As the year comes to a close, I am covering the performance of many ASX ETFs in 2025.
Last week I compared how Australia's benchmark index has performed against the most influential US indexes.
For a quick recap, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose roughly 6.4% in 2025.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) rose roughly 18%, and the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) rose 22.2%.
History tells us this was a slightly below average year for the ASX 200, which historically has brought returns of 9-10% per annum.
There are a few ASX ETFs that track this index, so investors can gain exposure to this benchmark.
However, there are plenty of ASX ETFs that outperformed the ASX 200 significantly this year.
Let's look at three of the best performing funds from ASX ETF provider Betashares.
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Betashares Energy Transition Metals Etf (ASX: XMET)
This ASX ETF was an absolute winner in 2025.
It started the year trading at roughly $7.40 each, and has more than doubled to now trade at approximately $15.00.
That's good for a rise of 102%.
This fund rode the tailwinds of booming commodity prices this year.
This ASX ETF provides exposure to a portfolio of global companies in the Energy Transition Metals ('ETMs') industry. ETMs are raw materials that are essential to the transition to a less carbon-intensive economy.
It has holdings in global producers of copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, silver and rare earth elements.
BetaShares Global Banks ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: BNKS)
As the name suggests, this ASX ETF offers exposure to the largest global banks, excluding Australia.
This includes banks such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
At the time of writing, it is made up of 60 holdings, with its largest geographical weighting towards:
- United States (27.7%)
- Canada (14.9%)
- Britain (10.0%)
- Japan (9.2%)
It proved a worthwhile investment this year, with the fund rising by approximately 46% in 2025.
What's perhaps even more impressive is it boasts a track record of 19.51% returns per annum over the last 5 years.
BetaShares Australian Small Companies Select Fund (ASX: SMLL)
Another emerging theme in 2025 has been the performance of small-cap shares.
In fact, as at December 17, small-cap shares had outperformed their large-cap counterparts by 14%. This marks the best relative outperformance in nearly 16 years.
This ASX ETF offers exposure to ASX-listed companies that are generally within the 91-350 largest by free float market capitalisation.
In 2025, this fund has risen by more than 30%.
