ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make life pretty simple for investors.
Instead of picking individual shares, investors can use ASX ETFs to buy into sectors, thematics, or whole markets.
There is now $331 billion invested across 423 ETFs on the ASX today, according to Betashares data.
The Australian Securities Exchange has just released the full-year performance data for ASX ETFs in 2025.
Here, we highlight three ASX ETFs that delivered exceptional total returns last year.
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Betashares Energy Transition Metals ETF (ASX: XMET)
XMET ETF delivered a return of 100.47% last year, as it capitalised on runaway commodity prices and mining stocks.
The XMET ETF tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Energy Transition Materials Select Index.
This ASX ETF invests in metal producers that are powering the global clean energy transition.
It has exposure to global producers of copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, silver, and rare earth elements.
Many of these metals show up in our article on the 12 best-performing commodities of 2025.
Betashares explains the ETF's thesis:
The transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions is driving growth in a range of disruptive products and processes such as renewable energy generation, battery storage solutions, and electric vehicles, all of which are critically dependent on the select group of ETMs [Energy Transition Metals] that XMET provides exposure to.
Holdings include international shares like First Majestic Silver Corp and Ivanhoe Mines.
There are also Aussie shares like ASX lithium pure-play PLS Group (ASX: PLS) and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).
XMET has net assets of $122 million and the management fee is 0.69%.
This ETF is changing hands for $17.81 per unit, down 3.2% on Friday.
Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)
Over 2025, DTEC ETF returned 64% to investors as global defence spending ramped up amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
DTEC is a relatively new ETF launched in October 2024. It doesn't yet pay dividends, so that 64% return was all capital growth.
ASX DTEC invests in 37 shares and seeks to track the Global X Defense Tech Index before fees.
The ETF's holdings include Lockheed Martin Corp, Rheinmetall AG, RTX Corp, and Palantir Technologies Inc.
The annual management fee is 0.5% and the ETF manages $133 million in funds.
DTEC is $19.51 per unit today, down 0.46%.
VanEck Australian Resources ETF (ASX: MVR)
MVR ETF was the best-performing ETF holding Aussie shares in 2025, returning 40.53%.
MVR seeks to track the performance of the MVIS Australia Resources Index.
Of course, this ETF invests in major mining companies like Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). But it goes beyond that.
MVR also invests in major energy players like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).
It also has positions in companies that provide services to the mining sector, like engineering services providers Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR), and railway freight services provider, Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ).
This ETF has $585.6 million in net assets. The management fee is 0.35%.
MVR ETF is trading for $48.56 apiece, up 0.27% on Friday.
