ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide Aussie investors with an easy way to invest in international shares without having to trade on overseas exchanges.
International ASX ETFs offer investors exposure to US shares, emerging markets, and other markets.
As we've previously reported, Australian investors poured more than twice as much money into ETFs holding international shares than Aussie shares over the first three quarters of 2024.
In this article, we review newly published figures from the ASX revealing which ETFs holding overseas stocks dished up the best total returns in the calendar year 2024.
Total returns incorporate both share price gains and distributions (or dividends).
Top 6 international ASX ETFs for total returns in 2024
According to the data, here are the top six ETFs:
Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)
The FANG+ ETF delivered an outstanding one-year return of 65.08%. The historical distribution yield is 4.29%.
This ETF has a market cap of $177.02 million and a management expense ratio (MER) of 0.35%.
VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)
The ESPO ETF delivered a similarly stunning annual return of 63.1%. The historical distribution yield is 0.47%.
This ETF has a market cap of $78.95 million and a MER of 0.55%.
BetaShares Video Games and Esports ETF (ASX: GAME)
The GAME ETF delivered a 12-month return of 54.38%. The historical distribution yield is 0.26%.
This ASX exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $4.49 million and a MER of 0.57%.
BetaShares Geared US Equity Fund Currency Hedged (Hedge Fund) (ASX: GGUS)
The GGUS ETF delivered a total annual return of 45.19%. There is no historical distribution yield.
This exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $277.59 million and a MER of 0.8%.
iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)
The IZZ ETF delivered a total annual return of 44.03%. The historical distribution yield is 3.19%.
This ETF has a market cap of $299.81 million and a MER of 0.6%.
Global X US 100 ETF (ASX: U100)
The U100 ETF delivered a one-year return of 43.23%. The historical distribution yield is 0.24%.
This ASX ETF has a market cap of $55.49 million and a MER of 0.24%.
More about the No. 1 international shares ETF
The FANG+ ETF provides concentrated exposure to 10 companies.
They include six of the US Magnificent Seven. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) is excluded.
According to ETF provider, Global X:
The Global X FANG+ ETF (FANG) seeks to invest in companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology …
Next-gen technology spans multiple segments, and its most innovative companies include both household names and newcomers from around the world.