Why these market-beating ASX ETFs could be top buys in 2025

Could these ETFs beat the market again next year? Let's find out.

| 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

If you're not a fan of stock-picking then ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be the answer.

They allow you to invest in large groups of shares with a single click of the button, instead of having to buy individual stocks.

But which ones could be good options in 2025?

Let's take a look at three that have smashed the market in 2024 and could be well-positioned to continue their positive form in the new year. They are as follows:

The letters ETF with a man pointing at it.

Image source: Getty Images

BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP)

The crypto market has been a great place to invest in 2024 thanks partly to Donald Trump's US election victory. This has led to the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF delivering investors incredible returns so far in 2024.

This ETF is designed to provide access to the full crypto ecosystem. Its holdings include pure-play crypto companies, those with balance sheets that are at least 75% in crypto-assets, and diversified companies with crypto-focused business operations.

Since the start of the year, the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF has risen by a sizeable 52%. This compares favourably to a 7.8% gain by the ASX 200 index over the same period.

If the crypto market continues to boom in 2025, crypto shares and this ETF will be well-placed to benefit.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

A second ASX ETF that has beaten the market this year is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

It provides investors with access to around 50 of the best technology stocks from the Asian region. These companies, which are known as technology tigers, include online retail giant Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), WeChat owner Tencent Holdings, Temu owner PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and search engine leader Baidu Inc (NASDAQ: BIDU).

Since the start of the year, this ETF has risen by over 36%.

With the Chinese government launching major economic stimulus next year, the shares in this fund could benefit from improving trading conditions.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

A third ASX ETF that has been a market-beater this year is the iShares S&P 500 ETF.

This popular fund gives investors access to 500 of the largest listed companies on Wall Street. This means that you will be buying a slice of companies from a range of different industries and sectors.

Among its holdings are some of the largest and most well-known companies in the world. This includes the likes of Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: XOM), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Walmart Inc (NYSE: WMT).

The iShares S&P 500 ETF has delivered a return of 37% since the start of the year.

Given the quality on offer in this ETF, it wouldn't be surprising to see it outperform again in 2025.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Apple, Baidu, Microsoft, Nvidia, Starbucks, Tencent, Walmart, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group 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 Apple, Betashares Capital - Asia Technology Tigers Etf, Microsoft, Nvidia, Starbucks, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on ETFs

Three colleagues stare at a computer screen with serious looks on their faces.
ETFs

Here are 3 ASX ETFs to buy in May and hold until 2030

These funds could be worth considering if you are looking for an easy way to invest for the long term.

Read more »

A group of business people pump the air and cheer.
ETFs

3 Vanguard ETFs I would recommend to friends

Instead of picking individual stocks, building around a few well-chosen ETFs can create a strong foundation for long-term investing.

Read more »

A stoke broker watches the share price movements on the Asian share market
ETFs

How to tap into Asia's growth using ASX ETFs

These funds offer access to the region’s fastest-growing giants.

Read more »

A woman researcher holds a finger up in happiness as if making the 'number one' sign with a graphic of technological data and an orb emanating from her finger while fellow researchers work in the background.
ETFs

3 reasons I'd buy and hold the NDQ ETF for 10 years

Instead of trying to pick the next tech winner, this ETF gives investors a diversified way to back a broad…

Read more »

Happy work colleagues give each other a fist pump.
ETFs

Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in May

These funds could be smart buys. Let's see what they offer.

Read more »

Two people toss papers in the air in joy.
ETFs

These 3 ASX ETFs just hit the Australian stock market

VanEck has launched three new ETFs for ASX investors.

Read more »

a group of people stand examining a large glowing cystral ball held in the hands of one of the group members while the others regard it with various expressions of wonder, curiousity and scepticism.
ETFs

Why these ASX ETFs could be top picks in May

Let's see what these funds offer Aussie investors with money to put to work in the market.

Read more »

A woman sits in a cafe wearing a polka dotted shirt and holding a latte in one hand while reading something on a laptop that is sitting on the table in front of her
ETFs

$10,000 invested in the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield (VHY) ETF a year ago is now worth?

With income back in favour, this high-yield strategy has delivered a strong result over the past 12 months.

Read more »