • United States91.0%
  • IL2.3%
  • India2.1%
  • France1.9%
  • Canada1.7%
  • Japan1.0%

Holdings from the issuer's published portfolio as at 30 October 2026. Breakdowns are based on the largest 45 positions, covering 100% of the fund. Compare HACK's holdings with other ETFs →

Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.

Similar ETFs

CodeNameSame holdingsMERAUM1Y3Y p.a.5Y p.a.
BUGGGlobal X Cybersecurity ETF
39%
0.47%$25m+20.4%+19.6%–
VGSVanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
9%
0.18%$18.7bn+10.1%+17.9%+11.8%
IVViShares S&P 500 ETF
9%
0.04%$14.9bn+10.1%+19.2%+13.4%
NDQBetashares Nasdaq 100 ETF
11%
0.48%$9.5bn+16.6%+23.8%+15.3%
QUALVanEck MSCI International Quality ETF
10%
0.40%$9.2bn+10.1%+16.1%+11.4%
VGADVanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF Currency hedged
9%
0.21%$7.9bn+17.1%+19.8%+10.8%

Same holdings is the share of HACK's money in companies the other ETF also holds, weighted by size. Most similar first, then ETFs in the same category. See every ETF like HACK →

HACK vs its closest alternatives

What actually differs between HACK and the ETFs most like it. Data to 30 Sep 2026.

BUGG Global X Cybersecurity ETF

  • They share 39% of their holdings: some overlap.
  • BUGG is cheaper (0.47% vs 0.67%), worth about $13,071 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 3 years, a year: HACK +27.0%, BUGG +19.6% (HACK ahead by 7.4 percentage points).
  • HACK is much larger ($1.7bn vs $25m), which usually means tighter trading spreads.

Full HACK vs BUGG comparison →

VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

  • They share 9% of their holdings: mostly different companies.
  • VGS is cheaper (0.18% vs 0.67%), worth about $32,871 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 3 years, a year: HACK +27.0%, VGS +17.9% (HACK ahead by 9.1 percentage points).
  • VGS is much larger ($18.7bn vs $1.7bn), which usually means tighter trading spreads.

Full HACK vs VGS comparison →

IVV iShares S&P 500 ETF

  • They share 9% of their holdings: mostly different companies.
  • IVV is cheaper (0.04% vs 0.67%), worth about $42,801 on $100,000 over 20 years.
  • Over 3 years, a year: HACK +27.0%, IVV +19.2% (HACK ahead by 7.8 percentage points).
  • IVV is about 9 times larger ($14.9bn vs $1.7bn), which usually means tighter trading spreads.

Full HACK vs IVV comparison →

General information only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Popular comparisons

HACK vs BUGGVGS vs HACKIVV vs HACK

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HACK FAQs

What is the fee for HACK?

HACK charges a management fee (MER) of 0.67% a year, according to the TMX Australia monthly funds report as at 30 September 2026.

How big is HACK?

HACK had $1.7bn in funds under management as at 30 September 2026.

How has HACK performed?

HACK returned +25.8% over the year to 30 September 2026 (total return, including distributions). Over three years it returned +27.0% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Who manages HACK?

HACK is managed by Betashares and has been listed since September 2016.

Does HACK pay monthly?

HACK pays distributions once a year, usually going ex-distribution in July. It does not pay monthly. If you want monthly income, see the ETF dividend calendar on ReviewETF for funds that pay every month.

When is the next HACK distribution?

Based on its usual schedule, HACK's next distribution should go ex around the start of July, with payment about 15 days later. Dates can move, so check Betashares' announcements to confirm.

What is HACK's dividend yield?

HACK's distribution yield over the past 12 months was about 3.3%. Yields change with the unit price and each payment, and are not a forecast.

What does HACK hold?

HACK's largest holdings are Crowdstrike Holdings Inc (8.6%), Palo Alto Networks Inc (7.6%), Cisco Systems Inc (7.5%), Broadcom Inc (7.0%), Fortinet Inc (6.3%). It holds about 45 investments in total. The biggest sector is information technology at 92%. Holdings as at 30 October 2026.

Is HACK currency hedged?

No, HACK is unhedged. Its returns move with the Australian dollar: a falling dollar adds to returns and a rising dollar reduces them.

Disclaimer

This review is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the Betashares product disclosure statement (PDS) and target market determination (TMD) before investing. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.