The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has underperformed in 2026 compared to international markets.
At the time of writing, Australia's benchmark index is essentially flat year to date.
But Aussie investors aren't sitting around waiting for the tide to turn.
Instead, they are looking towards international equities for stronger returns.
A recent report from Betashares identified how this is playing out in the ASX ETF market.
According to the report, international equities broke another monthly record in August at $3.8 billion in net inflows, surpassing July's previous high of $3.56 billion.
As a result of recent weakness in Australian equities, investors are rethinking their long-term investment plans with international equity ETFs emerging as a clear beneficiary. The category has now set a new all-time monthly record in consecutive months, while Emerging Market ETFs also saw record inflows this month.
For investors looking for global diversification with ASX ETFs, here are three that have performed well in 2026.
Image source: Getty Images
Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)
One of the best performing ASX ETFs this year from Betashares has been this Asian technology-focused fund.
Up 32% year to date, it tracks the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) comprising the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan).
The big driver has been AI and semiconductor exposure.
It essentially offers another way of playing the AI boom, through the companies manufacturing the hardware rather than primarily through the US companies selling the software/services.
Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF (ASX: BEMG)
Another theme in 2026 has been emerging markets.
Emerging markets generally refer to countries or regions undergoing fast economic growth.
Usually, countries that are undergoing growth and industrialisation.
In the case of this fund from Betashares, it offers exposure to large and mid-cap stocks across 24 emerging market countries.
Almost 80% of the fund is made up by companies from Taiwan, South Korea, China, and India.
By sector, it has a strong weighting towards tech and financials.
In 2026, it has risen over 14%.
Vaneck MSCI International Value (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: HVLU)
Another internationally focused fund that has outperformed the Australian market this year has been this fund from VanEck.
It provides a diversified portfolio of 250 international developed market large and mid-cap companies, with high value scores as calculated by MSCI at each rebalance, with returns hedged into Australian dollars.
The value rating is based on: price to book value, price to forward earnings, and enterprise value to cash flow from operations.
It has risen by over 22% year to date.
