Last year was fantastic for ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) exposed to ripsnorting commodity prices and mining stocks.
Here are four examples.
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Betashares Global Gold Miners Currency Hedged ETF (ASX: MNRS)
The MNRS ETF gave a total return, including dividends, of 149% last year.
MNRS tracks the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Gold Miners Hedged AUD Index.
The MNRS ETF invests in 56 gold shares, with 44% in Canada, 14% in the US, 13% in South Africa, and 8% in Brazil.
Its largest holding is Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM), which has CDIs listed on the ASX as Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM).
Newmont CDI shares are the only Aussie representation in the fund.
This ASX ETF has total net assets of $301 million and a management fee of 0.57%.
MNRS ETF is $20.01 per unit, up 2.62% today.
VanEck Gold Miners AUD ETF (ASX: GDX)
The GDX ETF gave a total return of 139% last year.
The GDX ETF invests in 93 shares, with 44% in Canada, 20% in the US, 11% in Australia, and 6% in China.
The biggest holding is Newmont shares, and it's also invested in Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).
This ETF has total net assets of $1.9 billion and a 0.53% fee.
GDX ETF is $166.60 per unit, up 2.21% today.
Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG)
The ETPMAG ETF delivered 133% returns last year.
This ETF simply tracks the silver price, so it pays no dividends.
The silver price ripped 147% higher last year. But get this: as of today, the commodity is up 272% year over year. It's nuts!
Silver is a key input for solar panels, electric vehicles, data centres, and modern tech equipment such as smartphones and laptops.
The commodity was added to the US Critical Minerals list in November due to a global shortage and rising demand.
ETPMAG is backed by physical silver. Each physical bar is segregated, individually identified, and allocated.
This ASX ETF has total net assets of $2 billion and a 0.49% fee.
ETPMAG ETF is $154.99 per unit, up 1.77% at the time of writing.
Global X is further capturing silver's run by launching a brand-new ETF this week, the Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX: SLVM).
Global X Physical Platinum Structured (ASX: ETPMPT)
The ETPMPT ETF gave a total return of 109% last year.
Like gold and silver, platinum is flying. The metal's price rose 125% in CY25 and is currently up 170% over 12 months.
Platinum is one of six metals in the Platinum Group Elements (PMEs).
PMEs are on the critical minerals lists of many countries, including the US and Australia.
Platinum is primarily used in the automotive industry. It's in the catalytic converters that reduce a vehicle's emissions.
ETPMPT is also backed by physical platinum, with segregated, individually identified, and allocated bars.
This ASX ETF has total net assets of $123 million and a 0.49% fee.
ETPMPT ETF is $359.07 per unit, up 1.05% today.
