Australian investors continue to put their faith in ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for easy diversification and low ongoing fees.
Last year, we ploughed a net $53 billion of new funds into ETFs, which was 75% higher than 2024, according to Betashares data.
Here are three ASX ETFs that delivered excellent returns last year.
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Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)
Over 2025, WIRE ETF returned 93% and finished the year at $22.20 apiece.
This ASX ETF is having an incredible run on the back of rising global demand for the red metal.
WIRE seeks to mirror the performance of the Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index before fees.
The copper price soared 42% last year and hit a new record above US$6 per pound earlier this month.
Copper is essential for electrification and is playing a huge role in the green energy transition.
WIRE holds 39 stocks and offers good geographical diversification.
Investments are 37% Canada, 11% US, 10% Australia, 10% Hong Kong, 7% Japan, 6% Poland, 5% Sweden, and the list goes on.
The ASX copper shares among WIRE's investments include the ASX 200's largest pure-play, Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), at 3.2%.
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), the world's largest copper producer, makes up 4% of WIRE's investments.
Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares provide another 3%, and Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) makes up 0.36%.
WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1) shares are in there, too, at 0.2%.
Vaneck Global Defence ETF (ASX: DFND)
Over 2025, DFND ETF returned 57% and closed out the year at $36.74 apiece.
DFND ETF holds 36 shares and tracks the MarketVector Global Defence Industry (AUD) Index before fees.
The top holding is Thales SA (FRA: CSF), a French company that produces advanced defence electronics and cybersecurity systems.
There's also RTX Corp (NYSE: RTX), a major US aerospace and missile systems manufacturer, and Leonardo SpA (FRA: FMNB), an Italian aerospace and defence company that builds helicopters.
DFND ETF also holds Hanwha Aerospace Co Ltd (KRX: 012450), a South Korean company that makes military aircraft engines, artillery systems, and satellites, and Saab AB (FRA: SDV1), a Swedish aerospace and defence company.
Plato Global Alpha Fund Complex ETF (ASX: PGA1)
Last year, PGA1 ETF returned 31% and finished the year at $36.74 apiece.
PGA1 aims to outperform the MSCI World Net Returns Unhedged Index by 4% per annum, after fees, over the medium to long term.
The ETF holds more than 250 shares.
Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory holds this ASX ETF in his self-managed super fund (SMSF).
Wielandt has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Last November, he explained the appeal of this ASX ETF on The Bull:
The Plato Global Alpha Fund, established initially as a managed fund in September 2021, operates as a long/short exchange traded fund.
The fund is overweight in financials and defence and is underweight in materials and energy.
Contributors to its performance in the past 12 months include Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO).
The price of the ETF has been steadily rising since mid-April and I like the outlook.
PGA1 ETF began trading on the ASX in November 2024.
