Easy access to international shares and commodities are key reasons why Aussie investors love ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
On top of that, they provide great diversification in just one trade, and there is plenty of choice, with 423 of them on the market today.
In 2025, Aussies sank a net $53 billion into ASX ETFs, which represents a 75% increase on 2024.
Investors understand that ETFs tend to be slower-moving that individual shares, given they reflect the collective performance of a basket of stocks.
But 40% to 70% returns in a single year are highly impressive.
Let's explore three ASX ETFs that delivered this remarkable range of returns last year.
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Global X Gold Bullion ETF (ASX: GXLD)
Last year, Global X Gold Bullion ETF returned 73.8% to investors amid another stupendously good year for the yellow metal.
The gold price rose by 65% in 2025 — its best year for growth since 1979 — and that was on top of a 27% gain in 2024.
Reflecting this run, GXLD has delivered an impressive three-year average return of 28.14%, but a weaker (though still very solid!) five-year average of 16.21%.
In 2026, the gold price has gone even crazier. It's already up 24% in the year to date, and we're still in January.
The gold price has exceeded all previous forecasts for 2026, rising close to US$5,600 per ounce during the week.
Gold has a variety of tailwinds, including a structural shift by central banks to diversify away from the USD, ongoing geopolitical tensions, expectations of lower interest rates in the US, and uncertainty over the medium- to long-term impact of US tariffs rolled out last year.
GXLD offers investors a simple and cost-effective way to invest in physical gold.
The ETF tracks the price of gold bullion in Australian dollars, before fees and expenses.
The management fee is 0.15% and there is $617 million worth of assets under management.
As physical gold is a non-yielding investment, the GXLD does not pay dividends.
Betashares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF (ASX: BNKS)
Last year, Betashares Global Banks Currency Hedged ETF returned 46.54% to investors.
The goal of this ETF is to allow Aussie investors to diversify outside of our Big Four, led by Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).
The BNKS ETF invests in the world's largest banks outside of Australia, including JP Morgan, Bank of America, and HSBC.
This ASX ETF tracks the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Banks Hedged AUD Index.
Hedging is a useful tool at the moment given the weakening USD against the AUD.
The main geographical skews are United States 28%, Canada 15%, Britain 11%, and Japan 9%.
This ETF has got some long-term game. It's three-year average return is 29.31% and the five-year average is 20.27%.
BNKS has $157 million in net assets and the management fee is 0.57%.
Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)
In 2025, Global X Semiconductor ETF returned 43.7% to investors.
This ASX ETF tracks the Solactive Global Semiconductor 30 Index. As the name suggests, there are just 30 stocks involved here.
The three-year average return is 48.53%, reflecting surging demand for semiconductors and microchips to power artificial intelligence and advanced technology systems in recent years.
As my colleague Aaron explains, semiconductors control electricity – sometimes they let electricity flow, sometimes they block it.
This makes them essential components in modern electronics.
Semiconductors are used to make microchips, which power iPhones, cars, medical devices, and plenty of other things.
Aaron describes them as the "brains and nerves" of electronic devices.
As you'd expect, the world's biggest semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, and semiconductor designer Nvidia Corp, are two of the biggest holdings in this ETF's portfolio.
This ASX ETF has $559 million in funds under management and the fee is 0.45%.
