The 2024 financial year has just come to a close, and what a year it was for ASX shares. Over the 12 months to 30 June 2024, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose by a healthy 7.8%. Including the returns from dividends, ASX 200 investors are looking at an FY24 return of around 12%. But some ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) did even better than that.
A 12% return for a 12-month period is indeed a very pleasing return for the ASX 200, historically speaking. But wait until you see some of the returns that the ASX's best ETFs managed last financial year.
Before we get to the list, it's worth noting that we won't be including leveraged or geared ETFs like the Global X Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (ASX: LNAS). Gearing arguably gives these funds a bit of an unfair advantage in these stakes, so we'll be overlooking them for now.
The five best ASX ETFs of FY24
Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM)
The Global X Uranium ETF had a phenomenal FY24, thanks in large part to soaring demand (and prices) for the nuclear fuel uranium.
This commodity-based fund holds a portfolio of global companies that all operate within the uranium mining and atomic fuel space. Some of its top stocks include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and ASX's Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE).
ATOM units enjoyed a stunning 38.45% return over the 2024 financial year, rising from $11 each to $15.23 at the end of last week.
Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)
Next up, we have the FANG+ ETF. This ETF is a rather unique one on the ASX. It only holds 10 underlying stocks, which are made up of the ten most dominant tech shares on the US markets. Think the likes of Amazon, NVIDIA, Apple and Alphabet.
This ETF had a great FY24. FANG units began the year at $18.78 but finished up at $26.92, a gain of 43.3%. FANG investors will also enjoy an FY24 dividend distribution later this month, which will add another 5% or so to that total.
Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)
Next up we have another Global X fund in the Semiconductor ETF. This thematic ETF does basically what it says on the tin – allow ASX investors exposure to a portfolio of global stocks that are all leaders in the semiconductor and internet of things space.
With NVIDIA as a top holding, this ETF was always going to have a successful FY24. But SEMI units went from being priced at $11.68 at the start of the year to $17.91 by the end. That's a gain worth 53.3%. Investors also enjoyed some dividend distributions, but these didn't move the needle too significantly.
BetaShares Global Uranium ETF (ASX: URNM)
Changing lanes again now, we are back to another commodity-based fund, this one from Betashares. The Global Uranium ETF had a fantastic year for the same fundamental reasons as the ATOM ETF. These funds are very similar in nature. URNM holds a similar portfolio to ATOM and many of the same stocks, which also include Cameco Corp and our own Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN).
URNM units went from being priced at $6.05 each at the end of FY23 to finishing up FY24 at $9.49. That's a gain worth around 56.9%. Again, we had some small dividend contributions from this ETF as well, which pushed the fund's total returns to just over 57%.
BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP)
Our final ASX ETF for the day, and the best-performing fund on the market over FY24, is none other than this cryptocurrency-focused fund from Betashares. As its name implies, this ASX ETF invests in a portfolio of global companies that are all big players in the provisioning, mining, and trading of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).
Some of the shares you'll find within the Betasahres Crypto Innovators ETF include Marathon Digital Holdings, Cleanspark, and Coinbase.
CRYP units had a jaw-dropping FY24, no way around it. They started the financial year at $3.15 each but finished it up going for $5.30. That's a whopping gain of 68.25%.
