As the year comes to a close, it can be a great time to reflect on portfolio performance.
It's always fun to focus on the winners. However looking at traditionally strong sectors that underperformed this year can help reveal future opportunities.
One way to target these sectors is by looking at ASX ETFs that track these indexes or themes.
Here are three ASX ETFs that have historically performed well, however underperformed this year. Could they bounce back in 2026?
BetaShares S&P/ASX 200 Financials Sector ETF (ASX: QFN)
This ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (before fees and expenses).
The Index provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.
The fund has returned almost 14% per annum (after fees) since launching in 2020.
Since its inception, it is up more than 80%.
However in 2025 it is down 12.6%.
It's no surprise this fund has struggled, as its largest exposure is to WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO).
However these technology companies have all been tipped to rebound next year, making this ASX ETF a tempting buy-low option.
Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)
This fund seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index.
This fund offers a diversified blend of Australian real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) with residential, office, retail, and industrial assets.
It is made up of 31 holdings, with its largest allocation being to Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) which makes up roughly 33% of the fund.
In 2025 the fund has risen by a modest 2.2%.
It has dropped almost 8% since late October.
However since its inception in 2010, it has returned approximately 10% per annum.
BetaShares FTSE RAFI U.S. 1000 ETF (ASX: QUS)
This fund provides exposure to 500 leading listed US companies, with each holding in the index weighted equally.
This ASX ETF rose just 1.9% in 2025 despite the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) rising almost 17% in the same span.
It appears that this fund's equal weight method worked against it this year.
However, according to Betashares, it has generated annualised returns of 13.29% over the past 5 years.
Therefore, it could be another candidate to rebound next year.
