ASX HACK and 1 other ETF up 20% to 80% in a year

ASX HACK invests in cybersecurity companies, while this other ETF invests in crypto businesses.

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Key points

  • Global Cybersecurity ETF: Leveraging the growing need for cybersecurity, the HACK ETF has risen 22% over the past year, investing in top companies like CrowdStrike and Cisco to capture the cybersecurity boom, with a strong average annual return of 18.5% since its 2016 inception.
  • BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF: CRYP has surged 82% in the past 12 months, providing exposure to the evolving crypto economy by investing in companies heavily involved in crypto, though it's categorised as high-risk due to its potential volatility and previous negative average annual returns.
  • Investment Thematics and Risks: Both ETFs exemplify growing global investment thematics in cybersecurity and crypto, with HACK providing more stable returns and CRYP offering high-risk, high-reward opportunities, demonstrating the varied risk profiles available within ASX ETFs.

ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide a simple and easy opportunity to invest in major global investment thematics.

Here are two ASX ETFs experiencing a steady trajectory this year.

Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

The HACK ETF is $15.31 per unit, down 1.1% on Friday but up 22% over the past 12 months.

HACK ETF is leveraging the enormous and growing demand for cybersecurity services across the world.

ASX HACK invests in 33 shares and tracks the Nasdaq Consumer Technology Association Cybersecurity Index.

Currently, the top holdings are CrowdStrike, Broadcom, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco Systems.

Top allocations are systems software at 49% of funds, communications equipment at 12%, and internet services and infrastructure at 9%.

The geographic exposure is 79% US, 7% India, 5% France, and 4% Israel.

The ASX ETF pays distributions twice per year in January and July.

Since its inception in August 2016, HACK ETF has delivered an average total annual return of 18.5%.

BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (ASX: CRYP)

CRYP ETF is $9.98 per unit, down 7% on Friday but up 82% over the past 12 months.

This ASX ETF offers investors a convenient way of investing in crypto without buying cryptocurrencies directly.

ASX CRYP invests in global companies that receive significant revenue from crypto or hold substantial crypto assets.

ETF provider Betashares says:

The crypto economy has been growing strongly, aided by the performance of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other digital assets over the past ten years, with this growth anticipated to continue. The companies within CRYP are seeking to build on that success.

ASX CRYP's investments are across a broad range of industries.

For example, 64% of the CRYP ETF is invested in application software, 14% in financial exchanges and data, 7% in asset management and custody banks, 4% in transaction and payment processing, and 3% in diversified banks.

CRYP seeks to mirror the performance of the Bitwise Crypto Innovators Index.

ASX CRYP currently holds 48 companies. These companies are predominantly in the US, which accounts for 70% of the portfolio.

The next largest geographic exposures are Australia at 11%, Canada at 5%, and the Cayman Islands at 3.5%.

ASX CRYP's biggest holdings are Iris Energy, Coinbase Global, MicroStrategy, and Marathon Digital.

CRYP does not pay distributions.

Since its inception on 2 November 2021, CRYP ETF has produced a negative average annual return of (5.4%).

However, over the past 12 months, the total return was 84%.

This is why Betashares recommends this ASX ETF only for investors with a high risk tolerance.

Betashares says:

An investment in CRYP should be considered very high risk.

Crypto-assets are highly speculative in nature and companies with significant exposure to crypto-asset markets can be expected to have a very high level of return volatility.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF and Cisco Systems. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom, Coinbase Global, and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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