Why I'd still call the FANG+ ETF a buy

The US tech giants have been great performers.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG) has been a very strong-performing exchange-traded fund (ETF), but I think it still has a lot of return potential from here.

The FANG ETF owns a portfolio of 10 of the largest and most compelling technology and tech-related businesses in the US.

Those ten names are: Tesla, Snowflake, Amazon.com, Apple, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Broadcom and Nvidia.

Collectively, those companies have done very well, and it's showing for the fund's returns.

Cubes placed on a Notebook with the letters "ETF" which stands for "Exchange traded funds".

Image source: Getty Images

FANG ETF performance

The performance of an ETF is dictated by the returns of the underlying holdings.

This ETF was created in February 2020 and has done well since then. Since its inception, the FANG ETF has returned an average of 32.6% per annum. Over the past three years, it has returned an average of 21.4% per annum. In the last 12 months, it has returned 42%.

Those are very strong returns. But first, we should be very clear that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance or even a reliable indicator of future returns.

When share prices rise rapidly, it could mean that the subsequent shorter-term returns aren't quite as good because the returns may have been front-loaded.

The annual management fee of the FANG ETF is just 0.35%, so the costs aren't too much of a detractor.

Why I think good returns can continue

These stocks have been significant drivers of the US share market and the global share market.

Many of them are at the forefront of new products and services, with excellent tailwinds that seem nowhere near finished blowing.

The global digitalisation of business operations is very helpful for the cloud computing operators of Microsoft (Azure), Alphabet (Google Cloud) and Amazon (AWS).  

The growth of online video has been huge for Netflix, and it also benefits Alphabet (YouTube) and some of the other FANG ETF holdings to a lesser extent.

AI has already been a huge growth area for Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet. I think it could be an important earnings driver over the next few years.

Automated cars could be one of the next major growth runways that these businesses unlock. Alphabet's Waymo is already providing driverless taxi rides, while Tesla is still working on it.

Augmented reality and virtual reality could be another earnings driver for some of these stocks, including Meta Platforms and Apple.

Foolish takeaway

The FANG ETF owns many of the stocks benefiting from global technological changes. While valuations can sometimes get ahead of themselves, these stocks are delivering more and more profit as the years go by, justifying higher share prices.

This fund certainly doesn't look cheap, but I wouldn't be surprised if it beats the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the next five years because of the collective earnings growth potential of those US shares.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Snowflake, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on ETFs

A young woman sits with her hand to her chin staring off to the side thinking about her investments.
ETFs

Where to invest $5,000 in Vanguard ETFs in June

A few well-chosen ETFs can give investors exposure to different markets, currencies, industries, and growth drivers.

Read more »

ETF in blue with person's hand in the direction of green and red bars on graph.
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs to diversify away from a flat Aussie market

Now could be the time to look to global equities.

Read more »

ETF written on coloured cubes which are sitting on piles of coins.
ETFs

3 reasons why this ASX ETF could be an incredible buy-and-hold forever idea

This fund has very compelling positive aspects.

Read more »

A beautiful ocean vista is shown with a woman whose back is to the camera holding her arms up in triumph as she stands at the top of a rock feeling thrilled that ASX 200 shares are reaching multi-year high prices today
ETFs

These ASX ETFs just hit record highs, is there more to come?

The bargain-buying period may have passed, but these two ASX ETFs could still have long-term potential.

Read more »

ETF written in yellow with a yellow underline and the full word spelt out in white underneath.
ETFs

Why this ASX ETF is a retiree's dream

This ASX ETF could deliver everything a retiree could want.

Read more »

ETF written on wooden blocks with a magnifying glass.
ETFs

Are passive or active ASX ETFs a better investment choice?

Which kind of fund is best?

Read more »

A boy is about to rocket from a copper-coloured field of hay into the sky.
ETFs

What are the best performing thematic ASX ETFs right now?

These thematic funds are racing higher.

Read more »

Two smiling work colleagues discuss an investment at their office.
ETFs

Why NDQ and these ASX ETFs could be buys in June

These ETFs stand out as top picks this month. Let's dig deeper into why that is the case.

Read more »