The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) delivered a total net return of 13.67% (after fees) in FY25.
Investors' returns comprised approximately 9.9% in capital growth and 3.77% in dividends.
The VAS exchange-traded fund (ETF) closed at $106.36 per unit on 30 June.
The ETF hit a record high of $107.39 on 11 June, which was the same day that the index it tracks hit an all-time high of 8,565.8 points.
That index is the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), which is comprised of the 300 largest shares by market capitalisation.
The VAS ETF has $20.75 billion in funds under management (FUM), according to June data from the ASX.
That makes it the most popular ASX ETF on the market by a long shot.
Next in line are the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV).
The VGS and IVV ETFs have about $11 billion worth of FUM each. You can read about the IVV ETF's FY25 performance here.
Let's check out the 10 best-performing shares, in terms of share price growth, within the VAS ETF in FY25.
10 best shares for growth within the VAS ETF in FY25
Four of the top 10 stocks were gold mining shares, which is no surprise following the strong rise in the gold commodity price.
The S&P/ASX All Ords Gold Index (ASX: XGD) leapt 57% in FY25.
The gold price steadily rose all year, hitting a record US$3,500.05 per ounce on 22 April.
Here are the top 10 ASX 300 stocks for FY25 within the VAS ETF.
1. Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)
Shares of ASX gold explorer Catalyst Metals rose by an incredible 362% to close at $5.22 apiece on 30 June.
2. Catapult Group International Ltd (ASX: CAT)
This ASX 300 tech share jumped 210% higher in FY25.
Stock in the global sports data and analytics company closed at $5.86 per share on 30 June.
3. Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)
Shipbuilder Austal is benefiting enormously from the emerging global investment theme.
Austal shares ripped 152% higher to close at $6.28 on 30 June. The stock was admitted to the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in the June 2025 rebalance.
4. Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)
Another gold mining share, Regis Resources, rose by 150% to close the financial year at $4.39.
5. Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD)
Fellow gold miner Genesis Minerals also had a stellar year, with its share price rising 145% to close at $4.30 on June 30.
Genesis Minerals was among 15 ASX All Ords shares upgraded to 'strong buy' consensus ratings on the CommSec platform in June.
6. Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)
ASX healthcare share Sigma soared by 135% to close at $2.99 on 30 June.
Sigma Healthcare shares enjoyed strong support due to the company's merger with Chemist Warehouse.
7. Iperionx Ltd (ASX: IPX)
This ASX 300 materials share lifted 133% in FY25.
Stock in the titanium metal and critical materials company closed at $4.75 apiece on 30 June.
8. Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM)
ASX gold mining share Ora Banda surged 128% to close at 76.5 cents on 30 June.
9. Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)
This online furniture retailer outperformed every other listed consumer discretionary company in FY25.
The Temple & Webster share price rose by 127% to a closing value of $21.32 on 30 June.
10. Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP)
Stock in this critical minerals miner leapt 126% to close at $4.90 on 30 June.
